This function is used to approximate the equation
y = if x > 0 then y1 else y2;
by a smooth characteristic, so that the expression is continuous and differentiable:
y = smooth(1, if x > x_small then y1 else if x < -x_small then y2 else f(y1, y2));
In the region -x_small < x < x_small a 2nd order polynomial is used for a smooth transition from y1 to y2.
function regStep extends Modelica.Icons.Function; input Real x "Abscissa value"; input Real y1 "Ordinate value for x > 0"; input Real y2 "Ordinate value for x < 0"; input Real x_small(min = 0) = 1e-5 "Approximation of step for -x_small <= x <= x_small; x_small >= 0 required"; output Real y "Ordinate value to approximate y = if x > 0 then y1 else y2"; end regStep;
x_small -> 0
without division by zero.