Technical Publications

Power supply designs are going digital. It is now common to see what would have once been a completely analog design incorporate some combination of Digital Signal Processing (DSP), microcontroller (uC), and/or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technologies. This paper illustrates how the SystemVision simulation environment can be used to design and analyze this class of power supply on a 150 W, 100 KHz half-bridge converter.

This booklet introduces practical guidelines and specific techniques for developing and analyzing complex power systems with the aid of computer simulation. The general concept of computer simulation (referred to simply as simulation in this booklet) is to use a computer to predict the behavior of a system that is to be developed. To achieve this goal, a system model of the real system is created. This system model is then used to predict actual system performance and to help make effective design decisions.

The functionality and performance of modern military and aerospace systems has become heavily influenced by their electronic content. Consequently, selecting the right electronic components and choosing the optimal design methodology is vital in developing a successful product. The flexibility and capabilities of new digital components is still growing exponentially. The potential of these devices, however, cannot be fully (and safely) utilized without incorporating the latest design and verification methodologies. Design methodologies for mil-aero applications must consider the complexities of mechatronic systems. The VHDL-AMS language is an undiscovered asset for mil-aero digital designers - a powerful tool to define and verify safety-critical requirements in a non-digital context. This paper discusses the use of VHDL-AMS for safety-critical digital systems.

Lit Number: TECH7810-w

SystemVision has the ability to effectively integrate compiled ModelSim libraries, Simulink block diagrams, and additional multi-technology design elements into a single simulatable system.

A versatile new modeling technology was used to help design an innovative traction control system. Using models written exclusively in the IEEE standard VHDL-AMS language, simulation-based analysis and verification were performed at both the component/subsystem and at the overall system levels. Key insights were gained about a wide range of design issues, from the critical need to bleed the brake lines, to power converter topology trade-offs, to detecting inherent wheel lock-up modes in the control algorithm. This paper presents modeling and simulation techniques applicable to a wide range of automotive "mechatronic" systems, where coordinated interaction of mechanical, electronic, and software components is required to meet performance goals.

This paper shows how the IEEE Standard 1076.1 (VHDL-AMS) hardware description language was used to create versatile models of LVDT and RVDT sensors. These models can be used to support the design or selection of suitable signal conditioning circuits or algorithms for specific applications. Signal conditioning is a key aspect of LVDT and RVDT sensing systems, with a strong impact on meeting measurement accuracy requirements. In the design example, the effects of a long cable, between a remote LVDT sensor and its associated signal conditioning circuitry, are examined. Measurement error due to cable length and temperature changes, as well as signal conditioning circuit variations, is analyzed. The design process leverages SystemVision's parametric analysis capability to make important signal conditioning and system design trade-offs.