What are the differences between Simscape Driveline and Simulink Powertrain Blockset?

Looking at the product pages on Mathworks' website, Simscape Driveline and Simulink Powertrain Blockset seem be aimed at the same tasks even though, as far as I understand, the way Simscape works "under the hood" is different from Simulink systems.

What are the differences then? In which situation would I pick one over the other?

Answer 1

[Mike Sasena]

Thanks for your question, Federico. You are correct in that either Simscape Driveline or Powertrain Blockset can be used to accomplish similar goals. Simscape Driveline uses an acausal / equation-based approach to modeling, which makes it quite easy to assemble complex topologies of mechanical components. Powertrain Blockset uses a causal / Simulink approach to modeling, which works well for controls-oriented developers. The “right choice” really depends on what technology you want to use for your project. For example, if you want to design a custom transmission by assembling base components (gears, clutches, inertia, etc.) into a schematic, then Simscape Driveline is well suited to your needs. If you want a Simulink-based vehicle model that’s already built for you, Powertrain Blockset provides comprehensive examples that integrate a Dual Clutch Transmission or Automated Manual Transmission into a closed-loop vehicle model.

Many of our customers use both products for their projects. They will start with one of the pre-built vehicle models from Powertrain Blockset, then customize the underlying subsystems with Simscape. This can include replacing the default driveline subsystems with one of their own models developed with Simscape Driveline. The two products can be used together in order to take advantage of Powertrain Blockset’s closed-loop vehicle models and Simscape’s customizeability.

[太一]

Hi Mr.Mike

Can we convert acausal model into causal model?

There is a need to convert a model created in Simscape to an equation-based Simulink model, accepting the loss of physical topology.

[Steve Miller]

It is important to know why you need the model to be converted.

• Simscape models, implemented as physical networks, can interface to Simulink models with causal inputs and outputs. Perhaps you only need to set up the interface to the acausal network.
• If there is a specific analysis you need to do, such as linearization, Simscape models can be linearized.
• Simscape models can also run with fixed-step solvers and be converted to C Code for HIL tests.

Rederiving and re-implementing the equations is a lot of work which you should try to avoid if at all possible. If your question/use case is quite detailed, feel free to contact me directly over my author page.

--Steve