RPC Connect is the latest evolution of MTS' industry-renowned simulation software for vehicle durability testing.

RPC Connect carries forward the decades-long legacy of RPC Pro and cRPC Pro software, while establishing the optimum platform for an evolving arsenal of next-generation simulation tools.

Architected to optimize test lab efficiency, the new RPC Connect platform will improve the operator experience, increase test throughput and support emerging capabilities such as hybrid simulation and Jounce Bumper Impact Correction.

RPC Connect will take its place as the core application software for MTS Road Simulators, Multi-axial Simulation Table (MAST) Systems and many other durability testing solutions for decades to come.

The Graphical User Interface maximizes lab efficiency by providing a clear, intuitive view of RPC tools, options and standards that is consistent for operators across all stages.

It features a customizable, drag-and-drop environment and multi-monitor display. The Project Explorer serves as a launch pad for the RPC stages, and provides tools for controlling default settings and editing and managing data. Easy-to-use wizards guide operators of all skill levels through every stage.

New in RPC Connect:

• Customizable user interface
• Unit Awareness
• Name-based signal identification
• Enhanced process functionality
• Ability to save load tool settings
• Real-time error validation
• Efficient file and channel search and sort capability
• Easier limit triage and fault identification
• Enhanced plotter function

The Setup Stage is used to define the communications interface between the test rig and the system controller.

It enables operators to efficiently configure the drive, response and computed channels needed to accurately replicate a given scenario and set limits to protect specimens in the case of events.

Setup Stage features powerful search tools to organize and select channels from the controller. Both drag-and-drop and transfer arrow interfaces provide flexible means for found channel selection. An innovative pattern recognition algorithm allows for group selection of similar channels. These tools combine to make building the foundation of an RPC project easier and faster than ever before.

New in RPC Connect:

• Create a setup using drag-and-drop
• Improved computed channels
• Easier-to-use Event/Action definition

The Analyze Stage is used to examine acquired data and prepare it for use in drive file development.

It enables operators to efficiently sort and compare measured data, analyze its quality, isolate the most meaningful (damaging) signals, and adapt them for use with the test system hardware and software.

Analyze Stage supports fatigue-based data editing and analysis across multiple domains including Time History (point-by-point comparison); Spectral (frequency); and Fatigue (histograms).

New in RPC Connect:

• Tools with multiple functions
• Batch Processor
• Multiple file execution
• Flexible process manager for developing custom analysis processes
• Name based signal processing for more generalized processes
• User-defined variables
• Branching controls to provide input for signal analysis decision tree

The Model Stage is used to gain an understanding of system behavior by establishing the mathematical relationship between test rig input and specimen response - i.e., its inverse Frequency Response Function (1/FRF) often referred to as the model.

It features tools for generating simultaneous and sequential random drive files, calculating system models, and generating inverse models.

Model Stage incorporates a variety of interactive diagnostic checks, including Control Band Estimator; Auto Spectral Density (ASD) prediction; Coherence; Engineering Rank Inverse; and Singular Value Decomposition.

New in RPC Connect:

• Interactive Model Processor (IMP)
• Candidates for control channels
• Easier and clearer control band and subsystem definition in wizard rather than inverse tool

The Simulate Stage is used to iterate files for use during the Test Stage.

It provides an interactive environment for performing the iterative, step-by-step process of bringing test system response into convergence with measured field response. Convergence criteria can be directly evaluated in time, spectral, trend and fatigue domains, or with user-definable processes.

Simulate Stage features customizable processes and a user guide called a wizard for incorporating multiple models, and iterating with convergence targets and divergence limits. It also features an innovative gain scheduler for both manual and automated iterations.

Turbo RPC, an inverse modeling control technique, adapts the system model to amplitude based non-linearities exhibited by almost all specimens. This results in more rapid convergence and higher accuracy.

New in RPC Connect:

• Scheduled Iterations
• Multiple file execution
• Improved Region Treatment
• New treatment for non-linearities

The Test Stage is used to create and run durability tests.

Its base configuration features tools for creating and modifying durability test scenarios, defining event action sequences, test playout and monitoring. It also supports user-definable processes during test playout and automated archiving of test response data.

Test Stage plug-in monitoring options include Time History (point-by-point comparison); Spectral (change in frequency); and Trend (statistical changes).

New in RPC Connect:

• Efficient remapping of drive files
• Limit triage and faulted channels
• Easier and more comprehensive specimen monitoring definition