Hi Paul,

The kind of hardware I would personally be looking for is a device that
loads software generated by Matlab-Simulink-Stateflow.

I can suggest you to have a look at the website of FAAR Industry :
http://www.faar-industry.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=56&lang=en

The Matlab tools enable to rapidly develop control software and embed
it. I did that a few years ago with a 6-speed automatic transmission
control system. I learnt to use Matlab, ordered the DSpace hardware and
developed a signal conditioning unit to match sensors and solenoid
valves with in and outputs of the DSpace Autobox all within two months
and a half before giving my first press presentation with it at the
Frankfurt motor show.
Matlab is really easy to learn and you will be able to find many
students that know how to work with it. If you work with a university
student, the software may come along through a university licence. And
because it is a kind of world standard you can imagine working in open
source with several developers. The software is built up in blocks.

For engine control I would today use standard ECU's like those proposed
by FAAR Industry.
http://www.faar-industry.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=60

Best regards

Randolph in Paris

You would not happen to be at Aero this year would you Randolph?

Paul Lamar