Solver Configuration
Physical network environment and solver configuration
Libraries:
Simscape /
Utilities
Description
Each physical network represented by a connected Simscape™ block diagram requires solver settings information for simulation. The Solver Configuration block specifies the solver parameters that your model needs before you can begin simulation.
Each topologically distinct Simscape block diagram requires exactly one Solver Configuration block to be connected to it.
Examples
Permanent Magnet DC Motor
This model is based on a Faulhaber Series 0615 DC-Micromotor. The parameters values are set to match the 1.5V variant of this motor. The model uses these parameters to verify manufacturer-quoted no-load speed, no-load current, and stall torque.
Nonlinear Electromechanical Circuit with Partitioning Solver
Models a DC Motor controlled by a ramp input. The resulting system of equations contains switched linear and nonlinear elements brought about by the Diode and Rotational Friction blocks respectively. However, the Partitioning solver is able to convert this system into several smaller sets of linear time-invariant and switched linear equations connected by nonlinear functions. This helps in reducing computational cost, which in turn yields faster simulation.
Pendulum in Cartesian and Polar Coordinates
Two different implementations of a planar pendulum.
Ports
Conserving
Port_1 — Connection port
untyped conserving port
Conserving connection port. This port is untyped. You can connect it anywhere on a physical network circuit by creating a branching point on a connection line between conserving ports of any type. The block provides solver setting to the whole physical network, regardless of the connection type.
Parameters
Equation formulation — Specify how the solver treats sinusoidal variables
Time
(default) | Frequency and time
Specifies how the solver treats sinusoidal variables.
Use the Frequency and time
value to speed up simulation
of systems with a single nominal frequency. For more information, see Frequency and Time Simulation Mode.
Index reduction method — Choose index reduction method for solving nonlinear high-index DAEs
Derivative replacement
(default) | Projection
| None
Choose nonlinear index reduction method best suited for the network connected to the Solver Configuration block:
Derivative replacement
— In this method, parts of the DAE are differentiated analytically and appended to the original system. For each additional equation, a derivative is selected to be replaced by a new algebraic variable called a dummy derivative. For more information, see https://epubs.siam.org/doi/abs/10.1137/0914043?journalCode=sjoce3. It is recommended that you start with this method.Projection
— Use this option if theDerivative replacement
method fails due to issues with dynamic state selection.None
— If your model does not contain nonlinear high-index DAEs, use this option to completely bypass nonlinear index reduction and remove the analysis overhead.
Start simulation from steady state — Select whether to start simulation from the initial state or from steady state
off (default) | on
By default, when this check box is cleared, simulation starts from the initial state obtained from the initial conditions computation.
When you select this check box, the solver attempts to find the steady state that would result if the inputs to the system were held constant for a sufficiently large time. For more information, see Initial Conditions Computation. Simulation then starts from this steady state.
For models compatible with frequency-and-time equation formulation, when you select this check box, the solver attempts to perform sinusoidal steady-state initialization. In other words, initialization is performed using frequency-time equations, and then the simulation proceeds using the actual equation formulation and other options selected in the Solver Configuration block. For more information, see Frequency and Time Simulation Mode.
Note
Using the Initial state option on the Data Import/Export pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box overrides the Start simulation from steady state option.
Consistency tolerance — State-based tolerance schema used for initial conditions and transient initialization computation
Model AbsTol and RelTol
(default) | Local tolerance settings
This parameter affects the nonlinear solver used for computing initial conditions and for transient initialization. Select the state-based tolerance source:
Model AbsTol and RelTol
— Use the model tolerance settings, specified as Absolute tolerance and Relative tolerance parameters on the Solver pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box.Local tolerance settings
— Replace the model tolerance settings with local values. When you select this option, the Absolute tolerance and Relative tolerance parameters appear in the Solver Configuration block dialog box.
Independent of whether you use the model tolerances or the local tolerance settings, the Tolerance factor parameter provides a scaling factor for these values. The resulting value determines how accurately the algebraic constraints are to be satisfied at the beginning of simulation and after every discrete event (for example, a discontinuity resulting from a valve opening, a hard stop, and so on).
Absolute tolerance — Local absolute tolerance
0.001
(default) | positive scalar
Specify a local value to be used for computing initial conditions and for transient initialization, instead of using the Absolute tolerance parameter on the Solver pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, set Consistency tolerance to
Local tolerance settings
.
Relative tolerance — Local relative tolerance
0.001
(default) | positive scalar
Specify a local value to be used for computing initial conditions and for transient initialization, instead of using the Relative tolerance parameter on the Solver pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, set Consistency tolerance to
Local tolerance settings
.
