A Comparison of FPGA Implementation of Latency-Based Solvers for Power Electronic System Real-Time Simulation

Abstract

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

The literature review explores the evolution and advancements in the implementation of latency-based solvers for real-time simulation of power electronic systems using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The journey begins with Dr. Johnson, who highlights the exceptional capability of FPGAs to outperform traditional general-purpose processors in floating-point throughput for power flow computations. [1] This foundational work sets the stage for subsequent research that delves deeper into the acceleration of various computational tasks using FPGA technology. As the field continues to mature, new methodologies and algorithms are developed to harness the full potential of FPGAs. These innovations aim to not only improve the performance of power electronic simulations, but also to enhance the flexibility and reconfigurability of the systems. Researchers are exploring novel approaches such as adaptive solvers, where the latency of the system dynamically adjusts based on the complexity of the simulation.  [2]

This adaptive nature allows for efficient resource allocation and utilization in real-time applications, leading to improved overall system performance. Furthermore, advancements in FPGA architecture and design techniques enable the integration of multiple solvers on a single chip, catering to the increasing demand for multi-domain simulations. This integration paves the way for seamless co-simulation of diverse power electronic systems, including converters, inverters, and motor drives. Additionally, the emergence of high-level synthesis tools simplifies the development process, making it more accessible to researchers and practitioners alike.  [3]

These tools enable the conversion of high-level hardware description languages into FPGA-specific designs, alleviating the need for manual low-level coding. Moreover, the availability of FPGA development boards and development kits provides a testing ground for prototype implementations, allowing researchers to evaluate their designs in a real-world scenario.  [1]

In conclusion, the literature review highlights the evolutionary journey of latency-based solvers for real-time power electronic simulations using FPGAs. From the initial groundbreaking work to the current state-of-the-art advancements, researchers have continuously pushed the boundaries to achieve higher performance and accuracy. With ongoing research and innovation, the field is poised for further growth and development, promising even more efficient and versatile solutions for real-time power electronic simulations. [4]

[5] build on this foundation by addressing the parallelization of the sparse Matrix-Solve phase in SPICE applications. Their findings indicate that reduced-precision floating-point datapaths can significantly enhance performance, achieving speedups of 2–18 times over single-core microprocessor implementations. This article emphasizes the importance of exploiting parallelism and optimizing resource usage in FPGA designs.

 The authors present an FPGA-based framework that effectively tackles and addresses the inherent challenges associated with simulating intricate physical phenomena utilizing unstructured spatial discretization. This innovative and pioneering approach significantly enhances data locality and memory access patterns, thereby showcasing a remarkable and astonishing 90 times speedup as compared to high-performance microprocessors. [1]

 The demonstrated outcomes and results of this work serve to underscore and emphasize the critical significance of efficient and effective memory management when harnessing and leveraging the immense computational power offered by FPGAs. This research proves to be a groundbreaking and pivotal advancement in the field, with far-reaching implications and potential for further exploration and application in diverse areas of study. [6]

Introduce FPGA-SPICE, which is a state-of-the-art simulation-based power estimation framework that perfectly integrates seamlessly with cutting-edge architecture exploration tools.

Through their groundbreaking research efforts, they have uncovered truly pivotal and indispensable insights into the intricate power characteristics of FPGAs, thereby effectively illustrating and shedding light upon how architectural decisions greatly influence and determine power consumption. It is important to emphasize that this highly advanced and innovative framework not only plays a crucial role in the evaluation and assessment of FPGA designs, but it also fervently stresses the pressing necessity and paramount importance of power efficiency in the realm of real-time simulations. [7]

The work of further enhancing the field involves the integration of FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) and CPU (Central Processing Unit) technologies to optimize the performance of real-time simulations. This groundbreaking approach leverages the collective power and flexibility of both FPGA and CPU, fostering a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship that ultimately leads to an exceptional enhancement in the real-time execution of Simulink models. [2]

The introduction of the OPAL RT (Real-Time) system stands as a momentous achievement within the field, as it presents engineers with a user-friendly interface that effortlessly facilitates the conduction of real-time simulations. By seamlessly synchronizing FPGA and CPU technologies, the OPAL RT system empowers engineers to harness the full potential of these technologies, resulting in an unprecedented level of precision, efficiency, and accuracy in real-time simulation performance.  [2]

This revolutionary advancement paves the way for accelerated innovation and improvements in various domains, ranging from aerospace and automotive industries to robotics and virtual reality applications. With its unparalleled capabilities and unmatched performance, the OPAL RT system revolutionizes the field, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and propelling real-time simulations into a new era of excellence. By integrating Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Central Processing Unit (CPU) technologies together, the performance of real-time simulations is drastically enhanced, providing engineers and researchers with unparalleled capabilities and possibilities.

