What is SPS Software software and what problems is it designed to solve?

Q&A
1

The Short Answer

SPS Software (Smart Power Simulations) is a specialized simulation toolbox developed by OPAL-RT, designed to run power electronics and power system simulations significantly faster and more efficiently than standard solvers within the MATLAB/Simulink™ environment.

It is specifically engineered to solve the “Simulation Bottleneck” that engineers often face when modeling modern grids.

The 3 Main Problems it Solves

If you have ever tried to simulate a microgrid or a motor drive in Simulink, you likely faced these three challenges. SPS Software is the solution to them:

1. The “It takes too long” Problem (Speed) :stopwatch:

  • Problem: Simulating high-frequency switching (like inverters in EVs or Solar arrays) forces standard variable-step solvers to take tiny steps. A 5-second simulation can take hours to compute.
  • SPS Software Solution: It uses specialized discretization algorithms (specifically tuned Tustin/Backward Euler methods) that allow models to run in Fixed-Step. This can make simulations run 10x to 100x faster on your desktop without losing accuracy.

2. The “It crashed again” Problem (Stability) :collision:

  • Problem: Mixing slow dynamics (like mechanical inertia) with extremely fast dynamics (IGBT switching) creates numerically “stiff” systems. Standard solvers often struggle to converge in these scenarios, leading to instability or failed simulations.
  • SPS Software Solution: The SPS Software solver uses an “L-Stable” discretization method that is mathematically robust for stiff electrical networks. It handles severe transients—like faults, breaker switching, and non-linear loads—while maintaining stable convergence.

3. The “I need to rebuild for HIL” Problem (Workflow) :counterclockwise_arrows_button:

  • Problem: A model built for desktop analysis usually cannot run in Real-Time (HIL) without major modifications (replacing blocks, changing solvers).
  • SPS Software Solution: SPS Software models are natively “Real-Time Ready”. The exact same model you use for design on your laptop can be compiled and loaded onto an OPAL-RT simulator for Hardware-in-the-Loop testing.

Essentially, SPS Software is the “Pro Mode” for electrical simulation within MATLAB.