Integrator block: Deriving velocity from acceleration

Hello,

I am implementing a simple vehicle dynamic model in Simulink. From a co-simulation I have the torque input into the model and using equations I have derived the acceleration of the vehicle. In order to find out the current velocity of the vehicle, I will have to integrate the acceleration. I tried using the continuous-time integrator block, but it does not give me desired results. The velocity just keeps rising to unfeasible values. If I have to use a limited integral, what would be the limits and what about the initial condition for the integrator? If anyone has done a similar model, could you please help me out? Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

[Andy Bartlett]

Let me describe a systematic way to get from

Your knowledge of the physical equations describing your system

to

Simulink model representing those physical equations

First write down the physical equations of your system with the derivatives of variables on the left by themselves and all the math to compute that derivative on the right.

foo_derivative = 7 * foo + 11 * goo + 6 * input1

goo_derivative = 0.1 * foo - 7.3 * goo + 4 * input2

As a side note, if everything is linear and time-invariant (LTI), then this boils down to the famous LTI state space equations

x_vector_derivative = A_matrix * x_vector + B_matrix * u_vector % State equation

y_vector = C_matrix * x_vector + D_matrix * u_vector % Output equation

Once you have the equations written with the derivatives of "states" on the left, drop in a continuous-time integrator for each state.

Drag a wire for the output of each integrator and label that with the name of the state such as "foo", "goo", ...

Drag a wire from the input of each integrator and label that as the derivative of the output such as "foo_derivative", "goo_derivative", ...

If input signals are not already on your model, then add those signals.

Next put labels on all the signals corresponding to inputs with text like "input1", "input2", or whatever was used in your system of equations.

Next for each of your equations like

foo_derivative = 7 * foo + 11 * goo + 6 * input1

drop in the necessary blocks and wiring such that the integrator input labeled "foo_derivative" agrees with your equation. If you've labelled each signal wire with a name from your system equations, then this part should be straightforward.

Finally, you can add other variables such as outputs that are derived from inputs and states using simple algebraic equations like

y_output1 = 3 * foo + 9 * goo - 4 * input2

For example, drop in an outport block, drag out its input wire and label it "y_output1" or whatever is used in your system of equations. Wire up the necessary blocks such that "y_output1" is calculated according to the algebraic equation from your system of equations. Again if you've labelled each signal wire with a name from your system equations, then this part should be straightforward.

HTH