Model-driven Development

In today's ever-evolving technological landscape, the increasing complexity of modern systems necessitates continuous improvements in development processes to uphold the highest quality standards. Model-Driven Development (MDD) emerges as a pivotal approach capable of profoundly enhancing various facets of traditional product design processes. MDD not only mitigates project risks and reduces costs but also promotes seamless collaboration among engineers spanning diverse disciplines.

Our journey began decades ago with the implementation of modeling and simulation techniques, such as SPICE, to analyze electronic designs and utilize FEM analysis for board design optimization. Since 2012, we have pushed boundaries further by generating code for processors and FPGAs from system models. You can explore our success story with the Brakebox Wafer Handler on the MathWorks website.

At 3T, we optimize component placement and are able to create high-power-density designs because of our power analysis. We have already developed simulation models for our VIPER and PEPPER platforms. This allows us to quickly assess our customer's specific mechatronic challenges and adapt our simulation models to generate controller software tailored to the customer's needs.

With our commitment to Model-Driven Development, we stay at the forefront of innovation to meet the evolving demands of today's complex product design landscape.

The Sirius Pintuition System presents an innovative solution for breast cancer surgery. The procedure involves the insertion of a tiny titanium-encased magnet into the tumor using a needle. To assist the surgeon further, a specialized rod is introduced through a small incision in the breast. This rod detects the magnetic field and offers valuable guidance during the surgical process. Notably, this innovative approach enhances cosmetic outcomes and facilitates more breast-conserving surgeries.

Throughout the system's development, 3T spearheaded the electronic aspects, addressing challenges in accurately detecting and interpreting the magnetic field. Collaborating with a third-party provider, we devised sophisticated mathematical algorithms for precise positioning.

As a result, the device's screen now provides real-time information, displaying the distance between the rod and the magnetic seed in millimeters, proving to be a vital asset during surgery.

Surgical booms demand an optimal level of flexibility and user-friendliness to grant the surgical team swift access to critical functions. To facilitate seamless control of the operating unit, there is an intelligent braking system, with 3T responsible for the electronics and software.

The primary challenge lay in crafting software that seamlessly integrated into a complex system, with a significant portion of the mechanical design yet to be finalized. By embracing the Model-Driven Development (MDD) approach, our team effectively modeled and simulated the system's interfaces and behavior, , allowing for precise development tailored to the customer's requirements.

We achieved an ideal solution by actively involving the customer in the development iterations and software optimizations. This collaborative approach ensured that the surgical booms met the highest performance and usability standards.

PEPPER, our cutting-edge development board, houses an exceptionally precise digital amplifier. This 4-channel platform boasts state-of-the-art Gallium-Nitride (GaN) FETs, offering unprecedented control over both voltage and current outputs.

Highly versatile, it accommodates a wide range of load impedances, from capacitive to inductive.

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VIPER represents an electronic speed controller capable of delivering up to 1kW, ideal for motors with a supply voltage of 8 to 60V. The motor control board incorporates a robust processor, an intelligent FED driver, and discrete power stages. The strength of this building block lies in its full customization potential, making it a perfect fit for a wide array of applications.

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In collaboration with our customer, we've developed a high-performance radar back-end module. This module controls the radar front-end module, which generates and receives the analog tracking signals. The radar back-end module, powered by the Xilinx Zynq Z-7020, incorporates signal conditioning, data acquisition, and data processing for analog radar tracking signals. Digital Signal Processing on the Zynq FPGA fabric enhances processing capabilities, while the eCos RTOS on a Zynq ARM core ensures precise timing for radar tracking tasks. The required tracking algorithms are developed through Model-Driven Development using MATLAB and Simulink. This integrated solution represents a significant advancement in radar signal processing and tracking technology.

Our early commitment to model-driven development combined with code generation has firmly established us as front-runners in the industry.

Drawing on our extensive experience, we have refined and optimized the development process, resulting in reduced project risks and the delivery of high quality products.
Our expertise is most prominent in the field of motion control, where modeling plays a pivotal role. By comprehending mechatronic systems through model-driven development, we gain deeper insights into the challenges, expediting the development of effective solutions.

Bert van den Berg, 3T Business Unit Manager

3tModel-Driven Development

Our Capabilities at a Glance

System-level optimization and an evaluation of the requirements
Highly integrated into the design process
Development and evaluation of algorithms in the early stages facilitated by a full system model

Evaluation of control strategies for mechatronic systems without the need for physical hardware availability
Simulation of complex software architecture and interaction between various parts of the system
Use of tools that generates software compliant to specific standards and reduces time to market

Physics simulation gives insight into a system that cannot be measured
Multidomain modeling reduces communication barriers between engineering disciplines.
Early identification of potential product pitfalls

3T Letter Wheel - Model-Driven Development

Watch the video to see 3T's Sjoerd Rozendal demonstrate the benefits of model-driven development using the Letterwheel demonstrator at E&A 2023.

3T B.V. (HQ)

Institutenweg 1
7521 PH Enschede

The Netherlands

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+31 53 433 66 33

info-3t-iac@kendrion.com

3T is a renowned Dutch electronic design house with over four decades of industry expertise. Our dedicated team of 100+ developers is wholeheartedly committed to delivering excellence and innovation in every project we embrace.
Visit our start page and learn more about who we are, our working principles, our customer solutions, and our core competencies.

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Analog & mixed signal design is our most distinctive competence. If you have an application that requires precision sensor interfaces, real-time data acquisition, or a complex control circuit, 3T is the place to be. Being an AD and TI design partner, we have access to the latest technology.

3T has built up FPGA knowledge and experience since FPGAs were introduced in the market. As a design partner of Intel, AMD, and Microchip, we have access to the latest FPGA technology, such as the newest generation of Systems-On-Chip devices.

Controlling actuators and managing heat dissipation are crucial aspects of various applications, ranging from industrial automation and robotics to electronic devices and power generation. A control algorithm enables precise manipulation of physical systems while optimizing heat dissipation to ensure system performance, reliability, and components' longevity.

The functionality of an application is more and more determined by its embedded software. We do rely on our extensive know-how of programming languages, microcontrollers, hardware interfaces, and real-time operating systems. As a NXP, TI, and Microchip design partner, we have access to all the latest technologies.

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Using our in-depth knowledge of the developed application, the development of associated test systems and test strategies is a logical consequence. Depending on the situation, the concept of testing has a different perspective and effect on the development process.