Getting Started with the MapleSim Connector

Copyright © Maplesoft, a division of Waterloo Maple Inc.

2019
Getting Started with the MapleSim Connector
Copyright

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Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... iv
1 Getting Started ................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Setting Up the MapleSim Connector ............................................................................................... 1
1.2 Getting Help .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Using the Simulink® Component Block Generation App ................................................................... 1
Subsystem Preparation ................................................................................................................. 2
Subsystem Selection .................................................................................................................... 2
Inputs, Outputs, and Parameter Configuration .................................................................................. 2
Code Export Options ................................................................................................................... 3
Export ...................................................................................................................................... 6
View Code ................................................................................................................................ 7
1.4 Viewing MapleSim Connector Examples ......................................................................................... 7
1.5 Example: RLC Circuit Model ....................................................................................................... 7
1.6 Enabling Extended Visualization Data ............................................................................................ 9
1.7 Preparing a Model for Export ...................................................................................................... 10
Converting the Model to a Subsystem ........................................................................................... 10
Defining Subsystem Inputs and Outputs ........................................................................................ 11
Define and Assign Subsystem Parameters ...................................................................................... 14
Exporting Your Model Using the Simulink® Component Block Generation App ................................... 16
Implement the S-Function Block in Simulink® ............................................................................... 16
2 Creating and Exporting Mathematical Models in Maple .......................................................................... 18
2.1 Creating and Exporting a DynamicSystems Object Programmatically ................................................. 18
2.2 Example: DC Motor .................................................................................................................. 19
Index .............................................................................................................................................. 22

iii
Introduction
The MapleSim™ Connector provides all of the tools you need to prepare and export your dynamic systems models to
Simulink® as S-function blocks. You can create a model in MapleSim, simplify it in Maple™ by using an extensive
range of analytical tools, and then generate an S-function block that you can incorporate into your Simulink® toolchain.

You can also use these tools for exporting mathematical models that you have created from first principles in Maple
as S-functions.

Furthermore, various options allow you to use the C code generation feature in Maple to create code libraries of your
MapleSim models for implementation in other applications.

Features of this toolbox include:

• Maple templates, which provide an intuitive user interface for optimizing your MapleSim model, and then generate
an S-function in Simulink®.
• A range of examples illustrating how to prepare and export your models.
• A direct interface between Maple and Simulink® allows you to generate and test an S-function block as you develop
the model.
• Commands for developing S-functions of mathematical models from first principles in the Maple environment and
examples to illustrate how to do it.
• Access to commands in the MapleSimConnector and DynamicSystems packages in Maple for developing automated
applications to generate S-functions.

Scope of Model Support

MapleSim is a very comprehensive modeling tool where it is possible to create models that could go beyond the scope
of this MapleSim Connector release. In general, the MapleSim Connector supports systems of any complexity, including
systems of DAEs of any index, in any mix of domains.

Requirements
Requires MATLAB® and Simulink®. For details on supported platforms, visit the Maplesoft System Requirements
website at http://www.maplesoft.com/products/system_requirements.aspx.

For installation instructions and system requirements, see the Install.html file on the product disc.

Adding External Libraries to Your Search Path

You can export a model that uses an external library as part of the model to an S-function block. In order to do this,
you first need to add the directory that contains the external library file (that is, the .dll or .so file) to your search path.
This involves appending the external library directory to either your PATH environment variable (for Windows®) or
your LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable (for Linux® and Macintosh®).

To add an external library directory to your search path

1. Determine the location of the external library directory.

Note: This is the directory that contains the .dll file (Windows) or the .so file (Linux or Macintosh) that is used in
your model.
2. Add the library directory found in step 1 to the appropriate environment variable for your operating system.
• For Windows, add the library directory to your PATH environment variable.
• For Linux and Macintosh, add the library directory to your LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.

iv
 Introduction

Consult the help for your operating system for instructions on how to edit these environment variables.
3. Restart your computer.
1 Getting Started
1.1 Setting Up the MapleSim Connector
To generate an S-function block and have Maple communicate with MATLAB® you have to establish a connection
with MATLAB®.