Tolerance factor — Scaling factor used for absolute and relative tolerances
0.001
(default) | scalar in the range (0,1]
This parameter provides the scaling factor for the state-based absolute and relative tolerances, independent of whether you use the model tolerances or the local tolerance settings. Decrease the parameter value (that is, tighten tolerance) to obtain a more reliable time simulation. Increase the parameter value (that is, relax the tolerance) if solving for initial conditions failed to converge, or to reduce the computation time.
Use local solver — Use sample-based local solver for physical network in the model
off (default) | on
Lets you use a sample-based local solver with a sample time specified by the Sample time parameter. In sample-based simulation, all the physical network states, which are otherwise continuous, become represented to Simulink® as discrete states. The solver updates the states once per time step. This option is especially useful for generated code or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations.
Note
If you use a local solver, simultaneous use of Simulink or Simulink Control Design™ linearization tools is not recommended.
Solver type — Solver type used by local solver for updating the states
Backward Euler
(default) | Trapezoidal Rule
| Partitioning
Select the solver type used for updating the states:
Backward Euler
— Tends to damp out oscillations, but is more stable, especially if you increase the time step.Trapezoidal Rule
— Captures oscillations better thanBackward Euler
, but is less stable.Partitioning
— Lets you increase real-time simulation speed by partitioning the entire system of equations corresponding to a Simscape network into a cascade of smaller equation systems. Not all networks can be partitioned. However, when a system can be partitioned, this solver provides a significant increase in real-time simulation speed. For more information, see Understanding How the Partitioning Solver Works and Increase Simulation Speed Using the Partitioning Solver.
Regardless of which local solver you choose, the Backward Euler method is always applied:
Right at the start of simulation.
Right after an instantaneous change, when the corresponding block undergoes an internal discrete change. Such changes include clutches locking and unlocking, valve actuators opening and closing, and the switching of the PS Asynchronous Sample & Hold block.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check box.
Sample time — Sample time for the local solver
0.001
(default) | positive scalar
Specify the local solver sample time, in seconds. The solver updates the states once per time step.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check box.
Partition method — Select whether to prioritize speed or robustness when using Partitioning local solver
Robust simulation
(default) | Fast simulation
Select whether to prioritize speed or robustness when using Partitioning local solver:
Fast simulation
— Improve simulation performance by solving most differential equations using the forward Euler scheme.Robust simulation
— Increase simulation robustness by solving more equations using the backward Euler scheme.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check
box and set Solver type to
Partitioning
.
Partition storage method — Select method used for storing partitioning data when using Partitioning local solver
As needed
(default) | Exhaustive
When you use the Partitioning solver, it solves the small switched linear equations consecutively. You can choose to store the matrix inverses, to improve the simulation performance. Then, if the same configuration is detected in a subsequent time step, the partitioning solver uses the stored matrix inverses, instead of recomputing them. Select the method used for storing partitioning data:
As needed
— Compute matrix inverses during simulation, as needed. This method does not require as much memory but can result in performance spikes.Exhaustive
— Compute and store matrix inverses before simulation. This method improves the simulation performance but requires more memory. Use the Partition memory budget [kB] parameter to specify the maximum allowed memory budget for storing the data.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check
box and set Solver type to
Partitioning
.
Partition memory budget [kB] — Memory budget for exhaustive method of storing partition data
1024
(default) | positive scalar
Specify the maximum memory budget, in kB, allowed for storing cached partition data. If this budget is exceeded, simulation errors out. You can adjust the default value based on your available memory resources and on the Total memory estimate data in the Statistics Viewer. For more information, see Partitioning Solver Statistics.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check
box. Set Solver type to Partitioning
and Partition storage method to
Exhaustive
.
Resolve indeterminate equations during runtime — Applies runtime regularization to solve statically indeterminate systems
on (default) | off
Certain model configurations, such as parallel clutches locking, or current sensors connected in parallel, allow an infinite number of solutions, which makes them statically indeterminate. Regularization is a transformation that turns models with indeterminate Through variables into solvable systems. By default, if the solver encounters a statically indeterminate system, it applies runtime regularization to solve it.
If your model does not contain configurations with lossless parallel flow paths, you can clear the Resolve indeterminate equations during runtime check box to speed up simulation.
Dependencies
To enable this check box, select the Use local
solver check box and set Solver type to either
Backward Euler
or Trapezoidal
Rule
.
Use fixed-cost runtime consistency iterations — Fixed-cost simulation option
off (default) | on
Whether to compute the transient initialization and solver phase at a fixed cost. When you select this parameter, you can specify the number of nonlinear and mode iterations for transient initialization and solver computations. If the system does not converge once it performs the specified number of iterations, the solver ignores the failure and proceeds to the next step.
If you clear the check box, the system uses a more robust and time-consuming algorithm, performing as many iterations as necessary to reach convergence, and errors out if it fails to reach convergence at the time of transient initialization.
