The System Coupling Participant (SCP) library provides interfaces that allow participant solvers to:

1. Connect to the System Coupling solver and to take part in the coupled analysis. This is workflow is called co-simulation.
2. Perform the transfer of solution data between non-conformal meshes. This workflow is called mapping.

Each coupling participant (also referred to as "participant," "participant solver," or "solver") is an instance of a standalone application that provides a solution to one or more physical models.

A coupled analysis (a concept that applies only in the context of co-simulation) is the process in which the coupled participants are executed in an iterative sequence for the purpose of converging the overall coupled solution. A coupled analysis is controlled by the System Coupling application, rather than the participants. Once the participant solver is instrumented with System Coupling APIs, it can participate in a coupled analysis with other coupled participants, taking advantage of all the functionality provided by System Coupling.

The two workflows, mapping and co-simulation, can be combined. That is, the participant solver can partake in a coupled analysis and at the same time map the solution data across its non-conformal mesh interface.

For more information, see:

• System Coupling Participant library capabilities
• Concepts and terminology
• Steps to perform mapping
• Steps to set up and execute a coupled analysis
• Completing the System Coupling participant setup
• Participant steps in a coupled analysis
• Command line arguments for participant solvers
• Execution in a parallel environment
• Access to parameter data
• Access to heavyweight data
• Mesh and point cloud data access
• Creating restart points and restarting a coupled analysis
• Multi-region coupling interfaces
• Testing and debugging tools
• Migration guide
• Compiling, linking, and executing applications that use the participant library
• Tutorial: Heat transfer in square channel air flow
• Tutorial: Oscillating plate damping
• Tutorial: Pipe papping