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 # Introduction 

 Last update: 17.07.2025 

The System Coupling Participant 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](md_02_ParticipantLibraryCapabilities.xhtml)
- [Concepts and Terminology](md_03_ConceptsAndTerminology.xhtml)
- [Steps to Perform Mapping](md_04_ParticipantStepsForMapping.xhtml)
- [Steps to Setup and Execute a Coupled Analysis](md_05_StepsToSetupAndExecutedCoupledAnalysis.xhtml)
- [Completing the System Coupling Participant Setup](md_06_ParticipantSetup.xhtml)
- [Participant Steps in a Coupled Analysis](md_07_ParticipantStepsInCoupledAnalysis.xhtml)
- [Command Line Arguments for Participant Solvers](md_08_CommandLineArguments.xhtml)
- [Execution in a Parallel Environment](md_09_ParallelExecution.xhtml)
- [Access to Heavyweight Data](md_10_HeavyweightDataAccess.xhtml)
- [Mesh And Point Cloud Data Access](md_11_MeshDataAccess.xhtml)
- [Creating Restart Points and Restarting a Coupled Analysis](md_12_Restarts.xhtml)
- [Multi-Region Coupling Interfaces](md_13_Multiregion.xhtml)
- [Debugging Tools](md_14_DebuggingTools.xhtml)
- [Migration Guide](md_15_MigrationGuide.xhtml)
- [Compiling, Linking, and Executing Applications That Use the Participant Library](md_16_CompilingLinkingExecuting.xhtml)
- [Tutorial: Heat Transfer in Square Channel Air Flow](md_17_ChannelFlowTutorial.xhtml)
- [Tutorial: Oscillating Plate Damping](md_18_PlateDampingTutorial.xhtml)
- [Tutorial: Pipe Mapping](md_19_PipeMappingTutorial.xhtml)