Visual Solutions

Connecting to Academia

Our History
Visual Solutions is a pioneer in the development of worldclass software for modeling and simulating complex dynamic systems and for Model-Based Design of embedded systems. VisSim is a visual environment for developing system models and performing dynamic simulations. Its unparalleled power, ease of use, and reliability has made it an essential tool on thousands of engineering projects spanning a diverse range of industries and disciplines, including automotive, HVAC, aerospace, and embedded controls development. Since its founding in 1989, Visual Solutions has maintained a strong connection with the academic community. Visual Solutions software products have been incorporated into the curricula and research laboratories at thousands of universities and colleges worldwide. It has enhanced and improved teaching methods, learning skills, and research strategies.
VisSim combines ease of use with mathematical power in a way heretofore unseen. It is so easy to use that I modeled my first system within an hour. My colleagues agree: VisSim is a revolutionary program that has proven essential to our work. Juergen Koehler Graduate Student Massachusetts Institute of Technology

VisSim Connections
US Naval Academy (pictured above, VisSim user since 1994)
University of Alabama University of Alaska University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of California University of Colorado University of Hawaii University of Iceland University of Illinois University of Maine University of Marburg University of Maryland University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of Missouri University of Munich University of Natal University of North Dakota University of Notre Dame University of Ottawa University of Pennsylvania University of Quebec University of Roma University of South Carolina University of Strathclyde University of Tennessee University of Texas University of Washington University of Wisconsin University of Wyoming American University of Beirut Australian National University California Institute of Technology Cambridge University Case Western Reserve University Chicago State University Delft University of Technology Duke University Florida Institute of Technology Illinois Institute of Technology Israel Institute of Technology Michigan State University New Jersey Institute of Technology Pennsylvania State University Purdue University Rutgers University San Diego State University Texas A&M Virginia Tech Warsaw University of Technology Wellington Institute of Technology

Partial list of schools.

Accelerating Productivity in the Classroom

Visual Solutions products are widely used in engineering, science, and mathematics departments in thousands of academic institutions around the world.
VisSim provides students an intuitive feel for systems design. It is the easiest, fastest, and most fun way to teach control design at any level.

Faculty and students consistently say that VisSim provides an excellent platform for introducing fundamental concepts in dynamic simulation and control theory, and practical experience in system modeling. VisSims easy-to-learn graphical interface makes students productive from day one; its powerful simulation engine allows students to develop and evaluate intricate controller strategies that incorporate both closed- and open-loop control systems.

Jim Zhu, Ph.D. Louisiana State University

I prefer using VisSim/ECD over any other embedded design tool for my work with sensors and switched reluctance motor drives. I can quickly produce a proof of concept by relying on the extensive hardware peripheral choices on the F2812/F2808. Designing and

Students who are introduced to VisSim during their college years are better equipped to pursue careers in science and technology after graduation.

troubleshooting a system is easy and fast with VisSim/ECD, and the code VisSim/ECD generates is straightforward and readable. VisSim/ECD is my tool of choice for Model-Based Design of embedded systems. Evgueni Sliva, Ph.D. Research Fellow Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Research University of South Australia

with VisSim
With over 250,000 VisSim users at leading industrial and government organizations including Honda, Boeing, NASA, and The Coca-Cola Company VisSim is widely recognized as the industrys premier software for modeling and simulating complex dynamic systems and for Model-Based Design of embedded systems. Incorporating an industry standard tool, like VisSim, into your classroom optimizes your ability to attract students to your science and engineering programs, and prepares them for opportunities in today's technological workforce. CONTROL SYSTEMS Interactively design, simulate, test, and validate control algorithms; perform frequency domain analysis with Bode, root locus, and Nyquist computations. DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING Design and simulate end-to-end communication systems, including wireless LAN and ultrawide band. TESTING AND MEASUREMENT Perform real-time data acquisition and signal generation using I/O cards, PLCs, and DCSs; develop and validate control strategies; perform hardwarein-the-loop simulations. EMBEDDED DESIGN Rapidly prototype and create embedded controllers for DSPs, DCSs, and microcontrollers; simulate and generate scaled, fixedpoint ANSI C code, as well as code for on-chip peripherals. MECHATRONICS AND ROBOTICS Create models of complex multidisciplinary mechatronic systems; analyze and optimize system performance. MATHEMATICS Model and simulate linear, nonlinear, continuous, discrete, hybrid, static, dynamic, time invariant, implicit, explicit, and partial difference equations.

