Simulink Code Research Articles

Performance Analysis of Marine-Predator-Algorithm-Based Optimum PI Controller with Unified Power Flow Controller for Loss Reduction in Wind–Solar Integrated System

Transmission line losses are a crucial and essential issue in stable power system operation. Numerous methodologies and techniques prevail for minimizing losses. Subsequently, Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTSs) efficiently reduce transmission losses, and the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is a reactive power compensation controller. The parameter strength of the proportional–integral (PI) controller was calibrated with the Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA), a recent metaheuristic algorithm. An MPA-based optimum PI controller with a UPFC evaluates the optimal location of the UPFC and PI controller parameters to accomplish the desired research objective. The power rating of the UPFC was determined depending on the voltage collapse rating and power loss and an evaluated performance analysis of the MPA–PI-controlled UPFC on a modified IEEE-30 bus transmission network in MATLAB Simulink code. The Newton–Raphson method was used to perform the load flow analysis. Hence, the proposed MPA–PI controller was examined in contrast to preferred heuristic algorithms, the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) and Moth Flame Optimization algorithms (MFO); the results showed that the MPA–PI controller exhibited better performance with an improved voltage profile and surpasses active power losses with the optimal placement of the UPFC device under different loading conditions. The active power loss, considering a UPFC with the proposed algorithm, reduced from 0.0622 p.u to 0.0301 p.u; consequently, the voltage profile was improved in the respective buses, and the loss percentage reduction during a 100% base load was 68.39%, which was comparatively better than the ABC and MFO algorithms.

PHCG: Optimizing Simulink Code Generation for Embedded System With SIMD Instructions

Simulink is widely used for the model-driven design of embedded systems. It is able to generate optimized embedded control software code through expression folding, variable reuse, etc. However, for some commonly used computing-sensitive models, such as the models for signal processing applications, the efficiency of the generated code is still limited. In this article, we propose PHCG, an optimized code generator for the Simulink model with single-instruction–multiple-data (SIMD) instruction synthesis. It will select the optimal implementations for intensive computing actors based on adaptively precalculation of the input scales, and synthesize the appropriate SIMD instructions for batch computing actors based on the iterative dataflow graph mapping. In addition, actors of the same type that can be executed in parallel can be combined into batch computing actors as much as possible by merging isomorphic subgraphs. We implemented and evaluated its performance on benchmark Simulink models. Compared to the built-in Simulink Coder and the most recent DFSynth, the code generated by PHCG achieves an improvement of 38.9%–92.9% and 41.2%–76.8% in terms of execution time across different architectures and compilers, respectively.

A study of a modified design of dumbbell-shaped flux switching tubular linear generator for regular wave energy conversion

Wave energy converters (WEC) use indirect drive hydraulic or turbine-type power take-off (PTO) mechanisms which consist of many moving parts, creating mechanical complexity and increasing the installation and maintenance costs. Linear generator-based direct drive wave energy converters could be a solution to overcome this problem, but the efficiency of the single conventional linear generator is not high enough, and it cannot work satisfactorily in the low-frequency range.In this paper, a novel dumbbell-shaped flux-switching linear generator has been proposed and studied as a power take-off unit for ocean wave energy conversion. The linear generator has a dumbbell-shaped stator, and the design is ameliorated by placing the permanent magnet rings of longitudinally alternating magnetic pole directions in the slots of its stator outer surface and is separated by thin wall steel ring shoulders. The linear generator also has a dumbbell-shaped translator. The stator is hollow where the translator slides inside axially inducing current in the coil. A long permanent magnet is inserted inside the hollow steel dumbbell core of the translator and a copper coil is wound around the outer surface of the moving translator core. The addition of permanent magnets on the outer slots of the stator is found to increase the output power significantly. To facilitate the investigation, the modified generator design has been compared to the conventional linear permanent magnet generator for their performances using the finite element method, as both machines are different in their structures. The results show that the double dumbbell-shaped flux-switching linear generator gives higher power output, magnetic flux density, branch current, and induced voltage. The double dumbbell-shaped flux-switching linear generator is then placed in a cylindrical buoy and investigated in a wave energy converter in the ocean environment. The hydrodynamic response of the cylindrical buoy has been investigated through ANSYS AQWA. The dynamic differential equations of the wave energy converter have been developed and solved for regular waves using Matlab codes. The peak output voltage, power, and the relative displacement of the linear generator translator with respect to the stator fixed with the buoy have been calculated through the Fourier Transform in the frequency domain using a Matlab code and through numerical integrations in the time domain using a Matlab Simulink code. The results in the time and frequency domains are compared and verified with each other. The relative displacement between the translator and stator buoy has been used as motion input of the ANSYS Maxwell simulation model, and the output voltage results of the ANSYS Maxwell simulation model have been compared and verified with those of the Matlab simulation models. The linear generator design in the wave energy converter under the regular wave excitation is further optimized for the maximum ratio of the peak output power to peak cogging force using the central composite design-based response surface method (RSM). The ANOVA analysis is used to validate the response surface model where its R2 coefficient of 99.93% has indicated an excellent fit. The methods and results differ from those presented in previous studies.

