VehicleSim SDK

Mechanical Simulation Corporation produces and distributes software tools for simulating and analyzing the dynamic behavior of motor vehicles in response to inputs from steering, braking, throttle, road, and aerodynamics.

The VS SDK is a Software Development Kit. This means that it includes all the tools, libraries, documentation, and example projects necessary to get working on a project with as little configuration possible. With nothing but the contents of the SDK, a valid license for a VehicleSim product, and a development environment for your language of choice you can get to work building and extending various aspects of the simulation architecture.

The VehicleSim SDK is available from the VS SDK part of the Users section of this website.

Libraries

VS Solver

The VS Solver library contains the API for the VS Math Model. The VS API is a set of functions that allow for direct interaction with a VS Solver instance, including adding equations at runtime, exchange of variables, and direct access to the VS Math Model.

VS Vehicle

A wrapper for the VehicleSim solvers' native interface (the VS API). It simplifies integration into other simulation environments and facilitates simulating multiple vehicle instances within the same simulation environment.

VS Terrain

A standalone Windows DLL for generating VS Terrain files. Geometry can be fed in from the source application, with friction and rolling resistance values attached to each triangle face.

VS Connect

Used for facilitating communications between external programs and VehicleSim products, primarily for synchronization of simulations between multiple programs for co-simulation.

VS Output

Allows an engineer to read, write, and create the same output file formats used within VehicleSim projects.

VS Table

Provides access to manipulate data within table structures (.vstb files). The API allows for creating, editing, and accessing both 1-D and 2-D tables.

VS Shared Buffer

Facilitates interprocess transfer of image data. VS Visualizer uses this API to provide rendered data to the VS Camera Sensor S-function within Simulink.

Utilities

VS Solver Wrapper

A command-line wrapper for basic use, loading a VS Solver dll to perform a simulation given a valid simulation input.

VS License Manager

Multiple License Managers included with the VS SDK for use with a VS Solver. Once your licensing is properly configured, an instance of the license manager must be running before attempting to run the VS Solver.

Example Applications

VehicleSim products include example programs in Python, MATLAB, Visual Basic, and ANSI C that show how to load and run the VS Solver, and possibly use build a custom program to interact with the VS math models.

High Performance Computing

The VehicleSim suite of products is being used on various high performance computing architectures, from a single computer to thousands of nodes on cloud-based systems. The SDK ships with command line utilities and example programs to build custom tools.

Driving Simulators

CarSim and TruckSim math models are used in over 1400 driving simulators. The makers combine third-party visualization software and databases with the VS Math Model using VS API functions.

Motorsport Applications

Used by sophisticated top-tier teams to run third-party tire models, advanced damper models, detailed aero maps, and alternative engines and transmissions. CarSim engineers have worked with race teams from NASCAR, Formula 1, ALMS, and IndyCar.

synced plot and video
Run a VS Solver from Visual Basic or the command line interface provided by VS Solver Wrapper. Click for more detail.
timeline
This figure from the API documentation shows the sequence of operations during initialization. Click for full size.
M-File
A MATLAB M-file can be used to run the VS Solver with model extensions. Click for more detail.
C code
A custom C program can install callback functions that will be used by the VS Solver. Click for more detail.
Callback
Callback functions defined in an external C program can be called from within the VS Solver. Click for more detail.