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{{short description|Simulation software for electrical circuits}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = PLECS
| name = PLECS
<!-- | logo = [[Image:PLECS_icon.png|64px]]-->
| logo = PLECS logo.jpg
| logo size = 200px
<!-- | screenshot = [[Image:PLECS20.png|220px]]
<!-- | screenshot = [[Image:PLECS20.png|220px]]
| caption = PLECS 2.0 under Mac OS X 10.5.0 -->
| caption = PLECS 2.0 under Mac OS X 10.5.0 -->
| developer = [[Plexim]]
| developer = [[Plexim]]
| released = 2002
| released = {{Start date and age|2002}}
| frequently_updated = yes<!-- Release version update? Don't edit this page, just click on the version number! -->
| programming language =
| programming language =
| operating system = [[Mac OS X]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]]
| operating system = [[macOS|Mac OS X]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Linux]]
| platform = [[Simulink]]
| platform = Standalone or [[Simulink]]
| language = [[English language|English]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| language = [[English language|English]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| genre = [[Simulation software]]
| genre = [[Simulation software]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| license = [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]
| website = [http://www.plexim.com/products/ PLECS]
| website = {{URL|www.plexim.com/products/}}
}}
}}


'''PLECS''' ([[Piecewise linear function|Piecewise Linear]] [[Electronic circuit simulation|Electrical Circuit Simulation]]) is a software tool for system-level simulations of [[electrical circuit]]s developed by [[Plexim]].<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url = https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/794588 | chapter = PLECS-piece-wise linear electrical circuit simulation for Simulink | author = Jost Allmeling | title = Proceedings of the IEEE 1999 International Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems. PEDS'99 (Cat. No.99TH8475) | date = July 27, 1999| pages = 355-360 vol.1 | doi = 10.1109/PEDS.1999.794588 | isbn = 0-7803-5769-8 | s2cid = 111196369 }}</ref> It is especially designed for [[power electronics]] but can be used for any [[electrical network]]. PLECS includes the possibility to model controls and different physical domains (thermal,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thermal Simulation|url=https://plexim.com/plecs/thermal|publisher=Plexim}}</ref> magnetic<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Allmeling|first1=Jost|last2=Hammer|first2=Wolfgang|last3=Schönberger|first3=John|title=2012 IEEE 13th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL) |chapter=Transient simulation of magnetic circuits using the permeance-capacitance analogy |date=July 30, 2012|chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6251786|pages=1–6 |doi=10.1109/COMPEL.2012.6251786 |isbn=978-1-4244-9373-9 |s2cid=8589735 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Magnetics|url=https://plexim.com/plecs/magnetic|publisher=Plexim}}</ref> and mechanical<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mechanical Systems|url=https://www.plexim.com/plecs/mechanical|publisher=Plexim}}</ref>) besides the electrical system.
'''PLECS''' ([[Piecewise linear function|Piecewise Linear]] [[Electronic circuit simulation|Electrical Circuit Simulation]]) is a [[Simulink]] toolbox for system-level simulations of [[electrical circuit]]s developed by [[Plexim]].<ref>Allmeling 1999.</ref>
It is especially designed for [[power electronics]] but can be used for any [[electrical network]].


⚫
Most [[Electronic circuit simulation|circuit simulation programs]] model switches as highly nonlinear elements. Due to steep voltage and current [[Transient (oscillation)|transient]], the simulation becomes slow when switches are commutated. In most simplistic applications, switches are modelled as variable resistors that alternate between a very small and a very large resistance. In other cases, they are represented by a sophisticated semiconductor model.
⚫
==Integration with MATLAB/Simulink or standalone==
The program [[Simulink]] is ideally suited for the simulation of controls. Therefore, [[Simulink]] is also a convenient tool for the design of [[Feedback|closed loop]] controlled electrical systems. PLECS enhances [[Simulink]] with the capability to simulate [[electrical circuit]]s directly. The user can simply enter a circuit as a [[Circuit diagram|schematic]] of electrical components. At [[Simulink]] block level the circuit is represented as a subsystem, so the user can build controls and other non-electrical elements around it and take full advantage of the [[Simulink]] environment and its toolboxes.