Development of Electro-Hydraulic Hitch Control System through Lower Link Draft Sensing of a Tractor

Three-point linkage plays an important role in controlling tillage implements with the hydraulic system of the tractor which includes draft control too. With increase in the usage of electronics and instrumentation in agriculture, the need was to upgrade the present mechanical hydraulic system of the tractor with electrohydraulic hitch control system (EHH) for better performance. The selection of draft sensing media was at the lower links for better sensitivity. The EHH control system through lower link draft sensing was developed using draft sensors, a control panel for user input and a controller with usage of MATLAB Simulink as an application software. Developed system was tested infield using duck foot cultivator and instrumentation like angle sensor, data acquisition and data logger were used for data capturing. The test results showed that for a change in set draft of 1500N, the system response time and change in depth of operation were 1.3s and 5 cm respectively. Whereas, for change in set draft of 500N the system response time was 0.9 s and change in depth of operation was 4 cm. For the conducted test, the variation in depth of operation was limiting to ±3.1 cm. The results concluded a direct relationship of change in set draft with system response time and change in operating depth. This study provides an overview of developing an EHH system through lower link draft sensing, as well as details of system architecture, control algorithm, MATLAB Simulink code, components used and the methodology and instrumentation technique for testing the same.

FPGA Implementation for Rapid Prototyping of High Performance Voltage Source Inverters

Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is a powerful platform that can play an essential role in high-performance digital control of power electronics systems. However, the FPGA system’s design is quite different from that of a traditional microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP). Instead of sequential programming using high-level languages, such as C/C++, FPGA controller implementation requires a hardware description language (HDL) such as Verilog and VHDL, which requires extensive verification and optimization during the design process. This paper proposes a systematic FPGA design methodology with optimum resource utilization for rapid prototyping of high-performance power electronics applications to facilitate the widespread adoption of FPGA technology in power electronics. The FPGA controller design is concurrent with the power stage and utilizes high-level synthesis (HLS) tools and Simulink code generation toolbox. This paper covers the detailed design, implementation, and experimental validation of two specific applications, i.e., an active power filter (APF) and a motor emulator (ME), demonstrating the generalized features of the methodology. Employing fundamentally different control structures, both application examples achieve ultra-high current control bandwidth leveraging SiC MOSFETs switching at no less than 100 kHz.

Controlled course-keeping simulations of a ship under external disturbances

A Simulink code for numerical simulation of ship manoeuvring is developed based on the appropriate differential equations. Both the Abkowitz and MMG models are implemented as choices according to the available hydrodynamic particulars of a given ship. Reliability of the developed code is assessed by performing the turning and zigzag tests for two different ships, employing the Abkowitz and MMG models in turn according to the available characteristics. As a field study, real time records of the routes followed by a passenger ship crossing the Strait of Istanbul under the disturbing effect of a lateral current were made. One of the vessels tested was autopiloted by a classic PD and a fuzzy-like PD controller separately, guiding the ship to a target destination under cross-current as in the Strait of Istanbul. Performances of these controllers in comparison with the human piloting of the field observations reveal that under disturbing current effects both controllers provide relatively shorter travel paths and the fuzzy-like PD controller stands as a better choice between the two.

