The document describes the OP4500, a new low-cost hardware platform for real-time control prototyping (RCP) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation systems. The OP4500 uses an Intel i7 processor and Xilinx FPGA to provide high performance real-time simulation capabilities. It has various I/O options and is compact, portable, and offers a low entry-level price point for applications like mechatronic systems testing, power electronics control, and more.

1. OP4500
New cost-effective hardware
for RCP and HIL systems
Jean Bélanger
25th June 2013

2. OP4500 - eMINIsim
Democratize real-time simulation
without any compromises on performance
Low entry-level cost
Reduce design, prototype
and test times for
Mechanical systems
Electro-mechanical systems
Power electronics systems
Provide open simulation systems
that make use of the latest commercial technology
INTEL CPU, XILINX FPGA
MATLAB/Simulink

3. OP4500 - Architecture

4. Applications
RCP and HIL simulation for R&D and teaching
Mechatronic systems
Power electronics and power grid control
Protection systems
MMC HVDC and FACTS using fiber optics
Portable Test and Measurement systems
Control and protection system tester using pre-made power electronics
models
Multiple channel data logger and signal generator

5. Rapid Control Prototyping
 Real-time model execution on
CPU and on FPGA (optional)
 Fast I/O and signal processing
 Real-time data logging
Real-Time Computer
(Simulated controller)
 Model Design
 Pre-defined and User defined
models on FPGA
 Signal Acquisition & Display
 Parameter change
Workstation
Test the « simulated » algorithm of a controller vs. real plant
Real Plant

6. Hardware in-the-loop simulation – full development system
 Real-time model execution
on CPU (ARTEMIS) and FPGA
(eHS)
 Fast I/O and signal
processing
 Real-time data logging
Real-Time Computer
(Simulated plant)
 Model Design
 Signal Acquisition & Display
 Parameter changes
 On-the-fly circuit topology
modification for model
running on the FPGA
Workstation
Test the real controller vs. simulated plant
Real Controller

7. Hardware in-the-loop simulation – Run-Time Ready-to-use HILs
 Real-time model execution on
FPGA
 Pre-made set of plant models
 Fast I/O and signal processing
 Real-time data logging
Real-Time Computer
(Simulated plant)
 Signal Acquisition & Display
 Parameter change
Workstation
Test the real controller vs. Pre-made simulated plant models
executed on FPGA
Real Controller

8. OP4500 - Features
High-performance solution
Intel I7 processor 4 cores @3.3 GHz or 2.3 GHz
Xilinx Kintex 7 FPGA, 225,000 slices
7 µs loop time for models executed on CPU
Less than 250 ns for models executed on FPGA
High speed connectivity and large number of robust I/Os
32 analog I/Os and 64 digital I/Os
I/Os with galvanic isolation, short-circuit protection and signal conditioning
4 optional 5-Gbits/s SFP optical cable interfaces
Robust rear-side D-sub 37 and D-sub 9 I/O connectors
Compact, portable and cost-effective entry-level real-time simulator
Small 2U chassis
Low entry-level price for run-time test equipment
Classroom and quantity discount

9. OP4500 - Front and back panels
Front
A Small Form Factor (SFP) 5-Gb/s optical
interface module connectors
B JTAG, USB and Ethernet connectors
C Sync connectors and status LEDs
D Target computer status LEDs
Back
E D-Sub 37 connectors for DIO
F D-Sub 9 connectors for RS422 IO
G D-Sub connectors for AIO
H Standard ATX computer connectors
(mouse, keyboard, USB, VGA)

10. OPAL-RT Real-Time Simulators
Thank you !
Questions ?