Developing Fit-For-Purpose Simscape Models to Support System and Control Design

Most new electrical and electromechanical systems require multiple models to support the key design questions. Simple behavioural models that enable optimization of the overall system are required early in the design. As a design matures, the system-level assumptions must then be validated by more detailed subcomponent models. Moreover, subcomponent design itself requires more detailed models to ensure constituent parts stay within permitted operating envelopes, thus helping ensure the subcomponent will be reliable in service.

In this presentation, Rick will show how to develop Simscape™ models with different levels of fidelity that span system, control, and component design tasks. Models of both a photovoltaic generator and an electric traction drive will be used for illustration. Workflows to import SPICE subcircuits and magnetic finite element data will be shown, plus abstraction methods to map this detailed design data to support design validation at the system level. Two ways of extracting stability margins from switched converter models will also be demonstrated. The presentation will conclude with a tutorial Simscape language example on how to build a faulted component model.