Overview and Usage of theExcel SINDA Controller for

SINDA/FLUINT

API Overview

Microsoft COM-based commands

COM methods allow applications to “call” other applications, similar to a program calling a subroutine

A SINDA Controller (iSINDA) has been created as a COM-based object

Can be addressed directly by third party software such as Excel, Matlab, iSIGHT

Launches SINDA/FLUINT Enables data exchange and

restarts

Excel Launcher Template

iSINDA provides communication between programs Provides ability to launch SINDA/FLUINT from Excel Ability to exchange register and processor data with Excel Allows postprocessing in Excel

return of processor variables and registers back to Excel ability to query save file for data XY plotting in Excel

Interface is customizable “Prebuilt” option allows models to be run without a

SINDA/FLUINT license Version available for Thermal Desktop

Typical Uses

Allow rapid updating and launching of a pre-existing SINDA/FLUINT model

Ability to superimpose model results on a sketch or photo of the actual hardware

Alternate user interface allowing a new SINDA/FLUINT user to easily modify and launch a model without having to navigate the cryptic ASCII file

Can be used to develop a pre-compiled version of the model to run in a license-free mode

To be run by non-technical support personnel Deliverable for a customer

Basic Usage

Interface can be customized by the user

Plot Control Usage

Demo basic interface

Enable COM Interface

The underlying SINDA/FLUINT model must include commands to enable the COM interface

Enable COM in Operations Data Pause execution of SINDA/FLUINT run to allow update of

parameters in Excel (can occur in any logic block) Send parameters to Excel for postprocessing (Operations

Data)CALL COMINIT $ Initiates the API connection

$ back to Excel

CALL DOWAIT $ Pauses execution, places $ SINDA/FLUINT wait state

CALL SETREAL(Twidget, comp.T21) $ Send a real variable to ExcelCALL SETINT(Status,Icount) $ Send an integer back to Excel

Sample COM Logic

HEADER OPERATIONS

BUILD ALL

CALL COMINIT $ Initiates the API connection back to Excel

...

C make a certain node’s temperature can be examined or set from Excel

CALL SETREAL(‘HiTemp’,WING.T14)

100 CONTINUE

CALL STEADY

CALL DOWAIT

C At this point check and set registers in Excel

C When we are done we will set the register IMDONE to 1 in Excel

IF(IMDONE .NE. 1) GOTO 100

Demo of customized Excel interface

Access Information

Basic Excel Interface is installed with SINDA/FLUINT Accessible from the start menu

Loop Heat Pipe customized sample is available for download from the web site

www.crtech.com/excelSinda.html

If you need the prebuilt version, please contact us.

Questions?

Visit our new technical knowledge base and support forum at www.crtech.com