1
Using Adams/Controls
Using Adams/Controls
New Template 2005
2
Design Variables Versus State Variables
In Adams/Controls you can use two types of variables: design variables and state variables.
A design variable is only a preprocessing entity. It is a placeholder for element parameter values. When
writing an .adm file, these entities are evaluated and entered in the Adams/Solver dataset as numerical
values. The design variable value can be any expression created in the Adams Expression Builder. Design
variables are also known as Adams/View variables and simply as variables (in the Adams/View Database
Navigator).
A state variable is a variable whose value is calculated at every simulation step. The value can be any
function created in the Adams/View Function Builder. State variables are also known as Adams/Solver
variables, Adams_Variable (in Adams/View Database Navigator), and VARIABLE (statement in
Adams/Solver dataset).
Adams/Controls uses state variables to specify the inputs and outputs from the Adams model, because
these variables are computed during runtime.
For more information, see the online help for Adams/View Function Builder.
3
Using Adams/Controls
Integration with Vertical Products
For the latest information on integrating Adams/Controls with Adams/Car, and Adams/Chassis, refer to
the Adams Knowledge Base at http://support.adams.com/kb.
New Template 2005
4
Plant Communication Error
The Adams plant communication error is a generic message that could mean anything from you don't
have a license available, to you've referenced a variable incorrectly in MATLAB. If you're trying to make
your own model work and haven't tried one of the example problems found in your Adams installation
at /Adams_install/controls/examples/, then run an example. It's important to ensure that you can run an
example, as your own model can potentially have incorrect feedback values, crossed lines, and so on. You
should verify that you can run an example model, which has been setup to work properly, before yo