Rapid control prototyping
Rapid control prototyping (RCP) enables faster control development by integrating models, typically based on MATLAB/Simulink™, directly into a real-time simulator. Engineers can run models on real-time targets with real I/O, validating strategies in a realistic environment, without full hardware buildout, reducing time, cost, and risk. By using our rapid control prototyping RCP workflow, engineers benefit from high-fidelity real-time testing earlier in the design process. This streamlined workflow eliminates manual coding and supports continuous design validation, cutting rework, catching errors earlier, and enabling real-time tuning.
Solution
Our solution for rapid control prototyping
We provide rapid control prototyping (RCP) controllers designed to accelerate prototyping and testing across various industries. Our controllers are pre-integrated with high-speed I/O and compatible with popular simulation platforms like RT-LAB, offering a plug-and-play experience for automotive, aerospace, industrial, and power system applications. With our RCP rapid control prototyping solution, engineers can quickly validate control strategies on real hardware targets, speeding up development cycles and reducing integration challenges.
Benefits
Shift left for smarter control development
Rapid control prototyping empowers engineers to innovate faster and smarter by validating control logic earlier in development.
01
Accelerated iteration
Easily tweak control strategies and see real-time results—no re-coding or recompiling needed.
02
Lower development risk
Spot issues early and test control responses before committing to expensive hardware.
03
Simplified integration
Replace complex embedded setups with one streamlined real-time platform.
04
Reusable models
Use the same controller models across multiple projects, reducing engineering time and boosting consistency.
Applications
Used across industries
RCP simulation is a critical tool in any domain where control, protection, or monitoring systems are developed. It’s trusted by engineers, researchers, and educators to de-risk testing and accelerate innovation.
Energy
Validate protection, stability, and integration of renewables
Power electronics
Test converters, inverters, and power systems dynamically
Automotive
Develop EVs, battery management, and driver-assist systems
Aerospace
Simulate flight control, avionics, and propulsion systems
Academia and research
Enable cutting-edge education and innovation
Autonomy
Accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles and robots with real-time sensor simulation and co-simulation tools
FAQ
Find the answers to your questions
What communication protocols do you support?
Consult our comprehensive list of supported protocols here: Communication Protocols.
What is rapid control prototyping (RCP) and how does it benefit engineering workflows?
Our rapid control prototyping (RCP) solution accelerates control system development by allowing engineers to deploy and test models—typically created in MATLAB/Simulink™—directly on real-time simulators with real I/O. This means we can validate control strategies in real-world conditions without waiting for full hardware builds, significantly reducing development time, cost, and risk.
How does OPAL-RT’s rapid control prototyping solution eliminate the need for manual coding?
We eliminate manual coding through seamless integration with modeling environments like MATLAB/Simulink™, enabling engineers to go directly from model to real-time execution. With our RCP rapid control prototyping platform, the workflow is streamlined and automated, helping teams continuously validate designs and tune parameters in real time.
In what industries can your rapid control prototyping solution be applied?
Our rapid control prototyping RCP solution is used across automotive, aerospace, industrial automation, and power systems. From ECU and BMS testing to aerospace actuator control and industrial robotics, we provide the flexibility and performance needed to prototype and validate control systems across a wide range of applications.
What makes your rapid control prototyping platform different from traditional testing approaches?
Unlike traditional testing methods that rely on complete hardware builds, our RCP rapid control prototyping solution enables early validation and tuning using real-time simulation and I/O. This lets us identify and fix design issues earlier, reduce rework, and iterate faster—helping engineers move from concept to production more efficiently.
How do you support rapid control prototyping with your hardware and software ecosystem?
We offer a complete ecosystem for rapid control prototyping (RCP), including high-performance real-time simulators, pre-integrated high-speed I/O, and compatibility with our RT-LAB platform. This plug-and-play setup empowers engineers to prototype, test, and validate control strategies with confidence—on hardware built for speed, precision, and flexibility.
Ready to accelerate your development?
Get in touch with our experts today! Whether you’re looking to speed up testing, reduce costs, or ensure the safety of your systems, we have the right HIL solutions for you. Let’s talk about how we can help optimize your product development process.