Real-time simulation
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Real-time simulation refers to a
computer model
of a physical system that can execute at the same rate as actual "wall clock" time. In other words, the computer model runs at the same rate as the actual physical system. For example, if a tank takes 10 minutes to fill in the real world, it would take 10 minutes to fill in the simulation as well.
Real-time simulation occurs commonly in
I/O cards. Several real-time simulators are available on the market including xPC Target and RT-LAB for mechatronic systems, Simulink
for power electronic simulation, and RTDS for power grid simulation.
Definition
In a real-time simulation, the simulation is performed in
state equations and functions representing the system must be less than the fixed step. If calculation time exceeds the time of the fixed step, an over run is said to have occurred and the simulation now lags
behind the actual time. In simple words, real-time simulation must produce the internal variables and output within the same length of time as its physical counterpart would.
Configuring models to run in real-time enables one to use
design cycle
.
In academic curricula
Real-time simulators are used extensively in many engineering fields. As a result, the inclusion of simulation applications in academic curricula can provide great value to the student. Statistical
power grid protection tests, aircraft design and simulation, motor drive controller design methods and space robot
integration are a few examples of real-time simulator technology applications.
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See also
- Human-in-the-loop
- Simulated Real Time, a literary method unrelated to the type of computer models described on this page.