TCP/UDP
Our Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP) I/O interface, included with all real-time simulators, facilitates seamless data exchange through raw TCP streams and UDP datagrams. Designed for flexibility, this interface allows users to configure each TCP server or client connection, as well as UDP ports, for their specific simulation needs.
Learn more about TCP/UDP
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) – a connection-oriented communications protocol that facilitates the exchange of messages between computing devices within a network. It is the most widely used protocol in networks operating on the Internet Protocol (IP); together, they are often referred to as TCP/IP.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) – a communications protocol that enables message exchange between computing devices in a network. It serves as an alternative to TCP and, in networks that use the Internet Protocol (IP), is sometimes referred to as UDP/IP. Unlike TCP, UDP is connectionless and does not establish a session before data transmission, making it faster but less reliable for ensuring message delivery.
At the start of a simulation, the driver initializes on the target simulator, enabling each TCP server to await client connections, each TCP client to seek a server, and each UDP port to start transmitting data. With support for multiple streams, it allows versatile data exchange across targets, applications, and external equipment. This setup supports TCP protocol and UDP connection workflows across systems and applications, helping optimize real-time performance. User-configurable data formats enhance adaptability, and its asynchronous operation prevents high latency, ensuring that simulation models continue running smoothly without delays from network transmission or reception, which typically involve unpredictable latency. Engineers looking for a TCP IP optimiser benefit from this low-latency, high-efficiency interface in demanding simulation environments.
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Product guide
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FAQ
Find the answer to your questions
What is the purpose of OPAL-RT’s TCP UDP interface in real-time simulation?
Our TCP UDP I/O interface enables high-speed communication through raw TCP streams and UDP datagrams. It allows users to configure both Transmission Control Protocol TCP and UDP connections to meet their simulation needs while maintaining low latency and high model performance.
How does the Transmission Control Protocol TCP work in OPAL-RT’s simulation platform?
The Transmission Control Protocol TCP is connection-oriented and ensures reliable message delivery. In our simulators, each TCP protocol server awaits incoming connections, while clients seek servers during initialization, supporting consistent data exchange between simulation targets and external systems.
What are the advantages of using the UDP protocol in OPAL-RT simulators?
The UDP protocol supports fast, connectionless communication, ideal for scenarios where speed is critical. With our UDP interface, each UDP port starts transmitting at simulation startup, making UDP connections suitable for low-latency, high-frequency data transfers in real-time environments.
Can I customize my TCP UDP setup to optimize data transmission?
Yes, our TCP UDP I/O allows full customization of TCP server/client roles and UDP ports. Combined with user-defined data formats and asynchronous operation, this acts as a TCP IP optimiser, helping prevent latency issues and streamline complex communication workflows.
Is the TCP UDP interface compatible with both RT-LAB and HYPERSIM platforms?
Absolutely. The TCP UDP interface is fully compatible with both RT-LAB and HYPERSIM, allowing engineers to leverage the benefits of Transmission Control Protocol and UDP protocol across a wide range of real-time simulation applications.
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