powergui continuous or discrete, What Does "continuous" mean in a discrete world (Computer environment)

What is the difference of running a model using POWERGUI in continuous mode and discrete mode when the model has discrete blocks ( Z-transform). I would expect the system to trigger an error because of the discrepancy of having the model implemented using discrete blocks and the POWERGUI being configured as continuous mode but SIMULINK is able to run and provide results, How is that possible ?, What Simulink does to make them compatible and perform the calculation?

Is POWERGUI only for the power system elements?, if so How the passive elements (continuous elements Resistor, Inductors, Capacitors) are treated by POWERGUI when it is set either as continuous or discrete?. My understanding is that everything is discretised within the COMPUTER environment so then what Does “CONTINUOUS“ actually mean for Simulink?

Answer 1

[Rahul]

Hey,

In Simulink, the continuous mode and discrete mode refer to the simulation time representation and solver used for the simulation.

Continuous mode: In continuous mode, Simulink assumes that the system is continuous-time, and the solver used is designed to handle continuous-time differential equations. The solver approximates the differential equations using numerical integration techniques to simulate the continuous behavior of the system over time. Continuous elements like resistors, inductors, and capacitors are treated as continuous-time components, and the simulation time is typically represented by a continuous variable.

Discrete mode: In discrete mode, Simulink assumes that the system is discrete-time, and the solver used is designed to handle discrete-time difference equations. The solver advances the simulation time in discrete steps, typically based on a fixed time step size. Discrete elements like Z-transform blocks are explicitly designed for discrete-time systems and operate on discrete-time signals. The simulation time is represented by discrete time steps.

When running a model with discrete blocks (e.g., Z-transform) in continuous mode, Simulink can still perform the calculations and provide results. Simulink internally discretizes the continuous-time system to approximate the behavior of the discrete blocks. It does this by applying numerical integration techniques to approximate the behavior of the Z-transform blocks within the continuous-time simulation framework. This allows Simulink to handle the mixed-mode simulation and provide results, although it may not capture the exact behavior of the discrete blocks.

Regarding the usage of POWERGUI, it is primarily designed for modeling and simulating power systems. However, Simulink can handle a wide range of systems beyond power systems, including passive elements like resistors, inductors, and capacitors. In Simulink, these passive elements can be modeled using continuous-time blocks and are treated as continuous-time components within the simulation.

Regarding the usage of POWERGUI, it is primarily designed for modeling and simulating power systems. However, Simulink can handle a wide range of systems beyond power systems, including passive elements like resistors, inductors, and capacitors. In Simulink, these passive elements can be modeled using continuous-time blocks and are treated as continuous-time components within the simulation. and the solver approximates continuous behavior of systems.

Hope that helped

thanks