Abstract: An apparatus used as a platform for developing embedded real-time software for controlling fault tolerant opto-electro-mechanical systems. The platform provides a portable model-based design environment conducive to validation and verification of the Control Laws and of the Plant model. The platform is also useful for observing the overall system behavior by injecting faults or failures which can be destructive, expensive or difficult if applied to the real system. The platform is comprised of multiplicities of serial data ports, serial port converters, single board microcontrollers, and external interfaces. The apparatus includes at least one interface board that cross connects at least two microcontrollers and allows the downloading of the Plant and Control algorithms to each microcontroller through available serial interfaces enabling evaluation of the modeled system behavior.

Abstract: An apparatus used as a platform for Developing Embedded Real-time Software with a laptop or a Personal Computer, multiplicity of USB to CANbus converters, multiplicity of USB to RS-232 converter, multiplicity of single board microcontrollers, Interface board interfacing the microcontrollers, and software development tool-chain. The preferred embodiment uses at least one of the microcontrollers as the System Controller, and at least one microcontroller as the Plant or System Under Control. The interface board acts as signal conditioner, between the System controller and the Plant. The serial interfaces are used to download executable code into the microcontrollers, observe the overall system behavior, and inject faults or failure into the plant model.