Targeting Specific Engineering and Scientific Problems with a Single Tool

Visual Solutions provides a comprehensive set of targeted add-on modules that address specific problems in such areas as data communications, data acquisition, linearization and analysis, and digital signal processing. By extending VisSim's capabilities with add-on modules, VisSim can be used in a wider range of classes. This allows students to become proficient with an industry-standard simulation tool as they move from introductorylevel courses to more advanced ones.

VisSim/Analyze

Perform frequency domain analysis of a linearized nonlinear subsystem. Generate highly-optimized, ANSI C code that can be compiled and run on any platform that supports an ANSI C compiler. Simulate end-to-end communication systems at the signal level using 200+ communications, signal processing, and RF blocks. Rapidly prototype and create embedded controls for DSPs, DSCs, and MSP430 microcontrollers. Simulate and generate scaled, fixed-point ANSI C code, as well as code for on-chip peripherals. Simulate fixed-point algorithms prior to code generation and implementation of the algorithm on fixed-point hardware with bit true scaled integer operations. Model and simulate motor control systems with customizable amplifiers, controllers, filters, motors, sensors, sources, tools, and transforms. Perform nonlinear system identification, problem diagnosis, decision-making prediction, and other problems where pattern recognition is important. Connect to any OPC server and log data or run a virtual plant in VisSim for offline tuning.

VisSim/C-Code

VisSim/Comm blockset

VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer

VisSim/Fixed-Point blockset

VisSim/Motion blockset

VisSim/Neural-Networks

VisSim/OPC

VisSim/OptimizePRO

Perform generalized reduced gradient method of parameter optimization. Perform real-time data acquisition and signal generation using I/O cards,

VisSim/Real-TimePRO

PLCs, and DCSs. Develop and validate control strategies, and perform hardware-in-the-loop simulations.

Model-Based Design of Embedded Systems

Model-Based Design lets engineers design, test, and verify embedded control algorithms without having to wait for the actual hardware to test their systems. Using this approach, engineers can identify and correct problems in control algorithms earlier in the design cycle resulting in lower cost and faster time to market. VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer is widely used to perform Model-Based Design of commercial products with embedded controls. Training students in embedded system design using the Model-Based Design approach within the VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer environment allows students to focus on core technologies like feedback loop performance and control design without getting bogged down in arcane C or assembler syntax, while at the same time teaches them valuable skills in the latest embedded technology.

VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer for TIs Piccolo MCUs simplifies programming by enabling developers to graphically configure and use Piccolos on-chip features, including high-resolution PWM, SPI, ADC, serial, flash, I2C, GPIO, and enhanced capture. Further reducing time to market, VisSims efficient code generator allows developers to program complex digital control algorithms that fit easily into the flash and RAM of the Piccolo parts. Keith Ogboenyiya C2000 Microcontroller Product Manager Texas Instruments

VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer in the Classroom

With VisSim/Embedded Controls Developer, students can rapidly prototype embedded controllers for Texas Instruments DSPs, DSCs, and microcontrollers. VisSim has unique support of common on-chip peripherals like PWM, quadrature encoder, event capture, CAN, I2C, Serial, SPI, ADC and GPIO, allowing a faster and deeper coverage of commercial actuators, sensors and communication buses. Typically, system models include both the control algorithm and plant. The controller subsystem can be scaled fixed-point, while the plant is full-precision floating point. Students perform off-line simulation to verify, debug, and tune their algorithms. This allows detection and resolution of typical low-cost controller issues with precision loss and overflow before ever generating code. Once the model is verified, students generate production code for the controller and download the code to the target DSP. VisSim HotLink technology lets students interactively change controller gains on the target from VisSim, and observe on-target signals like phase currents and internal controller terms in VisSim digital scopes.

State-of-the-Art MBD Laboratory Set up a powerful yet inexpensive model-based embedded systems lab with VisSim/ECD software and TI's DSP and microprocessor chips and low-cost experimenter board sets, including DCDC conversion, power factor correction, renewable energy converters, and 3phase motor controllers.

Spotlight on Success
Delft University of Technology
Department: Industrial Engineering Course Title: ID 3411 Mechatronics Introduction to mechatronic approach to engineering design, emphasizing its principal components - sensors and transducers; embedded microprocessors; and actuators and drives - and exploring their interrelationships. Students are introduced to system modeling with VisSim, focusing initially on the design and implementation of bi-state control systems. Students then use VisSim to design and test the system dynamics of proportionally controlled electric motors and PI controllers.

