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Introduction

This guide serves as a streamlined introduction to using IOs interfaces in OPAL-RT Dashboards, including how to automatically update existing models. A basic familiarity with RT-LAB will be assumed, but you can read more about RT-LAB on our public user documentationRT-LAB Documentation or sign up for our free online learning platform.

This transition was implemented to improve scalability, performance, enhance user experience, and consolidate RT-LAB features into an intuitive UI. Starting in RT-LAB 2025.1, it will entirely replace the Configurations tab inside RT-LAB.

Setting RT-LAB IO Interfaces

As with previous versions of RT-LAB, start by selecting your I/O Interface type directly in RT-LAB I/O Interfaces. The full range of I/O interfaces are supported with Dashboards and a detailed list is provided hereRT-LAB | I/O Block Library Reference Guide. The RT-LAB I/O interface defines the communication protocol used (EG: Analog I/O, Digital I/O, Modbus, DNP3, etc.) and the general settings for that protocol.

You can test the new I/O interface using an existing RT-LAB model or the integration model delivered with your system: Using your Integration Model with IOs .

You can also add an I/O interface to an existing model that does not use S-functions by following the steps and video below:

1. Right-click “I/O Interfaces” in the project folder and select “New I/O Interfaces”

2. Select your desired interface (such as “OPAL-RT Boards”) and select a name

3. Configure your I/O Interface as desired

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Adding Dashboards IO Interfaces

Now that you have selected your desired I/O Interface in RT-LAB, you can add the Dashboards IO Interface. In RT-LAB 2025.1 and above, this is added automatically. In RT-LAB 2024.4 and below, you can add Dashboards IO Interfaces using the automatic conversion tool. The steps and a video of the process are below:

1. Compile the model if it has not been compiled previously

2. Close the project

3. Right-click on the project, and select “Try new I/O interfaces”.

RT-LAB will automatically guide you through the update process and create a backup of your project. You can read more about the process on the RT-LAB wiki: Try new I/O Interfaces.

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Connecting Model IOs to Interfaces

With the Dashboards IO Interface added, you can now configure your model’s IO connections using OPAL-RT Dashboards.

Introduction to Dashboard IO Interface UI

To open Dashboards, double-click on the “Dashboards” tab in the Project Explorer window. This will launch the Dashboard UI which is shown below and divided into four sections:

1. Top Bar: The menu bar allows you to configure preferences, change the UI’s appearance, view documentation, and contact support. By default, nothing needs to be adjusted here to utilize I/O Interfaces. Full details are available here: Menus and Navigation Pane | Top Bar

2. Navigation Pane: The navigation pane allows you to select the different Dashboards tools, in this case, we will only use “Interfaces”. Full details about the other features are available here: Menus and Navigation Pane | Navigation Pane

3. Model Control: RT-LAB models can be run and reset directly through Dashboards using the play and stop buttons. Full details are available here: Synchronizing with RT-LAB

4. I/O Interfaces Table: The I/O Interfaces Table automatically synchronizes the I/O Interfaces in RT-LAB I/O Interfaces, allows you to map model outputs and inputs with specific I/Os similarly to the deprecated Configuration tab. The next section will describe how to map those connections, and full details are available here: IO Interfaces

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Mapping Model Outputs and Inputs to Interfaces

The Dashboard IO Interfaces map signals from your model to the physical connections on your OPAL-RT Simulators. The steps below provide an overview of the process, accompanied by a detailed example where Digital Outputs / Inputs are implemented.

1. In RT-LAB, ensure you model has been compiled and the RT-LAB I/O Interfaces have been configured for your applications

Example Step 1: Configure RT-LAB

In this example, 8 static digital signals will be configured to loop back. They will be output from slot 1B by a Digital Output card and received in slot 1A by a Digital Input card. The static digital signals are sent as a vector of 8 signals in the Simulink model

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2. Open Dashboards and select the desired I/O protocol under the “Interfaces” in the navigation pane

Example Step 2: Navigate to Dashboards I/O Interface

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3. Select table or flat view to view available I/O connections.

Example Step 3: Set I/O Connection View

The view selector is available at the top of the Interfaces page

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4. Navigate to the desired I/O connection and click the “[+]” option to link the I/O connection to a model data point.

Example Step 4: Open I/O Connection

In this example, Ch16-23 of Slot 1A & 1B are used. Since the 8 signals are combined in a vector to a single OpOutput, we can configure all 8 channels at the same time rather than each separately.

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5. The list of available data points will appear for the I/O connection points, select the required point(s).

Example Step 5: Connect Data Points

In this case, since a vector was used, all 8 ports can be assigned at the same time. The path in Dashboard Interfaces will be the same as the path in your Simulink model.

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6. Continue until all connections have been made. Remember to configure all Interfaces if your model has multiple selected.

Example Step 6: Connect Remaining Data points

To complete the example, we map the digital inputs to complete the loopback.

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7. You are done! Run your model and view your results!

Model Migration Support

If your model does not import correctly or there are any errors with the process, please check if your model has a known issue: Try new I/O Interfaces | Known issues

You can also access the public Knowledge Base articles on our website for useful resolutions to common issues: Welcome to OPAL-RT’s Knowledge Base

If you are unable to find a resolution in the public knowledge base, please contact support for additional assistance: OPAL-RT Technical Support Team is Here for You