Visual Solutions, VisSim Overview
The following material is from their web site:
“VisSim is a Windows-based program for the modeling and simulation of complex nonlinear dynamic systems. VisSim combines an intuitive drag & drop block diagram interface with a powerful simulation engine. The visual block diagram interface offers a simple method for constructing, modifying and maintaining system models. The simulation engine provides fast and accurate solutions for linear, nonlinear, continuous time, discrete time, time varying and hybrid system designs.
VisSim provides a fully integrated control system design environment where all design and simulation tasks can be completed without writing a line of code. Furthermore, VisSim offers unprecedented ease-of-use and consequently a shorter learning curve than competitive systems. Less time training -- more time engineering!
Professional VisSim includes the VisSim Viewer, a run-time, view only version of VisSim. The VisSim Viewer enables users to distribute VisSim models and simulations to individuals not licensed to use VisSim. Model integrity is preserved by prohibiting recipients from changing wiring and model structure. However, recipients of the Viewer are able to change block and simulation parameters, optimize gains, perform interactive "what -if " scenarios and customize histogram, plot and stripChart blocks.
VisSim is an award winning software program for the modeling and simulation of complex dynamic systems. VisSim combines an intuitive drag & drop block diagram interface with a powerful simulation engine. The visual block diagram interface offers a simple method for constructing, modifying and maintaining complex system models. The simulation engine provides fast and accurate solutions for linear, nonlinear, continuous time, discrete time, time varying and hybrid system designs. With VisSim, users can quickly develop software or "virtual" prototypes of systems or processes to demonstrate their behavior prior to building physical prototypes. Built-in integration tools allow users to communicate seamlessly with MATLAB and Mathcad. A VisSim/SIMULINK Translator™ allows SIMULINK users to import SIMULINK V2 or V3 block diagrams directly into VisSim.
The user builds his system model by selecting predefined blocks from a block library and simply wiring (graphically connecting) the blocks into a diagram. Each block of the diagram performs a mathematical or input/output function. These "blocks" may represent complex algorithms, input variables, or various outputs like graphs, charts, plots or data files. Users can also create custom blocks in C, Fortran or Pascal and add them to the VisSim block library. After the model is configured, a simulation is run and results of the simulation are displayed.
Once the behavior of the system model is understood, often the next step is to develop a "software" controller that will control the behavior of the model and eventually the physical system itself. In the above example, a motion control engineer developed a system model of an AC Induction Motor and then developed a "software" PID controller to control the torque, velocity and position of the motor.
The core product, VisSim, is used for general modeling, simulation and control system design applications. VisSim product options include VisSim/Analyze™, for frequency domain analysis, and VisSim/Real-Time™, for real-time hardware-in-the-loop validation.”
We will make use of this tool to be able to better understand how our lab experiments operate.
This product is similar to Simulink, however it is easier to use. We will refer to this simulation package from time to time during the course.
A tutorial is available to help you begin to learn how to use the program.