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TRANSCRIPT
Hello. Until now we have focused on how toperform core partitioning using different
types of core components, in order to makethe best use of a single HIL device. In some
cases though, it may make more sense to usemultiple HIL devices in parallel as a single
real-time testbed, such as for detailed interconnectedmicrogrid models or models that feature complex
communication interactions. For this, lets talk more about the HIL paralleling feature.
The HIL paralleling feature provides the abilityto connect multiple HIL devices into a single
functional unit. This way, a single devices capability can be extended by means of processing
power and IO capacity. In paralleling operation,multiple devices are connected in a multi-HIL
configuration using high speed serial linkports on the back plate of HIL devices.
It is important to note that only the sametypes of HIL device can be connected in parallel.
For example, a HIL604 device and HIL602+ devicecannot be paralleled. However, two or more
HIL604 devices can be paralleled, or two ormore HIL602+ devices can be paralleled.
Each HIL device has a maximum number of possibleparalleling devices, which you can see in
this table.In this lesson, we will show how to run a
model on multiple HILs in parallel, and thebasics of how to partition a model across
multiple devices. We will demonstrate thisusing the Device partitioning example in the
Example Explorer, which uses three HIL devicesas a single functional HIL setup.
First, we need to parallel the HIL devicesinto a single testbed. Let s connect three
HIL devices in a closed ring. In order toensure proper link operation, use only the
cables and modules recommended by TyphoonHIL. You can find out more information about
HIL paralleling in the documentaion hub.HIL602+ and HIL604 devices are connected using
2 PCIe 4X connectors on the back plate ofthe devices and standard PCIe 4X v2 or better
cables, as is shown here. Daisy chaining isused to connect more than two HIL devices,
as you can see here. Daisy chaining is ensuredby linking the TXN port to the RXN port and
the TXP port to the RXP port from one deviceto the next until the ring is closed.
Let s see how to connect three HIL604 devicesin a daisy chain.
To disconnect the PCI cable from the HIL device,use a green plastic handle.
HIL404 devices are connected using 2 SFP portson the back plate of the devices and a standard
SFP module with cables. HIL404 devices shouldbe connected point to point from the SFP1
and SFP2 connectors on one device to anotherdevice.
HIL 606 devices are connected using 2 Q-SFPports on the back plate of the device and
a standard Q-SFP module with cables.
For comparison s sake, let s see how to connecttwo HIL 404 devices.
Now let s return to the HIL604 setup thatwe are using for this example model. Let s
connect our three paralleled HIL 604 devicesto the PC.
All paralleled devices in a multi-HIL configurationshould be connected to a single computer using
either a direct USB or Ethernet connection.The multi-HIL configuration is controlled
by a single instance of Typhoon HIL ControlCenter or by HIL API.
Once connected, you can build and run yourmodels in a multi-HIL configuration in almost
the same way as you would a single device.The key difference is that we can now assign
which parts of our model we want to run onwhich HIL device, by using device ID numbers.
Device ID numbers in a multi-HIL configurationshould be continuous starting from zero. So,
in a 3 unit system, we should assign numbers0, 1, and 2 to our devices. The device ID
number is completely independent of the devices physical position in the ring. Instead,
the device ID number is set using the rotaryswitch on the back plate of each device.
Now let s set the device ID numbers for allthree HIL devices.
Now it is time to run all HIL Devices andrun Typhoon HIL Control Center. First we need
to open Device Manager and make sure thatthe connection is established with the HIL
setup. Here we can see that all three deviceshave same configuration. This is what we want,
but this doesn t need to be the case: in amulti-HIL setup, devices can have different
configurations.Now let s open our multi-HIL example model.
Let s go to Example Explorer, go to how-toexamples, and then device partitioning. Let
s open this model.As we can see, we are using a simple example
to demonstrate the HIL paralleling feature.Here we can see that we have special components,
such as Device Coupling, Device Markers, SignalDevice Transition, and Signal Device Markers.
We will find out more information about thesecomponents in the next few lessons.
