ATPDraw development

ATPDRAW

Graphical Preprocessor to ATP

Version 7.7

 

ATPDraw is a graphical pre-processor to ATP and is used to create and edit circuit files. The output of ATPDraw is a file you can use as input to the ATP program. The program is developed by Dr. Hans Kr. Høidalen at SINTEF Energy Reseach/Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway, sponsored by Bonneville Power Administration, Portland-Oregon-USA. Multi-phase developments and Vector Graphics in the v5 version is sponsored the EEUG organization. The developers are not responsible for any erroneous results produced by ATPDraw. This 32-bit Windows program runs under MS-Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP/Vista/Windows7/10.

Version 5 was released in September 2006. The version is substantially updated and some core features are modified. A new project file format is introduced to allow larger components and update to the pkzip 2 compression standard. Multi-phase nodes and Models inputs/outputs (1..26) is implemented and Vector Graphics is for the first time introduced. Integrated editable Models were also included. Version 5.3 was upgraded to the new compiler Delphi 2007 Win32. The entire design is upgraded to get a true Windows XP/Vista look and feel. The help file system is also upgraded significantly and now follows the HTML help standard preferred in Windows Vista. Version 5.4 included a new Output Manager that required a new project file format. Several extensions and improvements were added to patches in version 5.4, so a new version 5.5 was created and this version also supports better handling of Groups. Version 5.6 improves significantly the Hybrid Transformer model and introduces circuit variable optimization. Version 5.7 includes improved and embedded Windsyn, new GUI features, an important new TFORTRAN component, multi-phase components, and a new rich text editor. Version 5.8 adds a new synchronous machine component, a new probe line voltage, and extends the Hybrid Transformer with 4 windings and zigzag coupling. Version 5.8 also includes an option to register the software and share information with other users. Version 6.0 was released in January 2015. The version offers increased functionality and robustness in the internal parser and power system toolbox features. Version 6.1 was released in April 2016 and expands the Power System Toolbox further, adds an ATP Connection Wizard and several bug-fix and updates. Version 6.3 was released in Oct. 2018. The added new features are limited due to focus on version 7.0 which is a huge upgrade with many new features and capabilities. This version was released in 2019. The project file format is new and older ATPDraw versions cannot read it. A File|Save As option with v5/6 support is added. Version 7.1 introduced an embedded plotting object and COMTRADE exports, and version 7.4 introduced an internal solver significantly expanded in version 7.7. Version 7.4 also introduced internal line/cable parameter calculations with direct application of Vector Fitting for both JMarti lines and phase domain Universal Line Models.

News in version 7.7:

News in version 7.6:

News in version 7.5:

News in version 7.4:

News in version 7.3:

News in version 7.2:

News in version 7.1:

Updates in version 7.0 are:

Updates in version 6.3 are:

Updates in version 6.2 are:

 

Updates in version 6.1 are:

 

Updates in version 6.0 are:

 

Updates in version 5.9 are: 

 

Updates in version 5.8 are:

