Model configuration for code generation in Simulink - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Model configuration for code generation

Open Simulink Model

↓

Access Configuration Parameters

↓

Select Code Generation Tab

↓

Set System Target File

↓

Configure Code Generation Options

↓

Apply and Save Settings

↓

Generate Code

↓

Review Generated Code

This flow shows the steps to configure a Simulink model for code generation, from opening the model to reviewing the generated code.

Execution Sample

Simulink

open_system('myModel')
set_param('myModel','SystemTargetFile','ert.tlc')
set_param('myModel','GenerateReport','on')
rtwbuild('myModel')

This code opens a Simulink model, sets the system target file for Embedded Coder, enables report generation, and builds the model to generate code.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Parameter/Setting	Value	Result
1	Open model	Model name	'myModel'	Model 'myModel' opened
2	Set system target file	SystemTargetFile	'ert.tlc'	Code generation target set to Embedded Coder
3	Enable report generation	GenerateReport	'on'	Code generation report enabled
4	Build model	Command	rtwbuild('myModel')	Code generated successfully
5	Exit	Build status	Success	Code generation process completed

💡 Code generation completed successfully after applying configuration settings and building the model

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	Final
ModelName	''	'myModel'	'myModel'	'myModel'	'myModel'	'myModel'
SystemTargetFile	''	''	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'	'ert.tlc'
GenerateReport	'off'	'off'	'off'	'on'	'on'	'on'
BuildStatus	''	''	''	''	'Success'	'Success'

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to set the 'SystemTargetFile' parameter before generating code?

Setting 'SystemTargetFile' tells Simulink which code generation target to use, such as Embedded Coder ('ert.tlc'). Without this, code generation may not produce the desired output. See execution_table step 2.

What happens if 'GenerateReport' is not enabled?

If 'GenerateReport' is off, Simulink will generate code but will not create a detailed report explaining the code generation process. This is shown in execution_table step 3 where enabling it turns on report generation.

How do we know if code generation was successful?

The 'BuildStatus' variable changes to 'Success' after running rtwbuild, as shown in execution_table step 4 and 5, indicating code was generated without errors.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table at step 2, what value is assigned to 'SystemTargetFile'?

A 'grt.tlc'

B 'none'

C 'ert.tlc'

D 'slrt.tlc'

💡 Hint

Check the 'Value' column in execution_table row with Step 2.

At which step does the 'GenerateReport' parameter change from 'off' to 'on' according to variable_tracker?

A After Step 3

B After Step 2

C After Step 1

D After Step 4

💡 Hint

Look at the 'GenerateReport' row in variable_tracker and see when it changes.

If we skip setting 'SystemTargetFile', what is the likely outcome when running rtwbuild?

A Code generation will succeed with default settings

B Code generation will fail or produce incorrect code

C A report will be generated automatically

D Model will not open

💡 Hint

Refer to key_moments about importance of 'SystemTargetFile' setting.

Concept Snapshot

Model configuration for code generation in Simulink:
- Open model with open_system('modelName')
- Set 'SystemTargetFile' to specify code type (e.g., 'ert.tlc')
- Enable 'GenerateReport' to get code generation details
- Use rtwbuild('modelName') to generate code
- Check build status for success or errors

Full Transcript

This visual execution guide shows how to configure a Simulink model for code generation. First, the model is opened using open_system. Then, the system target file is set to 'ert.tlc' to specify Embedded Coder as the code generation target. Next, report generation is enabled by setting 'GenerateReport' to 'on'. The model is then built using rtwbuild, which generates the code. The build status is checked to confirm success. Variables like ModelName, SystemTargetFile, GenerateReport, and BuildStatus change step-by-step as shown in the variable tracker. Key moments clarify why setting the system target file and enabling reports matter. The quiz tests understanding of these steps and their effects.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Model Configuration in Simulink for code generation?

easy

A. To set parameters that control how code is generated from the model

B. To draw the model blocks and connections

C. To run simulations faster without generating code

D. To create user interfaces for the model

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of model configuration

   Model configuration in Simulink is used to set options that affect code generation, such as target hardware and optimization.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other tasks

   Drawing blocks or running simulations are separate tasks; configuration specifically controls code generation settings.