For more information, see Fixed-Cost Simulation.
Nonlinear iterations — Number of Newton iterations for transient initialization
3
(default) | positive integer
Specify the number of Newton iterations to be performed at the time of transient
initialization. You can use the simscape.getLocalSolverFixedCostInfo
function to find the necessary
iterations per step to run as a fixed step, fixed cost simulation.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use fixed-cost runtime consistency iterations check box.
Mode iterations — Number of mode iterations for transient initialization
2
(default) | positive integer
Specify the number of mode iterations to be performed at the time of transient initialization.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use fixed-cost runtime consistency iterations check box and clear the Use local solver check box. Only one major mode update per step is performed when using local solvers, therefore this parameter is not available if the Use local solver check box is selected.
Compute impulses — Lets you manage computational cost of impulse detection during transient initialization
off (default) | on
Lets you manage computational cost of impulse detection during transient initialization, both for global and local solvers.
Event-based methods of state reinitialization and impulse handling let you model physical phenomena, such as collisions and bouncing balls, and provide a significant boost in simulation speed for such models. However, impulse detection can add cost to transient initialization. This cost is proportional to the number of impulse iterations performed to reach convergence.
If you select the Compute impulses check box, you can specify the number of impulse iterations to perform during transient initialization. If the system does not converge upon reaching these numbers, it ignores the failure and goes to the next step.
If you clear the check box, the system computes impulses as many times as necessary to reach convergence.
Dependencies
To enable this check box, select the Use fixed-cost runtime consistency iterations check box.
Impulse iterations — Number of impulse iterations for transient initialization
2
(default) | positive integer
Specify the number of impulse iterations to be performed at the time of transient initialization. If the system does not converge upon reaching these numbers, it ignores the failure and goes to the next step.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Compute impulses check box.
Maximum threads for function evaluation — Use multithreading to speed up Newton iterations for Backward Euler solver
1
(default) | positive integer
Specify the maximum number of threads for function evaluation when using the
Backward Euler solver for real-time simulation. The actual number of threads used is the
nearest power of 2 not to exceed the parameter value. For example, if you specify
5
as the parameter value, the solver uses 4 threads. The default,
1
, corresponds to single-thread function evaluation.
To use multithread function evaluation, you must clear the Resolve indeterminate equations during runtime check box. If you select the Resolve indeterminate equations during runtime check box, the solver warns and switches to single-thread function evaluation.
Other unsupported simulation modes include frequency-and-time simulation, delay, scalable compilation, accelerator mode, and rapid accelerator mode. You can generate code using Simulink Real-Time™, but other types of code generation are not supported.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check
box, set the Local solver parameter to Backward
Euler
, and select the Use fixed-cost runtime consistency
iterations check box.
Linear Algebra — Specify how the solver treats matrices
auto
(default) | Sparse
| Full
Specifies how the solver treats matrices:
auto
— The solver automatically selects the appropriate option, either sparse or full, for treating the matrices.Sparse
— The solver treats matrices as sparse.Full
— The solver treats matrices as full.
Number of threads (specify n for 2^n) — Use multithread linear algebra to speed up desktop simulation on a multicore machine
0
(default) | positive integer
Specify the number of threads for multithread linear algebra by providing an integer
exponent for 2. The number of threads equals 2 to the power of the parameter value. The
default, 0
, corresponds to single-thread linear algebra.
For small models, multithread algorithms that use numbers higher than 0 may be slower than single-thread.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Use local solver check
box and set the Linear algebra parameter to
Sparse
. For a global solver, Simulink solves the equations without using Simscape linear algebra algorithms.
Delay memory budget [kB] — Memory budget for processing delays
1024
(default) | positive scalar
Specify the maximum memory budget, in kB, allowed for processing delays when
simulating models that contain either blocks from the Delays library or custom blocks
using the delay
Simscape language construct. The purpose of this parameter is to protect against
excessive memory swapping. If this budget is exceeded, simulation errors out. You can
adjust this value based on your available memory resources.
Apply filtering at 1-D/3-D connections when needed — Automatically provides additional derivative needed by Simscape Multibody™ blocks
on (default) | off
This option is applicable only for models that connect blocks from Simscape Multibody library to Simscape blocks, or blocks from other add-on products. Use the Statistics Viewer to determine whether your model has 1-D/3-D connections. For more information, see 1-D/3-D Interface Statistics.
When a Simscape Multibody block is connected directly to a Simscape network, an additional derivative may be required for the network to be solved. When you select this check box, the solver automatically applies input filtering to the signal entering the Simulink-PS Converter block to obtain this additional derivative. The Filtering time constant parameter provides the time constant for the delay.