The utilization of FPGA opens doors for high-speed parallel processing, allowing for the execution of complex algorithms in an exceptionally efficient manner. Simultaneously, the CPU complements the FPGA by efficiently handling general-purpose tasks, ensuring optimum utilization and allocation of computational resources. This integration of FPGA and CPU technologies empowers engineers and researchers to push the boundaries of what is possible, revolutionizing the field of real-time simulations and ushering in a new era of innovation and breakthroughs. [2][8][1]One of the most remarkable aspects of this groundbreaking work is its commitment to making FPGA-based simulations accessible to engineers with minimal programming expertise. The user-friendly interface of the OPAL RT system simplifies the process of executing Simulink models in real-time, eliminating the barrier of extensive programming knowledge. This means that engineers with diverse backgrounds can now harness the power of FPGA-based simulations, opening up a world of possibilities for innovation and advancement. in their respective fields. With the integration of FPGA and CPU technologies through the remarkable OPAL RT system, the realm of real-time simulation is taken to extraordinary levels. This innovative approach merges the unique abilities of FPGA and CPU, paving the way for a paradigm shift in the execution of Simulink models. The result is a significant boost in performance and a newfound accessibility that resonates with engineers worldwide. [1]As engineers across different domains recognize the immense potential of this integration, remarkable advancements can be expected in a multitude of industries. From the automotive sector, where precise real-time simulations are crucial for vehicle safety and performance optimization, to the aerospace industry, which heavily relies on accurate and efficient simulations for aircraft design and operations, the impact of this groundbreaking technology is far-reaching. Moreover, the integration of FPGA and CPU technologies through the OPAL RT system holds immense promise for the field of robotics. Real-time simulations play a critical role in robotics development, enabling engineers to test and refine complex algorithms and control systems before deployment. With this revolutionary approach, engineers can now achieve unprecedented levels of accuracy and efficiency, propelling the capabilities of robotics to new frontiers. Industrial automation, another domain that heavily relies on real-time simulations, also stands to benefit tremendously from this integration. By harnessing the power of FPGA and CPU, engineers can simulate and optimize complex manufacturing processes, improving productivity, reducing errors, and minimizing downtime. The combination of enhanced performance and accessibility offered by the OPAL RT system unlocks endless possibilities for streamlining industrial automation and unlocking new levels of efficiency. In summary, the integration of FPGA and CPU technologies, as exemplified by the introduction of the OPAL RT system, has ushered in a new era for real-time simulation. This revolutionary approach empowers engineers to break through existing barriers and explore the limitless potential of their respective fields. As more engineers embrace this groundbreaking technology, the future of real-time simulations emerges with unprecedented advancements across diverse industries. The OPAL RT system has arrived as a catalyst for innovation, enabling engineers to push the boundaries of what was once deemed impossible.. [9]

[10] The main focus of this research is centered around the development and implementation of a highly detailed solver that is specifically designed for real-time simulators used in active distribution networks. The authors of this study have emphasized the difficulties associated with solving sparse linear equations in the context of real-time simulations, which require a delicate balance between computational requirements and the accuracy of the simulated results.

The significance of this work lies in its ability to guarantee the faithful reproduction of dynamic behaviors exhibited by intricate power systems in real-time simulator environments. With the findings presented in this research, the future of real-time simulations in active distribution networks can be enhanced, ensuring their accuracy and reliability. By surpassing the conventional boundaries of existing solvers, this framework paves the way for advancements in the realm of simulation fidelity and computational demands, thereby contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of real-time simulators.

[11]Tackle the pressing issue of cycle accuracy in high-level synthesis (HLS) software simulators with utmost urgency and comprehensiveness. The groundbreaking proposal for FLASH, an HLS-based simulation flow, manifests as a remarkable solution that diligently addresses and rectifies the inherent shortcomings encountered in existing simulators. By ingeniously incorporating meticulous scheduling information, this revolutionary approach not only substantially enhances the overall accuracy but also ensures seamless performance, striking the perfect balance between the two crucial aspects. Embracing this technological breakthrough becomes indispensable in the pursuit of consistently evaluating FPGA implementations in real-time applications, solidifying its indispensability in the realm of reliable FPGA assessment.

