Trimming and Linearizing Nonlinear Models (Control Design and Simulation Module)

Many real-world dynamic system models are nonlinear. If you want to design a controller for a nonlinear model, you must first linearize that model. Linearizing a nonlinear model involves approximating the behavior of that model around an operating point. The operating point is the set of the inputs and states of the model. When you linearize a model, the result is a linear time-invariant (LTI) state-space model.

Note  You can design a controller for LTI models using the Control Design VIs and functions.

Trimming a model involves searching for values of model inputs and states that satisfy any conditions you specify. For example, you can specify that the model outputs or state derivatives must have a certain value. Trimming the model using these conditions returns the values of the inputs and states that, when given to the model, produce the outputs and state derivatives you specified. You also can trim a model to determine an operating point about which you linearize the model.

The LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module provides several methods for trimming and linearizing models. You can interactively trim and linearize a model. You also can programmatically trim and programmatically linearize a model.

Note  The above methods operate on continuous simulation subsystems. Therefore, you must create a simulation subsystem that represents the model before trimming or linearizing that model.

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