On the effect of multirate co-simulation techniques in the efficiency and accuracy of multibody system dynamics (Q633311)

The authors present a methodology for optimizing the efficiency of numerical analysis of large multibody systems. The basic idea, known as ``multirate integration'', is to make a weakly coupled interface between block diagram software and multibody dynamic simulation software. Each aspect, or component, is then optimized separately. The authors illustrate the concept using a relatively simple example which provides considerable reduction in computation time. Future developments of the methodology are outlined. The paper is likely to be a useful reference for numerical analysts studying large, complex systems with the objective of using various commercially available software packages.