PATRUCCO - VisSim: caratteristiche

VisSim consists of a "no programming required" OLE/COM compliant integration with Mathcad 2000. This integration provides Mathcad users with a simple and seamless method for performing dynamic system simulations. With VisSim, Mathcad users can now model and simulate control, communication or signal processing systems. Mathcad users can create new, or embed existing, Mathcad documents within a VisSim model by using the new Insert Mathcad Object block. Users can dynamically exchange scalar or matrix data between VisSim and Mathcad using the simple VisSim click and wire interface - no programming required!

To optimize data exchange between VisSim and Mathcad, values can be accessed at the beginning or end of each VisSim simulation run, every time step or at a user defined update rate. All Mathcad Object blocks are saved to the VisSim diagram file with full OLE information and will automatically reestablish communication with Mathcad upon loading. There is no limit to the number of Mathcad Object blocks that can be embedded within a VisSim model.

Vissim also includes an Insert OLEobject block that allows users to integrate OLE compliant objects, such as Microsoft Word or Excel documents, within a VisSim diagram. This is a major design documentation enhancement to VisSim as users can easily (with no programming required) integrate product specifications, Excel spreadsheets, PDF's or other OLE compliant documents within their VisSim diagram.

VisSim Key Features

Feature	Description
ActiveX support	Exchange information in real time with any other Windows application that is an ActiveX container or ActiveX data server using ActiveXread and ActiveXwrite blocks.
Auto Dialog box generation for compound blocks	Set, view, select, and change user-defined parameter values encapsulated in a compound block through a single dialog box.
DLL wizard	An extension of the Microsoft Visual C/C++ compiler (v4.0 or greater) for automatically integrating user-developed C or C++ programs into VisSim as custom blocks.
Triggered compound blocks	Selectively enable or disable the execution of compound blocks and set the rate of execution for a compound block.
MATLAB integration	Interactively execute MATLAB commands, functions and .m files from within a VisSim session. VisSim automatically starts MATLAB and accesses MATLAB variables used in a VisSim model.
Look-up table wizard	Automatically generate a VisSim map block (that can be used as a static model) from 1D, 2D, or 3D look-up tables.
String processing	Create alphanumeric text strings that VisSim displays upon the occurrence of a conditional event. For example, display the following warning message when a tank capacity is compromised: "Potential overflow – tank at 95% capacity."
Pre-warp Tustin s to z conversion	Convert continuous transfer function into an equivalent discrete transfer function, and vice versa using the Tustin method. Complements the existing bilinear transformation.
Integrated VisSim Viewer	Automatically distribute free run-time versions of block diagram models by email or disk.

VisSim New Add-Ons

Add-On	Description
VisSim/ModelWizard	Perform transfer function identification from historic or real-time data
VisSim/MatLab Compiler	Compile MATLAB functions into VisSim blocks (includes Microsoft C/C++ compiler).
VisSim/RT-PDI	Read and write tag information from and to plantdata historian, SCADA, or DCS.

General Features

Feature	Function	Benefit		Application
Integrated VisSim Viewer	Automatically distribute free run-time versions of block diagram models by email or disk		Simplifies communication of design information and status	All simulations
String processing	Create alphanumeric text strings that VisSim displays upon the occurrence of a conditional event		Automates display of operator prompts and alarms	All simulations
Enhanced printing options	Reduce or enlarge the printed block diagram		Enhances model readability and ease of design documentation	All simulations
WMF file format support	Save VisSim diagrams in Windows MetaFile Format		Enhances model readability and ease of design documentation	All simulations
User Blocks menu	List user-written blocks in drop-down menu to simplify their insertion in your diagrams		Simplifies model design	All simulations
Local path aliases	Override individual components in a path alias		Simplifies model design	All simulations
Nested path aliases	Define a path alias in terms of another path alias		Enhances diagram portability	All simulations

Modeling Features

Feature	Function	Benefit		Application
ActiveX support	Exchange information in real time with other Windows applications that are ActiveX containers or data servers		Extends modeling capabilities; uses industry-standard method for interprocess communication	All simulations
Auto Dialog box generation for compound blocks	View and configure user-defined parameters in a compound block through a single dialog box		Simplifies model design	Large, complex simulations
DLL wizard	Extend Microsoft Visual C/C++ compiler (v4.0 or greater) to automatically integrate user developed C or C++ programs as VisSim blocks		Simplifies integration of user-developed programs; speeds up model execution; simplifies model design	All simulations
Enhanced search capability	Includes search by block type; enhance scope and variable searching		Speeds model building and debugging	All simulations
Block labels	Attach user-specified labels to blocks		Enhances model readability and ease of design documentation	All simulations
Enhanced flexWire routing	1. Visually contrast connected and unconnected "crossed" wires. 2. Auto-scroll when connecting a wire to a block not visible on the screen.		Enhances model readability and ease of design documentationSimplifies model design	All simulations
Customized wire thickness	Adjust flexWires thickness to custom widths		Enhances model readability	All simulations
Matrix constants	Input matrix data to const blocks		Speeds model building	All simulations
Zoom capability	Zoom in and out of model		Enhances model readability	All simulations

Simulation Features

Feature	Function	Benefit		Application
Triggered (or conditional) compound blocks	Selectively enable or disable the execution of compound blocks; and set the rate of execution for a compound block (multi-rate execution of model)		Speeds up model execution and provides true multi-rate system simulation	6-DOF aerospace simulations, state-space system simulation and control
Pre-warp Tustin s to z conversion	Convert continuous transfer function into an equivalent discrete transfer function, and vice versa		Extends modeling capabilities and provides a choice of conversion algorithms (bilinear or Tustin)	System analysis and control design
MATLAB integration	Interactively execute MATLAB commands, functions and .m files from within VisSim. VisSim automatically starts MATLAB and accesses its variables.		Provides seamless integration between VisSim and MATLAB	Any MATLAB application
Look-up table wizard	Automatically generate VisSim map and plot blocks from 1D, 2D, and 3D look-up tables		Simplifies and speeds model design by representing real data as static models	Any simulation that uses external look-up tables or static component models
Reset states	Reset unitDelay, integrator, limitedIntegrator, resetIntegrator, stateSpace, and transferFunction blocks to their initial states		Simplifies model design; speeds up model testing and what-if simulations	All simulations
Variables for initial conditions and block parameters	Set initial conditions and block values using variable names (1/s, 1/z, transferFunction blocks, and more)		Easy method to parameterize scenarios for multiple simulation runs	Multiple simulation runs

Visualization Features

Feature	Function	Benefit		Application
3D visualization	Create 3D plots from arbitrary data sets; and rotate plots in 3D		Extends data visualization capabilities	Any simulation data visualized in 3D
Enhanced scale control on plots	Plot items of common x-scale and different y-scale together while maintaining their respective scales		Enhances model readability and ease of design documentation	All simulations
Increased number of traces on plots and strip charts	Plot up to eight signal traces on plots and strip charts		Extends data visualization	All simulations
Snap to data points	Snap crosshairs to the closest data point		Enhances model testing and data visualization	All simulations
FFT visualization	Visualize frequency spectra of signals (plot and histogram blocks)		Simplifies model design	6-DOF aerospace simulations, state-space system simulation
User-programmable plots and displays	Control how data is presented plots and displays (BERs, FFTs, etc.)		Extends data visualization capabilities	VisSim/Comm systems
Time increment for triggered plots	Assign user-specified time increment to triggered plots		Extends data visualization capabilities	VisSim/Comm systems
Floating plots	Keep plots visible on the screen while drilling through a diagram		Enhances model readability	All simulations