VisSim Professional 8.0
Introduction
VisSim is a Windows-based program for the modelling and simulation of complex nonlinear dynamic systems. VisSim combines an intuitive drag & drop block diagram interface with a powerful simulation engine.
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!
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. With VisSim, users can quickly develop software or "virtual" prototypes of systems or processes to demonstrate their behaviour 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 behaviour of the system model is understood, often the next step is to develop a "software" controller that will control the behaviour 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.