Overview
Concurrent’s RT-LAB RLX allows design engineers to perform
complex simulation, rapid prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop testing on Concurrent
iHawk™ Linux®-based real-time multiprocessing systems. Dynamic system and mathematical
models built using MathWorks’ Simulink and National Instruments’ SystemBuild can
be easily executed in real-time without the need for time-consuming programming
and system set up.
RT-LAB RLX revolutionizes the engineering process in system design. Its power and
flexibility can be applied to the most complex simulation and control problems,
dramatically speeding up test system implementation. RT-LAB RLX automatically prepares
your model for real-time execution. Using a simple six-step GUI, engineers can select
a Simulink or SystemBuild model, assign subsystems to specific target nodes, transparently
perform code compilation, establish inter-node communications and assign signal
I/O.
RT-LAB RLX supports a wide range of run-time configurations from a single-system
host/target to a complex network of target systems controlled from a single host.
Many complex models cannot be executed in real-time on a single processor. RT-LAB
RLX provides tools for running highly complex models on a dual, quad or 8-processor
iHawk or on a network of distributed iHawks using ultra low-latency communications
to achieve the required performance. RT-LAB RLX iHawk target systems can also be
hosted by RT-LAB software running on a Windows PC.
Benefits
Modeling Using MathWorks and NI Products
RT-LAB RLX is tightly integrated with the Simulink environment. A model developed
in Simulink can be executed in real-time on one or more distributed targets. RT-LAB
RLX provides a special blockset to prepare the model for distributed processing,
inter-node communication and signal I/O. Once a model has been prepared, RT-LAB
RLX uses Real-Time Workshop to convert separated components into C code for compilation
on each target processor. For designs that require state logic, RT-LAB RLX also
fully supports real-time Stateflow blocks within Simulink models.
RT-LAB RLX is also fully compatible with the MATRIXx product family – Xmath, SystemBuild
and AutoCode. Engineers can use SystemBuild to develop a system model and prepare
it for real-time execution. Separated subsystem models are converted to C code using
AutoCode and then compiled and executed on the target system.
iHawk Systems Running RedHawk Linux
RT-LAB RLX takes full advantage of Concurrent iHawk symmetric multiprocessors running
the RedHawk Linux real-time operating system. The iHawk is a high-performance PCI-based
computer platform especially designed for real-time data acquisition, simulation,
and industrial systems applications. The iHawk features from one to eight Intel®
Pentium® Xeon™ processors and up to 4 GB of memory in a single rackmount or tower
enclosure.
At the heart of each iHawk system is Concurrent's RedHawk real-time Linux. Fully
compatible with the popular Red Hat® Linux distribution, RedHawk features high I/O
throughput, fast response to external events, and optimized interprocess communication.
RedHawk's multithreaded, fully preemptible Linux kernel with low-latency enhancements
make it the ideal Linux environment for complex modeling applications. RedHawk's
true symmetric multiprocessing support includes load-balancing and CPU shielding
to maximize determinism and real-time performance in RT-LAB RLX target execution.
GUI Control Panel
RT-LAB RLX includes RT-Scope, a powerful GUI that allows the user to select and
view signals as plots or gauges while the simulation is running. Users can interact
with the simulation by changing parameters and I/O signals through sliders and buttons.
Once running, a user views signals by selecting the signal name from drop-down menus
in any of the displays on the panel. RT-Scope extracts the signal names directly
from the model so it is easy to identify which signals to view. RT-Scope also provides
many options found on an actual oscilloscope, such as time-base adjustment and synchronization
with a base signal.
For users who wish to create a customized operator GUI, RT-LAB RLX offers programming
interfaces for C, Visual Basic, Python, MATLAB M script and the popular LabVIEW
interface.
Input/Output And Data Logging
RT-LAB RLX provides unique data visualization and logging tools that make it the
industry's most complete and convenient real-time system design environment. Emphasis
is placed on providing full, on-line access to a model's signals in real-time. RT-LAB
RLX provides a wide range of high-performance RedHawk Linux I/O driver support for
the most demanding applications. Supported PCI hardware includes analog and digital
data acquisition, CANbus, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, high-speed OHCI and FireWire.
Dynamic Signal Tracing
RT-LAB RLX's on-the-fly Dynamic Signal Tracing feature significantly optimizes the
building and testing of simulations. Instead of having to define which signals need
to be displayed or logged from the simulation before creating and compiling the
model, Dynamic Signal Tracing allows you to access the name and value of any signal
in the model at run-time. This feature can save a significant amount of time and
effort, particularly when developing and debugging a model.
