Implementation of a simulation platform for BCM with xPC target

Today, applications of HiL (Hardware in the Loop) has been proven indispensable for its low cost and good real-time performance. However, video monitoring system also need be imported for monitoring work process to achieve the goal of supervising work state, especially in large railway maintenance machines. In this paper, we build a cost-effective and convenient platform TP-RT (Three-Party Real-Time) with three main parts: a xPC Target PC, an operation interface in C#, and a real-time dynamic 3D model display designed by a game engine Unity. All connections are built on Ethernet interfaces. By using packet sniffer Wireshark, we prove TP-RT's high realtime performance in particular protocols. This platform has been implemented in a Ballast Cleaning Machine (BCM).