Towards Software Based Optical Communication Methods for the Assistance of Docking Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

The use of optical communications systems is prevalent in underwater robotics when short-range data transmission is required or preferred. This paper proposes a method of producing and testing an optical communications system for use in the assistance of optical docking for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). It describes how the Simulink modelling environment was used to program and simulate a model of a transmitter, which was then implemented on a microcontroller. The transmitter model implemented on hardware was then used to produce an optical signal, which was sampled, logged and used to design a receiver model in Simulink. For signalling purposes, the experiment used a light-emitting diode (LED) with a driver circuit and photodiode based receiver. This simulated approach using real world data enabled the analysis of the system at every point during the process, allowing for a hardware in the loop style approach to be used in the receiver model design. Consequently, the Simulink Coder was used to produce the receiver model’s equivalent in C++ for later deployment. A benchmark was determined through experimentation to compare within future studies; the system was tested and found to operate effectively at distances between 1 m and 12 m in a controlled in air test environment.

A co-simulation approach for heavy haul long distance locomotive-track simulation studies

ABSTRACTThe operation of heavy haul high adhesion locomotives on the long distance track from mines to ports is a subject of recent track damage studies. Such studies require the introduction of a traction power system for each locomotive running in the heavy haul train followed by consideration of the whole system developed as a complex mechatronic model. It is nowadays common to use co-simulation for the creation of mechatronic models. This paper introduces an approach which can be applicable for a whole train simulation and is based on the combination of two types of software – a multibody simulation package for the mechanical model of a heavy haul locomotive and tools for simulation of traction power systems. This paper describes the integration of a shared library, generated by means of Simulink Code Generation, in Gensys multibody software for the co-simulation process. The validation of the newly developed approach has been performed by means of the simulation of both simplified and full traction control systems for a heavy haul locomotive running on straight track with the same scenarios previously used for the existing co-simulation approach based on a TCP/IP data exchange interface. Validation of the newly developed approach has also been performed with longitudinal train dynamics considered.

Reconfigurable rapid prototyping platform for power electronic circuits and systems for research and educational purposes

This study presents a power electronics rapid prototyping platform that can be used to implement a wide range of power conversion circuits and systems quickly and inexpensively. The proposed platform features a modular structure, which is consisted of a control board and a power board. The control board includes adjustable signal conditioning circuitry, adjustable gate driving circuits, networking interfaces, and a fast processing unit that can be programmed easily using MATLAB Simulink code generation tools. The power board houses current and voltage sensors and electric sockets that could be used for implementing various power stage circuits. A case study involving the use of the proposed platform for constructing a buck converter is discussed. A cost evaluation of the proposed platform has also been provided.

Integration of Simulink, MARTe and MDSplus for rapid development of real-time applications

Simulink is a graphical data flow programming tool for modeling and simulating dynamic systems. A component of Simulink, called Simulink Coder, generates C code from Simulink diagrams. MARTe is a framework for the implementation of real-time systems, currently in use in several fusion experiments. MDSplus is a framework widely used in the fusion community for the management of data. The three systems provide a solution to different facets of the same process, that is, real-time plasma control development. Simulink diagrams will describe the algorithms used in control, which will be implemented as MARTe GAMs and which will use parameters read from and produce results written to MDSplus pulse files. The three systems have been integrated in order to provide a tool suitable to speed up the development of real-time control applications. In particular, it will be shown how from a Simulink diagram describing a given algorithm to be used in a control system, it is possible to generate in an automated way the corresponding MARTe and MDSplus components that can be assembled to implement the target system.

