Engineering Simulators Strengthen Embraer's Virtual Prototyping Process

RT-LAB Engineering Simulators close the loop on Iron Bird simulations, significantly impact the role of Fly-by-Wire systems testing in overall design process

Opal-RT Technologies Inc. (www.opal-rt.com), the world leader in distributed simulation on PC-based platforms, today revealed that Embraer has selected RT-LAB engineering simulators for extensive use in the design and simulation of fly-by-wire control systems for Embraer's next generation of regional jets.

Having successfully used RT-LAB for hard-real-time execution of systems models for the new Embraer 170 jet, created using Simulink, Embraer will now employ RT-LAB engineering simulators at additional stages throughout the overall design process, including "Iron Bird" and "Aircraft-in-the-Loop" testing.

The move by Embraer is part of the company's overall virtual prototyping strategy which is designed to reduce the overall development time for the company's next generation of regional jets from over 5 years to as little as 38 months.

"The simulation model has become the backbone of engineering design and analysis for Embraer's aircraft design team, and is the technology that will make our virtual prototyping strategy a success," said Dr. Sergio Cavalcanti, leader of the Embraer Flight Sciences Department's Modeling and Simulation Group. "Today, Embraer faces new challenges as we move forward with Fly-by-wire designs, as well as increasing certification requirements by regulatory bodies worldwide. We now require modeling and simulation tools that are high fidelity, cost effective, and allow us to perform a high degree of simulation as early in the design process as possible, thereby streamlining the overall process. Our experience with Opal-RT's development team and software products indicates that they have the expertise to help us achieve our objectives."

Embraer's Iron Bird test facility is used for development, troubleshooting, verification and validation of all the electromechanical, hydraulic systems, and their respective controllers for certification. The challenge in the past when conducting Iron Bird simulations was the rig's inability to enable all control systems in an integrated fashion. Using RT-LAB, Embraer engineers are able to "close the loop' during Iron Bird testing, providing meaningful simulation of inter-dependent systems under simulated flight conditions.

In addition, RT-LAB simulators can be inserted into the avionics bus of a real aircraft used for Aircraft-in-the-Loop testing, simulating the force effects of an actual test flight and tricking the grounded aircraft into behaving as if it is flying, and providing a means to test and calibrate fly-by-wire systems prior to the actual test flight.

"Embraer's groundbreaking virtual prototyping strategy is welcome news to aerospace engineers who continue to face the challenge of designing new and better products under strict budgetary pressures.", said Paul Goossens, Vice President, Marketing at Opal-RT Technologies. "As RT-LAB is used for a wider range of control system development projects, we believe it can assist Embraer - and any other aircraft manufacturer - in significantly reducing the overall design schedule, and allowing for more meaningful simulations throughout the design process."