⚫
When simulating complex [[power electronics|power electronic systems]], however, the processes during switching are of little interest. In these situations it is more appropriate to use ideal switches that toggle instantaneously between a closed and an open circuit. This approach, which is implemented in PLECS, has two major advantages: Firstly, it yields systems that are [[Piecewise linear function|piecewise-linear]] across switching instants, thus resolving the otherwise difficult problem of simulating the non-linear discontinuity that occurs in the equivalent-circuit at the switching instant. Secondly, to handle discontinuities at the switching instants, only two integration steps are required (one for before the instant, and one after). Both of these advantages speed up the simulation considerably, without sacrificing accuracy. Thus the software is ideally suited for modelling and simulation of complex drive systems<ref>{{Cite book|last1=De Doncker|first1=Rik W.|url=https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783030489762|title=Advanced Electrical Drives|last2=Pulle|first2=Duco W.J.|last3=Veltman|first3=Andre|publisher=Springer International Publishing|year=2020|isbn=978-3-030-48976-2|edition=2}}</ref> and modular multilevel converters,<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Sharifabadi|first1=Kamran|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/book/7601527|title=Design, Control, and Application of Modular Multilevel Converters for HVDC Transmission Systems|last2=Harnefors|first2=Lennart|last3=Nee|first3=Hans-Peter|last4=Norrga|first4=Staffan|last5=Teodorescu|first5=Remus|publisher=Wiley-IEEE Press|year=2016|isbn=978-1-118-85156-2}}</ref> for example.
The concept of integration into [[Simulink]] has the advantage that only the part of the system in which electrical units are of interest needs to be modeled as an [[electrical circuit]]. The simulation of all non-electrical parts such as controls and mechanics should be done in [[Simulink]].<ref>Ciobotaru 2006.</ref>


In recent years, PLECS has been extended to also support model-based development of controls with automatic code generation. In addition to software, the PLECS product family includes real-time simulation hardware for both hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and rapid control prototyping.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Allmeling|first=Jost|date=November 21, 2019|title=Model Continuity: From Offline Simulation to Real-Time Testing|url=https://www.eetimes.eu/model-continuity-from-offline-simulation-to-real-time-testing/}}</ref>
[[MATLAB]] can be employed to compute circuit parameters and to post process and visualize the simulation results.


⚫
==Integration with MATLAB/Simulink or Standalone==
===Standalone version===
The PLECS software is available in two editions: PLECS Blockset for integration with MATLAB®/Simulink®, and PLECS Standalone, a completely independent product.
There is also a [[Computer process|standalone]] version of PLECS that allows simulation of [[electrical circuit]]s and [[Control theory|control]] [[control system|system]]s directly within the PLECS package. The standalone version uses [[GNU Octave]] as its numerical engine in place of MATLAB.


When using PLECS Blockset, the control loops are usually created in [[Simulink]], while the electrical circuits are modelled in PLECS. PLECS Standalone on the other hand can be operated independently from other software and offers an all-in-one solution for modelling electrical circuits and controls in a single environment. Both editions are interoperable with each other.
==Semiconductors modeled as ideal switches==
⚫
Most [[Electronic circuit simulation|circuit simulation programs]] model switches as highly nonlinear elements. Due to steep voltage and current [[Transient (oscillation)|transient]]s, the simulation becomes slow when switches are toggled. In the most simple case a switch is modeled as a variable resistance that changes between a very small and a very large value. In other cases, it is represented by a sophisticated semiconductor model.


The main difference between the two versions is that PLECS Standalone runs faster than PLECS Blockset due to its optimised engine.
⚫
When simulating complex [[power electronics|power electronic systems]], however, the processes during switching are of little interest. Here, it is more appropriate to use ideal switches that toggle instantaneously between a closed and an open circuit. This approach, which is implemented in PLECS, has two major advantages: Firstly, it yields systems that are [[Piecewise linear function|piecewise-linear]] across switching instants, (thus resolving the otherwise difficult problem of simulating the non-linear discontinuity that occurs in the equivalent-circuit at the switching instant). Secondly, to handle discontinuities at the switching instants, only two integration steps are required (one for before the instant, and one after). Both of these advantages speed up the simulation considerably.


