Real-Time Windows Target

Simulink External Mode

External mode requires a communications interface to pass parameters external to Simulink, and on the receiving end, the same communications protocol must be used to accept new parameter values and insert them in the proper memory locations for use by the real-time application. In some Real-Time Workshop targets such as Tornado/VME targets, the communications interface uses TCP/IP protocol. In the case of the Real-Time Windows Target, the host computer also serves as the target computer. Therefore, only a virtual device driver is needed to exchange parameters between MATLAB and Simulink memory space and memory that is accessible by the real-time application.

Signal acquisition -- You can capture and display signals from your real-time application while it is running. Signal data is retrieved from the real-time application and displayed in the same Simulink Scope blocks you used for simulating your model.

Parameter tuning -- You can change parameters in your Simulink block diagram and have the new parameters passed automatically to the real-time application. Simulink external mode changes parameters in your real-time application while it is running in real time.

As a user of the Real-Time Windows Target, you will find that the requirements for setup are minimal. You start by enabling external mode and specifying the correct name for the MEX-file interface. Then, after you have built the real-time application, you are ready for external mode operation.

System Concepts

Data Buffers and Transferring Data