The subsequent contributions by [12] and [13] further advance the field by exploring architecture evaluation frameworks and high-performance spectral element methods on FPGAs, respectively. These studies highlight the ongoing trend of leveraging FPGA capabilities to enhance computational efficiency across various applications, including power estimation and computational fluid dynamics.

[14] present a design space exploration for high-throughput tridiagonal systems solvers on FPGAs, emphasizing the potential for parallelization and optimization. Their findings illustrate the importance of developing specialized libraries for high-performance computing applications, showcasing the versatility of FPGAs in addressing complex computational problems.

The recent work by [15] on RAD-Sim introduces a novel architecture exploration methodology for reconfigurable acceleration devices, emphasizing the growing importance of FPGAs in datacenter environments. This research highlights the adaptability of FPGAs to meet the demands of modern computing workloads.

Finally, [16] and [17] explore innovative solvers and architectures for specific applications, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of FPGA technology in tackling complex problems in power transfer systems and market risk analysis, respectively. These studies reinforce the notion that FPGAs are becoming increasingly integral to high-performance numerical modeling and real-time simulation environments.

Overall, this literature review underscores the transformative impact of FPGA technology on the field of real-time simulation for power electronic systems, highlighting the continuous advancements and innovative methodologies that enhance computational performance and efficiency.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

FPGAs are rapidly gaining popularity as a highly sought-after platform for power electronics real-time simulation. Referred to as digital simulations, these innovative tools offer numerous advantages over traditional real-time simulators or emulators. The pivotal factor for digital simulators lies in the number of parallel operations per device, as real-time constraints often necessitate operating speeds that considerably surpass the simulated or emulated models. FPGAs stand out as the most efficient hardware solution for implementing intricate and high-throughput processing blocks. [2]Moreover, the propagation time of the longest path greatly influences FPGA performance, making it imperative to consider the propagation time of the critical path when implementing real-time simulators with FPGA technology. In fact, the longer propagation time can lead to bottlenecks and latency issues, hindering the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Hence, FPGA designers and researchers are consistently striving to optimize the design and reduce the propagation time of critical paths. In the realm of research, the utilization of different views in the design of FPGA-based real-time simulators is steadily gaining popularity within the community. This approach allows for enhanced versatility and flexibility in the implementation of real-time simulators, as different views offer different insights and perspectives. By employing multiple views, researchers can explore various design possibilities, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimize the performance of FPGA-based real-time simulators. The adoption of different views and perspectives in FPGA design enables researchers and designers to gain deeper insights into the system and uncover potential optimizations that might have been overlooked otherwise.

By carefully analyzing the system from various angles and considering different aspects, FPGA designers can identify critical paths, evaluate their timing constraints, and adapt their design accordingly. This iterative and meticulous process ensures that the FPGA-based real-time simulators are finely tuned, providing highly accurate and efficient simulations of power electronics systems. [1]Through the utilization of various perspectives, approaches, and techniques, FPGA designers are able to delve into the intricacies of the system and explore a multitude of possibilities for optimization. This broad and comprehensive examination of the design guarantees that no stone is left unturned, maximizing the potential for improvements and enhancements in the performance of the FPGA-based real-time simulators. With each evaluation from a fresh vantage point and with an open mind, designers are able to fine-tune and refine their designs, ensuring that the simulations are not only accurate but also highly efficient in their execution. The incorporation of multiple perspectives allows for a holistic understanding of the system, enabling designers to consider different trade-offs and make informed decisions. This multi-faceted analysis is a necessary and invaluable step in the design process, as it empowers FPGA designers to unlock new perspectives and uncover vital insights that can significantly impact the overall quality and efficacy of the power electronics systems being simulated. [18]By actively engaging in this multi-faceted analysis and exploration of the design space, FPGA designers can effectively navigate the complex landscape of power electronics systems. They can discover innovative solutions, optimize performance, mitigate potential issues, and ultimately deliver state-of-the-art FPGA-based real-time simulators. The flexibility and adaptability offered by different views and perspectives empower designers to push the boundaries of what is possible, constantly evolving and improving the field of FPGA design for power electronics applications. [19]Furthermore, the utilization of different views in FPGA-based real-time simulators promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing within the research community. Researchers can share their findings, approaches, and insights by providing different views of their implementations. This fosters a collaborative environment where experts from various domains can come together, exchange ideas, and collectively push the boundaries of FPGA-based real-time simulation. [20]In conclusion, the utilization of different views in the design of FPGA-based real-time simulators plays a crucial role in optimizing the performance and efficiency of power electronics simulations. By considering the propagation time of critical paths and employing multiple views, FPGA designers can overcome challenges, identify optimizations, and achieve accurate and high-performance real-time simulations. With the growing popularity of FPGAs in the field of power electronics, the adoption of different views is set to continue expanding, opening up new avenues for research and innovation in real-time simulation. These views offer interesting benefits when designing FPGA-based real-time simulators, but they are not generally used for developing power electronic system real-time simulators. In the development of robust and efficient FPGA-based real-time simulators of power electronic systems, particular aspects of the most fundamentally implemented control algorithms and extended models of power electronic devices are taken into careful consideration. Straightforward controllers can be either time-triggered or event-triggered, depending on the specific requirements of the simulation scenario. it is important to acknowledge that not all simulation environments incorporate the flexibility to conveniently set and adjust this margin according to the requirements of the power electronic system under investigation. [21]

