How to Create and Integrate a Simulink-Based Digital Twin of a Submersible Pump Test Rig with Arduino Sensor Data

I have built a physical test rig of a submersible pump where I mounted three sensors: pressure, flow rate, and current sensors. I am using an Arduino UNO-based data acquisition system to collect the data. Additionally, I have developed a Simulink model of the system in MATLAB, but the parameter tuning has not been done yet.

How can I properly build the Simulink model to reflect the real-time behavior of the physical system, and how can I create a Digital Twin by integrating the physical rig with the Simulink model?

Answer 1

[Dhruv]

Hi @AVICHAL

A digital twin integrates a virtual model with real-time data from a physical system, enabling simulation, monitoring, and predictive insights.

By connecting sensor-equipped hardware, such as a submersible pump rig, to a Simulink model, you can synchronize physical measurements with virtual predictions.

This alignment allows for continuous model refinement and advanced analytics, supporting applications like predictive maintenance.

For more information on these concepts and guidance, refer to the below links:

What Is a Digital Twin? - MATLAB & Simulink

Predictive Maintenance Using a Digital Twin - MATLAB & Simulink

digital twin predict maintenance - MATLAB Answers - MATLAB Central

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

[Yifeng Tang]

Hi @AVICHAL,

If you believe you've included all key governing equations in you Simulink model, then indeed you'll need to identify the parameters. If you have reference data, and a good idea which parameters affect the behavior observed in the reference data, you may consider the "Parameter Estimation" workflow using Apps and functions from the Simulink Deisgn Optimization toolbox. Here is the documentation page:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/sldo/parameter-estimation.html