  • Hybrid Transformer. Extended from 3 to 4 windings. Winding neutral in icon changes for primary and secondary winding. Neutral connections have to be manually adjusted when upgrading. Core nodes also show the neutral and can be turned off in dialog.
  • Hybrid Transformer. Support of zigzag coupling with phase shifts <-60,0> and <0, 60>.
  • Hybrid Transformer. Improved fitting of frequency dependent copper loss taking the reduction in leakage inductance into account.
  • Hybrid transformer. Core option to add an extra segment of the magnetization characteristics with slope equal to the final slope inductance specified. Core option to base the final slope inductance on pu of primary-secondary short circuit impedance.
  • Hybrid transformer: Design correction for inductances in 3 winding configuratinos.
  • Synchronous machine. New component SM.SUP supports; multi masses (up to 4), type 58/59 machine, parallel operation (same bus), and full output control.
  • Paste data grid. New paste option added; Use data name. This facilitates copy of data between complex components like the synchronous machines. Toolbar layout of the copy/paste options.
  • Probe Line voltage. New probe enabling phase voltage output in positive or negative sequence (n-phase).
  • Probe Branch voltage. Fixed to cover more than 3-phases. Does not introduce high ohmic branch card any longer.
  • Grouping of Models. The UseAs name is surfaced to the group component. Models inside the group will automatically get assign a proper UseAs string.
  • BCTRAN. Correction of Auto-transformer copper loss. Correction of single-phase component connected to 3-phase circuits (also transposition problems...). Fix in external core resistance type 99.
  • New property of LCC components called Template. If set the component is not written to the ATP-file, has no nodes, but contains the model for a new component called LCC_ (section) that can reference this template. The new component LCC_ contains the length of the section and a reference to the template component. The model for an entire transmission line containing many sections can thus be changed at once in the template LCC object. The LCC_ section object can also be turned into single mode for less than 16 phases. If the template option in the LCC object is not set it will work the same was a in earlier versions.  
  • Support of png images as background and far better zooming capabilities of images. Png images are preferred due to reduced size.
  • Support of connection to MySQL data base at www.atpdraw.net. Register, upload/download cases, discuss etc. Upload/download is directly embedded in ATPDraw.

 

Updates in version 5.7 are:

  • Direct implementation and improvement of Windsyn machine modeling. ATPDraw does the parameter fitting internally, offering higher accuracy and user control as well. Problems with decimal points and non-updating values are gone. The new induction machine model comes with a new fitting module that gives the user control of fitting parameters, including slip and maximum torque.  It also has a plotting function for Torque/speed characteristics. The synchronous machine comes with an exciter control for voltage or reactive power. Both models also have a governor speed controller. The user can easily switch between various starting conditions.
  • GUI features. There is a new 'center circuit' button. The circuit world size can be changed in the View window. The user can add lines, arrows, rectangles, ellipses, and pictures to the circuit (Tools|Drawing). There is a brand new side bar with tree-view quick access to the Component Selection menu, as well as a Simulate page with the most important ATP settings listed.
  • New components. Two new TACS sources: Constant and Models input. More important is that a new general fortran component called TFORTRAN has been added. With this the user can specify 1-9 inputs and 0-9 data and write the fortran code on the form OUT= ($I1-$I2)/$D1 etc. where $In are the inputs and $Dn are the data, automatically inserted by ATPDraw when creating the file. In this way the fortran statement becomes transparent and can be copied or grouped without loss of consistency.
  • New properties of nodes and components. An n-phase node can be short circuited to a single phase node, and a component can be of type Multi-phase. A few components have this property implemented (rlc, nonlinear elements, diode, tacs source), but this will be extended in the future. The phase offset is now also generalized for multi-phase connections; a three-phase connection can be connected at a six-phase node starting at phase D.
  • A new Help and Text editor. Syntax highlights are available for Models and Help files can be RTF files (1.0) with different fonts, styles, bullets and colors.
  • Hybrid transformer: A shell-form type B added. Short-circuit impedance base power scaling fix for 3 windings. Help file updated.
  • Important bug-fixes: Compress+Cancel resulted in node naming problems as reference to the (cancelled) group was not removed. In previous version node overlap and equal node naming could happen with hidden and disabled nodes.
  • 28 phase in LCC component (increase from 24).

 

Updates in version 5.6 are:

  • Hybrid Transformer: Final slope for magnetization characteristics added (Core|Settings). New, better and faster optimization routine for the Frolich equation parameters added (Gradient based method). Core loss topology fixed; resistors and nonlinear inductors in parallel, new fitting of core loss resistances. Support of type 96 added. Correction to single point excitation test report (linear core) and shell-form cores.
  • $Parameters: Intermediate variables ($$) used to allow nesting. Special loop syntax added (@[a b], @FILE, @LIN, @LOG, @POW, @EXP).
  • New cost function model WRITEMAXMIN added. Writes single value to lis file and reads back after simulation. Supports multiple runs (PCVP) and includes a View module.
  • Optimization: Optimization circuit variables with Gradient Method, Genetic Algorithm, or Simplex Annealing routines. Communicates with cost function and circuit variables.
  • Load flow components added together with a new page on ATP|Settings.
  • Two new examples added: Universal machine control, Resonance earth coil tuning. Wind generator controls by Piergiovanni LaSeta added as exa_19.acp.
  • Increase from 21 to 24 phases in the LCC module.
  • BCTRAN external saturation characteristics recovered (not stored in version 5.4-5.5).
  • Windsyn component TACS part recognized. Use the WindSyn_ATPDraw.exe version of Windsyn.
  • Connections inherit Phase property.
  • Zooming in View nonlinear dialog (drag rectangle, right click to restore).
  • External characteristic in Groups fixed.
  • New AC source with rms and line-line scaling. 1&3 phases, grounded/ungrounded.
  • RLC PHASOR component.
  • Updated Help file system and new User’s Manual.

 

Updates in version 5.5 are:

  • Visual feedback in Compress: The content is redrawn in the middle of the circuit window alone. The external nodes are drawn enclosed by a red ring. When the user selects a component in the list it is drawn in a lime color on screen. This is also the case when nodes are selected in the Available list. The already external data/node of the selected component is written with a lime color in the Added to lists. When the user selects a data/node in the Available lists that already is external this is highlighted in the Added to lists.
  • UNDO for Recompress added.
  • When Extract is selected the group should now always be visible in the middle of the circuit window.
  • A bug in earlier versions restricted the number of groups effectively to 255 in a circuit. This was only partly fixed in version 5.4 and now for new groups (Compress).
  • A new checkbox added to the Output Manager to force a more primitive drawing of the On-buttons for statistical studies, as this might fail on some windows systems.
  • Drag and drop feature for project files from Windows File Manager to ATPDraw. Drag the file to the circuit window to Import and the Header of background to Load.

 

Updates in version 5.4 are:

  • The project file format is changed. Older ATPDraw versions can not read version 5.4 files.
  • Vector graphic editor significantly enhanced.
  • Possible to add a standard bitmap background to component icons, including scaling and rotation.
  • Output Manager (F9). ATPDraw lists all output requests and gives the user direct access to each of them. Includes also a statistical tabulation option with scaling and grouping.
  • Additional cards moved to separate new component under User specified in the selection menu. Follows standard edit operations including Hide and Sort. Inclusion of request templates via the built-in text editor's context menu (right click).
  • Models Record moved locally into each model component.
  • All results files stored in memory (also for LCC and BCTRAN). $Include files dumped to the result directory (user selectable ATP or project folder) each time the final ATP file is created. No more any risk of file sharing conflicts with simultaneously open projects. No initial request for ResultDir. BCTRAN result file stored in project.
  • User extendable Selection menu. Add frequent used sub-circuits to the selection menu. Set Plugins directory under Tools|Options/Files&Folders.
  • Protection of Groups, Models and User Specified components. Password, $LISTOFF, and random file dump.
  • Hybrid Transformer model benchmarked and corrected.
  • Windsyn integration supported. New Windsyn version required.
  • As usual several small bugs are corrected in the new version. For instance wrong display when the number of compressed groups was larger than 255.
  • Updated help file.
  • Read-only project file problem. No feedback was given to the user in this case.
  • Nonlinear inductances with initial conditions, still challenges for delta-couplings.
  • Fixed LCC Verify ‘.dat’ used as extension.
  • New Type-94 components
  • Now also metafiles as picture background (only bitmaps are rotatable)
  • Example files Exa_4 had wrong phase sequence

 

Updates in version 5.3 are:

