Web-based real-time simulation system

Abstract

The paper presents the development of a simulation system composed of a real-time plant simulator with real-time controller included in the software-in-the-loop structure using web-based communication. The client-server architecture build in a TCP/IP network environment was introduced, where the server is a computing unit for real-time high temporal resolution plant simulation (and optionally also as controllers' platform) and the web browser application is a client for controller purposes and user interface. Such a structure allows to familiarize user with the simulated plant but also to perform simulation with wide variety of control algorithms and control structures. Division of code into functional groups allows easy modifications and application of new plants and controllers for simulation. A communication latency is crucial element and can be critical in case of specific processes to correctly perform the simulation. Simulator uses previously developed mechanism of step adaptation for keeping up with real-time which allows to follow real-time operation at the expense of results quality. Clear and easy interface for signals exchange between the simulated plant and controllers and simulation was introduced. Management console, which has the ability to present data in form or numerical data or dynamically updated graphs was provided. Users have ability to manage simulation parameters and control chosen variables of the simulation through web browser GUI. Some classic control schemes of the nuclear reactor have been chosen as benchmarks and used with simple test scenarios to present capabilities of the proposed structure.