FMI (functional mockup interface) is a standardized interface for model exchange and co-simulation of dynamic models across different modeling and simulation tools. It is supported by a large number of tools, including Dymola, JModelica.org, SIMPACK, SimulationX, and Simulink. It allows for the seamless integration of different simulation models from various domains, such as mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems. FMU (functional mockup unit), on the other hand, is a self-contained unit that can be used for co-simulation, which includes all the model information, simulation algorithms, and input/output variables.
Co-simulation allows hardware and software designers to simulate their designs simultaneously by enabling the integration of different simulation models from various domains. This means that the hardware and software components of a system can be modeled separately using specialized simulation tools, and then combined in a co-simulation environment to analyze the behavior of the entire system.
FMI and FMU are powerful tools that can benefit embedded system development. By using FMU co simulation, hardware and software designers can optimize their designs and reduce design errors, ultimately leading to more efficient and reliable systems.
FMI was first published as a tool-independent standard for making models binary compatible
Co-simulation is valuable in embedded system development because it can help to identify and solve design issues early on in the development process. When teams are developing systems that include both hardware and software components, they can use co-simulation to simulate how these components will interact and identify any potential issues before physical prototypes are built. For example, let's say an engineer is developing a control system for an autonomous vehicle. The designer can use a specialized simulation tool to create a model of the hardware components, such as the sensors and actuators, and a separate simulation tool to create a model of the software components, such as the control algorithms. These models can then be integrated into a co-simulation environment, which allows the designer to simulate how the hardware and software components will interact in a real-world scenario. This can help:
Collimator is the only tool that natively integrates with FMUs so you don't need to compromise. You can use the tools best suited for the job in an easy and seamless way