Top Rapid Control Prototype devices
For researchers and labs an easy to use controller is a necessity. To help you choose the platform that will serve you best we have compiled a simple comparison between popular options.
Why Researchers Love the FlexCase
| FlexCase S/E/R |
OPAL-RT | Speedgoat Baseline / Mobile Target | MicroAutoBox 1401/1511 |
NI CompactRIO |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1400 +Volume discounts |
>$10,000 Typical Config OP4200 + OP4230/4250/4260 |
>$7000 Typical Config |
>$15,000 Typical Config |
>$6,000 Typical ConfigcRIO-9053 + NI-9853/9381/9326/9485 |
| Processor | CPU 1: NXP S32Kxxx ISO 26262 up to ASIL B/D + CPU 2: RPI CM4 quad-core 1.5GHz 4 cores GPU: Broadcom Videocore-IV |
CPU ARM A9 1 GHz 2 cores + FPGA Xilinx Zynq XCZ7030 |
Intel Celeron 1.4-2 GHz 2-4 cores |
IBM PPC 750GL, 900 MHz | CPU Intel Atom E3805 1.33 GHz 4 cores + FPGA Xilinx Artix-7 A50T |
| RAM | 1-8GB | 1GB | 4GB | 16MB | 1 GB |
| Languages | MATLAB Simulink 2016a and up Python C/C++ |
RT-LAB, eHS, RT-XSG MATLAB Import |
MATLAB Simulink 2016a and up | MATLAB Simulink | Labview C/C++ |
| Storage | 8-32GB EMMC | 32GB SD | Up to 256 SSD | USB Flash | 4GB + µSD |
| POWER | |||||
| Supply | 8-36 VDC +Protection |
24V | 9-36 VDC | 6-40 VDC +Protection |
9-30 VDC |
| Power Out | 5V, 2.5A | None | None or 5V, 1A |
None | None |
| Nominal Consumption | 2.5W | 30W | 15 – 30W | 15W | 15W |
| I/O | |||||
| Display |
1x HDMI Any Display Over Ethernet
Windows/macOS/Linux |
None | 1x DisplayPort | None | None |
| Connectivity | 3-4x CAN channels (CAN FD) |
2x CAN channels | Expansion Module (Add-on) | 4x CAN channels | 2x CAN channels |
| Analog | 6-10x Analog In Range: 0-36V (default) Resolution: 12bit |
6x Analog In Range: ±16V Resolution: 16bit |
Expansion Module (Add-on) | 16x Analog In Range: 0-5V (default) Resolution: 16bit4x Analog Out Range: 0-4.5V (default) Resolution: 12bit |
8x Analog In Range: 0-5V Resolution: 12bit8x Analog Out Range: 0-5V Resolution: 12bit |
| Digital Input | 6-12x DI/Counter/Frequency configurable |
32x DI |
Expansion Module (Add-on) |
40 Inputs 4x Encoder |
6x Frequency |
| Digital/PWM Output |
6-16x 3A |
32x 50mA |
Expansion Module (Add-on) | 40 Outputs, 5 mA 0 – 150 kHz |
4x 100uA 0-5V >100 MHz8x 1.2A High side <100H |
| Video | Most USB cameras | None | Expansion Module (Add-on) | None | USB3 Vision Cameras |
| Internal Sensors | IMU 3-axis (+/- 4g) | None | Expansion Module (Add-on) | Accelerometer 3-axis Pressure sensor |
None |
| USB | 1-2x USB 2.0 | 1x USB 2.0 | 1-4x USB 3.0 2x USB 2.0 |
1x USB 2.0 (Storage only) |
2x USB 2.0 |
| Ethernet | 100-1000 Mbit/s | 1x 1000 Mbit/s | 2-3x 1000 Mbit/s | 1x 1000 Mbit/s | 1x 1000 Mbit/s |
| Serial | 1x RS232 1x RS485 |
2x RS232 | 2-4x RS232 | 2x RS232 | 2x RS232 |
| Expandability | Connectivity Wifi & Bluetooth LTE-M/NB-IoT + GPS or CAT 4 |
OPAL-RT Expansion Module | Slots 2-4x mPCIe 1x XMC/PMC/CMC 2x PMC/CMC |
None | CompactRIO Expansion Module |
| PHYSICAL | |||||
| Dimensions | 153x130x42 mm 0.3 Kg |
285x221x247 mm 5.0 Kg |
80x190x190 mm 161x309x116 mm 2.6 / 6.3 Kg |
200x225x50 mm 2.6 Kg |
221x81x189 mm 1.2 Kg |
| Environment | IP69k -40 to 80 deg C |
No IP -20 to 60 deg C |
No IP -20 to 60 deg C |
No IP -40 to 85 deg C |
IP40 -20 to 55 deg C |
Top Vehicle Control Units
For production environments. To help you choose the platform that will serve you best we have compiled a simple comparison between popular options.
Why Industry Loves the FlexCase
| Model |
Audesse |
New Eagle |
Ecotrons |
STW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Models |
FlexCase S FlexCase E FlexCase R |
GCM196 RCM80 RCM112 |
VCU SCU TCU |
ESX.3cs ESX.3xm ESX.Exl |
| Description | Perfect for functional safety controllers, edge computing, and IoT applications |
Wide variety of VCU applications | Basic control units. Some ADAS devices | Customizable control unit for simple applications. |
| Software Support |
Simulink/C Python Linux/Android +20 others |
Simulink/C | Simulink/C | Simulink/C Codesys |
| Software Cost |
Free | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| MCU
Safety Capability |
NXP
✔✔ |
NXP/ST/Infineon
✔✔ |
NXP/ST/Infineon
✔✔ |
Infineon
✔ |
| MPU Options |
✔ | ✘ | ✘* | ✘ |
| OTA Capability |
✔ |
✘ | ✘ | ✘* |
| Telematics Data Collection |
✔ |
✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| IoT Functional Safety |
✔ |
✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Wide Power Input |
✔✔ |
✔ | ✔✔ | ✔✔ |
|
Integrated Supply |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Integrated Supply Current Sensor |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 6-axis IMU | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Indicator | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Sensor Supply (5V0) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ignition Input | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ethernet | ✔✔ | ✔ | ✘* | ✘* |
| Wifi/Bluetooth | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘* |
| Global LTE & GPS |
✔ | ✘ |
✘ |
✘* |
| USB | ✔ | ✘ | ✘* | ✘* |
| HDMI | ✔ | ✘ | ✘* | ✘ |
| eDP | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| LVDS | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| RS232 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘* | ✔ |
| RS485 | ✔ | ✘ | ✘* | ✘* |
| CANBus | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| LIN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Digital Output | ✔ | ✔✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Analog Input | ✔ | ✔✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Digital Input | ✔ | ✔✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Size Ingress Protection |
Compact
IP69K |
Typical Size
IP69K |
Typical Size
IP67 |
Oversized
IP69K |
*Additional components from supplier could be added to supplement system functionality at sigificant additional cost.
When to use FlexCase?
The FlexCase is a great tool for many applications. The FlexCase shines in these scenarios
- Light to moderate complexity applications – This includes control loops of 1ms, machine learning, and model predictive control.
- Lower cost – Cost effective to try one. Even lower cost at volume to get one for each researcher and project.
- No hassle licencing – No complicated licencing. Anyone can use all the supported software for free.
- Ready for any environment – An IP69K rating means you can place your FlexCase anywhere. Our low power consumption means you can run an experiment off a LiPo battery for days.