From Circuit to Signal: Development of a Piecewise Linear Simulator

摘要

The development of the electronic circuit simulator called PLATO (PiecewiseLinear Analysis Tool) is described. An insight in the choices of the algorithms used in the creation of an efficient simulator is given. The basics of the piecewise modeling technique are introduced. Several of its basic properties are derived and a theorem on the existence of solutions is proved. Examples show the capabilities of the modeling. The models have three different types of variables and equations: linear, dynamic, and piecewise linear. The basic data structures are introduced and the solution algorithm for the linear equations is discussed. The Van de Panne algorithm is presented. A method to find a DC solution is given. The solution of the dynamic equations is discussed and the multirate integration method is investigated. The combination of the Van de Panne algorithm and the integration method is also discussed. Several aspects of the implementation, to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the simulator, are considered. Examples of systems simulated with PLATO are shown. Conclusions are formulated and future extensions are discussed. A 'small' model for certain functions is derived and non-standard notations are explained.