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Software Requirements

Before installing RT-LAB, make sure that you have all the required software, with appropriate versions, to ensure trouble-free installation and use.

Please consult the RT-LAB Installation Guide for detailed requirements.

MATLAB™ & Simulink Toolboxes

Before you begin your RT-LAB installation, make sure that MATLAB is installed, with the following MATHWORKS toolboxes :

MATLAB™ with the following toolboxes from MathWorks (see the MATLAB Compatibility tables in the Installation Guide to verify what version of MATLAB is compatible with your RT-LAB):

• Simulink

• Simulink Coder

• Simscape Electrical Specialized Power Systems (SPS) (only for electrical simulations)

Installing RT-LAB on Your Windows Computer

If RT-LAB is not already installed on your computer, use the installation files provided on the DVD included with your delivery:

• Insert the DVD into your computer’s reader.

• Wait for the Setup Wizard to open. If the Wizard fails to start automatically, browse the contents of the disk, and run Setup/Setup.exe. (You will need administrator privileges.)

• Follow the on-screen instructions to go through the installation process. There are several screens (up to 12) in the Wizard installation process, each one requires an interaction.

• Please wait while RT-LAB is installed. This will only take a few minutes.

• Once RT-LAB has been installed on your computer, click Finish to close the Wizard.

Validating the Installation

For validation, we recommend that you verify that all toolboxes have been installed in MATLAB™.

• Open MATLAB™.

• In the main page Command Window, type ‘’ver’’ in the command line.

The list of installed OPAL-RT toolboxes should include the following:

Only RT-LAB is mandatory. Other toolboxes may be required and depend on your license.

• RT-LAB

• ARTEMIS Blockset (optional)

• eFPGAsim (optional)

• RT-EVENTS Blockset (optional)

• RT-XSG (optional)

If any of these toolboxes are missing, refer to the troubleshooting section towards the end of this document to install them manually.

Installing MinGW

RT-LAB provides the tools to download and install a compatible version of MinGW. RT-LAB requires the use of a specific version of MinGW which has been verified as compatible with the software.  Installing this version is required for any new installation of RT-LAB if MinGW is to be used as a compiler.

If internet access is available from the host Windows system, perform the following operations:

• From the file explorer, open the <RT-LAB installation dir>\mingw directory.

• Double-click on mingw_download.bat the launch the installation and wait for completion (it can take several minutes).

• Once completed, the final lines of the command output should match the following:

Open

• Press ENTER to close the command window.

Starting RT-LAB

Double-click the RT-LAB shortcut on your Desktop to launch the RT-LAB interface. The Workspace Launcher window prompts you to select a workspace (the workspace is the directory where RT-LAB will store all the files required for your simulations).

We recommend you create a new and empty directory, as this will help you understand the exercises in this guide.

Click the OK button and wait for the Welcome page to appear.

The Welcome page provides quick access to tutorials and documentation. Click Go to the workbench to open the main RT-LAB window (you can access the Welcome page at any time from the Help menu.)

RT-LAB is now ready to create and run real-time simulations.