Simulink

Simulink is a manufacturer MathWorks software for modeling systems (technical, physical, financial mathematics, ...). Simulink is a companion to MATLAB and requires this to run.

Modeling and operation

Simulink allows for the hierarchical modeling with the help of graphic blocks. Here is a Simulink principle of continuous and discrete switching blocks. Additional, more complex circuit blocks can be obtained from The MathWorks or other manufacturers.

Additionally it can be integrated into the model with the so-called S- functions own code. Also the integration of MATLAB code is possible using Embedded MATLAB.

The data flow between the blocks is graphically via connecting lines are being developed (so-called directed graph ). A so- created system can then be simulated within Simulink. For the numerical simulation of different solution methods (English " Solver " ) are available.

Using the appropriate tool boxes it is possible to create ready- made ​​Matlab / Simulink code (C and VHDL) for microprocessors, computers, and FPGAs.

Simulink supports all integer, sliding and fixed -point types (float and fixed point ) in the simulation and code generation, with an additional toolbox license is required for (scaled ) fixed-point types.

Extensions

Blockset

Simulink can be extended, many of which are offered by both Mathworks itself as well as from many other companies through so-called block sets (eg, the " DSP Blockset ").

Physical Modeling

For certain domains, such as mechanical, electrical or hydraulic systems are special additives available which additionally simplify the modeling of physical systems. For this, the concept of unidirectional signal compounds was bidirectional logical connections - the so-called physical networks - extended. The basis of this technology is called Simscape, in the means of the Simscape language also own domains defined or existing domains can be extended.

Controller design

The design of the control structures that are modeled and simulated in Simulink, done with the toolbox Simulink Control Design, which makes the linear control theory for Simulink available.

A numeric parameter optimization is performed using the Toolbox Simulink Design Optimization.

Code Generation

Using the Toolbox, Simulink Coder can be generated from a Simulink model code that is adaptable with configuration files for different target languages. If run without a math coprocessor, as is often the case in embedded systems the generated code on a target hardware, the additional Toolbox Embedded Coder can be used, which allows the generation of fixed-point algorithms.

Another so-called toolbox is the Simulink HDL Coder with the help of which a Simulink model can be implemented in VHDL or Verilog code. The generated code may then be provided by a manufacturer of the FPGA synthesis tool synthesized and transferred to the corresponding hardware. The final product is then instead of an executable code, a piece of hardware with the respective functions (ASIC) or a hardware description of an FPGA.

In the case of the use of FPGAs parts of the simulation can be compiled and simulated in very high speed on the hardware, which reduces the execution time by orders of magnitude.

Verification and Validation

The Toolbox Verification and Validation can link a Simulink model with requirements and measure the test coverage of models in the simulation according to various criteria. This measurement is correlated with the generated code, but is not identical.

The Design Verifier is another toolbox that performs a Formal Verification of models and an automatic test case generation.