Note
This check box is selected by default. If you clear it, and the 1-D/3-D connection requires the additional derivative, the solver issues an error message.
Filtering time constant — Time constant for the delay, in seconds
0.001
(default) | positive scalar
This parameter specifies the filtering time constant, in seconds, for the automatic input filtering for 1-D/3-D connections. The parameter value applies globally to all connections belonging to the network that includes this Solver Configuration block.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, select the Apply filtering at 1-D/3-D connections when needed check box.
Use local solver — Use sample-based local solver for Simscape Multibody network
off (default) | on
Lets you use a sample-based local solver for the connected Simscape Multibody network. Using a local solver can reduce the computational cost for a complex Simulink model that has simple Simscape Multibody networks. A Simscape Multibody network using a local solver appears to the global Simulink solver as if it has discrete states. The local solver updates the states once per time step.
Note
This setting is independent from the Use local solver setting in the main part of the block dialog box, which applies to the Simscape network connected to the block.
Solver type — Solver type used by local solver for updating the states in Simscape Multibody network
First-order explicit formula
(default) | Second-order explicit formula
| Third-order explicit formula
| Fourth-order explicit formula
| Fifth-order explicit formula
| Eight-order explicit formula
Select the solver type used for updating the states in the Simscape Multibody network:
First-order explicit formula
— Explicit fixed-step solver that uses the same mathematical equations asode1
.Second-order explicit formula
— Explicit fixed-step solver that uses the same mathematical equations asode2
.Third-order explicit formula
— Explicit fixed-step solver that uses the same mathematical equations asode3
.Fourth-order explicit formula
— Explicit fixed-step solver that uses the same mathematical equations asode4
.Fifth-order explicit formula
— Explicit fixed-step solver that uses the same mathematical equations asode5
.Eight-order explicit formula
— Explicit fixed-step solver that uses the same mathematical equations asode8
.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, in the Multibody section, select the Use local solver check box.
Sample time — Sample time for the Multibody local solver
0.001
(default) | positive scalar
Specify the Multibody local solver sample time, in seconds. The solver updates the states of the connected Simscape Multibody network once per time step.
Dependencies
To enable this parameter, in the Multibody section, select the Use local solver check box.
Extended Capabilities
C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.
Version History
Introduced in R2007aR2024a: Control runtime regularization independently of fixed-cost simulation
The Resolve indeterminate equations check box in the
Solver Configuration block, which applies runtime regularization to solve statically
indeterminate systems, has been renamed to Resolve indeterminate
equations at runtime and moved to a different section of the dialog box.
Previously, you needed to select the Use fixed-cost runtime
consistency iterations check box to enable it. Now, to enable the Resolve indeterminate equations at runtime check box, you need to
select the Use local solver check box and set
Solver type to either Backward Euler
or
Trapezoidal Rule
. Unless your model contains lossless parallel
flow paths, such as ideal parallel clutches or switches, you can now clear the Resolve indeterminate equations at runtime check box and speed up
simulation whenever you use these types of local solver, independently of whether the
simulation is fixed-cost or not.
You can no longer turn off runtime regularization for global solvers.
R2023b: Multibody local solver
The new Multibody section contains settings and parameters specific to solving the connected Simscape Multibody network. The Use local solver check box lets you reduce the computational cost by representing the Simscape Multibody network as if it has discrete states. The Solver type and Sample time parameters in this section apply to the Multibody local solver only.
R2022b: New ways to specify consistency tolerance
The block uses state-based absolute and relative consistency tolerances, multiplied by a scaling factor, to compute the initial conditions and for transient initialization. The Consistency tolerance parameter lets you select between the model tolerances or the local tolerance settings. The new Tolerance factor parameter provides a scaling factor for these values. This state-based method provides better robustness and efficiency, especially if used in conjunction with scaling the model by nominal values.
In previous releases, the Consistency tolerance parameter had a numeric value, and the block used a nonlinear solver based on the equation residual tolerance to initialize the model.
If you open an existing model where the Consistency tolerance parameter has a numeric value, the model continues to use the same residual-based computation method that it used in previous releases. Your simulation results do not change.
To upgrade your existing models to use the state-based method, use the Check Simscape use of state-based consistency tolerances check in the Upgrade Advisor.
R2022b: Multithread function evaluation for fixed-cost simulation
If your model uses the Backward Euler local solver, computing Newton iterations is time-consuming and may present an issue for fixed-cost simulations. You can use multithread function evaluation to speed up simulation on a multicore machine by using the new Maximum threads for function evaluation parameter and clearing the new Resolve indeterminate equations check box.
In previous releases, the solver used single-thread function evaluation and always applied runtime regularization. The default values of the Maximum threads for function evaluation parameter and Resolve indeterminate equations check box are equivalent to the algorithm used in previous releases.
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