Opal-RT Unveils RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator

PC-based real-time simulator provides for rapid UAV prototyping through virtual field testing; HLA compliance and Hardware in the Loop support allow engineers to conduct cooperative and real-time UAV simulation

MONTREAL, Nov. 24 -- Opal-RT Technologies Inc. (www.opal-rt.com ), the world leader in distributed simulation on PC-based platforms, today unveiled the RT-LAB(TM) UAV Engineering Simulator. Specifically designed for use by UAV researchers, the RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator provides the most effective way to implement a model-based approach to design and testing of multiple unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications, minimizing the time between UAV concept and operation evaluation.

Working with dynamic system modeling tools such as MATLAB / Simulink(TM) and Real Time Workshop(TM), the product allows real-time simulations of dynamic systems to be quickly created and used throughout the design cycle -- from initial concepts to controller design, test and validation to operating in a real-time HLA federated simulation.

"The development of compact digital control systems in recent years has revitalized the use of the UAV for military and scientific applications. This resurgence has spawned development of new UAV applications. The challenge for UAV design engineers has been to quickly determine what applications can most effectively utilize today's advanced electronics technology," said Marco Papini, Manager of Opal-RT's Aeronautical Modeling and Simulation Services Division. "By employing the RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator in these design efforts, UAV design engineers can now field-test virtual prototypes in cooperative simulations, saving time and resources that can be applied to the development of new UAV concepts, controllers, intelligence and deployment strategies."

The RT-LAB(TM) UAV Engineering Simulator consists of the following elements:

  -- UAV Block Library
  -- HLA Interface tools
  -- Opal-RT's flagship RT-LAB real-time technology

The Simulink based UAV Block Library contains many common components of UAV models, such as navigation algorithms, propulsion models, flight dynamics equations, atmospheric model, and controls sensors. A template model is also provided to show how a complete UAV model can be easily assembled. By using MathWorks' Real Time Workshop and Opal-RT's RT-LAB, C-code can be automatically generated and compiled, for simulation, in real-time, on the PC-based RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator.

The RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator is configured to resemble a standard UAV operator station. It may be deployed as a stand-alone simulator, connected to Hardware in the Loop (HIL), and/or connected to HLA federates. Employed as a stand-alone real-time simulator, it is ideal for research in control laws, man-machine interfaces and system integration. Employed as HLA objects, more advanced issues may be studied, such as operational doctrines, autonomous behavior and formation flying.

All hardware in the RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator is PC based and clustered via FireWire(TM) network connection to permit maximum flexibility in selecting performance and scalability. As the complexity of the UAV model grows, additional PCs can be added. In addition, UAV models can be connected and disconnected from a simulation to reflect real deployment. The RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator also allows for communication to an HLA federate as one object or several, and can allow for Hardware in the Loop testing through standard PC I/O.

"RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulators make it possible to integrate complex models, real components and ideas into real-time simulations, even cooperative simulations," said Papini. "They provide the perfect tools for the UAV researcher who wants to go from concept to reality with minimum time and effort."

The RT-LAB UAV Engineering Simulator is now available, with commercial system pricing starting at USD$45,000. Special pricing is available where systems are to be used in academic research projects.

About Opal-RT Technologies Inc.

Opal-RT provides software, hardware, and related solutions for real-time simulation applications, with the aim of enabling real-time parallel processing through flexible and affordable technologies.

The company offers a full range of engineering simulation products -- from enabling technologies to turnkey engineering simulators -- and consulting services that include systems integration, software development, simulation and modeling, problem-solving, and training. Opal-RT's core expertise is in distributed hard-real-time simulation, with experienced engineers designing real-time simulators for automotive, electrical power, aerospace, robotics, and other industries where fidelity and fault tolerance requirements push rapid prototyping and Hardware in the Loop testing to their limits. Opal-RT's unique approach integrates parallel, distributed computing with commercial-off-the-shelf technologies. The resulting RT-LAB product range enables customers to develop simulations quickly, easily, affordably, and competitively. For more information about Opal-RT's range of Engineering Simulators and Distributed Processing Tools, see www.opal-rt.com .

About RT-LAB

RT-LAB is the real-time technology that revolutionizes the way model-based design is performed within the engineering organization. Through its openness, RT-LAB has the flexibility to be applied to any simulation and control problem, and scalability to provide a low-risk entry point for any application, allowing the developer to add computation power where and when needed -- whether to dramatically speed up simulations or for real-time Hardware in the Loop applications.

RT-LAB is a registered trademark of Opal-RT Technologies Inc.

MATLAB, Simulink, and Real Time Workshop are registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc.

FireWire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.