Simulation software: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:03, 23 September 2021

Latest revision as of 20:20, 23 May 2025

(15 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Short description|Based on the process of modeling a real phenomenon with a set of mathematical formulas}}

'''Simulation software''' is based on the process of modeling a real phenomenon with a set of [[mathematical formulas]]. It is, essentially, a program that allows the user to observe an operation through simulation without actually performing that operation. Simulation software is used widely to design equipment so that the final product will be as close to design specs as possible without expensive in process modification. Simulation software with [[Real-time computing|real-time]] response is often used in gaming, but it also has important industrial applications. When the penalty for improper operation is costly, such as airplane pilots, nuclear power plant operators, or chemical plant operators, a mock up of the actual control panel is connected to a real-time simulation of the physical response, giving valuable training experience without fear of a disastrous outcome.

Advanced [[computer programs]] can simulate [[power system]] behavior,<ref>{{CiteCitation |last=Mahmud |first=Khizir |title=5.6 Energy Management Softwares and Tools |date=2018-01-01 |work=Comprehensive Energy Systems |pages=202–257 |editor-last=Dincer |editor-first=Ibrahim |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128095973005186 |access-date=2024-07-21 |place=Oxford |publisher=Elsevier web|doi=10.1016/B978b978-0-12-809597-3.00518-6 |titleisbn=Energy Management Softwares and Tools 978-0-12-814925-6 Comprehensive|last2=Soetanto Energy|first2=Danny Systems|last3=Town -|first3=Graham 5E.6|url-access=subscription }}</ref> [[weather]] conditions, [[electronic circuits]], [[chemical reactions]], [[mechatronics]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mahmud|first=Khizir|last2=Town|first2=Graham E.|title=A review of computer tools for modeling electric vehicle energy requirements and their impact on power distribution networks|journal=Applied Energy|volume=172|pages=337–359|doi=10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.03.100|year=2016}}</ref> [[Heat pump and refrigeration cycle|heat pumps]], [[control engineering|feedback control systems]], atomic reactions, light, daylight even complex [[biological processes]]. In theory, any phenomena that can be reduced to mathematical data and equations can be simulated on a computer. Simulation can be difficult because most natural phenomena are subject to an almost infinite number of influences or unknown source of cause, for example, rainfall. One of the tricks to developing useful simulations is to determine which are the most important factors that affect the goals of the simulation.

In addition to imitating processes to see how they behave under different conditions, simulations are also used to test new theories. After creating a theory of causal relationships, the theorist can codify the relationships in the form of a computer program. If the program then behaves in the same way as the real process, there is a good chance that the proposed relationships are correct.

Line 16 ⟶ 17:

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:CircuitLogix3.jpg|Example of simulation software ([[CircuitLogix]]).|thumb|left]] -->

While there are strictly [[Analog signal|analog]]<ref>[http://www-syscom.univ-mlv.fr/~vignat/Signal/oslo.pdf Mengue and Vignat, Entry in the University of Marne, at Vallee]</ref> electronics circuit simulators include both analog and event-driven digital simulation<ref>[http://www.cis.ufl.edu/~fishwick/introsim/paper.html P. Fishwick, Entry in the University of Florida] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070507095848/http://www.cis.ufl.edu/~fishwick/introsim/paper.html |date=2007-05-07 }}</ref> capabilities, and are known as mixed-mode simulators.<ref>[{{Cite web |url=http://dragao.co.it.pt/conftele2001/proc/pap006.pdf |title=J. Pedro and N. Carvalho, Entry in the Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal] |access-date=2007-04-29 |archive-date=2012-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207035256/http://dragao.co.it.pt/conftele2001/proc/pap006.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> This means that any simulation may contain components that are analog, event driven (digital or sampled-data), or a combination of both. An entire mixed [[signal analysis]] can be driven from one integrated schematic. All the digital models in mixed-mode simulators provide accurate specification of propagation time and rise/fall time delays.

The event driven [[algorithm]] provided by mixed-mode simulators is general

Line 26 ⟶ 27:

==Programmable logic controllers==

In order to properly understand the operation of a [[programmable logic controller]] (PLC), it is necessary to spend considerable time [[Computer programming|programming]], testing, and [[debugging]] PLC programs. PLC systems are inherently expensive, and down-time is often very costly. In addition, if a PLC is programmed incorrectly it can result in lost productivity and dangerous conditions. PLC simulation software is a valuable tool in the understanding and learning of PLCs and to keep this knowledge refreshed and up to date.<ref>{{cite journal| doi=10.1016/S0019-0578(97)00033-5 | volume=36 | issue=4 | title=Applications and benefits of real-time simulation for PLC and PC control systems | year=1997 | journal=ISA Transactions | pages=305–311 | last1 = Dougall | first1 = David J.}}</ref> PLC simulation provides users with the ability to write, edit and debug programs written using a tag-based format. Many of the most popular PLCs use tags, which are a powerful method of programming PLCs but also more complex. PLC simulation integrates tag-based ladder logic programs with 3D interactive animations to enhance the user’s learning experience.<ref>[httphttps://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/12logic_design_inc_launches_industry_leading_simulation_software/prweb11426044.htm Article about PLCLogix]</ref> These interactive animations include [[traffic lights]], [[batch processing]], and bottling lines.<ref>[{{Cite web |url=http://www.mygtn.tv/story/26727422/logic-design-inc-announces-new-version-of-plclogix-featuring-3dworld-interactive-animations |title=Article referencing 3DWorlds] |access-date=2014-10-12 |archive-date=2014-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015081835/http://www.mygtn.tv/story/26727422/logic-design-inc-announces-new-version-of-plclogix-featuring-3dworld-interactive-animations |url-status=dead }}</ref>

By using PLC simulation, PLC programmers have the freedom to try all the "what-if" scenarios changing [[ladder logic]] instructions and programs, then re-running the simulation to see how changes affect the PLC's operation and performance. This type of testing is often not feasible using hardwired operating PLCs that control processes often worth hundreds of thousands – or millions of dollars.<ref>[http://www.automationworld.com/automation-strategies/simulation Advantages of PLC simulation]</ref>

Line 53 ⟶ 54:

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

* [[Computer simulation]]

* [[List of computer simulation software]]

* [[List of discrete event simulation software]]

Line 59 ⟶ 61:

* [[Full system simulator]]

* [[Instruction set simulator]]

* [[List of lighting design applications]]

* [[Logic simulation]]

* [[Microarchitecture Simulation]]

* [[Network simulation]]

* [[Process simulation]]78611220340

* [[Training Simulation]]

* [[Business simulation]]

Line 71 ⟶ 72:

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{Computer simulation}}

[[Category:Simulation software| ]]