Software Development of Co-Simulation of Algebraically Coupled Dynamic Subsystems Without Disclosure of Proprietary Subsystem Models

This paper presents a software environment for Co-Simulation using a special Differential Algebraic Equation (DAE) solution method, which is based on the discrete-time sliding control methodology. This algorithm does not require the detailed information from subsystems to resolve causal conflict. The problem formulation and the computational algorithm will be briefly introduced. The algebraic constraint is handled by a special subsystem simulator, Boundary Condition Coordinator (BCC). All subsystem simulators run as independent processes in the Co-Simulation environment. Class templates containing all necessary functions for the different types of subsystems are defined. Subsystem engineers can easily build a subsystem simulator by simply providing the mathematical model, which will be hidden after the subsystem simulator is compiled. Integration engineers can assemble subsystem simulators into simulation of large coupled systems by simply connecting subsystems. The object-oriented class design makes it feasible to extend the software to run Internet-based subsystem simulators or to compile subsystems into a single-process simulator.Copyright © 2002 by ASME