Embedded Coder for MCU deployment in Simulink - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Embedded Coder for MCU deployment

Model Design in Simulink

↓

Configure Embedded Coder Settings

↓

Generate C Code Automatically

↓

Build Code for MCU Target

↓

Deploy Code to MCU Hardware

↓

Run and Test on MCU

↓

Collect Data and Analyze Results

This flow shows how a Simulink model is designed, configured for Embedded Coder, code is generated, built, deployed to MCU, and tested with data collected for analysis.

Execution Sample

Simulink

model = 'simple_mcu_model';
load_system(model);
set_param(model, 'SystemTargetFile', 'ert.tlc');
rtwbuild(model);
deployToMCU();

This code loads a Simulink model, sets it to use Embedded Coder for MCU, builds the code, and deploys it to the MCU.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Parameter/Value	Result/Output
1	Load Simulink model	model = 'simple_mcu_model'	Model loaded into memory
2	Set target for Embedded Coder	SystemTargetFile = 'ert.tlc'	Model configured for MCU code generation
3	Build model	rtwbuild(model)	C code generated and compiled for MCU
4	Deploy code	deployToMCU()	Code flashed to MCU hardware
5	Run on MCU	Start MCU execution	MCU runs generated code
6	Collect data	Read MCU output	Data available for analysis
7	End	All steps completed	Deployment and testing finished

💡 Process ends after code runs on MCU and data is collected for analysis

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5	Final
model	''	'simple_mcu_model'	'simple_mcu_model'	'simple_mcu_model'	'simple_mcu_model'	'simple_mcu_model'	'simple_mcu_model'
SystemTargetFile	''	''	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'
code_generated	False	False	False	True	True	True	True
code_deployed	False	False	False	False	True	True	True
mcu_running	False	False	False	False	False	True	True
data_collected	False	False	False	False	False	False	True

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we set 'SystemTargetFile' to 'ert.tlc' before building?

Setting 'SystemTargetFile' to 'ert.tlc' tells Simulink to use Embedded Coder for generating optimized C code for MCUs, as shown in step 2 of the execution table.

What happens if we try to deploy code before building it?

The code must be generated and compiled first (step 3) before deployment; deploying before building means no code exists to flash, so deployment (step 4) would fail.

How do we know the MCU is running the deployed code?

After deployment (step 4), starting the MCU execution (step 5) confirms the code runs; variable 'mcu_running' changes from False to True in the variable tracker.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what is the result after step 3?

A Model loaded into memory

B Code flashed to MCU hardware

C C code generated and compiled for MCU

D Data available for analysis

💡 Hint

Check the 'Result/Output' column for step 3 in the execution table

At which step does the code get deployed to the MCU?

A Step 2

B Step 4

C Step 5

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Look for the action 'Deploy code' in the execution table

If 'code_generated' is False after step 3, what would happen next?

A Deployment would fail because no code exists

B MCU would run the code

C Deployment would succeed

D Data would be collected successfully

💡 Hint

Refer to the variable_tracker for 'code_generated' status and deployment step in execution_table

Concept Snapshot

Embedded Coder for MCU deployment:
- Design model in Simulink
- Set 'SystemTargetFile' to 'ert.tlc'
- Build model to generate MCU C code
- Deploy code to MCU hardware
- Run and collect data for analysis

Full Transcript

This visual execution trace shows how to deploy a Simulink model to a microcontroller unit (MCU) using Embedded Coder. First, the model is loaded into Simulink. Then, the target is set to Embedded Coder by assigning 'ert.tlc' to the SystemTargetFile parameter. Next, the model is built, which generates and compiles C code optimized for the MCU. After building, the code is deployed to the MCU hardware by flashing it. The MCU then runs the deployed code, and output data is collected for analysis. Variables like 'code_generated' and 'code_deployed' track progress through these steps. Key moments include understanding why setting the target is necessary before building, the importance of building before deployment, and confirming the MCU runs the code after deployment. The quiz questions reinforce understanding of these steps by referencing the execution table and variable states.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Embedded Coder in Simulink for MCU deployment?

