What is the added value of simscape physical signals compared to normal simulink signals? As far as I can see, from a functional perspective there is no difference between the two types of signals: I can add units to both types, they both have a direction of flow, and they both have similar function blocks like adding, substracting... Only for physical signals the available types of blocks is very limited. Why didn't the matlab guys just use normal simulink lines instead of the physical signals?
3 Answers
0
votes
Physical signals, unlike Simulink signals, have units associated with them. This means that they follow a number of rules, for example to ensure that the right unit is used (e.g. you can't add kg and m/s). From the documentation:
Using the Physical Signal Ports
The following rules apply to Physical Signal ports:
You can connect Physical Signal ports to other Physical Signal ports with regular connection lines, similar to Simulink signal connections. These connection lines carry physical signals between Simscape blocks.
You can connect Physical Signal ports to Simulink ports through special converter blocks. Use the Simulink-PS Converter block to connect Simulink outports to Physical Signal inports. Use the PS-Simulink Converter block to connect Physical Signal outports to Simulink inports.
Physical Signals can have units associated with them. Simscape block dialogs let you specify the units along with the parameter values, where appropriate. Use the converter blocks to associate units with an input signal and to specify the desired output signal units.
Any sensor block in Simscape (in whatever physical domain) will output a physical signal. You can then convert it into a normal Simulink for feed to your controller. Similarly, any source block in Simscape (in whatever physical domain) will take a physical signal as input.
0
votes
I suggest you just read the Simscape product page
In particular,
Simscape components represent physical elements, such as pumps, motors, and op-amps. Lines in your model that connect these components correspond to physical connections in the real system that transmit power.
Accompanying that description is the following image, which shows how Simscape models can be far more intuitive to build than a model which uses standard signal. This means models are far more maintainable and clearer to, for example, engineers who may not have a comp-sci background.
Let's delve into what a "physical connection" is somewhat.
[Simscape] employs the Physical Network approach, which differs from the standard Simulink modeling approach and is particularly suited to simulating systems that consist of real physical components.
[ ... ]
Each system is represented as consisting of functional elements that interact with each other by exchanging energy through their ports.
You stated in your question that both methods have a flow direction. This is wrong!
Simscape blocks try and balance the energy between the inlet(s) and outlet(s). For instance a fixed orifice in a fluid system may have high pressure on one side. Simscape will try and solve the pressure balance each iteration. You would need some custom Simulink subsystem to achieve this if not for Simscape.
0
votes
What is the added value of simscape physical signals compared to normal simulink signals?
What is it that you think Simscape physical signals provide? Is it one number? How do you solve a mass-spring-damper system with just position? It's position AND it's speed AND it's acceleration.
I can add units to both types
No you can't. You put whatever you want in Simulink. You don't get to choose anything about what's in the physical signal in Simscape. You can specify units in the blocks that the signals connect, but you don't get to pick what the pipe itself is carrying.
they both have a direction of flow
No they don't. Your head and your torso are connected. There's no directionality to this. They're just connected. The physical signal is likewise just showing that (things) are physically connected. Again, the mass-spring-damper system: If the damper points to the mass, and the spring points to the mass, then is there any possibility that the damper could affect the spring? Yes, of course. The damper affects the spring because the damper affects the mass and the mass affects the spring.
The spring affects the mass, and the mass affects the spring. The signal is bidirectional. You're confusing signal directionality with kinematic chains.
they both have similar function blocks like adding, substracting
If you're on a train that's going 30 mph, and you're walking forward at 3 mph, how fast are you going relative to the world frame? What if you're walking backward? There is a physical meaning in adding and subtracting physical signals.
[For] physical signals the available types of [function blocks are] very limited
What is it that you're thinking they're missing? Can you also provide a description of what the physical meaning of that function block would be?
Why didn't the matlab guys just use normal simulink lines instead of the physical signals?
Because they're not the same. The biggest point is probably that Simscape is signal + derivative + second derivative, but again they're just conceptually different. Simulink is an easy way to write code - do this step, move along the arrow, do the next step, etc. Simscape is a pictorial representation of a physical system. The physical signal lines just show that things are connected. The system gets solved simultaneously.
