Real-Time Simulation for System Design

A simulation is a representation of the operation or features of a system through the use or operation of another system [ 1 ]. For the types of digital simulation discussed in this work, it is assumed that a simulation with discrete-time and constant-step duration is 220 performed. During discrete-time simulation, time moves forward with constant-step duration in set slices or steps of equal duration. This is commonly known as fixed time-step simulation [ 2 ]. However, it is important to note that other solving techniques that are unsuitable for real-time simulation make use of variable time steps, which helps in solving high-frequency dynamics and nonlinear systems [ 3 ]. This subject is not covered in this chapter, but it is covered in Crosbie [ 4 ].