xPC Target 4.2

Working with xPC Target

With a host PC development environment including MATLAB®, Simulink, Real-Time Workshop, xPC Target, and a C compiler, you can create Simulink models and deploy them to target PCs, where they run as real-time applications. You control execution of the target PC from MATLAB, using a GUI or the command line, a standard Internet browser, or the target PC command line. You can interactively control and monitor the target application, tune model parameters, and acquire, view, and log signal data.

High-Performance Real-Time Kernel

Using standard PC hardware and commercial off-the-shelf I/O boards, xPC Target converts a PC into a real-time rapid prototyping or hardware-in-the-loop system by booting the target PC with the provided high-performance kernel. Model sample rates approaching 50 KHz in interrupt mode and 100 KHz in polling mode are achievable.

Communicating Between Host and Target Systems

A single communications link connects the host and target PCs. You design your Simulink model on the host PC and download it over the host-target link to the target PC, where it executes as a real-time application. The same communications interface is used to pass commands, parameter updates, and signal data between the host and target PCs. RS-232 and TCP/IP connections are supported. xPC Target includes both an RS-232 cable and a PCI Ethernet card for the target PC.

DC motor model (far left), created with Simulink and converted to a real-time application that runs on the target PC with the display (near left) showing the real-time signals. Click on image to see enlarged view.