How to Add Custom Models

While the Circuit model meet most simulation needs, many projects require additional customization. The Power Electronics Add-On (OPAL-RT Circuit) for VeriStand is designed to allow users to extend its functionality to accommodate specific requirements. Customization options generally fall into two categories: CPU-based simulation models and FPGA models. Each option is described below.

Importing a VeriStand-Compatible Simulation Model to the CPU

The simplest way to customize the simulation is by importing custom models into the VeriStand System Definition. These models are typically developed using MathWorks Simulink®. Although importing simulation models is a feature natively supported by VeriStand, model inputs and outputs can also be connected to VeriStand channels in the Power Electronics Add-On.

For more details, see:

Imported models are executed on the real time CPU of the target system (not the FPGA), and their timestep is constrained by the Primary Control Loop (PCL), typically ranging between 1 ms and 0.1 ms. Therefore, common applications for these models include custom mechanical loads attached to the electrical machine or local converter controllers.

Custom FPGA models

For simulations requiring timesteps smaller than 0.1 ms, models must run on the FPGA, which cannot be accomplished by importing the model into VeriStand. For this reason, the Power Electronics Add-On is designed to support custom or third-party models running in parallel with OPAL-RT models on the FPGA. Developing these custom FPGA models typically requires expertise in:

NI LabVIEW
NI LabVIEW FPGA
NI LabVIEW Realtime
VeriStand Custom Device development

To understand how to integrate a custom FPGA model into the Power Electronics Add-On, please contact OPAL-RT Technical Support.