Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP)

Real-time target machines acting as controllers provide the quickest possible path from MATLAB & Simulink desktop simulation to real-time testing with hardware: autogenerate and download a real-time application from Simulink at the click of a button, connect I/O with your hardware, and get started right away with on the fly testing and tuning of software and hardware designs.

Unlike embedded controllers, Speedgoat real-time target machines allow control designs to be rapidly run, monitored and tested with your hardware. The flexible expansion concept, and highest performance multi-core CPUs and FPGAs for algorithmic execution ensure that your I/O, communications protocol and sample rate requirements can be met now and in the future.

Common Applications

Rapid test and iteration of control strategies with real hardware such as drives and motors (PM synchronous motor, brush-less DC motor, stepper motor)
High fidelity closed-loop controls leveraging low-latency I/Os and FPGAs
Real-time testing of controls algorithms against a HIL simulator
ECU calibration and bypassing using XCP with tools such as Vector CANape™ or ETAS INCA™
Embedded designs using a real-time system as embedded controller

Contact us to discuss a solution built to your needs

Capabilities

Hardware

Hard real-time operation with Real-time systems fully assembled and tested to your needs with components available off the shelf
Achieve closed-loop sample rates from 1 kHz up to multiple MHz depending on hardware and workflow (C/C++ or HDL code generation)
Your project specific sample rate, I/O, and environmental requirements guaranteed to be met
Flexible I/O and protocols expansion support: Over 200 I/O modules are available, and over 50 I/O modules can be installed into a single real-time target system with expansion chassis

Software

Create real-time applications to run on Speedgoat solutions using Simulink Real-Time
Design complex controls design using Simulink and additional tools such as Simulink Control Design^TM or Model Predictive Control Toolbox^TM
Drag and drop Speedgoat I/O driver blocks to your Simulink model, and configure signal parameters via easy to use dialog fields
Autogenerate C/HDL code from Simulink controls design and execute on multi-core CPUs and optional FPGAs
Download and run real-time application on highest performance multi-core CPUs and FPGAs within seconds
Tune signal parameters on the fly during real-time execution, and immediately monitor the effects
Create graphical user interfaces simply using Simulink Real-Time together with MATLAB App Designer, .NET or C/C++ interfaces
Royalty-free stand-alone operation for use on embedded real-time systems (no Simulink license required)

Benefits

Save costs and reduce risks

Real-time systems are configured to meet your project specific I/O, sample rate, and environmental requirements now and in the future
No need to redesign complete controller designs in early stages: real-time systems can be expanded with additional I/O at any time, and multi-core CPUs and FPGAs scale well in case sample rate and frequency requirements increase
Automate extensive tests with your physical hardware at a very early stage, and reduce the likelihood of costly design flaws

Shorten time-to-market

Shift the traditional sequential V-diagram to a circular workflow to enable continuous verification and validation of your designs at the earliest possible stages
Seamless model-based design workflow support along the entire development cycle including modeling, prototyping, testing, documentation, and embedded integration
Continuously try new ideas and concepts using a production independent development platform

Comparison: Real-time system as controller vs embedded controller