easy

A. To design graphical user interfaces for embedded systems

B. To simulate microcontroller hardware behavior

C. To convert Simulink models into C code for microcontrollers

D. To debug C code generated from Simulink models

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Embedded Coder's function

   Embedded Coder generates C code from Simulink models specifically for microcontrollers.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this function

   Only To convert Simulink models into C code for microcontrollers describes this conversion process correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   To convert Simulink models into C code for microcontrollers -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Embedded Coder = Code generation for MCU [OK]

Hint: Embedded Coder = Simulink to C code for MCUs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing simulation with code generation
• Thinking Embedded Coder designs GUIs
• Assuming it debugs code directly

2. Which of the following is the correct way to enable code generation in Simulink for Embedded Coder?

easy

A. Set the model configuration parameter 'System target file' to 'ert.tlc'

B. Set the model configuration parameter 'Solver' to 'Fixed-step'

C. Set the model configuration parameter 'Simulation mode' to 'Normal'

D. Set the model configuration parameter 'Data import/export' to 'on'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify code generation setting

   Embedded Coder requires setting 'System target file' to 'ert.tlc' to generate code.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   Other parameters relate to simulation or data handling, not code generation.

3. Final Answer:

   Set the model configuration parameter 'System target file' to 'ert.tlc' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Code generation target = ert.tlc [OK]

Hint: Use 'ert.tlc' for Embedded Coder code generation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing solver settings with code generation
• Changing simulation mode instead of target file
• Assuming data import/export affects code generation

3. Given the following Simulink model configuration snippet for Embedded Coder:

modelConfig.set('SystemTargetFile', 'ert.tlc');
modelConfig.set('HardwareBoard', 'STM32F4-Discovery');
modelConfig.set('GenerateReport', true);

What will be the result of running code generation?

medium

A. Simulation runs only, no code generated

B. Code generated but report is not created

C. Error due to unsupported hardware board

D. C code generated for STM32F4-Discovery with a detailed report

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze configuration settings

   'SystemTargetFile' is set to 'ert.tlc' enabling code generation. 'HardwareBoard' specifies STM32F4-Discovery. 'GenerateReport' is true.

2. Step 2: Determine expected output

   Code will be generated for STM32F4-Discovery and a detailed report will be created.

3. Final Answer:

   C code generated for STM32F4-Discovery with a detailed report -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   ert.tlc + board + report = code + report [OK]

Hint: ert.tlc + board + report true = code + report [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming simulation only without code generation
• Thinking hardware board is unsupported
• Ignoring the report generation flag

4. You try to generate code using Embedded Coder but get an error: "Target file 'ert.tlc' not found." What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The Embedded Coder product is not installed or licensed

B. The Simulink model has syntax errors

C. The hardware board is not selected

D. The solver is set to variable-step

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   "Target file 'ert.tlc' not found" means the code generation target file is missing.

2. Step 2: Identify cause of missing target file

   This usually happens if Embedded Coder is not installed or licensed, so the target file is unavailable.

3. Final Answer:

   The Embedded Coder product is not installed or licensed -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing ert.tlc = missing Embedded Coder [OK]

Hint: Missing ert.tlc means Embedded Coder not installed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming model syntax errors
• Ignoring product installation status
• Thinking solver setting causes this error

5. You want to deploy a Simulink model to an MCU with limited RAM and flash memory. Which Embedded Coder feature helps optimize the generated code size?

hard

A. Set the solver to variable-step to save memory

B. Use the 'Optimization' settings to enable 'Reduce RAM usage' and 'Eliminate dead code'

C. Increase the sample time to reduce execution frequency

D. Disable code generation report to speed up build

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify optimization features for code size

   Embedded Coder provides optimization settings like 'Reduce RAM usage' and 'Eliminate dead code' to minimize code size.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Increasing sample time affects execution but not code size. Solver settings and report generation do not reduce code size.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the 'Optimization' settings to enable 'Reduce RAM usage' and 'Eliminate dead code' -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Optimization settings = smaller code size [OK]

Hint: Enable optimization to reduce RAM and dead code [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing execution frequency with code size
• Thinking solver type affects memory usage
• Disabling reports does not reduce code size