Piecewise Linear Current Source

Time-dependent current source using lookup table

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  • Piecewise Linear Current Source block

Description

The Piecewise Linear Current Source block represents a current source that you specify in lookup table form using a vector of time values and a vector of the corresponding current values. You must specify at least four time-current value pairs. The block generates a time-dependent current based on these time-current values using the selected interpolation and extrapolation methods. You have a choice of two interpolation methods and extrapolation methods. The output current is independent of the voltage across the terminals of the source.

The block uses a small conductance internally to prevent numerical simulation issues. The conductance connects the + and - ports of the device and has a conductance GMIN:

  • By default, GMIN matches the GMIN parameter of the Environment Parameters block, whose default value is 1e–121/Ohm.

  • To change GMIN, add an Environment Parameters block to your model and set the GMIN parameter to the desired value.

Ports

Conserving

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Electrical conserving port associated with the piecewise linear current source positive terminal.

Electrical conserving port associated with the piecewise linear current source negative terminal.

Parameters

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Vector of time values as a tabulated 1-by-n array. The time values vector must be strictly monotonically increasing.

Vector of current values as a tabulated 1-by-n array. The current values vector must be the same size as the time values vector.

Select the method that the block uses to determine the output current values at intermediate time points that are not specified in the preceding vectors:

  • Linear — Prioritize performance by using a linear function.

  • Smooth — Prioritize accuracy by producing a continuous curve with continuous first-order derivatives.

Select the method that the block uses to determine the output current values at time points that are outside the time range specified in the preceding vectors:

  • Nearest — Select this option to use the nearest input value for extrapolation.

  • Linear — Select this option to use a linear function.

Model Examples

Use of Peltier Device as Thermoelectric Cooler

Use of Peltier Device as Thermoelectric Cooler

A Peltier device working in cooling mode with a hot side temperature of 50 degC. In cooling mode, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the Peltier cell is equal to the total heat transferred through the Thermoelectric cooler (TEC) divided by the electric input power, COP = Qc/Pin.

References

[1] D. Kahaner, Cleve Moler, and Stephen Nash Numerical Methods and Software Prentice Hall, 1988.

[2] W.H. Press, B.P. Flannery, S.A. Teulkolsky, and W.T. Wetterling. Numerical Recipes in C: The Art of Scientific Computing . Cambridge University Press, 1992.

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

See Also

Simscape Blocks

Functions

Topics

Introduced in R2008a

Simscape Electrical Documentation

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