  • Upgrade to Borland Delphi 2007 compiler.
  • Themed layout. True Windows XP/Vista appearance.
  • New and updated help file system (F1) in HTML style. ATPDraw.chm replaces the old files ATPDraw.hlp+ATPDraw.cnt.
  • New main menu and toolbar styles. XP look&feel, better enabling of available items, new icons. ATP sub-menu extended and reorganized. A new Plot command (assign in Tools|Options/Preferences) added and a sub-process item that includes the three individual steps of the 'run ATP' command. Possible to customize the Toolbar at runtime (stored in %APPDATA%ATPDrawToolbar.cfg).
  • Multi-lined circuit text with font and color options. Right click on circuit text. Earlier versions of ATPDraw can not draw the multi-lined texts correctly.
  • Connections options modified. Node dot 1/2 will force the node dots on regardless of the setting of the Toolbar node size. Relation added as a property. The Relation (no connection, just visualization of information flow) is drawn in dotted style.
  • Improvements in the Hybrid Transformer XFMR module. Triplex cores supported (3 single phase cores). Fix of scaling problem for D-couplings and the establishment of a piecewise characteristic for low-voltage transformers. Core-losses in the yokes modeled somewhat different. Frequency dependent winding resistor fitting modified to minimize the imaginary part.
  • Vector graphic editor significantly extended. Graphical editor with mouse support and dynamically drawing of shapes and texts. Support of pie shapes and rotated ellipses and rectangles.
  • Right mouse click in circuit window improvements. Works also for node names, labels, and text. Alt+left click to select texts.
  • Copy nonlinear characteristic fixed.
  • Linux text compatibility problem (introduced with version 5.0 -> black text shadow) fixed.
  • Once again possible to specify the node names directly in the Component dialog. A red node name is user specified.
  • Nodes set as unconnected also in the case of hidden connections and components (used for TACS and Type 94).
  • Improved LCC dialog with better support of Cancel and a new page Nodes where node names and conductor number can be assigned.
  • Version 5.2 was prepared for the EEUG short course in Sept. 2007 and introduced a more modern toolbar/main menu style. When upgrading to the new compiler Delphi 2007 this development was replaced by the entire new menu styles offered there.

 

Updates in version 5.1 are:

  • The integrated editing of MODELS has been improved in several steps. Now the icon should only change if the number of inputs or outputs is changed.
  • Models, LCC, and User Specified components with the same name are handled differently. Now ATPDraw copies the edited data over to all components of the same type with the same name. The user can make components independent by giving them unique names (Models:Model header, grayed field in component dialog, LCC: Run ATP click requests the name, shown in header, User Specified: $Include field in component dialog).
  • BCTRAN uses an intermediate punch file on disk. A time stamp test is now added to this file to force a new ATP execution if the file is too old.
  • The option to change the icon and add individual help text is added to the LCC, BCTRAN, and XFMR components.
  • The ATPDraw ini-file is now written to the %APPDATA%ATPDraw directory (documents and settings/user/application data /atpdraw). This will make it easier for several users to run ATPDraw from a common server.
  • In the LCC objects the length is optionally added to the icon (Library|Synchronize required to update old circuits).
  • A bug related to saturable transformer components in the case of "external" magnetizing characteristics where $INCLUDE erroneously were inserted is fixed (the extended component size of 64 data should make such external characteristic unnecessary).
  • A new (genetic) optimization algorithm used in the process of fitting foster equivalent parameters in the frequency dependent winding resistances for the XFMR component. The procedure is a bit slower but more reliable.

 

Updates in version 5.0 are:

