BDF

class pathsim.solvers.bdf.BDF(*solver_args, **solver_kwargs)

Bases: ImplicitSolver

Base class for the backward differentiation formula (BDF) integrators.

Notes

This solver class is not intended to be used directly

x

internal ‘working’ state

Type:

numeric, array[numeric]

n

order of integration scheme

Type:

int

s

number of internal intermediate stages

Type:

int

stage

counter for current intermediate stage

Type:

int

eval_stages

rations for evaluation times of intermediate stages

Type:

list[float]

opt

optimizer instance to solve the implicit update equation

Type:

NewtonAnderson, Anderson, etc.

K

bdf coefficients for the state buffer for each order

Type:

dict[int: list[float]]

F

bdf coefficients for the function ‘func’ for each order

Type:

dict[int: float]

history

internal history of past results

Type:

deque[numeric]

startup

internal solver instance for startup (building history) of multistep methods (using ‘DIRK3’ for ‘BDF’ methods)

Type:

Solver

classmethod cast(other, parent, **solver_kwargs)

cast to this solver needs special handling of startup method

Parameters:

• other (Solver) – solver instance to cast new instance of this class from

• parent (None | Solver) – solver instance to use as parent

• solver_kwargs (dict) – other args for the solver

Returns:

engine – instance of BDF solver with params and state from other

Return type:

BDF

classmethod create(initial_value, parent=None, from_engine=None, **solver_kwargs)

Create a new BDF solver, properly initializing the startup solver.

Parameters:

• initial_value (float, array) – initial condition / integration constant

• parent (None | Solver) – parent solver instance for stage synchronization

• from_engine (None | Solver) – existing solver to inherit state and settings from

• solver_kwargs (dict) – additional args for the solver

Returns:

engine – new BDF solver instance

Return type:

BDF

stages(t, dt)

Generator that yields the intermediate evaluation time during the timestep ‘t + ratio * dt’.

Parameters:

• t (float) – evaluation time

• dt (float) – integration timestep

reset()

“Resets integration engine to initial state.

buffer(dt)

buffer the state for the multistep method

Parameters:

dt (float) – integration timestep

solve(f, J, dt)

Solves the implicit update equation using the optimizer of the engine.

Parameters:

• f (array_like) – evaluation of function

• J (array_like) – evaluation of jacobian of function

• dt (float) – integration timestep

Returns:

err – residual error of the fixed point update equation

Return type:

float

step(f, dt)

Performs the explicit timestep for (t+dt) based on the state and input at (t).

Note

This is only required for the startup solver.

Parameters:

• f (numeric, array[numeric]) – evaluation of rhs function

• dt (float) – integration timestep

Returns:

• success (bool) – True if the timestep was successful

• error (float) – estimated error of the internal error controller

• scale (float) – estimated timestep rescale factor for error control

class pathsim.solvers.bdf.BDF2(*solver_args, **solver_kwargs)

Bases: BDF

Fixed-step 2nd order BDF method. A-stable.

\[x_{n+1} = \tfrac{4}{3}\,x_n - \tfrac{1}{3}\,x_{n-1} + \tfrac{2}{3}\,h\,f(x_{n+1}, t_{n+1})\]

Uses DIRK3 as startup solver for the first step.

Characteristics

• Order: 2

• Implicit linear multistep, fixed timestep

• A-stable

Note

The workhorse fixed-step stiff solver. A-stability means no eigenvalue in the left half-plane causes instability, regardless of the timestep. Well suited for block diagrams with a fixed simulation clock and moderately-to-very stiff dynamics. For adaptive stepping, use GEAR21 or ESDIRK43.

References

[1]

Gear, C. W. (1971). “Numerical Initial Value Problems in Ordinary Differential Equations”. Prentice-Hall.

[2]

Hairer, E., & Wanner, G. (1996). “Solving Ordinary Differential Equations II: Stiff and Differential-Algebraic Problems”. Springer Series in Computational Mathematics, Vol. 14. :doi:`10.1007/978-3-642-05221-7`

class pathsim.solvers.bdf.BDF3(*solver_args, **solver_kwargs)

Bases: BDF

Fixed-step 3rd order BDF method. \(A(\alpha)\)-stable with \(\alpha \approx 86°\).

