Simulation of Dynamical Systems with Interval Analysis: A case study of RLC Circuit
For engineering educators and students, this work provides a pedagogical tool to bridge simulation and experiment, though it is an incremental application of existing methods.
This paper applies interval analysis to simulate an RLC circuit, incorporating numerical and parametric uncertainties to better match experimental results. The simulation successfully encompasses experimental data, demonstrating the technique's potential for undergraduate education.
Differences between computer simulation of dynamical systems and laboratory experiments are common in teaching and research in engineering. Normally, numerical inaccuracy and the non-ideal behaviour of the devices involved in the experiment are the most common explanations. With the application of interval analysis, it is possible to incorporate the numerical and parametric uncertainties in the simulation, allowing a better understanding of the play between simulation and experiment. This article presents a case study in which an step input is applied to an RLC circuit. Using the toolbox Intlab for Matlab, it was possible to present a computer simulation with the range that encompasses the experimental results . Comparison of simulation with experimental data show the success of the technique and indicates a potential content to be delivered to undergraduate engineering courses.