To set up the MapleSim Connector

1. Start Maple.
2. Enter the following command to establish a connection with MATLAB®.

>
3. A MATLAB® command window opens and the connection is established. If the window does not open, follow the
instructions in the Matlab/setup help page in the Maple help system to configure the connection.
4. Next, set up the MATLAB® mex compiler. Go to the MATLAB® command window and enter the following setup
command:

mex -setup

5. Follow the instructions to choose a local C compiler that supports ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
C code. See the MapleSimConnector,setup help page for more information.

You are now ready to use the MapleSim Connector.

1.2 Getting Help

Refer to the MapleSimConnector help page in the Maple help system.

1.3 Using the Simulink® Component Block Generation App

The MapleSim Connector provides a Simulink® Component Block Generation app in the form of a Maple worksheet
for manipulating and exporting MapleSim subsystems. This app contains pre-built embedded components that allow
you to generate S-function or C code from a MapleSim subsystem, export the subsystem as a Simulink® block, and
save the source code.

Using this app, you can define inputs and outputs for the system, set the level of code optimization, choose the format
of the resulting S-function, and generate the source code, library code, block script, or Simulink® block. You can use
any Maple commands to perform task analysis, assign model equations to a variable, group inputs and outputs to a
single vector and define additional input and output ports for variables.

Note: Code generation now handles all systems modeled in MapleSim, including hybrid systems with defined signal
input (RealInput) and signal output (RealOutput) ports.

The S-Function Block Generation consists of the following steps:

• Subsystem Preparation
• Subsystem Selection
• Port and Parameter Management
• S-Function Options
• Generate S-Function
• View S-Function

1
 2 • Getting Started

Subsystem Preparation
Convert your model or part of your model into a subsystem. This identifies the set of modeling components that you
want to export as a block component. Since Simulink® only supports data signals, properties on acausal connectors
such as mechanical flanges and electrical pins, must be converted to signals using the appropriate ports.

To connect a subsystem to modeling components outside of its boundary, you add subsystem ports. A subsystem port
is an extension of a component port in your subsystem. The resulting signals can then be directed as inputs and outputs
for MapleSim™ Connector App.

Note: For connectors you must use signal components, since acausal connectors can not be converted to a signal.

By creating a subsystem you not only improve the visual layout of a system in Model Workspace but also prepare
the model for export. The following examples in this section show you how to group all of the components into a
subsystem.

Subsystem Selection
You can select which subsystems from your model you want to export to a Simulink® block. After a subsystem is se-
lected, click Load Selected Subsystem. All defined input and output ports are loaded.

Inputs, Outputs, and Parameter Configuration

The Configuration section lets you customize, define and assign parameter values to specific ports. Subsystem com-
ponents to which you assign the parameter inherit a parameter value defined at the subsystem level. After the subsystem
is loaded you can group individual input and output variable elements into a vector array, and add additional input and
output ports for customized parameter values. Input ports can include variable derivatives, and output ports can include
subsystem state variables.

Note: If the parameters are not marked for export they will be numerically substituted.

The following selections specify the input ports, output ports, and states for generating Simulink® blocks.

Select Group all inputs into a single vector to create a single 'vector' input port for all of the input signals instead of
individual ports. The order of the inputs are the same as given in the S-function mask window.

Select Group inputs into a bus to have the S-function accept a bus signal as input.

Select Add additional inputs for required input variable derivatives to specify calculated derivative values instead
of numerical approximations.
 3 • Getting Started

Select Group all outputs into a single vector to define outputs as an S-Function 'mask'.

Select Group outputs into a bus to have the S-function return a bus signal output.

Select Add an additional output port for subsystem state variables to add extra output ports for the state variables.

Select Group all parameters into a single vector to create a single parameter 'vector' for all of the parameters in the
S-function. If not selected, the S-function mask will contain one parameter input box for each of the S-function para-
meters.

Select Generate m-script for assigning parameters to generate an initialization m-file with the system parameters.

Select Group all parameters into a nested structure to specify the parameters as a nested MATLAB structure. Use
the textbox to define the name of the top-level parameter structure. Selecting this option will automatically disable the
Generate m-script for assigning parameters option.

