TISC Suite
Software package for coupling simulation tools

TISC Suite – software package components

The TISC Suite consists of the Simulation Package and the Control Package. The model simulations connect to the TISC Server via simulator interfaces. Optionally, measurement technology, bus systems (CAN / LIN) and test benches can be tethered by means of gateway hardware interfaces. The TISC Suite components and additional tools are presented in the following:

• TISC Simulation Package – Coupled simulation
• TISC Control Package (optional) – Central parameterization and execution
• Simulator Interfaces – Connection of simulators to TISC
• Hardware Interfaces (optional) – Connection of hardware and measurement software

TISC Simulation Package – Coupled simulation

The simulation package includes the TISC Server and various auxiliary tools. The TISC server is used for coupling simulation models, i.e. data exchange and synchronization of the individual simulations. At the beginning of calculation, all simulation programs are connected to the server via a TCP/IP-network. This makes it possible for the models to be executed in parallel and on different computers. The auxiliary tools FileSource, TIM and SendingClient are necessary so that, for example, conditions can be defined, simulation data can be accessed online or variable values can be dynamically adapted to the simulation time.

With regard to the coupling of simulation models, the synchronization rate plays a central role. For this reason, the main synchronization rate of a model is set by TISC to a fixed step size before the simulation begins. If required, the step size can be adjusted time-dependently corresponding to the dynamic of the system to be simulated. It is possible to assign an individual step size to each model which may differ from the main synchronization rate.

As a matter of principle, the time-discrete variable exchange may lead to numerical inaccuracies. If this is the case, TISC will reduce the error count using separate extrapolation and smoothing methods. If flowing conserved quantities like mass flow, power or momentum are transferred, this may result in a violation of the laws of conservation. Such balancing errors can be filtered out in TISC using PID elements.

TISC Control Package – Central parameterization and execution

The TISC Control Package allows for the centralized configuration and control of the models used in the co-simulation. Without the Control Package, the individual model simulations in the respective simulation programs would have to be configured and started manually. In this respect, the use of the Control Package is recommended for simulations with three or more partial simulations or locally distributed simulations.

The TISC Center is the central user interface of the TISC Control Package. It provides an overview of the simulation models being run in the co-simulation and allows for the easy selection and parameterization of models. In order for a model to be recognized and addressed by the TISC Center, it must be analyzed by the TIPS tool and configured for use in the co-simulation. The entire co-simulation can be monitored by means of this central program and launched by the push of just one button. This is carried out via TISC ControlClients. They communicate with the TISC Center and run individual simulations on different computers in the network.

Furthermore, the TISC Center allows for the easy presentation and analysis of the transmitted data both online during the simulation and in post-processing. For a more detailed data visualization and analysis we recommend the tool DaVE.

The TISC Batch Center makes it possible to run parameter studies automatically.

Simulator Interface – Connection of simulators to TISC

TISC interfaces are available for the following simulators. Further interfaces can be developed by request:

In addition to the interfaces to specific simulation programs, libraries are available for direct connection to source code. These are based on C/C++, Java, Python and Fortran.

FMI (Functional Mock-up Interface) is an independent standard for model exchange and co-simulation. Models exported according to the FMI standard can be integrated using the TISC FMI Controller, making it possible for the models of other simulators to be supported for co-simulation with TISC.

* These TISC interfaces have been prepared for customer-specific adaptations

Hardware interfaces – Connection of hardware and measurement software

Various hardware components such as test benches, HiL systems (i.e. dSpace), control systems (i.e. PLC) and measurement software (i.e. CANape, LabVIEW) can be connected to the co-simulation network by means of gateways. For example, a laptop can be connected via a PCMCIA card with a CAN bus, a TISC gateway allows for bidirectional communication between the bus nodes and the TISC Server. This is a simple way to connect between real and simulated worlds.

The TISC-LabVIEW interface allows the connection of, for example, NI measurement technology. Control systems such as SIMATIC S7 can be addressed via an Ethernet gateway, and further control systems can be accessed through ASAM HIL API.