Switching Between Real and Simulated Devices

Overview

This page details how simulated and real hardware interact, as well as considerations when switching between simulated and real devices.

For this tutorial, you will need the following:

• LabMaestro is installed and activated

Real & Simulated Hardware in LabMaestro

LabMaestro easily transitions between real and simulated hardware without much user input. Here are descriptions of the application’s behaviour in common cases:

Simulating Hardware in a New Project

Assuming you are working on a fresh new file, there should be no VPixx Devices added to your environment. If you start simulating hardware (ex. a DATAPixx3), it will appear under the Environment tab. You can then add the simulated hardware to your project like you would with real hardware.

If you then open this project on a computer connected to real hardware, LabMaestro will treat your real device as the replacement for the simulated device and will apply the desired configuration.

Simulating Hardware in an Existing Project

If you open an existing project (built with real hardware) on another computer not connected to that hardware, the hardware will appear as Offline in the LabMaestro Environment. If you then start simulating this hardware on your machine, LabMaestro will consider the simulated hardware as the required hardware for your project.

Real & Simulated Hardware in One Project

If you open an existing project that uses VPixx Hardware (ex. a DATAPixx3) and are also simulating a DATAPixx3 using the Hardware Simulator, LabMaestro will first check whether your usual hardware is connected to your computer. If it is, it will prioritize using the real hardware. The simulated hardware would appear as a second DATAPixx3 that you can also add to your project if needed.

Real & Simulated Hardware in MATLAB

The VPixx MATLAB API can be used in the same way with simulated and real devices. Like with LabMaestro, MATLAB will prioritize connecting with real hardware over simulated hardware.

To use simulated hardware with MATLAB, please follow the steps below:

1. Start the LabMaestro Hardware Simulator (from the LabMaestro application).

2. Configure or load your desired simulated device.

3. Open the MATLAB application.

4. Interact with your device using the VPixx MATLAB API, as you would with a real device.

Real & Simulated Hardware in Python

The VPixx Python API can be used in the same way with simulated and real devices. Like with LabMaestro, Python will prioritize connecting with real hardware over simulated hardware.

To use simulated hardware with Python, please follow the steps below:

1. Start the LabMaestro Hardware Simulator (from the LabMaestro application).

2. Configure or load your desired simulated device.

3. Open your preferred Python IDE.

4. Interact with your device using the VPixx Python API, as you would with a real device.

Related Links

Environment and Devices Overview