Simscape Driveline Ideal Motion Sensor - Calculating Acceleration

When using driveline I can easily output the position and velocity of a mass with an ideal translational motion sensor: https://www.mathworks.com/help/physmod/simscape/ref/idealtranslationalmotionsensor.html?searchHighlight=ideal%20motion%20sensor&s_tid=srchtitle

However, to get the acceleration of the mass, I need to convert to simulink and differentiate the signal. This is not a major problem but my questions are as follows:

How can I be confident I am not introducing error by numerically differentiating?

Why doesn't the "Ideal Motion Sensor" supply the acceleration as an output? I would think the equations of motion include acceleration and it is integrated to get velocity and position.

Thanks in advance,

Peter

Answer 1

[Juan Sagarduy]

Hi Peter

This is good feedback, maybe there should that option in the sensor. But this can be solved by adding that into a modified component (Simscape language) with acceleration output. Let me know if u need a hand.

Cheers Juan

[Peter Zach]

Juan,

Can you point me to a reference that outlines how I would modify component? As far as I can tell, the block's source code is not available.

Thanks,

Peter

[Juan Sagarduy]

Hi Peter,

Find attached the implemntation of the sensor in a test model.

We have a 1-day course on Simscape where you can learn how to create your own components/domains. See link below:

Modeling Physical Systems with Simscape | MATLAB and Simulink Training (mathworks.com)

Br Juan

[Stefan Ondocko]

Hi, You can also use the Derivative (dv/dt => a) on the "Simulink" side or the Ideal Force Sensor and calculate the acceleration (F/m = a) on the measured object