船用闪蒸罐闪蒸性能仿真研究

以船用闪蒸罐为原型，在合理假设基础上，建立了闪蒸罐变质量系统热力学模型。采用Simulink搭建闪蒸仿真程序，进行了不同运行工况下船用闪蒸罐闪蒸性能仿真研究，仿真结果表明随着闪蒸罐初始水温下降，过热度增加，闪蒸过程中流体温度变化率增大。在不同背压和初始温度下得到的压力和温度变化规律与试验值吻合较好，最大相对偏差为5%。变质量系统热力学模型在闪蒸罐闪蒸性能仿真计算中的成功应用，可为船舶蒸汽动力系统设计提供一定的理论依据。 Taken marine flash tank as the prototype, the variable mass system thermodynamics model of flash tank was built based on the reasonable assumptions. The simulation program was compiled based on Simulink code. Study on flash evaporation performance for marine flash tank was conducted at different operating conditions and rules of variation of the key thermal-hydraulic parameters were obtained. Simulation results revealed that the change rate of fluid temperature increased due to lower initial temperature and higher superheat. Meanwhile, the results, which were obtained in different backpressure and initial temperature, agreed well with experimental data. The maximum relative deviation arrived at 5%. The successful application of variable mass system thermodynamics model in the simulation of the flash tank performance can supply some theoretical basis for ship steam power system design.

MODELING AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF AN ALGORITHM FOR THE INERTIAL SENSORS ERRORS REDUCTION AND FOR THE INCREASE OF THE STRAP-DOWN NAVIGATOR REDUNDANCY DEGREE IN A LOW COST ARCHITECTURE

In this paper, an algorithm for the inertial sensors errors reduction in a strap-down inertial navigation system, using several miniaturized inertial sensors for each axis of the vehicle frame, is conceived. The algorithm is based on the idea of the maximum ratio-combined telecommunications method. We consider that it would be much more advantageous to set a high number of miniaturized sensors on each input axis of the strap-down inertial system instead of a single one, more accurate but expensive and with larger dimensions. Moreover, a redundant system, which would isolate any of the sensors in case of its malfunctioning, is obtained. In order to test the algorithm, Simulink code is used for algorithm and for the acceleration inertial sensors modeling. The Simulink resulted sensors models include their real errors, based on the data sheets parameters, and were conceived based on the IEEE analytical standardized accelerometers model. An integration algorithm is obtained, in which the signal noise power delivered to the navigation processor, is reduced, proportionally with the number of the integrated sensors. At the same time, the bias of the resulted signal is reduced, and provides a high redundancy degree for the strap-down inertial navigation system at a lower cost than at the cost of more accurate and expensive sensors.

Near-Field Modelling in the Safety Assessment SR-Can

AbstractSpent nuclear fuel from the Swedish energy programme will be stored in an underground repository situated in saturated fractured rock at a depth of approximately 500 m. This paper describes numerical simulations of radionuclide migration in the near-field (consisting of a canister filled with spent fuel and an engineered system backfilled with swelling clays) for the recently completed safety assessment SR-Can [1] using a Matlab / Simulink code. Handling of input data for the models from the site descriptive programme from on-going investigations at two candidate sites and the numerical modelling concept are discussed.

Dynamic Behavior and Motion Planning of a Robot Arm with Non-Rigid Transmission#

In this paper some aspects of the dynamical behavior of manipulators with non-rigid transmissions between servomotors and links are reported. The dynamical effects related with transmission elasticity are analysed by means of a mathematical model and some dedicated software. The simulation results show how different laws of motion can induce end-effector vibrations, sometimes quite wide caused by occurrence of resonance. These vibrations can be reduced by means of an appropriate computing of the servomotors laws of motion; in this paper an algorithm is described to determine the above-mentioned laws of motions. The authors propose a method to compute servomotors laws of motion that permit to the end-effector to describe a planned trajectory with a robot arm having non rigid transmission between motors and links; this technique just needs the knowledge of a simple manipulator mathematical model and is apart from the control system. This method has been validated using a virtual prototype realized by co-simulations between ADAMS code, for the mechanical model, and SIMULINK code, for the control and actuator systems.