eFPGASIM

Pragmatic Real-Time Simulation on FPGA for Modern Electronic Systems

Real-time simulation of power electronics remains one of the greatest challenges to HIL simulation. I/O capability for capturing PWM frequency, overall latency of the closed-loop simulation, mathematical solving of coupled switches and fault injection on all stages of complex power electronics schematics are just some of the complexities of this evolving industry.

After two decades of real-time simulation research and development, together with hands-on experience with power electronics, OPAL-RT has delivered eFPGASIM, the industry’s most powerful and intuitive FPGA-based real-time solution. eFPGASIM combines the performance of high-fidelity digital simulators with very low communication latency to provide power electronics engineers with a state-of-the-art HIL platform for the development and testing of control and protection systems.

eFPGASIM for Electrical Transportation

Watch this video to witness the combined testing of control and protection system performance of high fidelity eFPGASIM digital simulator with very low communication latency to provide power electronic engineers with a state-of-the-art HIL platform for the development of electric drives with sub-microsecond time step.

eFPGASIM Software Toolbox

Electrical Motors

While conducting HIL or PHIL testing of electrical motor controls, the real-time simulation should be as close to reality as possible. This will not only allow for maximum test coverage, but also increase motor real-time simulation to decrease costly dynamometer time.

In order to address this, eFPGASIM provides a rich library of electrical motors models such as: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM), Induction Machine (IM, DFIG, DFIM and Squirrel Cage rotor), Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM), Brushless DC motor (BLDC) and DC motor. OPAL-RT is also well-versed in the development of real-time models of atypical motors, as needed.

eHS

eHS is a generic and reprogrammable FPGA-based electrical solver at the heart of the eFPGASIM suite. eHS provides a convenient user interface that enables users to bring into real-time models created in the simulation tool of their choice: SimScape Power System Simulink toolbox, PSIM, PLECS Blockset, or Multisim.


Powered by eHS, eFPGASIM is the perfect real-time simulation system for all types of electrical conversion test applications, such as renewable energy conversion (photovoltaics, wind power, battery management and microgrid), industrial drive systems, electric drive transportation and power electronics research. Learn more >


FPGA Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) Models

The MMC FPGA blockset developed by OPAL-RT simulates the MMC of various submodule topologies with very high fidelity and unbeatable efficiency. The model can be seamlessly integrated into a complex electric circuit simulated in eMEGASIM, HYPERSIM and eHS. Like other eFPGASIM’s blocksets, the MMC FPGA blockset is directly accessible from the MATLAB/Simulink® by the users, who can further edit the model and produce their own FPGA firmware through the RT-XSG function blocks for integrating special I/O interface or customized control algorithm in the loop.

RT-XSG

RT-XSG offers ready to use Simulink function blocks for FPGA Hardware-in-the-Loop and Rapid Control Prototyping simulation. It also manages the configuration of the FPGA, as well as the transfer of high-bandwidth data between RT-LAB simulation models and the user-defined custom system running on the FPGA. RT-XSG includes a library with several function blocks similar to MATLAB/Simulink® function to facilitate FPGA programming. It also allows the user to generate a custom model and to distribute the computation on multiple nodes for a more flexible and powerful real-time simulation. 


NI Offer

Benefit from the power of eFPGASIM on NI’s hardware platform. OPAL-RT and NI have partnered to bundle eFPGASIM within the NI hardware platform, offering complete compatibility with LabVIEW and the Veristand environment.


Specifications

Simulation type:EMT domain
Typical time step:200 ns – 2 μs
Compatible modeling environments: Simulink, Simscape Power System, PLECS, PSIM and NI Multisim
Capability per FPGA:288 states/ 128 switches*
Features:• Automatic scripting
• FPGA compilation not required
• 200 kHz PWM I/O
• Rich library of electrical motors

*Variable according to the selected eHS series. Visit the eHS webpage for more information.

Customer Success Stories

Valeo uses an OPAL-RT simulator to develop innovative powertrain solutions.

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Ford Motor Company: Hybrid Driveline Design & Control.

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ABB uses an OPAL-RT real time simulator to validate controls of medium voltage power converters.

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