Wolfram SystemModeler allows the user to create models of systems, both
independently and with the help of an extensive library of physical and logical
components. The ability to integrate with Mathematica [6] allows to improve the
visualization of processes when solving complex engineering problems, as well as
to support virtual modeling with additional mathematical calculations.
Speaking about the functionality of SystemModeler, the following can be noted:
– drag-and-drop approach for complex systems modeling;
– use of Modelica object-oriented language as a basis for modeling;
– management of computational experiments in the Simulation Center interactive
environment using the Wolfram Language;
– easily implemented animation;
– text user interface for dynamic system modeling and their analysis based on
differential equations;
– acausal, i.e., component-based and casual, block-based modeling;
– 2D and 3D modeling of mechanical systems, electrical processes, hydraulic
systems, thermodynamic processes, control systems, etc.;
– frequency analysis, sensitivity analysis with respect to input parameters, and
analysis of the reliability of the created system;
– integration with Mathematica for analyzing and storing the created models.
When creating models in the Wolfram SystemModeler environment, Modelica is
used—a freely distributed object-oriented, declarative, multi-domain modeling
language for component-oriented modeling of complex systems, in particular,
systems containing mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, thermal, energy
components, and also control components.
Modelica language is based on writing differential, algebraic, and discrete
equations, instead of using assignment operations. Such a modeling method does
not specify a predetermined causal relationship to the calculation of input variables.
The Modelica language compiler independently manipulates the equations in
symbolic form, determining the order of their execution and which components in
the equation will determine the inputs and outputs. Thus, the program in Modelica
is a system of equations.
Modelica is often compared with object-oriented programming languages, such
as C++ or Java, but in fact it differs significantly from them. The first and most
obvious difference is that Modelica is a modeling language, not a programming
language. Classes of this language are not compiled in the usual sense, but are
converted into objects, which are subsequently used by a specialized process. The
second difference, which was already mentioned in the text, is that classes can
contain algorithmic components that are similar to operators and blocks in programming languages. The Modelica language declares that a class is any definition,
including an algorithmic function. This language is suitable and is used for software
and hardware modeling and for modeling embedded control systems.
The textbook consists of six chapters and has the following structure.
Introduction
xi
independently and with the help of an extensive library of physical and logical
components. The ability to integrate with Mathematica [6] allows to improve the
visualization of processes when solving complex engineering problems, as well as
to support virtual modeling with additional mathematical calculations.
Speaking about the functionality of SystemModeler, the following can be noted:
– drag-and-drop approach for complex systems modeling;
– use of Modelica object-oriented language as a basis for modeling;
– management of computational experiments in the Simulation Center interactive
environment using the Wolfram Language;
– easily implemented animation;
– text user interface for dynamic system modeling and their analysis based on
differential equations;
– acausal, i.e., component-based and casual, block-based modeling;
– 2D and 3D modeling of mechanical systems, electrical processes, hydraulic
systems, thermodynamic processes, control systems, etc.;
– frequency analysis, sensitivity analysis with respect to input parameters, and
analysis of the reliability of the created system;
– integration with Mathematica for analyzing and storing the created models.
When creating models in the Wolfram SystemModeler environment, Modelica is
used—a freely distributed object-oriented, declarative, multi-domain modeling
language for component-oriented modeling of complex systems, in particular,
systems containing mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, thermal, energy
components, and also control components.
Modelica language is based on writing differential, algebraic, and discrete
equations, instead of using assignment operations. Such a modeling method does
not specify a predetermined causal relationship to the calculation of input variables.
The Modelica language compiler independently manipulates the equations in
symbolic form, determining the order of their execution and which components in
the equation will determine the inputs and outputs. Thus, the program in Modelica
is a system of equations.
Modelica is often compared with object-oriented programming languages, such
as C++ or Java, but in fact it differs significantly from them. The first and most
obvious difference is that Modelica is a modeling language, not a programming
language. Classes of this language are not compiled in the usual sense, but are
converted into objects, which are subsequently used by a specialized process. The
second difference, which was already mentioned in the text, is that classes can
contain algorithmic components that are similar to operators and blocks in programming languages. The Modelica language declares that a class is any definition,
including an algorithmic function. This language is suitable and is used for software
and hardware modeling and for modeling embedded control systems.
The textbook consists of six chapters and has the following structure.
Introduction
xi