Perfect for teaching
The Education real-time target machine with its built-in, high-end analog and digital I/O together with MathWorks' Model-Based Design software (MATLAB, Simulink, Simulink Coder, and Simulink Real-Time) forms a complete solution to teach mechatronic design concepts at various levels including:
- Basic Mechatronic Design Concepts
Control design, signal processing, and physical modeling
- Advanced Mechatronic Design Concepts
Pulse train generation (PWM), PWM capture, incremental encoder inputs (QAD), and generic parallel digital I/O (DIO) using the optional Motion Control FPGA package
- Custom FPGA Design Concepts
Develop custom FPGA implementations using the optional Motion Control FPGA package and the optional FPGA Development Guide for Simulink Real-Time
More information about typical application areas of real-time testing can be found in Applications & Industries.
Basic Mechatronic Design Concepts
The high-resolution, high-speed analog inputs allow the reading of values from sensors such as for position or speed, pressure or force. The analog outputs can be used for driving analog actuators, for example a linear amplifier. Parallel digital I/O channels allow the reading of discrete values from switches, over-current detection devices and also output discrete values, for example to relays.
While the Education real-time target machine has been optimized for teaching mechatronic systems it is also ideally suited for other types of application like power electronics or signal processing.
Simulink driver blocks are provided for easy access to all I/O on the target machine.
Advanced Mechatronic Design Concepts
With the optional Motion Control FPGA package the Education real-time target machine features a multi-functional FPGA I/O module with FPGA code modules for PWM generation and capture, quadrature decoding of incremental encoder sensors, and 36 general purpose digital I/O lines.
Delivery includes an I/O cable, a terminal board, blocksets and drivers for Simulink and Simulink Real-Time, a Simulink test models, and comprehensive documentation all to teach advanced mechatronic design concepts.
With this package there is no need for you to deal with FPGA programming - you can simply drag and drop the provided blocksets into your Simulink model to access and configure the provided functionality.
Custom FPGA Design Concepts
With the optional Motion Control FPGA package and the additional Education FPGA Development Kit for Simulink Real-Time the Education real-time target machine also allows you to design and implement your own VHDL code to run on the FPGA I/O module (Xilinx Virtex-II). With this you can further enhance motion control functionality.
Any type of VHDL code can be developed and implemented using the Education real-time target machine as a real-time testing platform for a VHDL/FPGA centric design project. Speedgoat provides the necessary Simulink / Simulink Real-Time blockset with a VHDL project template showing the complete path from VHDL code to simulation, to synthesis, to bitstream generation, and to downloading the design onto the FPGA I/O module. To use this functionality, knowledge in VHDL programming as well as Xilinx ISE and ModelSim software tool use is required. The ISE and ModelSim software tools are not part of the package delivered by Speedgoat.
For more informaiton please contact Speedgoat.