FIGURE 9.3
• MATLAB/SIMULINK
• PSPICE
• PSIM
• EMTP
• ACSL
• MATRIXX
• SIMNON
• SABER
• C
The figure shows some common, currently used digital simulation programs [1]. Most of these programs are available for personal computers. Note that, historically, analog, digital, and hybrid computers have been widely used for simulation. However, digital simulations are universally popular now. Some of the programs listed here are good for circuit simulation, and others are good for system simulation. Of course, in principle, any program can be used for both circuit and system simulation. For example, MATLAB-based Simulink [3] is more convenient for system simulation, whereas PSPICE [4] is more convenient for circuit simulation. Recently, Simulink's capability has been advanced by addition of SimPowerSystems [10]. In this topic, PSPICE and Simulink will be discussed (particularly the latter in detail) only, because of their popularity in power electronics. PSIM [5] provides the advantage of circuit simulation hybriding with system simulation. EMTP (Electro-Magnetic Transients Program) is circuit oriented and has traditionally been used in power systems that incorporate power electronics. Simnon is equation oriented, where each element is described by a state-space equation and then interconnected by a connection routine. ACSL (recently renamed ACSL Sim) and MATRIXX are also equation-based programs. SABER provides large and powerful sophisticated simulation of analog and digital systems that may include electric, power electronic, hydraulic, mechanical, etc., systems. The traditional C or even FORTRAN language has been widely used in simulation of power electronic systems. One advantage of C simulation is that the controller codes can be used in DSP for real-time control. One general rule in simulation programs is that the more user-friendly it is, the slower it is. Of course, with the current dramatic increases in computer speeds, this is not much of a problem.