== References ==
==Add-on PLECS Coder==
<references/>


A [[Code generation (compiler)|code generator]] usually converts some intermediate representation of source code into machine code. The PLECS Coder is an add-on to PLECS Blockset and PLECS Standalone. It generates ANSI-C code from a PLECS model which can be compiled to execute on the simulation host or a separate target. The target can be an embedded control platform or a real-time digital simulator. The PLECS Coder can also produce embedded code for specific hardware targets.
<div class="references-small">
{{Cite journal
| last1 = Allmeling
| first1 = J.H.
| last2 = Hammer
| first2 = W.P
| title = PLECS - piece-wise linear electrical circuit simulation for Simulink
| journal = Proceedings of the IEEE 1999 International Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems
| volume = 1
| issue =
| pages = 355–360
| publisher =
| location =
| date = 07/27/1999
| url =
| isbn = 0-7803-5769-8
| doi = 10.1109/PEDS.1999.794588
| id =
| accessdate = 06/08/2002}}


==Add-on PLECS PIL==
{{Cite journal

| last1 = Ciobotaru
In the [[Model-based design]] of control loops, Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulation can accelerate the development process. It allows engineers to test their control algorithms on the real hardware inside a virtual circuit simulator. As an add-on to PLECS Blockset and PLECS Standalone, PLECS PIL provides that solution.
| first1 = M.

| last2 = Kerekes
==Hardware for Real-Time Simulations==
| first2 = T.
[[File:Rtbox3 side breakout.jpg|thumb|PLECS RT Box 3 with a LaunchPad Interface Card]]
| last3 = Teodorescu
The PLECS RT Box is a [[Real-time simulation|real-time simulator]] specially designed for power electronics applications.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Allmeling|first1=Jost|last2=Felderer|first2=Niklaus|title=2017 IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC) |chapter=Sub-cycle average models with integrated diodes for real-time simulation of power converters |date=April 9, 2018|chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8333566|pages=1–6 |doi=10.1109/SPEC.2017.8333566 |isbn=978-1-5090-6425-0 |s2cid=4712640 }}</ref> It is a processing unit for both real-time [[Hardware-in-the-loop simulation|hardware-in-the-loop (HIL)]] testing and [[rapid control prototyping]]. A PLECS RT Box can be programmed and operated from PLECS. Thus, a software license of PLECS (Blockset or Standalone) and a PLECS Coder license are required to operate the hardware.
| first3 = R.

| last4 = Teodorescu

| first4 = A.
== References ==
| title = PV inverter simulation using MATLAB/Simulink graphical environment and PLECS blockset
{{reflist}}
| journal = 32nd IEEE Annual Conference on Industrial Electronics, IECON 2006
{{refbegin}}
| volume = 1
{{refend}}
| issue =
| pages = 5313–5318
| publisher =
| location =
| date = 11/06/2006
| url =
| issn = 553-572X
| doi = 10.1109/IECON.2006.347663
| id =
| accessdate = 12/07/2010}}
</div>


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.plexim.com/ The PLECS product page]
*{{Official|www.plexim.com}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Plecs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plecs}}
[[Category:Electronic circuit simulators]]
[[Category:Simulation software]]
[[Category:Simulation software]]
[[Category:Power electronics]]
[[Category:Power electronics]]

Latest revision as of 21:29, 28 August 2023

PLECS
Developer(s)Plexim
Initial release2002; 23 years ago (2002)
Operating systemMac OS X, Windows, Linux
PlatformStandalone or Simulink
Available inEnglish, Japanese
TypeSimulation software
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.plexim.com/products/

PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation) is a software tool for system-level simulations of electrical circuits developed by Plexim.[1] It is especially designed for power electronics but can be used for any electrical network. PLECS includes the possibility to model controls and different physical domains (thermal,[2] magnetic[3][4] and mechanical[5]) besides the electrical system.

Most circuit simulation programs model switches as highly nonlinear elements. Due to steep voltage and current transient, the simulation becomes slow when switches are commutated. In most simplistic applications, switches are modelled as variable resistors that alternate between a very small and a very large resistance. In other cases, they are represented by a sophisticated semiconductor model.