Select Export to have selected parameters exported.

Code Export Options

The Code Export Options settings in the Configuration section specify the advanced options for the code generation
process.

Constraint Handling Options

The Constraint Handling Options area specifies whether the constraints are satisfied in a DAE system by using
constraint projection in the generated Simulink® block. Use this option to improve the accuracy of a DAE system that
has constraints. If the constraint is not satisfied, the system result may deviate from the actual solution and could lead
to an increase in error at an exponential rate.
 4 • Getting Started

Set the Max projection iterations to specify the maximum number of times that a projection is permitted to iterate to
obtain a more accurate solution.

Set the Error tolerance to specify the desirable error tolerance to achieve after the projection.

Select Apply projection during event iterations to interpolate iterations to obtain a more accurate solution.

Constraint projection is performed using the constraint projection routine in the External Model Interface as described
on The MathWorks™ web site to control the drift in the result of the DAE system.

Event Handling Options

The Event Handling Options area specifies whether the events are satisfied in a DAE system by using event projection
in the generated Simulink® block. Use this option to improve the accuracy of a DAE system with events. If the constraint
is not satisfied, the system result may deviate from the actual solution and could lead to an increase in error at an expo-
nential rate.

Set the Max event iterations to specify the maximum number of times that a projection is permitted to iterate to obtain
a more accurate solution.

Set the Width of event hysteresis band to specify the desirable error tolerance to achieve after the projection.

Baumgarte Constraint Stabilization

The Baumgarte constraint stabilization method stabilizes the position constraint equations, by combining the position,
velocity, and acceleration constraints into a single expression. By integrating the linear equation in terms of the accel-
eration, the Baumgarte parameters, alpha and beta, act to stabilize the constraints at the position level.

Apply Baumgarte constraint stabilization: Apply the Baumgarte constraint stabilization.

Export Baumgarte parameters: Add Alpha and Beta as parameters in the generated code.

Alpha: Set the derivative gain for Baumgarte constraint stabilization.

Beta: Set the proportional gain for Baumgarte constraint stabilization.

 5 • Getting Started

Table Handling Options

Select Export lookup tables as external .CSV files to generate a comma-separated values (CSV) file with the values
for your lookup tables. You can then change the values in your lookup table without having to recompile your code.
The updated values are read at run-time.

Fixed-Step Integrator Options

Select Optimize for use with fixed-step integrators to optimize events handling and relax the inconsistencies detection
tolerance.
Select Add Failure Handling to reinitialize the model on failure, and then select one of the following re-initialization
options:
• Re-initialize to initial point: Reinitialize the model to the initial values when a failure happens.
• Hold to previous successful step: Reinitialize the model to the values at the end of the last successful step.

Note: Failure handling is only available for Simulink® fixed-step integration.

Discretization
Select Export as a discrete model (no continuous states) to apply discretization to your model. When selected, you
can select a solver type from one of the following options:
• Euler: forward Euler method
• RK2: second-order Runge-Kutta method
• RK3: third-order Runge-Kutta method
• RK4: fourth-order Runge-Kutta method
• Implicit Euler: implicit Euler method

In this section, you can also set the Discrete step size (in seconds) for the discretization.

Select Allow intermediate steps between fixed steps if you want to trigger events inside a fixed step (instead of at
the end of the fixed step). Your solver must be either Euler or Implicit Euler. After selecting this option, enter the fol-
lowing settings:
• Number of intermediate steps: The maximum number of intermediate steps you want to take inside the fixed step.
• Tolerance: The proportion of the current step size that the solver is allowed to overshoot so as to catch more than
one close-firing event. Generally, enter a smaller tolerance for models that are fairly linear between steps and a larger
tolerance for solutions that are far from linear.
 6 • Getting Started

• Export code to work with single-precision floating point: Select this option to have internal calculations done in
single-precision rather than double-precision. Further, some of the criteria for MapleSim solvers are adjusted to
work with the lower precision.

Note: You will need to configure Simulink to properly run a single-precision S-Function.