  • New handling of Connections. Connection between n-phase and single phase. Phase, color, and label properties. This can replace the usage of Splitters. Transposition will only take place through a 3-phase connection. Possible to click on a connection's midpoint to draw a new connection with inherited properties. Click and hold required to select a connection.
  • Vector graphics. Better zooming capabilities, larger icons, dynamic icons (RLC, LCC, transformers, sources etc.), flipping. A vector icon can have the size of 255x255 pixels (compared to the 41x41 for bitmaps). Combination of bitmaps and vector graphics supported and backward compatibility is ensured. An icon can consist of maximum 93 elements (lines, rectangles, ellipses, polylines, polygons, circle arcs, bezier curves and text in 256 colors in all pen and brush stiles). Multiple layers are supported that can be turned on/off dependent on user selection of data.
  • New file handling concept. A Sup-file is used only when a component is created and it does not follow the project any more (all their properties are inherited). Components with "external data" (Models, User specified, LCC, BCTRAN, XFMR, etc.) are no longer associated with a file on disk. All data are individual (components do not share data any more) and stored in memory. The message "File on disk is older than file stored in project. Replace?" will not appear any more. The idea is to make a clear distinction between files in an external, user managed library (the user is allowed to export to and import from this library) and data used in the project and to avoid any conflicts between two simultaneously open projects. All results from a project (ATP-file, $Include files) are supposed to be stored in a Result Directory that the user must specify for each project. The project file format is updated and now follows the pkzip 2 standard using the inflate compression method (old ATPDraw versions can not read the new project files).
  • Increased component size: Up to 26 phases (Model variables X[1..26]), 64 data, and 32 nodes. 21 phases in the LCC module.
  • Models more integrated in ATPDraw. Models are handled completely in memory without using external files (except for original mod/sup-file in the external library). The user can edit the Model description (mod-file) directly inside each Model component. Changes done in the Model's header; input, output, and data are immediately reflected in the component dialog and the icon. Vector graphics used as default for Models. Indexed data d[1..number] supported.
  • New support and project file formats, backward compatibility ensured (but not farward).
  • Variable names (useful for Models) and labels increased to 12 characters.
  • A Unit string added to data parameters with special support of XOPT/COPT.
  • CompileCircuit is rewritten to remove the Splitter back-to-back problem and to support the enhanced connection.
  • MakeATPFile rewritten for better handling of $Parameters (also for MODELS).
  • Recompress. Modify the interface of a group component. Select a Group then Edit|Compress. Select node position 0 to enter positions off the old border.
  • The probes are enhanced to support more than 3 phases and an (preliminary) option to read the lis-file and display steady state values is added. A Models probe added to monitor global MODELS variables.
  • The node dialog changed and combo boxes added for selection of TACS node signs (the color of the connection changed), Models input types, and machine control setting.
  • The vector icons are individually scalable (select the icon and move the mouse cursor to the border).
  • Flipping of icons added (left-to-right).
  • Ground symbol rotation added.
  • All standard icons are described by vectors (~200 icons!). Backward compatibility required that size and node positions were maintained.
  • Dynamic changes in the icons for RLC branches, sources, a time controlled switch, transformers (coupling indication), electrical machines, statistical/systematic switches, TACS transfer functions and devices, and LCC.
  • The nodes position is described by a relative distance to the components center rather than a position on the icon border. This enables more than 12 nodes.
  • Black node No name given, Red node= user name given (just the opposite as previously), (Blue node (negative TACS input) no longer supported).
  • A type 1 source is added (up to 10).
  • TACS Fortran statements for trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions added. RAD, DEG, and RND functions added.
  • Rubber-band connection gridsnap problem corrected.
  • Several problems related to zooming corrected.
  • The runtime error 103 problem solved by executing ATP as a process under ATPDraw. The multiple BCTRAN transformer problem fixed.
  • The XFMR model fixed so that the core can be related to any winding. Previously the low-voltage winding had to be the inner winding. Saturable Transformer zigzag node naming corrected.
  • The user can add individual help text to all components. This can be accomplished in two ways: 1) Enter Edit definitions (change icon, help, node, and data locally) and specify a text in the help editor. 2) Specify a file with the name ComponentName.txt (for example RESISTOR.txt) in the /HLP directory. This help file is common to all components with the name ComponentName. When Help is clicked in the Component dialog the standard help text (for standard components) is written first followed by the individual help and the external help file. When a component is copied the individual help is copied with it.
  • UnDo/ReDo is updated. Possible to undo “external” data editing.