Uses DIRK3 as startup solver for the first two steps.

Characteristics

• Order: 3

• Implicit linear multistep, fixed timestep

• \(A(\alpha)\)-stable, \(\alpha \approx 86°\)

Note

Higher accuracy than BDF2 with only a slight reduction in the stability wedge. The \(86°\) sector covers nearly the entire left half-plane, so most stiff block diagrams remain well-handled. For adaptive stepping, use GEAR32.

References

[1]

Gear, C. W. (1971). “Numerical Initial Value Problems in Ordinary Differential Equations”. Prentice-Hall.

[2]

Hairer, E., & Wanner, G. (1996). “Solving Ordinary Differential Equations II: Stiff and Differential-Algebraic Problems”. Springer Series in Computational Mathematics, Vol. 14. :doi:`10.1007/978-3-642-05221-7`

class pathsim.solvers.bdf.BDF4(*solver_args, **solver_kwargs)

Bases: BDF

Fixed-step 4th order BDF method. \(A(\alpha)\)-stable with \(\alpha \approx 73°\).

Uses DIRK3 as startup solver for the first three steps.

Characteristics

• Order: 4

• Implicit linear multistep, fixed timestep

• \(A(\alpha)\)-stable, \(\alpha \approx 73°\)

Note

The narrower stability wedge compared to BDF2/BDF3 means eigenvalues close to the imaginary axis may be poorly damped. Safe for block diagrams whose stiff modes are strongly dissipative (well inside the left half-plane). For problems with near-imaginary eigenvalues (e.g. lightly damped oscillators), prefer lower-order BDF or an ESDIRK solver.

References

[1]

Gear, C. W. (1971). “Numerical Initial Value Problems in Ordinary Differential Equations”. Prentice-Hall.

[2]

Hairer, E., & Wanner, G. (1996). “Solving Ordinary Differential Equations II: Stiff and Differential-Algebraic Problems”. Springer Series in Computational Mathematics, Vol. 14. :doi:`10.1007/978-3-642-05221-7`

class pathsim.solvers.bdf.BDF5(*solver_args, **solver_kwargs)

Bases: BDF

Fixed-step 5th order BDF method. \(A(\alpha)\)-stable with \(\alpha \approx 51°\).

Uses DIRK3 as startup solver for the first four steps.

Characteristics

• Order: 5

• Implicit linear multistep, fixed timestep

• \(A(\alpha)\)-stable, \(\alpha \approx 51°\)

Note

The stability wedge is noticeably smaller than BDF3 or BDF4. Only appropriate when the stiff eigenvalues of the block diagram are concentrated well inside the left half-plane and high accuracy per step is essential. For most stiff systems, BDF2 or BDF3 with a smaller timestep is more robust.

References

[1]

Gear, C. W. (1971). “Numerical Initial Value Problems in Ordinary Differential Equations”. Prentice-Hall.

[2]

Hairer, E., & Wanner, G. (1996). “Solving Ordinary Differential Equations II: Stiff and Differential-Algebraic Problems”. Springer Series in Computational Mathematics, Vol. 14. :doi:`10.1007/978-3-642-05221-7`

class pathsim.solvers.bdf.BDF6(*solver_args, **solver_kwargs)

Bases: BDF

Fixed-step 6th order BDF method. Not A-stable (\(\alpha \approx 18°\)).

Uses DIRK3 as startup solver for the first five steps.

Characteristics

• Order: 6

• Implicit linear multistep, fixed timestep

• \(A(\alpha)\)-stable, \(\alpha \approx 18°\) (not A-stable)

Note

The very narrow stability wedge means that most stiff problems will be unstable at practical timestep sizes. Provided mainly for completeness. For 6th order accuracy on non-stiff systems, the explicit RKV65 is cheaper. For stiff systems, BDF2–BDF4 with a smaller timestep or an ESDIRK solver are far more robust.

References

[1]

Gear, C. W. (1971). “Numerical Initial Value Problems in Ordinary Differential Equations”. Prentice-Hall.

[2]

Hairer, E., & Wanner, G. (1996). “Solving Ordinary Differential Equations II: Stiff and Differential-Algebraic Problems”. Springer Series in Computational Mathematics, Vol. 14. :doi:`10.1007/978-3-642-05221-7`