Pulse real-time target machine

Scalable Desktop System for Control Design
Innovation and Controller Testing

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Innovation in control design and controller testing thrives on rapid development and iteration. The Pulse real-time target machine accelerates innovation by allowing a seamless transition between Simulink^® desktop simulation, real-time control design prototyping, and HIL testing. As your projects grow, the Pulse real-time target machine scales with you—simply extend I/O functionality while maintaining a compact footprint.

The Pulse real-time target machine is designed for prototyping control designs and entry and component-level hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing on your desktop or in your lab. Small and compact, you can put it right next to you.

Whether you are a control engineer prototyping control designs or a test engineer testing and validating actual controllers, you can easily expand and configure the machine's setup with the respective connectivity requirements.

The Pulse real-time target machine offers you an unrivaled and seamless integration with MATLAB^® and Simulink for model-based design workflows.

Key Benefits

Seamless Simulink Integration

Experience the workflow integration by seamlessly switching between desktop simulation and real-time testing.

Rapid Control Design Innovation

Use the test system as the prototype controller connected to your hardware and test and refine your design in real time. Get immediate results and accelerate your iteration cycles.

Controller Validation with Confidence

The Pulse real-time target machine simulates your plant as a digital twin for comprehensive validation and certification of your controller.

Wide Range of I/O Connectivity and Protocols

Profit from a wide range of I/O modules, including analog and digital I/Os, PWM signals, and industry-specific protocols, such as CAN and Serial.

Real-Time Performance

Run real-time applications on the CPU or the built-in FPGA and achieve closed-loop sample rates in the MHz range.

Faster Time-to-Market

Streamline your development for faster innovation. The Pulse real-time target machine accelerates project completion, helping you to stay ahead.

Accelerate Control Design and Test Workflows

Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP)

Accelerate control design by using the Pulse real-time target machine as a controller prototype.
Use it in desktop and lab environments for rapid development and testing cycles.
Connect it to your physical plant using the same I/O configuration as if it were the future embedded controller.
Iterate through designs and monitor their performance. Automate your testing process.

⮕ Learn more about RCP

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testing

Test and verify embedded controllers with a digital twin of your plant.
Use the Pulse real-time target machine for component and sub-system hardware-in-the-loop testing.
Automate testing by defining and running test cases with  Simulink^® Test™ or other market-leading test automation solutions.

⮕ Learn more about HIL testing

Depending on what connectivity your test setup requires, you can expand Pulse with up to eight I/O modules. You can attach a new module to the target machine (main unit) or an already installed module. This construction allows you to re-configure the connectivity setup of your machine whenever you need.

Expand the Pulse target machine with up to eight I/O modules

Attach new I/O modules on your own

Mainboard & CPU	Default
System-on-chip	Zynq^® UltraScale+™ SoC Processor: quad-core Arm^® Cortex^®-A53 Programmable logic (FPGA): 192k logic cells
MATLAB release support	MATLAB R2025a and later
Video output	DisplayPort (DP++) resolution up to 1920x1080 @60 Hz for Target Computer Status Monitor
USB	1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0.
Ethernet	4x Gigabit Ethernet, 10/100/1000 Mbit/s (one port reserved for Host Link interface)
Serial interfaces	2x RS232/RS422/RS485 (software-selectable) up to 1 Mbit/s
Extension options	8 I/O modules
Mass Storage
Main drive	128 GB SSD	Extension option: 1 TB SSD (Item ID 104105 )
Power
Power supply	9 V DC to 60 V DC/100 V AC to 240 V AC (via external power supply), with up to 100 W (consumption depends on I/O configuration)
Mechanical
Enclosure	Aluminum
Dimensions	Height: 129 mm Width: 80 mm (excluding I/O modules) + 30 mm per additional I/O module Max. possible: 314 mm (with 8 modules) Depth: 213 mm
Weight	2.1 kg without I/O modules 8.3 kg with 8 I/O modules
Environmental
Operating temperature	-20 °C to +60 °C (-4 °F to +140 °F)
Storage temperature	-40 °C to +85 °C (-40 °F to +185 °F)
Relative humidity	10 % to 90 %, non-condensing
Standards Compliance
Safety	IEC 61010-1:2010 incl. AMD1:2019 IEC 61010-2-201:2017
Electromagnetic Compatibility	IEC 61326-1:2013 IEC 61000-3-2:2018 IEC 61000-3-3:2013 incl. AMD1:2017

Item ID	Product Name	Components
104101	Pulse real-time target machine (PL1)	Fully assembled and tested Pulse real-time target machine, expandable with up to eight modules. External power adapter included. The system features an aluminum chassis, fanless design, and 128 GB SSD. It is powered by a Zynq UltraScale+ system-on-chip (SoC), featuring a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 processor and programmable logic (FPGA) with 192k logic cells. The use of FPGA functionality requires additional Speedgoat hardware components. Onboard communication interfaces include: 1x Gigabit Ethernet port for host-target communication 3x Gigabit Ethernet ports supporting protocols such as EtherCAT Master, UDP, TCP/IP, XCP Master, and PTP (IEEE 1588); additional supported protocols may vary depending on the MATLAB release and may require separately purchased runtime licenses 2x RS232/RS422/RS485 ports (software-selectable) up to 1 Mbit/s 1x USB 3.0 and 1x USB 2.0
Configuration Options
104105	Pulse SSD1TB	Upgrade SSD to 1 TB for Pulse real-time target machine

Pricing information and product evaluation support
As your project might be complex, we believe that it is best to first phone or e-mail to evaluate your requirements. Based on this, we will be able to make sure you receive product and pricing information for your ideal real-time target solution. We are fast-reacting and are happy to discuss your requirements with you, so you won't lose time, but will profit from our professional evaluation service.