co-Simulation between FPGA and Host PC?

[punariya]

Hi All,

I've been working with GPIC (NI sbRIO 9606) for controlling grid-connected converters. I have some questions about developing the controller:

1) Is it possible to do the co-Simulation between FPGA module and the Host (PC) computer e.g. Multisim?

I would like to keep all the controller (e.g. PWM generator, Current Controller, PLL, Measurement) in the FPGA module so that later on I can just directly use it with the real prototype after verifying the controller with the co-Simulation.

And, if this is possible, will I be able to send the PWM signal (10 kHz) to the Host? or do I need some buffer like FIFO in between? Otherwise maybe I can send a reference signal (50 Hz) and do the modulation in the Host right?

2) If I want to monitoring the signal from FPGA (like measured voltage and current or PWM signals) in the Host PC, do I need some buffer between? If so, which one is the best solution? FIFO? I've tried to just send the measured signal as a variable but it lost a lot of resolution!

Thanks a lot!

Best regards,

Ariya

[dfjuggler]

Hi Ariya,

You can certainly validate your control software using co-simulation. I do that by creating a VI that runs on the PC and includes something like this:

The Control & Simulation Loop is a special kind of loop included in the Control Design and Simulation Module. Inside it you can include the Multisim Design node to reference your Multisim plant model and the Desktop Execution Node to reference your FPGA main VI. Notice that no code is running on the FPGA, everything is running on the PC at this point.

Check out this post on cosimulation to find out more. The post on Power Electronics Control Design V might also be useful.

If what you want is to run your code on the FPGA against a model of the plant, you might be talking about HIL.

[punariya]

Thanks a lot!

Best regards,
Ariya