Process simulation on single-board computers

Simulation is already an essential part for the engineering of automation systems. Upcoming use-cases like high-value optimization or new digital services in combination with predictive functionalities need simulation as part of the operating machine or plant. Current implementations use centralized cloud-based simulation architectures or integrate simulation workstations. This paper proposes a concept in combination with a prototypic implementation for the decentralized simulation of physical systems or processes in the field. The simulation models are executed on single-board computers (SBC) that are promising to form a new part of the machines automation systems. To evaluate the concept, state-of-the-art simulation benchmarks have been executed by the authors. The results show the positive capability of SBCs for real-time simulations within the machine.