Dynamic blocks

The majority of Simcenter Amesim components have fixed numbers of ports, fixed numbers of variables on each port, etc. It is very convenient to have a small collection of components which allow these quantities to vary. These are called dynamic blocks.

When a dynamic block is selected from a category, you must set the quantities that define its characteristics. When the component is added to the sketch, it behaves just like any other Simcenter Amesim component.

The quantities to be defined might be:

• number of ports

• number of variables

• number of inputs

• number of outputs

• number of parameters

• number of real parameters

• number of integer parameters

• number of states

• degree of numerator (for a transfer function)

• degree of denominator (for a transfer function)

Results

Examples of Simcenter Amesim dynamic blocks are listed below.

Icon	Submodel	Label
	SIGMATMULT0	matrix multiplication
	DYNMUX2	dynamic multiplexer
	DYNDMUX2	dynamic demultiplexer
	DYNDUP2	dynamic duplicator block
	DYNFUNC00	outputs functions of inputs
	DYNSWITCH	dynamic switch
	RMECHN0	dynamic rotary mechanical node

Adding a dynamic block

When you add a dynamic block to the sketch, you must define one or more quantities (ports, variables, factors, etc.).

Note

Structural parameters cannot be exposed in supercomponents and cannot be used as Global Parameters.

Procedure

1. Select a dynamic block from the Library tree and place it on the sketch.

The Contextual Parameters pane is displayed automatically when you place a dynamic block on the sketch. You can also right-click the dynamic block to open the Change Parameters window. Figure 48: Dynamic block parameters

Structural parameters are indicated by an icon in the Value column:

2. Enter the values you want, in this example, the number of ports and index of input variables to uses as outputs.

3. Close the Change Parameters window or click outside the Contextual Parameters view.

Results

Once you move to Submodel, Parameter or Simulation mode, a lock icon is displayed indicating you can no longer modify the structural parameters of the component:

Figure 49: Structural parameters locked

If you need to modify a structural parameter of a component, you must return to Sketch mode.