Diagnostic Options
Select Add outputs for log(stepsize), event and constraint iterations, and constraint residual to provide run-time
diagnostics in the generated Simulink® block. This adds four outputs to the bottom of the Simulink® block: LogStep-
Size(t), EventIterations(t), ConstraintIterations(t), and ConstraintResidual(t).

Export

Provide a name and specify the location for the generated file.

To generate an S-Function block without a Simulink® connection, click Generate S-Function (no Compile).

To generate an S-Function block, click Generate and Compile S-Function.

Note: If your model contains an external library, then you must add the directory that contains the external library to
your search path. See Adding External Libraries to Your Search Path (page iv) for instructions on how to do this.
 7 • Getting Started

View Code
After you generate the S-Function code and create the block a MATLAB® command window opens and the block
with any of the following specified parameters is generated in Simulink®:
• Block Generation Script
• C Code
• Parameter Script

1.4 Viewing MapleSim Connector Examples

Toolbox examples are available in MapleSim.

To view an example:
1. From the Help menu, select the Examples > MapleSim Connector Examples menu, and then click the entry for
the model that you want to view.
Note: Some models include additional documents, such as templates that display model equations or define custom
components.

2. In the Attached Files tab ( ), expand Documents. You can open any of these documents by right-clicking
(Control-clicking for Mac) its entry in the list and selecting View. After you add a template to a model, it will be
available from this list.

1.5 Example: RLC Circuit Model

In this example, you will generate a Simulink® block from an RLC circuit model that was created in MapleSim.

Note: Before starting this tutorial, you must set up MATLAB® and the mex compiler in order to have the app appear
in the list. For more information, see the MapleSimConnector,setup help page for more information.

To generate an S-function block

1. From the Help menu, select Examples > MapleSim Connector Examples, and then select the RLC Parallel
Circuit.

2. Select the Add Apps or Templates tab ( ).

3. Double-click on the Simulink® Component Block Generation entry in the Apps palette. The Analysis window
opens with the Simulink® Component Block Generation app loaded in the Apps tab.
4. In the Subsystem Selection section, select Main > RLC.
5. Click Load Selected Subsystem. All of the fields are populated with information specific to the RLC subsystem.

Note: By default, all parameters in the model are kept as configurable parameters.
6. In the Export section, specify the directory to save the generated files to.
7. Click Generate and Compile S-Function to generate the S-function code and create the block.

Note: Generating a block may require a few minutes.

A MATLAB® command window opens and the block with the specified parameters is generated in Simulink®.
 8 • Getting Started

Double-click on the block to open the Parameter Mask dialog box that contains the symbolic parameters from the
original model (see the following figure).
 9 • Getting Started

You can set parameters for the block from this mask. For 2016.2 and later versions of the MapleSim Connector, the
two Extended Visualization Data parameters are used to create data files that can be imported back into MapleSim.
This lets you see view the results from executing the block in MapleSim (see the following section, Enabling Extended
Visualization Data, for details).

This block can now be connected with any compatible Simulink® blocks.

1.6 Enabling Extended Visualization Data

For 2016.2 and later versions of the MapleSim Connector, there are two Extended Visualization Data parameters in
the Parameter Mask dialog box for the generated block. These extended visualization parameters are used to generate
simulation results (that is, plots and 3-D animations) that can be imported back into MapleSim. To generate extended
visualization data, enter the following parameters in the Parameter Mask dialog.
 10 • Getting Started

• Extended Visualization Data - File Name: Enter a file name with a .bin file extension for the extended visualization
data file.The extended visualization data file is necessary in order to import the Simulink® simulation results into
MapleSim. Leave this field blank if you do not want to generate extended visualization data.
• Extended Visualization Data - Minimum Sample Step: Enter the minimum sample step, in seconds, for the
visualization data in the .bin file. The default value is 1/40 of a second. This sample step is used for both plots and
3-D animations (for 3-D models). For example, a sample step of 1/40 of a second generates plot points every 1/40
of a second and gives you a frame rate of 40 frames per second in your 3-D animation. Smaller values for the min-
imum step size give higher resolution plots and animations, but may result in larger .bin files. Set this to 0 to store
all the visualization data generated by Simulink®.

