Network approach and differential-algebraic systems in technical applications (Q1969067)

The paper addresses to the network approach for the automatic generation of the mathematical model which constitutes an important part of the technological computer-aided design (TCAD). A descriptor formulation of the model is characterized by a system of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) corresponding to the initial implicit system of differential equations. In order to classify the difficulties one encounters solving the coupled system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and nonlinear equations, a concept of index was introduced. Generally speaking, the index is a measure for the additional effort required to solve a DAE in comparison to an ODE with the difficulties increasing with the growth of the index. For a given problem, the index can depend on the definition itself (say, differential or perturbation index), and may lead to different numbers, although for certain problems differential and perturbation indices coincide. Studying typical examples from electric-circuit simulation, multibody system dynamics, charge cycle of combustion engines, and chemical process simulation, the authors classify models in terms of the index and structural properties. In the final part of the paper, numerical consequences of the concept of index are discussed in relation with specific software packages.