When simulating complex power electronic systems, however, the processes during switching are of little interest. In these situations it is more appropriate to use ideal switches that toggle instantaneously between a closed and an open circuit. This approach, which is implemented in PLECS, has two major advantages: Firstly, it yields systems that are piecewise-linear across switching instants, thus resolving the otherwise difficult problem of simulating the non-linear discontinuity that occurs in the equivalent-circuit at the switching instant. Secondly, to handle discontinuities at the switching instants, only two integration steps are required (one for before the instant, and one after). Both of these advantages speed up the simulation considerably, without sacrificing accuracy. Thus the software is ideally suited for modelling and simulation of complex drive systems[6] and modular multilevel converters,[7] for example.

In recent years, PLECS has been extended to also support model-based development of controls with automatic code generation. In addition to software, the PLECS product family includes real-time simulation hardware for both hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and rapid control prototyping.[8]

[edit]

The PLECS software is available in two editions: PLECS Blockset for integration with MATLAB®/Simulink®, and PLECS Standalone, a completely independent product.

When using PLECS Blockset, the control loops are usually created in Simulink, while the electrical circuits are modelled in PLECS. PLECS Standalone on the other hand can be operated independently from other software and offers an all-in-one solution for modelling electrical circuits and controls in a single environment. Both editions are interoperable with each other.

The main difference between the two versions is that PLECS Standalone runs faster than PLECS Blockset due to its optimised engine.

Add-on PLECS Coder

[edit]

A code generator usually converts some intermediate representation of source code into machine code. The PLECS Coder is an add-on to PLECS Blockset and PLECS Standalone. It generates ANSI-C code from a PLECS model which can be compiled to execute on the simulation host or a separate target. The target can be an embedded control platform or a real-time digital simulator. The PLECS Coder can also produce embedded code for specific hardware targets.

Add-on PLECS PIL

[edit]

In the Model-based design of control loops, Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) simulation can accelerate the development process. It allows engineers to test their control algorithms on the real hardware inside a virtual circuit simulator. As an add-on to PLECS Blockset and PLECS Standalone, PLECS PIL provides that solution.

Hardware for Real-Time Simulations

[edit]
PLECS RT Box 3 with a LaunchPad Interface Card

The PLECS RT Box is a real-time simulator specially designed for power electronics applications.[9] It is a processing unit for both real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing and rapid control prototyping. A PLECS RT Box can be programmed and operated from PLECS. Thus, a software license of PLECS (Blockset or Standalone) and a PLECS Coder license are required to operate the hardware.


References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jost Allmeling (July 27, 1999). "PLECS-piece-wise linear electrical circuit simulation for Simulink". Proceedings of the IEEE 1999 International Conference on Power Electronics and Drive Systems. PEDS'99 (Cat. No.99TH8475). pp. 355-360 vol.1. doi:10.1109/PEDS.1999.794588. ISBN 0-7803-5769-8. S2CID 111196369.
  2. ^ "Thermal Simulation". Plexim.
  3. ^ Allmeling, Jost; Hammer, Wolfgang; Schönberger, John (July 30, 2012). "Transient simulation of magnetic circuits using the permeance-capacitance analogy". 2012 IEEE 13th Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL). pp. 1–6. doi:10.1109/COMPEL.2012.6251786. ISBN 978-1-4244-9373-9. S2CID 8589735.
  4. ^ "Magnetics". Plexim.
  5. ^ "Mechanical Systems". Plexim.
  6. ^ De Doncker, Rik W.; Pulle, Duco W.J.; Veltman, Andre (2020). Advanced Electrical Drives (2 ed.). Springer International Publishing. ISBN 978-3-030-48976-2.
  7. ^ Sharifabadi, Kamran; Harnefors, Lennart; Nee, Hans-Peter; Norrga, Staffan; Teodorescu, Remus (2016). Design, Control, and Application of Modular Multilevel Converters for HVDC Transmission Systems. Wiley-IEEE Press. ISBN 978-1-118-85156-2.
  8. ^ Allmeling, Jost (November 21, 2019). "Model Continuity: From Offline Simulation to Real-Time Testing".
  9. ^ Allmeling, Jost; Felderer, Niklaus (April 9, 2018). "Sub-cycle average models with integrated diodes for real-time simulation of power converters". 2017 IEEE Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC). pp. 1–6. doi:10.1109/SPEC.2017.8333566. ISBN 978-1-5090-6425-0. S2CID 4712640.
[edit]
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