QUARC 2.2
These release notes describe the new features and changes introduced in QUARC 2.2. They are divided into the sections enumerated below.
New Software Compatibility
QUARC 2.2 has introduced compatibility with the following third-party software.
New Targets
QUARC 2.2 now supports the following new targets.
New Features
The new features introduced in QUARC 2.2 are mentioned below.
QUARC now includes an LLVM-based cross-compiler infrastructure to support cross-compiling models for Linux targets from a Windows host machine. Use of cross-compilation significantly improves build times for the Linux targets. Refer to QUARC Linux Overo Target or QUARC Linux Verdex Target for details.
The startup window position can now be specified on the Main pane of the Visualization Initialize block.
The internal numerical accuracy and render ordering algorithms of the viewer has been improved eliminating many numerical accuracy issues previously observed. This also reduces or eliminates some instances of requiring the user to specify render priorities to get the intended drawing order.
Support for 3ds Max 2012 has been added.
Improved Features
Some of the features improved in QUARC 2.2 are enumerated below. There a great many miscellaneous bug fixes and improvements that have not been listed. Only some of the highlights are listed below.
Support for C++ has been significantly improved over previous versions of QUARC. To generate code in C++ (and include S-functions written in C++), set the Language parameter on the Code Generation/General pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog to "C++" instead of "C".
The Game Controller block has been completely revamped to match the new Host Game Controller block (see Host Device Framework below). The outputs are no longer the same, so the block will have to be rewired in old models. New parameters allow characteristics of the game controller to be modified, such as the deadzone and saturation.
QUARC 2.2 has a fully redesigned and enhanced support for the use of the host devices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, and joysticks, along with other peripherals present on the host computer), to be used by QUARC models running on local or remote targets. The new host framework adds two exciting capabilities to QUARC: the ability to use host devices with remote targets even without MATLAB or Simulink running on the host, and the option of restricting the use of host devices to a single window on the host rather than the entire desktop. This enhanced host device framework also offers much improved real-time performance, compared to the previous implementation. Use of host peripherals in QUARC models is enabled by placing a Host Initialize block in the Simulink model. Then other Host blocks specific to the desired peripherals may be added to the model, such as a Host Keyboard block, Host Mouse block, or Host Game Controller to obtain the particular functionality required.
The PWM Configuration Wizard for the Q2-USB and the Q2-USB HIL driver used the incorrect base clock frequency settings resulting in the lowest resolution output. This has now been corrected.
The QUARC designated menu in the Simulink diagram window has been augmented and improved in order to allow more QUARC-related tasks to be performed. Refer to QUARC Menu for details.
New Cards Supported
The full list of all the data acquisition cards supported by QUARC 2.2 is given by the following link. QUARC 2.2 may now also interface to the cards listed below.
A new HIL card has been added called the Null Device. This will let you write to any channel and read from any channel. It can be useful if you are developing code or Simulink diagrams, but do not have the desired, or comparable, DAQ on your development machine. Encoder values can be set with the Set Encoders block/functions and they will read back the corresponding value. All other ADC's, digital inputs and other inputs will read 0.
New Devices Supported
QUARC 2.2 may now interface to the devices listed below.
Sending and receiving messages over a CAN network is now supported using a Peak CAN device. Refer to the Peak CAN block for details.
The Peak System CAN Interface blocks may be found under the QUARC Targets/Devices/Third-Party/Peak System/CAN Interfaces library.
Improved Demonstrations
The QUARC demonstrations improved in QUARC 2.2 are listed below.
New Blocks
New blocks have been added to the QUARC Targets library in QUARC 2.2. The new blocks are listed below.
Host Blocks
THe Host Initialize block initializes host devices for use with local or remote targets. It is a key component in the newly enhanced host device framework, as it provides a centralized location for configuring this added support.
Continuous Blocks
The Controller block provides five commonly used controllers in one block for user to choose from. The parameters of the controllers are tunable in real-time.
The Dynamic System block simulates a dynamic system based on the system parameters, which are tunable in real-time.
Discontinuities Blocks
The One Shot block produces a pulse signal with specified width whenever the input signal meets user defined trigger conditions. The values of the width and trigger condition are tunable in real-time.
The Dynamic Router block selects elements from an input array during simulation. The index of the array is tunable in real-time.
The Debouncer block debounces a switch signal. The parameters of this block are tunable in real-time.
Timing Blocks
The Elapsed Time block calculates the time elapsed since the block is enabled. It also allows the user to reset the timer at any time during the simulation.
Virtual Plants Blocks
The Haptics block is able to depict three shapes, and calculate the interactive forces between the shape and the haptics device. The parameters for the shapes are tunable in real-time.
Deprecated Features
| Some of the previous QUARC features have been deprecated in QUARC 2.2, as mentioned below. Many of the deprecated features may continue to work, but are no longer supported and should be avoided. |
Operating Systems No Longer Supported
Microsoft Windows XP is no longer supported.
Microsoft Windows Vista is no longer supported.
Compilers No Longer Supported
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition are no longer supported.
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition are no longer supported.
MATLAB Versions No Longer Supported
Compatibility with MATLAB R2007a has been removed.
MATLAB R2007b is no longer supported.
MATLAB R2008a is no longer supported.
MATLAB R2008b is no longer supported.
MATLAB R2009a is no longer supported.
MATLAB R2009b is no longer supported.
MATLAB R2010a is no longer supported.
Deprecated Blocks
This block has been deprecated and should not be used in new models. The JR3 PCI Force Torque Sensor block has been moved out of the QUARC Targets main library and may now be found under the QUARC Targets Deprecated/Devices/Third-Party/JR3 library.
This block measures forces and moments of inertia along X, Y, and Z axes using the JR3 PCI sensor.
This block has been deprecated and should not be used in new models. The Host Wiimote block has been moved out of the QUARC Targets main library and may now be found under the QUARC Targets Deprecated/Devices/Third-Party/Nintendo/Controllers library.
This block reads the state of a wiimote device on the host and outputs the buttons, accelerations, and detected IR points.
This block has been deprecated and should not be used in new models. The Host Wiimote block has been moved out of the QUARC Targets main library and may now be found under the QUARC Targets Deprecated/Devices/Third-Party/Nintendo/Controllers library.
This block reads the state of a wiimote device connected to the target and outputs the buttons, accelerations, and detected IR points.
Deprecated Data Acquisition Cards (i.e., HIL Boards)
The MultiQ-PCI card support has been deprecated as the MultiQ-PCI HIL driver is only supported under 32-bit Windows XP. It should not be used in new models.
The Sensoray Model 626 card support has been deprecated as the Sensoray Model 626 HIL driver is only supported under 32-bit Windows XP. It should not be used in new models.
The SensAble PHANTOM Omni card support has been deprecated as the SensAble PHANTOM Omni HIL driver is only supported under 32-bit Windows XP. It should not be used in new models. In order to interface to the PHANTOM Omni device on 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, please use the Phantom block.
QUARC Target Type
The QUARC Linux ARM (gumstix) Target type has been deprecated and should not be used in new models. In order to target the Gumstix Verdex board, please use the QUARC Linux Verdex Target type.
Software
| Support for LabVIEW has been removed from QUARC, but only because Quanser will be releasing a new product for LabVIEW with more features and capabilities. Stay tuned for exciting announcements from Quanser! |
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