Often, RotorLib and FixedWingLib developers use OpenSceneGraph for their visualization applications. Below we have summarized a few points which are useful for OSG integrations. read more…
We have just released a new version of RotorLib for MATLAB and Simulink. This release adds:
- A new version of the RotorLib FDM Simulink block which adds new output ports for main and tail rotor induced velocities
- A WCS to BCS Simulink block which can be used to convert a vector in WCS frame to a vector in BCS.
- A MATLAB function called rlSetWindVelocity which allows specifying a constant wind acting on a helicopter.
- and a bug fix to the License Tool.
Click this link to download your evaluation copy.
RTDynamics Simulation Library introduced a new feature that allows developers to save and load the physical state of a simulation entity (vehicles and bots). Developers can get a state snapshot at any moment during the simulation. The state snapshot can be in a binary or human-readable text format.
State snapshots can be:
- saved to files, loaded from files
- transmitted over network
- transmitted over shared memory
The feature is used for several purposes:
- saving and loading scenarios
- comparison of vehicle/virtual bot configuration differences (see video)
- model development/debugging
All RTDynamics products take advantage of this new feature.
The feature is available in version 3.1.1 of the RTDynamics simulation library. As usual, customers who have maintenance can download and use the new version without any extra costs.
We have just released a new version of RotorLib FDM for MATLAB. This release contains bug fixes and improvements to our fast general purpose helicopter trim solver (the rlTrimHeli function). We also added a new trim example and two new output ports to the Simulink block to publish main and tail rotor power and rpm values from the simulation.
If you are using MATLAB or Simulink, you can click this link to download your evaluation copy.
We are pleased to announce the first non-beta release of our new product RotorLib FDM for MATLAB. As the name implies, it is our high fidelity helicopter flight dynamics model (RotorLib FDM) for MATLAB. If you are using MATLAB or Simulink, you can click this link to download your evaluation copy.
With RotorLib FDM for MATLAB, now it becomes one step easier to build control system and auto pilot laws to control helicopters. The Simulink block library provides a drag-and-drop block which simulates a generic helicopter. This block is a great tool for all helicopter flight dynamics students and control system engineers who are looking for a good helicopter dynamics model for their studies. A fast trim finder and examples including linearization and attitude control are available.
This error may be result of a Visual Studio C/C++ runtime DLL incompatibility, Release 3.x of RTDynamics Simulation Platform is built with MS Visual Studio 2005 Service Pack 1 with Security Update KB971090. This update upgrades the Visual C++ runtime from 8.0.50727.762 to 8.0.50727.4053. The error is due to the debug C++ runtimes missing in your Visual Studio installation.
Please use Windows Update to make sure your Visual C++ 2005 receives the Security Update. After the update, Windows will be able to find the version 8.0.50727.4053 of the msvcr80.dll and msvcp80.dll.
The following screenshot shows the Visual Studio version information from our build computer. Notice the selected update. Please note that Visual Studio shows the version number 8.0.50727.762 incorrectly on the upper left summary area.
Visual Studio 2005 with Security Updates
FixedWingLib FDM and RotorLib FDM respectively model fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. They also include control system building blocks and ready to use control systems within the aircraft models (GenAirplane100 and GenHeli500).
Those models (both C++ classes indeed) are ready to use models which simulate generic aircraft. They can be used as they are for general purpose simulations or they can be customized with the XML files to simulate a type specific aircraft. You can go even more and change the models to simulate non-conventional aircraft configurations.
Some of our users however need just the aircraft model, just a model of the aircraft without any control system or stability augmentation system for their own control algorithm development.
This is pretty straight forward with FixedWingLib FDM and RotorLib FDM. Below we describe the most common 3 steps of this modeling effort.
Our work on “Flight Simulation Demo” is almost complete. Our partnership with Trian Graphics GmbH pays off slowly. We have integrated their database into our demo and the demo looks much better with a realistic terrain database.
If you wish to download this demo, please fill out the Beta Program membership form.
For the screenshot gallery, please visit FS Demo Gallery
Both RotorLib and FixedWinglib are for building pilot-in-the-loop flight simulation applications. Until now, a complete demo which shows the capabilities of our products has been missing.
We are glad to annouce that we are working a new demo which does exactly that. You will be able to select one of the available scenarios such as final approach, taxi&take off or emergency situations like engine failure. The demo will include both fixed wing aircraft and rotary aircraft. We will probably have 2 aircrafts in the first version Airbus A310 and UH60.
The demo will be available with the 3rd Beta of FixedWingLib in a few weeks.
Wind is an important part of any flight simulation model. And landing/take off is probably the most critical maneuver if strong wind is involved. To show the capabilities of the FixedWingLib, we have simulated a landing maneuver of an A310 against strong lateral wind.
Below you can find the high resolution version of the videos:
