RT Box 2

Multi-Core Processing for Complex Models

The RT Box 2 speeds up the simulation of complex models of power electronics circuits. Models that can be split into separate physical sub-systems will benefit from the parallel processing capability. The RT Box 2 also offers additional analog and digital interfaces plus a solid-state drive for data storage.

If you are looking for a real-time simulator with more analog and digital I/Os, you might want to consider the RT Box 3.

Processor

The RT Box 2 employs the latest generation Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ multiprocessor system-on-chip. Of its four Cortex-A53 CPU cores, up to three can be used for real-time simulation calculations, while the remaining core runs an embedded Linux for communication and ancillary services. The FPGA inside the Zynq Ultrascale+ is currently used to control the analog data converters and the the digital I/Os. With future releases of the PLECS Coder and the RT Box firmware, the user will be able to compute parts of the simulation model with time-steps in the sub-microsecond range on the FPGA.

Analog I/O

Compared to the RT Box 1, the maximum sample rate of the analog I/Os has been increased to 5 Msps and the settling time of the analog outputs has been halved to 0.5 µs.

Resolver I/O

When used for HIL simulation, the RT Box 2 can emulate a magnetic resolver with an analog bandwidth of up to 10 MHz. The RT Box 2 also features a resolver-to-digital converter for position evaluation in control application.

Technical Specifications

Processor Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ ZU9EG 
  CPU cores 4 x ARM Cortex-A53, 1.5 GHz
Analog inputs Channels 16
  Resolution 16 bit, simultaneous sampling
  Voltage ranges -10 ... 10 V
  -5 ...   5 V
  Input type Differential
  Max. sample rate 5 Msps
  Input impedance 1 MΩ, 24 pF
  Connector D-SUB 37 pin male
Analog outputs Channels 16
  Resolution 16 bit, simultaneous update
  Voltage ranges -10 ... 10 V
    0 ... 10 V
  -5 ...   5 V
    0 ...   5 V
  Max. update rate 5 Msps
  Output impedance 0 Ω
  Max. output current 10 mA
  Connector D-SUB 37 pin female
Digital inputs Channels 32
  Logic levels 3.3 V (5 V tolerant)
  Connector D-SUB 37 pin male
Digital outputs Channels 32
  Logic levels 3.3 V
5 V
  Connector D-SUB 37 pin female
Resolver Input/Output 1/1
  Connector D-SUB 9 pin male/fem.
I/O protection Short-circuit Permanent
  Overvoltage -24 ... 24 V
Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet 2
  SFP+ interconnects
6.25 Gbps per lane
8
  Industrial Ethernet 2 (EtherCAT)
  CAN bus 2
  RS 232/422/485 2
  USB A 3.0 1
  DisplayPort 1
Storage Internal SSD 480 GB
  Firmware SD card
Power supply
(internal)
100 ... 240 Vac
50 ... 60 Hz
65 VA
Size (mm) Depth x Width 310 x 250
  Height 100

Technical specifications of all RT Boxes in comparison.