|
Is PSIM Version 6 compatible with the previous versions?
|
|
PSIM Version 6 is backward compatible. That is, Version 6 can read the
previous version files. But previous versions (such as Version 5.0 or
4.1) can not read Version 6 files.
|
|
What numerical algorithm does PSIM use?
|
|
PSIM uses the nodal analysis with the trapezoidal rule integration algorithm.
|
|
Can PSIM read SPICE files or import SPICE models, or vice versa?
|
|
No. Even though PSIM netlist files are similar to SPICE netlist, the way
that a circuit is set up is different. For example, only logic signal
(0 or 1) is needed to drive a switch in PSIM. In SPICE, however, the
gating signal must be sufficiently large to turn the switch fully on.
|
|
What are the main differences between PSIM and SPICE-based simulation
programs?
|
PSIM is designed specifically for power electronics and motor control, whereas
SPICE-based programs are designed for general electronic circuits. The
main differences are on the simulation speed and the convergency issue.
PSIM is much faster and has nearly no convergency problem.
Besides, PSIM includes many building blocks unique to power electronics and motor
drives. This makes it very easy to set up a circuit for simulation.
In addition, a unique feature of PSIM is that it provides Digital Control Module
for discrete system analysis, and external DLL blocks which allow the
user to link one's own C code with PSIM through dynamic link library
(DLL). Also, with PSIM Version 6.0, it is possible to perform co-simulation
with Matlab/Simulink.
|
|
How are the devices modelled in PSIM?
|
|
Models in PSIM are mainly in behavior or ideal nature. For example, a comparator
output is one when the positive input is greater than the negative input.
Otherwise it's 0. No power supply is needed and there is no slew rate
limitation. Another example is switch devices. A switch is modelled
as a very small resistor when on and a very large resistor when off.
Switch turn-on/turn-off transients are not considered. Also, switch
conduction voltage drop and on-resistance are not included.
This type
of models is ideally suited for system-level simulation. One can, nevertheless,
build a more complex and realistic model based on the basic model. For
example, an external dc voltage source and resistor can be connected
in series with a switch to model the conduction voltage drop and on-resistance.
|
|
Can PSIM simulate saturation or other nonlinear functions?
|
|
Yes. A saturable inductor is provided as a standard element. Besides, nonlinear
elements are provided in Version 6.0 so that nonlinearity can be easily
modelled and implemented. PSIM provides lookup table function blocks which can also be
used to implement a nonlinear function.
|
|
Can PSIM simulate digital control scheme?
|
|
Yes. The Digital Control Module in PSIM provides a number of function blocks,
such as zero-order hold, unit delay, z-domain transfer function blocks,
digital FIR and IIR filters, circular buffer, quantization block, and
other blocks, which can be used to implement a digital control scheme.
It can, for example, study the effect of different sampling rates, investigate
the quantization effect of the A/D conversion with different number
of bits, and evaluate the performance of a digital filter.
|
|
What's the difference between the stand-alone version and the network
version? How does the network version work?
|
The stand-alone version works on a stand-alone PC, or on a local network
PC where the software is installed and the hardware protection key is
plugged. However, one can not run the software from other PC's on the
network.
On the other hand, the network version works both on a stand-alone PC and on
a network. For the network, once the software is installed on one PC
(it does not have to be the file server), one can run the software from
anywhere on the network.
|
