Hutchinson Improves C Code Performance for an Anti-Vibration Control System Using Embedded Coder

“During the development, the technical team identified the CPU load for the motor control module as a major technical risk. Embedded Coder allowed us to address this risk by optimizing the code quickly. This motor control module was used to successfully drive the target actuator while retaining the original hardware.”

Key Outcomes

Verified code delivered in just over two weeks with 46% less CPU load, while keeping the original proven hardware
Automatic code generation and PIL testing enabled fast iterations, testing, and validation of C code
Embedded Coder allowed the ability to try out different optimizations quickly and compare results to identify which are most performance-relevant

Direct-drive actuator for anti-vibration control systems.

Hutchinson Active Noise & Vibration Control Systems reduce cabin noise (by up to 20 dB for aircraft) and structural vibrations (up to 30 dB for helicopters and up to 20 dB for automotive applications). To increase the performance and responsivity of these controllers, engineers have developed a new patented direct-drive actuator. While doing so, they had a soft requirement to keep the original controller.

However, after integrating the manually written code, CPU utilization on the TI C2000 microprocessor increased to 80% and was considered a technical risk. An analysis determined that the motor drive code offered room for improvement.

Engineers at Hutchinson therefore used a processor-in-the-loop (PIL) target for the microprocessor with Embedded Coder^®. Using code generation for iterations, the engineers reduced the CPU load by 46% in a few days and delivered verified code in just over two weeks. Only minor changes to the original hardware were required.

Learn more about Hutchinson

Products Used

Get a free trial

Contact sales