RT-LAB

Powering Real-Time Simulation

real-time simulation software RT-LAB Screen

Fully integrated with MATLAB/Simulink®, RT-LAB enables Simulink models to interact with the real world in real-time. This makes RT-LAB an ideal software platform of real-time simulation for engineers to rapidly develop and validate their applications, regardless of their complexity. As a multi-domain platform, RT-LAB provides flexible and scalable solutions for the power systems, power electronics, aerospace, and automotive industries.

Advanced Features, Infinite Possibilities

The RT-LAB simulation software platform is used to perform simulations of models in real time. RT-LAB’s features allow you to better control, visualize, access and customize your simulation projects.



Customizable Dashboards

Control simulation parameters and visualize the results of your simulation in real time with RT-LAB’s customizable dashboards, providing at-a-glance indication of the behavior of your model.










Code Parallelization

With RT-LAB you can distribute a real-time simulation composed of models and I/Os via real-time simulator on CPU cores and FPGAs.









Simulink Integration

Compile and run models in real time from the Simulink modeling environment to iteratively obtain the highest level of performance.







Communication Protocols & Drivers

RT-LAB offers a rich array of communication protocols and I/O flexibility, enabling easy and quick interfacing with controllers and test equipment.







4 Steps to Real-Time Simulation

RT-LAB handles everything, including code generation, with an easy-to-use interface. With just a few clicks of the mouse, a Simulink® model becomes an interactive real-time simulation application.

real-time simulation software RT-LAB workflow step 1
real-time simulation software RT-LAB workflow step 2
real-time simulation software RT-LAB workflow step 3
real-time simulation software RT-LAB workflow step 4

Performance

Distributed and Scalable Computation

RT-LAB is capable of executing very large Simulink® models, in parallel, with any I/O capability. Its main uniqueness is its ability to easily share the load over multiple CPUs, even between several simulators with real-time communication links. Additional FPGA-based expansion boxes are also used to extend the connectivity with field equipment. With RT-LAB, users get a cost-efficient, scalable and flexible real-time platform, using only standard off-the-shelf technology.

Optimized for Real-Time

The Linux-based real-time operating system incorporates OPAL-RT’s XHP technology for extreme high performance. Without compromising optimal parallel execution, the simulator’s computational cores are shielded from real-time glitches, for jitter in the microsecond range. RT-LAB comes with an ultra-light backend that guarantees hard real-time constraints, high synchronization accuracy, minimal overhead, and maximal data throughput.

User Interface

Dynamic LabVIEW® Panels

Directly in the RT-LAB user interface, it is possible to open LabVIEW® panels with controls, indicators and waveform graphs. Signals from the Simulink® model can be dynamically assigned to these graphical elements with an easy drag-and-drop operation, even while the simulation is running. Create realistic and sophisticated control panels made of gauges, dials, scopes and virtual instruments.

Easy-to-Tune Simulation Parameters

RT-LAB automatically manages a user console built in Simulink®. It opens at the start of the simulation to display the desired signals and to control parameters. RT-LAB also has a variable table in order to easily view and modify any signals and parameters at any moment. Model testing has never been easier.

Acquisition

Visualization

RT-LAB’s acquisition system acts like a virtual oscilloscope, by allowing the user to visualize waveforms in real-time without glitches and data loss. It can run continuously or based on user-configured triggers to capture specific events. Its core engine provides the accuracy and the bandwidth for the most demanding real-time applications with hundreds of channels and microsecond precision.

Recording

With the possibility of recording thousands of measurement points, RT-LAB provides users with a complete data history. The format is compatible with other post-processing software like Matlab and Scopeview. These advanced acquisition features are done without disturbing the real-time simulation and by keeping a maximal availability for executing the user’s model.

Test Automation

Productivity

RT-LAB delivers quality analysis and validated results. It runs continuously, maximizing an engineering team’s productivity. RT-LAB’s test environment allows users to create complex execution sequences, simulating various maneuvers and transient conditions. It runs edge case test scenarios that are considered too difficult, dangerous, or simply impossible to perform with physical test benches. With minimal programming skills, users can conduct complex analysis and generate reports. Save time and money, while increasing your test coverage.

Compatibility

RT-LAB offers a complete set of test automation modules designed to write reproducible tests. These modules are based on leading technologies, such as Python, TestStand®, LabVIEW®, MATLAB®, C/C++, and Java. They are easy to integrate with your existing applications.


real-time simulation software RT-LAB programming languages

RT-LAB is compatible with all OPAL-RT Hardware Platforms

OPAL-RT offers a wide range of simulator platforms to meet all current industry needs and forthcoming challenges. All simulators are based on a modular and flexible design, and are fully customizable and expandable for specific I/O requirements.

Proud Users of RT-LAB

Since its first application nearly 20 years ago on the Canadian Space Agency’s Canada Arm, RT-LAB has revolutionized the world of systems engineering, whether in space, on the ground, or at sea. RT-LAB enables engineers and scientists to accelerate the development of new prototypes and to meet the most rigorous testing required by new and innovative technologies.

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Discover the powerful software platform for real-time simulation

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Download RT-LAB

RT-LAB is the software platform of OPAL-RT's simulation systems. Fully integrated with MATLAB/Simulink®, download RT-LAB to discover its features and see the release notes.
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Resource Center

Looking for more information on RT-LAB? Search our extensive resource center for technical papers, presentations and demo models.
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Video Tutorials

This series of video tutorials have been designed to guide you through the first steps in achieving real-time and closed loop simulation with RT-LAB, while providing explanations to get you started.
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Support

Need Help? Contact our support team for assistance, or browse our support services page.
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