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