SIMULINK BLOCKSET
PART OF THE ACG SDK
The Simulink blockset contained within ACG SDK enables graphical converter control software design and implementation. It transforms imperix controllers into a fully-compatible Simulink Coder targets.
The blockset takes advantage of both the simulation and code generation engines of Simulink to support easy converter control development and maintenance.
VOLUME PRICING
When multiple licenses are related to the same customer, degressive pricing applies, according to the overall purchase history. The table below shows the proposed volume discounts:
Volume discounts
| 2nd | 41% | 6th | 57% |
| 3rd | 49% | 7th | 59% |
| 4th | 53% | 8th | 60% |
| 5th | 55% | 9th | 61% |
PRODUCTION LICENSES
All controllers can be flashed up to 20 times with this free-of-charge license. This authorizes firmware upgrades during the entire system lifetime in production environments.
LICENSING POLICY
R&D LICENSES
These licenses allow unlimited access to the controllers. All software licenses are:
- Target-locked (i.e. tied to the controller unit)
- Lifetime (no renewal fees, free software updates)
- Usable on an unlimited number of computers
In multi-controllers configurations (B-Box RCP 3.0 or B-Board PRO only), only the master unit must be licensed. The master is the controller hosting the user-defined CPU program.
PRODUCTION LICENSES
All controllers can be flashed up to 20 times with these free-of-charge licenses. This authorizes firmware upgrades during the entire system lifetime in production environments.
IMPERIX CONTROLLERS AS SIMULINK CODER TARGETS
MAIN BENEFITS
- Ease of use: Accessible and fast graphical programming thanks to automated code generation.
- Accurate modeling: Advanced simulation models for faithful offline simulation results.
- Extensive capabilities: Broad range of specialized functions such as ADC, PWM modulators, etc…
- High performance: Transparent use of optimized driver methods for uncompromised performance.
- High flexibility: Easy integration with custom FPGA-based developments, offering boundless possibilities.
Start from scratch, adapt an existing control model, or use one of the code examples available on the imperix knowledge base.
You can test your control on a simulated converter model first. Then, you can rely on the obtained results to switch to real power.
In just one click, Simulink Coder transforms your model into code that is loaded and executed on your imperix target, thanks to a fully integrated toolchain.
The transient generator and datalogging features of Cockpit will challenge your control and export the results for your next publication.
INTEGRATED CONTROL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
The ACG SDK integrates entirely inside the Simulink environment, making the numerous Simulink tools directly available for your control software development. In particular, this includes :
- The vast collection of Simulink native blocks
- A whole set of Simulink and third-party toolboxes
- The Simulink simulation and code generation (Simulink Coder) engines
Furthermore, ACG SDK makes imperix controllers directly programmable from Simulink. Each block of the library contains both a simulation model of the peripheral and its code counterpart for the real-time controller. Hence, the exact same Simulink model can be used for offline simulation and real experiments, making the transition from the computer to the lab even quicker and easier.
Hover to find out more.
EMBEDDED OPERATING SYSTEM
Thanks to the layered structure of the embedded operating system, Simulink has access to the exact same drivers as the C++ routines. This guarantees the best possible performance as well as a rigorous supervision of possible hardware misconfigurations.
FPGA CUSTOMIZATION
For demanding applications, parts of the runtime control can be offloaded inside the user-programmable portion of the FPGA. For this, Simulink has interface blocks readily available, exchanging data with the FPGA sandbox (SBI and SBO peripherals).
SOFTWARE LICENSING
The licensing policy of ACG SDK authorizes downloading and installing the software on an unlimited number of computers. As such, offline simulation is always possible. A license is only required to load and execute the control code onto a real-time control target (e.g. B-Box).
INTERFACE BLOCKS TO DEDICATED HARDWARE PERIPHERALS
The Simulink blockset included in ACG SDK contains numerous blocks to interface your Simulink model with any kind of I/Os on imperix controllers. In particular, several PWM modulators are provided to fulfill the needs of the most demanding applications, whether it is for a traditional carrier-based or a more advanced multi-level modulator.
Each individual block can be parametrized using an easy-to-use configuration dialog. For instance, modulator carrier shapes, ADC gains or PWM dead-times can be modified in a few clicks. Each block also includes a help button that provides detailed documentation on its functionalities and its recommended usage in all sorts of applications.
Hover to find out more.
ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER
DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER
GENERAL-PURPOSE INPUTS
GENERAL-PURPOSE OUTPUTS
INPUT FROM SANDBOX
OUTPUT TO SANDBOX
INCREMENTAL POSITION DECODER
FAULT FEEDBACK INPUTS
CARRIER-BASED PWM
Conventional pulse-width modulators with fixed or variable phase-shift.
DIRECT OUTPUT PWM
Direct update of switching state output.
SPACE VECTOR PWM
Two- and three-level Space Vector modulator.
SANDBOX PWM
Configurator for custom modulators designed in the FPGA Sandbox.
SORT-&-SELECT PWM
Multilevel modulator and balancer for modular converter topologies (MMC and similar).
PROGRAMMED PATTERNS PWM
LUT- based modulators for pre-optimized patterns such as selective harmonic elimination (SHE).
ACCURATE SYSTEM MODELING
Thanks to advanced simulation models in every peripheral block, the behavior of the simulated controller matches the behavior of a B-Box or B-Board controller, allowing you to test and tune your control strategy offline. Ultimately, this means that the transition from simulation to real power is the smoothest possible.
To this end, we took great care in modeling every aspect of the control loop, with extra caution for its dynamic behavior. This does not only involve parameters tied to the application, such as the control frequency or the PWM phase-shifts, but also hardware-related quantities, like the computation time of the algorithm or the conversion delay of the ADCs.
Hover to find out more.
SYSTEM MODEL
The control model, on the left, contains the portion of the system that is meant to be executed on the B-Box or B-Board controller. As such, it contains the peripheral blocks and the control algorithm itself, which can be translated into code.
The plant model, on the right, contains a simulation model of the controlled power converter and the related equipment. It can be either implemented using Simscape Power System, or PLECS Blockset.
SAMPLING INSTANT
The ADC block’s simulation model, combined with the sampling clock signal, ensures that the measurements provided by the plant model are sampled at the correct frequency and with the right phase. In this way, the simulated controller can work with the exact same samples as a real controller.
PWM PHASE-SHIFTS
The carrier-based modulator block lets you freely configure the carrier phase-shift, even in run time at each interrupt execution. In addition, the block’s simulation model uses a PWM clock signal to guarantee a precise timing of the generated switching edges, using the exact same logic as the imperix controllers.
COMPUTATION TIME
When applications grow in complexity, the non-zero computation time of the control algorithm introduces an extra delay in the control loop. This phenomenon is very often neglected in RCP systems, but thanks to the simulation models of ACG SDK, it can be anticipated and the control tuned accordingly.
FLEXIBLE MONITORING OPTIONS
DATALOGGING
Thanks to Imperix Cockpit and its remote monitoring tools, each and every sample of any variable can be monitored in an oscilloscope-like interface. This is also the best way to export all your results in CSV format to analyze or post-process them with the tool of your choice.
REAL MEASUREMENTS
When it comes to debugging, sometimes there’s nothing like your beloved oscilloscope! For easy interfacing with a B-Box RCP 3.0, we provide 4 handy analog outputs with SMA coaxial connectors that will let you scope any controller variable alongside your real measurements.
TO GO FURTHER
The ACG SDK – coupled with Simulink or PLECS – is able to cover a broad range of applications, while boosting the productivity of research engineers. This also relies on the powerful capabilities of additional software and tools.
Imperix Cockpit
Cockpit is imperix’s real-time monitoring tool for B-Box and B-Board. This computer software allow viewing, editing and logging all control variables. Furthermore, Cockpit facilitates the configuration of the controllers.
- Real-time parameter tuning
- Data logging and visualization
To see how to extract impactful experimental results, get more insight on Cockpit.
FPGA programming
For the advanced cases when part of the control must be executed on FPGA, the firmware can be freely edited. Users only need to instantiate one imperix IP. Besides, all FPGA resources and I/Os can be accessed with complete freedom.
- Multi-rate control implementation
- Peripheral communication extension
To see how to extend the capabilities of imperix controllers, read more on FPGA programming.
Firmware technology
The acclaimed ease of use of imperix controllers is made possible by a dedicated firmware architecture. This also guarantees the portability of the user software as well as the advanced performance of the networking.
- Long-term code portability
- Transparent networking
To learn more about how the control hardware operates, see more details on our firmware.
RELATED PRODUCTS
HARDWARE
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For all questions related to our software, feel free to get in touch with our technical team. We’re here to help! Online demos can also be organized upon request.
Alternatively, you can always download and install the software. As our licenses are hardware-related, our software is essentially unrestricted and all features can be tested free of charge.