University of Strathclyde
Department: Chemical Engineering Course Title: Introduction to Process Control 18 443/443D In-depth examination of feedback control systems. Using VisSim software, students design, implement, and tune practical control systems, including ON-OFF and PID controllers. Students then use VisSim to develop real-world controllers with cascading control schemes, constraints, and multi-variable controls.

With VisSim, we are able to introduce not only basic control theory to our students, but also the more complicated aspects of controller design, like cascade control, aliasing, and integral wind-up. We are delighted with the technical aspects of VisSim and would never move back to MatLab/Simulink.
Dr. Bruce Postlethwaite Chemical and Process Engineering Department University of Strathclyde

University of Hartford
Department: Mechanical Engineering Course Title: ME505 Mechatronic System Design An introductory course that covers sensors, actuators, system modeling and analysis, classical feedback control system design, methods of analysis, and dynamic simulation. Students use VisSim for all projects and lab work. This course culminates with students modeling, analyzing, and controlling a Mass-Spring-Damper system to actively attenuate oscillations of the mass. Students are introduced to sensor limitations and inaccuracies, actuators, DC amplifiers, sampling errors and limitations, and feedback control. Using VisSim's data acquisition add-on, students obtain realtime dynamic data from the Mass-Spring-Damper system to develop corresponding models in VisSim. Following model validation, students perform "what if" scenarios with the VisSim models to test and analyze different control strategies (rate feedback, cascade lead, bang-bang, and even fuzzy logic) intended to suppress the mass oscillations quickly. After students develop a control that displays acceptable performance on the model, it is migrated to control the actual Mass-Spring-Damper system and the resulting performance differences are compared with the expected model responses.

We are very pleased with VisSim. It is an excellent tool for students to learn and understand modeling, real-time interfacing, and feedback control principles without the need to write software. Students learn how to design and analyze with a modern commercial tool that makes them a valuable commodity when they graduate. It has been extremely cost effective for the university and the technical support has been superb.
Dr. Devdas Shetty, Ph.D., PE Mechanical Engineering Department University of Hartford

From a financial standpoint, VisSim is extremely worthwhile to the process control community. There are tremendous savings in reduced downtime due to offline tuning and control design, as well as training.
Senior Engineer E. I. DuPont de Nemours

Hank Graeser

When I was tasked with simulating turbomachinery to test control systems before they left the factory, I chose VisSim. All you need is a logical brain and some knowledge of mathematics. VisSim makes the rest easy.

Mojan Thiagarajah
Application Consultant Honeywell

After Academia
"Our continuing use of VisSim is beneficial in simultaneously maximizing quality, minimizing development time, and enhancing customer experience through the use of realistic patient models.
Biomedical Research Engineer ResMed, LLC

Natalie Zotelo

The E+ Electric Bike is the only one in the world with a powerful processor and advanced algorithms. We want to tell the world that it has been possible because of VisSim software.
President Electric Motion Systems

Rakesh Dhawan

Aerial photo of the DuPont facility in Richmond, Virginia. Engineers used VisSim to develop a highfidelity dynamic model of their non-woven sheet manufacturing facility.

Licensing Options
Visual Solutions is sensitive to the financial challenges facing educational institutions, faculty, and students. Our academic licenses provide access to the same professional-strength software used by engineers and scientists at a fraction of the cost. To qualify for an academic license: If you are a faculty member, you can use the software only for classroom instruction or academic research. If you are a student, you must be enrolled in a degree-granting institution and have a valid student ID. You are prohibited from using academic licenses for commercial work.

Individual Academic License

If you want to install VisSim on your desktop or laptop computer, this is the license for you.

Quantity Discounts on Academic Licenses

If you want to install VisSim on your classroom or laboratory computers, you can purchase licenses "in bulk" and receive a quantity discount on your order. For example, purchasing ten academic licenses affords you an additional 45% discount. You can purchase both network seats and single user licenses in bulk.

Academic Site License

If you want to make VisSim available for an entire department or academic site, this is the license for you.

Personal Edition for Students

The Academic Personal Edition of VisSim is designed specifically for students. Comparable in price to an academic textbook, the VisSim PE software allows students to model and simulate systems containing up to 100 blocks.

Contact us now for more information on getting VisSim into your academic institution.
Phone: 1-800-VISSIM-1 Email: sales@vissol.com www.vissim.com
2011 Visual Solutions, Inc. VisSim and VisSim HotLink are trademarks of Visual Solutions. All other products listed in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.