Multiple-Rate Support
RT-LAB RLX supports true multi-threaded, multi-rate execution of subsystems. This
feature allows selected subsystems to be updated at faster rates than others rather
than executing the whole model at the fastest time step. Removing redundant time
steps frees up computation cycles for the more demanding subsystems which in turn
allows larger models to consume less processing power.
Distributed Target Execution
RT-LAB RLX provides tools for easily separating a model into subsystem components
that can be executed in parallel on multiple target systems. The target environment
can be a single multiprocessor iHawk system or multiple iHawk systems connected
by a high-speed network. At execution time, RT-LAB RLX offers seamless support for
interprocessor communication using any combination of TCP/IP, IEEE 1394 FireWire
and shared memory, all providing low-latency communication of data between target
systems. Users can interact with the simulation in real-time from the host station
using TCP/IP or FireWire depending upon the update rate required.
Distributed User Stations
RT-LAB RLX's unique ability to allow subsystem simulation on parallel targets makes
it an ideal platform for group collaboration on large simulation projects. Each
group can focus on developing the simulation of their own subsystem, testing it
in real-time on their own simulator. Individual models can then be readily incorporated
into a simulation of the complete system. RT-LAB RLX allows groups to analyze data
from the entire simulation to study how their subsystem interacts with other subsystems,
and to change parameters to optimize the subsystem design.
RT-LAB RLX Industry Applications
Automotive
RT-LAB RLX's distributed target environment provides the compute power needed for
parametric study, early control system verification and virtual integration. Automotive
engineers can utilize RT-LAB RLX simulation and analysis before actual road or bench
tests. As a result, engineers can identify and resolve critical technical obstacles
and integration errors early, shortening the development cycle. In addition, up-front
system engineering can help accurately plan the need for physical prototypes, reducing
overall program cost. Many automotive industry leaders have selected RT-LAB RLX
for advanced development projects. RT-LAB RLX allows reuse of models from early
analysis and prototyping work in order to bring a hardware-in-the-loop system online
faster than ever.
Aerospace
RT-LAB RLX simulations can be employed to validate and debug aircraft subsystems
early in the design process, thus minimizing the need for costly redesigns. Areas
of applicability include real-time simulation, dynamic systems analysis, model creation
and flight sciences engineering. RT-LAB RLX can also be used for producing aerodynamic,
flight control and engine models for training simulators that are certifiable under
FAA and JAA regulations. RT-LAB RLX's DINAMO flight dynamics package option is available
to support aerospace applications.
Electromechanical
RT-LAB RLX is very useful in applications such as electric circuit, electric drive
and power system modeling, simulation and control. RT-LAB RLX can create real-time
simulations of electrical systems found in energy distribution networks, power generation
plants, aircraft, trains and electric vehicles.
Simulink's SimPowerSystems blockset and RT-LAB RLX's ARTEMIS application package
are available to support electro-mechanical simulation. SimPowerSystems allows users
to create models of electrical power circuits using familiar component blocks inside
a Simulink schematic diagram. Although SimPowerSystems is designed for off-line,
non-real-time analysis, RT-LAB RLX users can readily convert SimPowerSystems models
into real-time simulations.
Industrial Control
Startup is a critical phase in most industrial plant operations. Design errors often
lead to costly delays and damage to expensive equipment. Experience has shown that
the best way to achieve a trouble-free startup is to test the control system on
a simulated plant prior to going online in the real plant. RT-LAB RLX can be used
to simulate the most complex plant dynamics. RT-LAB RLX can generate analog and
digital I/O for wire-to-wire simulation or can communicate directly to distributed
control systems (DCS) or PLCs via industry-standard protocols. When the plant is
operational, operators can reuse the simulator to practice their responses to abnormal
conditions.
RT-EVENTS Time Compensation for Mixed-Mode Simulation
The RT-Events blockset is used with Simulink to improve the efficiency and accuracy
of continuous-time and discrete-time system simulations whose dynamics change due
to discrete events. RT-Events relies on a compensated discrete-time simulation method
that features both improved accuracy for mixed-mode systems and fast simulation
of cyclic event-driven systems. RT-Events compensates for errors introduced when
events occur between samples. Accuracy is dependent upon the time step selected
with respect to the frequency content of continuous signals. RT-Event uses a non-iterative
fixed time-step algorithm that results in faster simulation than obtainable with
variable-step algorithms.
RT-Events supports distributed real-time simulation suitable for hard real-time
applications such as hardware-in-the-loop or embedded systems.