Abstract

　　PROPOSED SIDEBAR: The term rapid prototyping can be used to mean different things for different applications.　 It can be used to generate 3D solid objectswww.cechina.cn, to study parts before they are fabricated in volumeCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, or to test custom ASIC designs using a programmable FPGA approach.　 This article focuses on using rapid prototyping to test software control algorithms in a real-time environment before implementing code on an embedded processor – a common application for engineers who model and simulate control systems.
　　Over the past 10 to 15 years, software and hardware systems have been introduced and enhanced to provide rapid prototyping and hardware-in-the-loop simulation capabilities for the design of advanced electronics control systems. These design systems were embraced by companies in the automotive and aerospace industries for their prototyping speed and their ability to accelerate the design process. Advanced control algorithms could be tested in real time before the final hardware was built. Prototype electronics components could be tested in real time using a simulated environment, reducing the need for expensive or destructive test flights.