RT-LAB Pentium-M-Based Real-Time Simulator for Embedded Systems Development
PARIS, April 5 -- Opal-RT Technologies Inc. (http://www.opal-rt.com/ ), the world leader in distributed real-time simulation on PC-based platforms, today announced a new range of small but powerful Pentium-M-based RT-LAB real-time simulators for rapid control prototyping and Hardware-in-the-loop capable of simulating the IGBT switches of motor drives systems with PWM carrier frequency of up to 10 kHz. The new instruction set of the Pentium-M processor and its large on-chip cache memory make it ideal for the simulation of fast dynamic systems, while maintaining a power draw of less than 20 watts.
In addition to allowing the development of embedded control systems for power electronic applications, embedded system engineers can use the same technology to develop and test any control systems by connecting them in closed loop with a virtual plant model running in real-time and modeled with Mathworks tools (MATLAB, Simulink and Real Time Workshop) or National Instruments' MATRIXx.
The Pentium-M-based real-time simulators can execute plant or controller models in real-time with time steps below 20 microseconds. Using Opal-RT Technologies' OP5000-series I/O interface and signal conditioning modules, the systems can be interfaced with various real-world signals with very high precision and resolution in levels (16-bit converters) as well as event capture with timing (10 nanoseconds resolution).
Using FireWire, SignalWire or InfiniBand 10-Gbits/s ultra-low latency serial communication link, several Pentium-M-based simulators can be interconnected with each other or with full-scale RT-LAB Engineering Simulators for integration testing requiring the real-time simulation of more complex systems.
"The new mobile processor technologies offered by Intel and AMD will enable the development of a new generation of portable dynamic instruments optimized for electronic control testing," said Jean Belanger, Chief Technology Officer of Opal-RT Technologies Inc. "These dynamic instruments will combine traditional data logger, signal generators and real-time simulators in compact and robust packages with extended operating temperature capabilities," he added.
While this first product package is optimized for very demanding power electronic applications, embedded system developers can customize the systems to fit their exact requirements by selecting I/O modules and the number of Pentium-M-based computation modules required for their specific applications.
"Toyota has been using the RT-LAB Electric Drive Simulator for the last 12 months and it has proven to be an effective tool for the testing and optimization of our power electronic controllers," said Mr. Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Group Manager of Hybrid System Planning & Administration Department, Hybrid Vehicle System Engineering Division, Power Train Development Group of Toyota Motor Corporation. "The new Pentium-M systems will add flexibility and save precious laboratory space," added Mr. Ishikawa.
"The possibility to add Pentium-M modules as required for the application and to take advantage of user-programmable FPGA I/O systems will certainly facilitate the development of our power electronic controller," said Tetsuaki Nagano, Group Manager, Power Electronics Engineering Section, R&D Department of Mitsubishi.
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 http://www.opal-rt.com/ .
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NOTE TO EDITORS: Opal-RT Technologies Inc., RTS Embedded Systems, B2i Booth #A33, Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles - Hall 2.2