3. Final Answer:

   To set parameters that control how code is generated from the model -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Model configuration = code generation settings [OK]

Hint: Think: configuration means setting code generation options [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing configuration with drawing the model
• Thinking configuration runs simulations
• Assuming configuration creates user interfaces

2. Which of the following is the correct way to open the Model Configuration Parameters dialog in Simulink?

easy

A. Right-click the model canvas and select 'Configuration Parameters'

B. Double-click any block in the model

C. Click the 'Simulation' menu and choose 'Model Configuration Parameters'

D. Press Ctrl+G to generate code directly

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall how to access configuration settings

   In Simulink, the Model Configuration Parameters dialog is accessed via the Simulation menu.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Right-clicking the canvas does not open configuration; double-clicking blocks opens block parameters; Ctrl+G generates code but does not open configuration.

3. Final Answer:

   Click the 'Simulation' menu and choose 'Model Configuration Parameters' -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Simulation menu -> Model Configuration Parameters [OK]

Hint: Use Simulation menu to find configuration settings [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to open configuration by right-clicking the canvas
• Double-clicking blocks instead of opening configuration
• Using shortcut keys that do not open configuration

3. Given the following configuration settings in Simulink:

System target file: ert.tlc
Optimization: Inline parameters = On
Hardware implementation: ARM Cortex

What is the expected effect on the generated code?

medium

A. Code will be optimized for x86 hardware instead

B. Code will be generic and not optimized for any hardware

C. Code will not be generated because of incompatible settings

D. Code will be optimized for ARM Cortex and use inline parameters for efficiency

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze system target file and hardware

   The 'ert.tlc' target file is for Embedded Coder, generating efficient code. Hardware set to ARM Cortex means code is optimized for that processor.

2. Step 2: Understand optimization setting

   Inline parameters = On means parameters are embedded directly in code, improving speed and reducing memory.

3. Final Answer:

   Code will be optimized for ARM Cortex and use inline parameters for efficiency -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   ert.tlc + ARM + inline params = optimized code [OK]

Hint: Check target file and hardware for code optimization [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring hardware setting and assuming generic code
• Confusing inline parameters with disabling optimization
• Assuming code generation fails with these settings

4. You set the system target file to grt.tlc but want to generate code optimized for embedded hardware. What is the error in this configuration?

medium

A. grt.tlc generates generic real-time code, not optimized for embedded targets

B. grt.tlc is deprecated and causes code generation failure

C. grt.tlc only works with MATLAB scripts, not Simulink models

D. grt.tlc disables all optimizations automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify purpose of grt.tlc

   The 'grt.tlc' target file generates generic real-time code mainly for desktop or simulation, not optimized for embedded hardware.

2. Step 2: Understand implication for embedded targets

   For embedded hardware, 'ert.tlc' or similar Embedded Coder targets are needed for optimized code.

3. Final Answer:

   grt.tlc generates generic real-time code, not optimized for embedded targets -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   grt.tlc = generic code, not embedded optimized [OK]

Hint: Use ert.tlc for embedded, not grt.tlc [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming grt.tlc is deprecated
• Thinking grt.tlc works only with MATLAB scripts
• Believing grt.tlc disables all optimizations

5. You want to generate code from a Simulink model that runs on a custom embedded processor. Which combination of model configuration settings is best to ensure efficient and compatible code generation?

hard

A. Use grt.tlc with default hardware and disable all optimizations

B. Set system target file to ert.tlc, specify custom hardware in Hardware Implementation, and enable optimization options

C. Set system target file to rtwsfcn.tlc and leave hardware unspecified

D. Generate code without setting system target file or hardware options

Solution

1. Step 1: Choose system target file for embedded code

   For custom embedded processors, 'ert.tlc' is the standard target file that supports Embedded Coder optimizations.

2. Step 2: Specify hardware and enable optimizations

   Setting the hardware implementation to the custom processor ensures generated code matches hardware specifics. Enabling optimizations improves code efficiency.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Using 'grt.tlc' or 'rtwsfcn.tlc' is not suitable for custom embedded targets. Not setting target or hardware leads to generic or incompatible code.

4. Final Answer:

   Set system target file to ert.tlc, specify custom hardware in Hardware Implementation, and enable optimization options -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   ert.tlc + custom hardware + optimization = best embedded code [OK]

Hint: Use ert.tlc + custom hardware + optimization for embedded code [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using grt.tlc for embedded targets
• Not specifying hardware implementation
• Disabling optimizations unnecessarily