RT-LAB: Introduction

What to Expect from this Guide

You can expect to find information on how to install RT-LAB, set up a target machine as well as information on licensing options.

About RT-LAB

RT-LAB is the real-time technology that is revolutionizing the way model-based design is performed.

Through its openness, it has the flexibility to be applied to any simulation and control problem, and its scalability provides a low-risk entry point for any application, allowing the developer to add compute power where and when needed--whether it is to speed up simulations or for real-time hardware in the loop applications.

RT-LAB provides tools for running and monitoring your simulations or controls on various runtime targets. An open architecture enables RT-LAB to work with the popular diagramming tool MATLAB/Simulink.

Key Features

Real-Time Model Development	Fully integrated with MATLAB/Simulink/Stateflow/Simscape Electrical Specialized Power Systems (SPS)/Simulink Coder Specialized Blockset to prepare the model for distributed processing, inter-node communication, and signal I/O "Six Clicks to Real-Time" User interface Comprehensive API for developing your own online application, including tools for LabVIEW, C++, MATLAB, Python, and 3D Virtual Reality Tools
Run-time Features	Distributed, synchronized execution across multiple processors, including, multiple CPU motherboards via Shared Memory and Dolphin Interconnect communication Integrated Signal Visualization and Control Panel Dynamic Signal Tracing: select any signal for monitoring during run-time Online Parameter Editor: change parameters on-the-fly (manually or load parameter files) Extensive I/O card support: over 100 devices supported Real-time operating system: OPAL-RTLinux (x86-based)
Performance Features	XHP Mode - high-speed mode to give closed-loop cycle times below 10 microseconds Optimized Hard-Real-Time Scheduler - high performance, low jitter

Intended Audience and Required Skills and Knowledge

The RT-LAB Installation Guide is intended for those who install and manage RT-LAB.

Organization of Guide

There are several guides offered in the list of RT-LAB documentation:

Installation Guide
User Guide
C-API Reference Guide
Python API Reference Guide

Here we take a look at the Installation Guide. The topics covered are:

Introduction	Provides basic information such as what you should expect from the guide, the intended audience, the chapter breakdown, and conventions.
Basic Concepts	Describes the different configurations that can be applied to your RT-LAB system.
Requirements	Describes hardware and software requirements.
Installing RT-LAB on Windows Command Stations and Windows Target Nodes	Describes the installation of the RT-LAB host and target components on a Windows machine.
Connecting your Real-Time Target Node to your Network	Explains how to connect your OPAL-RT chassis to your Windows command station.
Installing RT-LAB on an OPAL-RT Simulator	Describes the installation of RT-LAB target components on an OPAL-RT chassis.
Activating a License on the Target Node	Explains how to request and install a license on a target node.