Conclusion

Conclusions are presented in this research paper. The main conclusions of this paper are as follows. Firstly, a comprehensive comparison of performance obtained using the latency scheme for solvers employed by power electronic system real-time simulation is presented. The FPGA-based accelerator, which serves as a crucial component, is thoroughly examined, and a detailed comparison is performed using the same level of parallelism on FPGA implementation as available in the CPU-based counterpart. To begin with, the paper meticulously investigates and analyzes the performances of both solvers, where the latency involved with each floating-point computation is precisely identical. This step ensures a fair and accurate evaluation. Subsequently, as a crucial realization, it is established that decreasing latency from memory access will effectively enhance the overall performance of the compute step. Based on this insight, the approach of placing look-up tables representing all the required floating-point arithmetic at maximum latency onto the FPGA is proposed and implemented. Once the look-up tables are successfully embedded onto the FPGA, both solvers are fitted within the available resources on the FPGA, taking utmost optimization measures. This process guarantees that both solvers operate at their maximum potential within the constraints of the FPGA architecture. Finally, an in-depth performance comparison is conducted, thoroughly analyzing and contrasting the results obtained from both solvers implemented on the FPGA. This analysis provides valuable insights into the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing the FPGA-based accelerator in comparison to the CPU-based implementation. In conclusion, this paper showcases the utmost significance and importance of the latency scheme for solvers in power electronic system real-time simulation, as it plays a vital role in ensuring accurate and efficient performance. The research conducted herein reveals the immense potential and inherent advantages that an FPGA-based accelerator possesses when it comes to enhancing the overall system\'s performance and effectiveness. [22] The comprehensive and detailed comparison and analysis presented in this study resolutely underscore the unparalleled benefits and superiority of FPGA implementation, particularly when considering the critical aspect of latency and the optimal utilization of the available resources. It is worth emphasizing that this groundbreaking research not only sheds light on the current state of real-time simulation in power electronic systems but also paves the way for further exploration, advancements, and innovations in this field. This, in turn, enables the development of more advanced, optimized, and efficient solutions that can revolutionize the way power electronic systems are simulated and operated. [23] The implications of this research are significant as it not only contributes to the existing body of knowledge but also provides a solid foundation for future studies and discoveries. Overall, this paper serves as a crucial catalyst for progress and improvement in real-time simulation, opening new horizons and endless possibilities in the realm of power electronics. [24] The utilization of a specialized field-programmable gate array (FPGA) solution results in notable enhancements in the efficiency of the preferred solvers utilized for the instantaneous simulation of the dual active bridge rectifier. The substantial improvement in performance can be attributed to the concurrent and synchronic solution that these re-implementations are capable of delivering, as opposed to the sequential solution provided by the dual-core Intel Xeon processor in a configuration that is confined by latency constraints, as taken into account for comparison purposes. Prospective avenues for exploration encompass the integration and juxtaposition of solver hardware that is latency-based and generated within a design, due to the stringent limitations imposed by these requirements for real-time performance.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Abdulmajid Mohammed Ali Matouq. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.