Vectorization
Some models are based on a repetitive structure. Such structures can be implemented in a compact form with the concept of “Vectorization”. For this purpose there is a De-/Multiplexer and Signal Selector component in the controls domain and a Wire Multiplexer and Wire Selector block in each each physical domain. These blocks allow to realize series and parallel connections of many components without actually having to place all components in the schematic. Besides this, source components can also output vector or bus signals. This way the circuit structure becomes parameter dependent.
Vectorized Sources
Source components can be vectorized by specifying a vector for one of the parameters. If a vector is specified for multiple parameters they all need to have the same length. For example the Phase parameter in the Sine Wave block allows a vector [0, -120, 120].
Fig. 29 Sine Wave block with vector output
Example Model
See the example model “Vector Sine Wave”.
Find it in PLECS under Help > PLECS Documentation > List of Example Models.
In case of a physical domain the vectorized source components will lead to completely vectorized circuits, as in Fig. 30.
Fig. 30 Equivalence of a vector circuit with three scalar circuits
Example Model
See the example model “Vector Circuits”.
Find it in PLECS under Help > PLECS Documentation > List of Example Models.
Signal De-/Multiplexer
In a basic application a signal multiplexer and demultiplexer are used to form and split bus signals. In Fig. 31 the sine wave block outputs a bus signal of width 3.
Fig. 31 Vector Sine Wave output demultiplexed
The Demultiplexer component is used to split the bus signal into a bus signal of width 2 and a scalar signal. The upper Gain multiplies each component of the bus signal with 3 and the lower Gain block simply multiplies the scalar signal with 0.5.
Example Model
See the example model “De-Multiplexer”.
Find it in PLECS under Help > PLECS Documentation > List of Example Models.
Vectorizing Physical Components
Fig. 32 shows how a chain of RC elements can be built using wire multiplexers.
Fig. 32 Non-vectorized RC chain
In a first step the original circuit is built with two wire multiplexer components of width 4. The first wire that enters the multiplexer leaves the second multiplexer on the first terminal (indicated with a dot). The same applies for the input signals 2 to 4. This is shown in Fig. 33
Fig. 33 RC chain built with a wire multiplexer
Because multiplexers can take vectors as Width parameter, the wires 2 to 4 can be combined. In Fig. 34 the two multiplexers use the value [1 3] and [3 1] for the Width parameter.
Fig. 34 Vectorized version of the RC chain
The vectorized implementation is a condensed form of the original circuit with only one resistor and capacitor component. By using a variable for the Width parameter ([1 n] and [n 1]), the length of the RC chain can be set from the model initialization commands. The values for the capacitances and resistances have to be a scalar or a vector with length of the RC chain.
Example Model
The example model “Step-by-Step Vectorization of RC Chain” features an RC chain.
Find it in PLECS under Help > PLECS Documentation > List of Example Models.
Example Model
The example model “Basic Vectorization Schemes” features parallel and series connections of components in general.
Find it in PLECS under Help > PLECS Documentation > List of Example Models.
Note
The input signal to a vectorized switching device of width n can be a scalar or a vector. If it is a scalar all n switching devices will have the same (gate) input signal. If the input signal is a vector of length n every element of the vector is the (gate) input signal to the corresponding switching device.