After you execute your block in Simulink®, the extended visualization data file is created in the same directory that
your Simulink® model is in. See MapleSim > Using MapleSim > Simulating a Model > Importing FMU or Sim-
ulink(R) S-function Results in the MapleSim help system for information on how to import these results into
MapleSim.

Note: For best results, set the solver type and error tolerances settings in Simulink® to match the settings you have in
the original MapleSim model.

1.7 Preparing a Model for Export

In this example, you will perform the steps required to prepare a slider-crank mechanism model and export it as an S-
function block:

1. Convert the slider-crank mechanism model to a subsystem.

2. Define subsystem inputs and outputs.

3. Define and assign subsystem parameters.

4. Export the model using the Simulink® Component Block Generation app.

5. Implement the S-function block in Simulink®.

Note: The following tutorial will take you through these steps in detail. Before starting this tutorial, you must set up
MATLAB® and the mex compiler. For more information, see the MapleSimConnector,setup help page for more in-
formation.

To open the slider-crank mechanism example

1. In MapleSim, click the Help menu item.
2. Select Examples > User's Guide Examples > Chapter 6, and then select Planar Slider-Crank Mechanism.

Converting the Model to a Subsystem

By converting your entire model or part of your model into a subsystem, you identify which parts of the model that
you want to export. In this example, you will prepare the system for export by grouping all of the components into a
subsystem.

To convert the model to a subsystem:

1. Draw a box around all of the components in the model by dragging your mouse over them.
 11 • Getting Started

2. From the Edit menu, select Create Subsystem. The Create Subsystem dialog box appears.

3. Enter SliderCrank as the subsystem name.

4. Click OK. A SliderCrank subsystem block appears in the Model Workspace.

Defining Subsystem Inputs and Outputs

MapleSim uses a topological representation to connect interrelated components without having to consider how signals
flow between them, whereas traditional signal-flow modeling tools require explicitly defined system inputs and outputs.
Since Simulink® only supports data signals, properties on acausal ports, such as mechanical flanges and electrical
pins, must be converted to signals using the appropriate components. The resulting signals are directed as inputs and
outputs for the subsystem in MapleSim and for the S-function block.

Note: Currently, code generation is limited to subsystems with defined signal input (RealInput) and signal output
(RealOutput) ports.

In this example, you will convert the displacements of the slider and the joint between the crank and connecting rod
to output signals. The input signal needs to be converted to a torque that is applied to the revolute joint that represents
the crank shaft.

To convert the system signals:

1. Double-click the subsystem block to view its contents. The broken line surrounding the components indicates the
subsystem boundary, which can be resized by clicking and dragging its sizing handles.
2. Delete the probes that are attached to the model.

3. In the Library Components tab ( ) on the left side of the MapleSim window, expand the Multibody palette
and then expand the Sensors submenu.
4. Drag the Absolute Translation component to the Model Workspace and place it below the Prismatic Joint
component.
 12 • Getting Started

5. Right-click (Control-click for Mac®) the Absolute Translation component and select Rotate Counterclockwise.
6. From the Signal Blocks > Routing > Demultiplexers menu, drag a Real Demultiplexer component to the Model
Workspace and place it to the right of the Absolute Translation component.

7. To connect the Absolute Translation component to the model, click the frame_b connector. The frame is highlighted
in green when you hover your pointer over it.

8. Draw a vertical line and click the connection line directly above the component. The sensor is connected to the rest
of the diagram.

9. In the same way, connect the r output port ( ) of the Absolute Translation component to the demul-
tiplexer Real input signal (u) port. This is the displacement signal from the sensor in x, y, and z coordinates. Since
the slider only moves along the x axis, the first coordinate needs to be an output signal.

