Rapcon

RAPCON: Real-time Rapid Control Prototyping Platform for Matlab/Simulink

The RAPCON platform offers a seamless interface between physical plants and Matlab/Simulink for implementation of hardware-in-the-loop real-time control systems. It is fully integrated into Matlab/Simulink and has a broad range of inputs and outputs. It allows quick test and iteration of control strategies in real-time with a real plant in the loop. The platform is a complete and low-cost real-time control system development package for both educational and industrial applications.

The RAPCON platform consists of the real-time control board (hardware) and the associated Matlab interface (software). The hardware of the RAPCON platform has 8 x 12 bit analog inputs, 2 x 16 bit capture inputs, 2 x 16 bit encoder inputs, 1 x 8 bit digital input, 2 x 12 bit analog outputs, 2 x 16 bit frequency outputs, 2 x 16 bit pulse outputs and 1 x 8 bit digital output. The board also contains two H-bridges with 5 A capability to drive external heavy loads. Some inputs and outputs are multiplexed to simplify the hardware. The board is interfaced to the host computer that runs Matlab through a serial port. The software of the RAPCON platform is fully integrated into Matlab/Simulink/Real-Time Windows Target and comes with Simulink library blocks associated with each hardware input and output. The library contains Analog Input Block, Capture Input Block, Encoder Input Block, Digital Input Block, Analog Output Block, Frequency Output Block, Digital Output Block and Pulse Output Block. The platform achieves real-time operation with sampling rates up to 15.2 kHz.

The RAPCON platform has been developed to extend and optimize the real-time operation of Matlab, Simulink and Real-Time Windows Target. The developed system is uniquely integrated into Matlab/Simulink/Real-Time Windows Target to achieve real-time operation in Matlab under Windows. The salient features of the RAPCON platform make it ideal for implementation of hardware-in-the-loop real-time control systems in both educational and industrial applications.

Features

Power supply: 6 − 15 V, minimum 0.15 A, regulated
Interface: 460800 baud, 8 bit data, no parity, 1 stop bit
Analog inputs: A0 – A7, 0 − 5 V analog, 12 bit resolution
Capture inputs: C0 – C1, 0 − 5 V digital, 16 bit resolution
Digital inputs: D0_d0 – D0_d7, 0 − 5 V digital, 8 lines
Encoder inputs: E0 – E1, 0 − 5 V digital, 16 bit resolution
Frequency outputs: F0 – F1, 0 − 5 V digital, 16 bit resolution
Analog outputs: B0 – B1, 0 − 5 V analog, 12 bit resolution
Digital outputs: G0_g0 – G0_g7, 0 − 5 V digital, 8 lines
Pulse outputs: H0 – H1, 0 − 5 V digital, 16 bit resolution
Filtered pulse outputs: L0 – L1, 0 − 5 V analog
H-bridge outputs: P0 – P1, 0 − (supply voltage) V digital, 5 A
Voltage regulator output: VDD, 5 V, 0.25 A, regulated power supply
Sampling rate: up to 15.2 kHz
Size: 4.0'' x 3.0''

Requirements

PC with Windows XP or later and an available expansion slot for a serial card
Serial crossover (null modem) cable
Matlab R2007b or later with Simulink, Real-Time Workshop (Matlab Coder and Simulink Coder for Matlab R2011a and Matlab R2011b) and Real-Time Windows Target
RAPCON hardware (real-time control board) 1.5 or later
RAPCON software 1.5 or later
Power supply (regulated, 6 – 15 V, at least 0.15 A excluding the current requirements of the external loads)

RAPCON Board with Simulink Library

Serial Card

PCI, PCIe, CardBus or ExpressCard serial card (please let us know which one you would like to get)
16C950 compatible UART

Power Supply

Input: 100 – 240 V, 50 / 60 Hz, AC
Output: 12 V, 5 A, DC
Comes with USA power cord
Can be used anywhere in the world with a suitable power cord / plug adapter

Crossover Cable

6' (1.83 m) crossover cable
DB9F to DB9F

Package Content

RAPCON hardware
RAPCON software
Serial card
Power supply
Crossover cable

Hobby Servo (RC Servo) Control

With the Servo Output Extension Pack, the RAPCON platform can be used to control hobby servos (RC servos). Please see the user manual at the end of this page for more information.

Servo outputs: S0 – S1, 0 − 5 V digital, 16 bit resolution
Frequency range: 7.0286 – 1.7993.1641 Hz
Pulse width resolution: 2.1710 μs

$50.00

Payment and Shipping

Credit Cards, PayPal or Money Order
Shipment is via USPS Priority Mail worldwide
Orders typically ship within the same day
For 10 or more orders, please contact us for a discount

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the differences between HILINK and RAPCON?
A: The RAPCON platform is four times faster than the Hilink platform. In addition, the RAPCON platform includes all of the following: RAPCON hardware (board), RAPCON software, PCI or PCMCIA serial card, power supply and crossover cable while these items are sold separately for the HILINK platform.

Q: Are the plants listed on your HILINK page also compatible with the RAPCON platform?
A: Yes, they are compatible with the RAPCON platform.

Downloads

MathWorks Resources

Zeltom

Educational and Industrial Control Systems