Prototyping tool software and hardware-in-the-loop simulation systems have helped design advanced electronics control systems for the past 15 to 20 years. Now, new technologies are advancing the use of these systems for accelerated design.

prototyping tool software article

New prototyping tool software systems allow prototype electronics components to be tested in real time using a simulated environment, reducing the need for expensive or destructive tests. Early prototype systems enabled engineers to test new designs to prove algorithms and test integration of the hardware and software earlier in the design process.

These one-of-a-kind, proprietary systems—typically special-purpose, breadboard units—were developed in the automotive and aerospace industries. More recently, commercial models of software and hardware systems have been introduced and enhanced to provide rapid prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation capabilities. Vendors have offered standard system configurations, usually based on DSP chips or advanced microprocessors, such as the Digital Alpha or PowerPC. Industry application for prototyping tool software

The automotive industry in particular has welcomed these commercial rapid prototyping and HIL systems. Input and output capabilities used in automotive design were provided on standard interface boards for such functions as spark advance and crankshaft angle position. At the same time that these systems were introduced, system-modeling tools that could define algorithms and interfaces graphically and simulate behavior of the control models on a workstation or PC became available. After initial modeling and simulation, modeling tools were interfaced to rapid prototyping and HIL systems through automatically generated prototyping code. Because system-modeling tools could be used with rapid prototyping systems, these tools became an integral part of the automotive control design process.

Rapid prototyping systems ranged from rugged, in-car units to large rack-mount systems supporting numerous I/O channels. The standard processor for the prototyping systems was the DSP or prototyping tool software.