10. Hover your pointer over the first demultiplexer port and click your mouse button once.

11. Drag your pointer to the subsystem boundary and then click the boundary once. A real output port is added to your
subsystem.
 13 • Getting Started

12. Add another Absolute Translation component above the Connecting Rod subsystem.
13. Right-click (Control-click for Macintosh) the Absolute Translation component and select Flip Vertical. Right-
click the Absolute Translation component again and select Rotate Clockwise.
14. Add a Real Demultiplexer component to the right of the sensor and connect the components as shown below.

Note: Since the crank is moving in the x-y plane, you only need to output the first two signals.

You will now add a real input port to your subsystem to control the torque on the crank shaft.
15. From the 1-D Mechanical > Rotational > Torque Drivers menu, add a Torque component to the Model Workspace
and place it above the Fixed Frame component.
16. Connect the white flange of the Torque component to the white flange of the leftmost Revolute Joint.

17. Click the input port of the Torque component, then drag your pointer to the subsystem boundary and click the
boundary once. A real input port is added to your subsystem.

The complete subsystem appears below.

 14 • Getting Started

18. Click Main ( ) in the Model Workspace toolbar browse to the top level of the model.
19. From the Signal Blocks > Sources > Real menu, drag a Constant source into the Model Workspace and connect
its output port to the input port of the SliderCrank subsystem as shown below.

20. Click Attach probe ( ) in the Model Workspace toolbar and then click the top output port of the SliderCrank
subsystem.
21. Drag the probe to an empty location on the Model Workspace, and then click the workspace to position the probe.
22. In the same way, add probes to the other SliderCrank output ports as shown below.

Define and Assign Subsystem Parameters

You can define custom parameters that can be used in expressions in your model to edit values more easily. To do so,
you define a parameter with a numeric value in the parameter editor. You can then assign that parameter as a variable
to the parameters of other components; those individual components will then inherit the numeric value of the parameter
defined in the parameter editor. By using this approach, you only need to change the value in the parameter editor to
change the parameter values for multiple components.
 15 • Getting Started

To edit parameters
1. Double-click on the SliderCrank subsystem, and then click Parameters ( ) in the Model Workspace toolbar.
The parameter editor appears.
2. In the first Name field, enter CrankL and press Enter.
3. Enter 1 in the Default Value field of CrankL, and then enter Length of the crank in the Description field.
4. In the second row of the table, enter ConRodL in the Name field and press Enter.
5. Enter 2 in the Default Value field of ConRodL, and then enter Length of the connecting rod in the Description
field.

6. Click Diagram View ( ) to switch to the diagram view, and then click Main ( ).

7. Select the SliderCrank subsystem. The parameters are defined in the Properties tab ( ).

8. Double-click the SliderCrank subsystem, and then select the Crank subsystem.

9. In the Properties tab ( ), change the length value (L) to CrankL. The Crank subsystem now inherits the numeric
value of CrankL that you defined.

10. Select the ConnectingRod subsystem and change its length value to ConRodL.
11. Click Main ( ) in the Model Workspace toolbar to navigate to the top level of the model.

You will include these parameter values in the model that you export. You are now ready to convert your model to an
S-function block.
 16 • Getting Started

Exporting Your Model Using the Simulink® Component Block Generation App
After preparing the model, you can use the Simulink® Component Block Generation app to set export options and
convert the model to an S-function block.

To export your model:

1. Select the Add Apps or Templates tab ( ).

2. Double-click on the Simulink® Component Block Generation entry in the Apps palette. The Analysis window
opens with the Simulink® Component Block Generation app loaded in the Apps tab.
3. In the Subsystem Selection section, select the SliderCrank subsystem from the drop-down list, and then click
Load Selected Subsystem. All of the fields are populated with information specific to the subsystem.
4. In the Configuration section, select Parameters, and then select the ConRodL parameter that you defined in the
previous section.

Note: The Export option for this parameter is selected by default. Also, by default, all input ports, output ports, and
parameters in the model are kept as configurable parameters.
5. Click Generate and Compile S-Function to generate the S-function code and create the block. A MATLAB®
command window opens and the block with the specified parameters is generated in Simulink®.

Note: Generating a block may require a few minutes.

