Real-Time Testing

Real-time testing involves running a Simulink model in real time with hardware in the lab, field, or other test environment, before moving to the production phase. Real-time testing goes beyond simulation, by verifying that an algorithm runs in real time at the required speed, timing, and frequency, and with real I/O. Real-time testing encompasses rapid control prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. In rapid control prototyping, you test your control system design with real sensors and actuators. With HIL simulation, you test a model of the production hardware with the actual embedded control unit.

Real-time testing lets you:

• Prove and improve your Simulink design with your hardware at the earliest possible stage and continuously try new ideas
• Test scenarios and hardware interactions which are otherwise complex, expensive, or potentially dangerous to perform with production hardware
• Avoid costly design flaws by detecting errors at a stage where they are still cost-effective to correct

Once you have a Simulink model, you can generate code and execute it with xPC Target software, which is designed specifically for real-time testing. A complete, fully assembled, real-time testing solution is available with xPC Target Turnkey, which combines xPC Target with a variety of high-performance real-time target computers.

Real-time testing with xPC Target and Simulink