Is it possible to use Processor-In-the-Loop with Activate ou Compose?

Hello,

Is it possible to use Processor-In-the-Loop with Activate ou Compose? I'm interested in simulating a multi-domain system but running the control and other algorithms on the microcontroller. For example, build a mini drone in Activate and run the flight controller in a microcontroller.

Thanks!

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Twin Activate

v2020.0

Accepted answers

Patrick Goulding_21563

Charles,

Activate has plans to expand the support list of target devices, though ARM Cortex M series is not explicitly in their scope. There is, however, another option you have:

Altair Embed is our tool for system simulation specifically for embedding onto microcontroller targets. Users are also able to run HIL and PIL simulations with direct connections to hundreds of supported targets (including ARM Cortex M). For the plant model (a drone for instance), the system can be built using StateSpace blocks, transfer functions, C code, or (perhaps the most ideal for you) built with another tool and imported as a Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU). Altair Activate can export systems as an FMU, so the plant model can be built in Activate using your preferred modeling method and exported as a standalone FMU. That FMU can then be imported into Embed as a plant model FMU block, connected to a larger diagram if necessary, and interfaced with the pins of your ARM Cortex M microcontroller for a PIL simulation.

Altair Embed, like all other Altair products, is available for download from AltairConnect. "Altair Embed SE" (Simulation Edition) is the simulation-only version of the tool, while "Altair Embed" is the full package including target embedding capabilities.

For more information on PIL simulation in Embed, please download the Altair Embed User Guide from AltairConnect (Downloads >> Embed "Documentation" >> "Embed 2020 User Guide"). See the section on Processor-in-the-Loop Simulation which begins on page 20. I would attach directly to this post but the file is too large.

I hope this is helpful, and please feel free to follow up with any further questions.

Thank you,

Patrick

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Patrick Goulding_21563

Hi Charles,

Great question, and I'm happy to say that with the Activate 2020.1 release this functionality is available. Included with installation is an Arduino block library for communication with defined pins in the microcontroller. This way, you can have a PIL system where a plant model in Activate is receiving control signals from your Arduino in a live communication. Please see the attached document which briefly discusses the new feature. I see that you are running Activate v2020.0: to download v2020.1, simply navigate from within Altair Community to Altair Connect and click on HyperWorks Suite Products, then Activate 2020.1 Download.

This functionality will continue to be expanded with further releases so users like you can test their embedded control algorithms with system model plants exactly as you're intending. I hope you find it useful and would love to hear your feedback.

If this answer was helpful, please "Accept the Solution" to help notify our Forum community.

Take care,

Patrick

release_notes_act_2020_1.pdf

Charles Dias

Hi Patrick,

It's great to know this! Is there any prediction to support other microcontrollers as ARM Cortex-M, for example?

Thanks for your answer!

Patrick Goulding_21563

Charles,

Activate has plans to expand the support list of target devices, though ARM Cortex M series is not explicitly in their scope. There is, however, another option you have:

I hope this is helpful, and please feel free to follow up with any further questions.

Thank you,

Patrick