Implement the S-Function Block in Simulink®

In Simulink®, you can connect your block to other compatible blocks, specify initial conditions, and edit the component
parameter values.
 17 • Getting Started

To implement the S-Function block

1. In Simulink®, double-click the block. The Parameter Mask dialog box appears. This dialog box displays the
ConRodL and CrankL parameters that you defined in MapleSim as a vector. The text in the dialog describes each
parameter in the order they appear in the vector. Initial conditions can also be changed in this dialog box.

2. Click Help. This window provides a model description and information about the inputs, outputs, parameters, and
initial conditions.
3. All inputs and outputs are implemented as vector signals. To access individual signals in Simulink®, use a Mux
block for inputs and a Demux block for outputs.

Note: The extended visualization data parameters are used to generate a simulation results data file that can be imported
into MapleSim with the simulation results generated by Simulink® into MapleSim. See Enabling Extended Visualization
Data (page 9) for more information on these parameters.
2 Creating and Exporting Mathematical Models in Maple
In Maple, you can use commands from the DynamicSystems package to create a system from first principles. Maple
contains a data structure called a system object that encapsulates the properties of a dynamic system. This data structure
contains information, for example, the description of the system, and the description of the inputs. Five different types
of systems can be created.
• Differential equation or difference equation
• Transfer function as an expression
• Transfer function as a list of numerator and denominator coefficients
• State-space
• Zero, pole, gain

You can create a DynamicSystems object in a new worksheet and use commands from the MapleSimConnector
package to generate source code programmatically and save it as a MATLAB® .m file.

2.1 Creating and Exporting a DynamicSystems Object Programmatically

First, load the DynamicSystems and MapleSimConnector packages in the Maple worksheet.

>

>

To create a system object from the transfer function , use the following command:

>

(2.1)

To view the details of the system, use the PrintSystem command.

18
 19 • Creating and Exporting Mathematical Models in Maple

>

(2.2)

The default values for the input names ( and output names have been used. Alternatively, during creation
of the system, different input and output names can be specified.

To define parameters values, use the following command:

>
(2.3)

Finally, use the SBlock command to generate the source code and the SaveCode command to save the code as a .c file
and MATLAB® .m file.

>

>

>

2.2 Example: DC Motor

Consider the classic example of the simplified DC motor. Using the built-in functionality of the DynamicSystems
package in Maple, you can define the system model, and then visualize and simulate it before saving the code.

This example demonstrates how to define, analyze, and export a system programmatically.

To define, visualize and simulate a DC motor:

1. In a new Maple worksheet, define the system model.

 20 • Creating and Exporting Mathematical Models in Maple

Differential Equation Model:

>

>

Transfer Function Model:

>

(2.4)

In place of the above commands, you could use the PrintSystem command to display each part of the model.

2. Specify the parameters in the model.

Description (Initial) Value Units
Input Variables
Applied voltage
Output Variables
Motor shaft angular position
Motor current
Parameters
Moment of inertia of the motor

Damping of the mechanical system

Electromotive force constant

Motor coil resistance

Motor coil inductance
External Spring Load Constant

>

>

3. Generate and save the source code as a .c file and MATLAB® .m file.

>
 21 • Creating and Exporting Mathematical Models in Maple

>

>

With the basic tools shown in this guide, you are now ready to use the MapleSim Connector to solve many system
design problems. For more information about the commands used in this guide, enter DynamicSystems and MapleS-
imConnector in the Maple help system.
 V
Index View Code, 7

A
Apps
Simulink® Block Generation, 1, 16

C
Code Export Options, 3

D
DynamicSystems object, 18
Creating and Exporting Programmatically, 18
Transfer function, 18

E
Export S-Function, 6
Exporting, iv
Extended Visualization Data, 9
External Libraries, iv

G
Generate
External Libraries, 6

I
Inputs
Outputs
and Parameter Configuration, 2
Inputs and outputs, 11

M
MapleSim Connector Examples, 7
Mathematical model, 18
MATLAB®
Setup, 1
Models using external libraries, iv

S
S-Function
Export, 6
View Code, 7
Simulink®, 16
Subsystem
Creating, 10
Preparation, 2
Selection, 2
Subsystem parameters, 14
System object, 18

22