xPC Target

xPC Target Embedded Option

Often, control system and digital signal processing applications are developed for use in production where a limited number of deployed systems are required. Whether deploying one or one hundred systems, the xPC Target Embedded Option provides a convenient approach that allows you to implement your system on low cost PC hardware.

When you have completed development and testing, you can use the target application as a real-time system that runs on a dedicated target PC without the need to connect to the host computer.

The xPC Target Embedded Option consists of two modes of operation. In each case, the target PC boots into DOS, starts the DOS program xpcboot.com from autoexec.bat, and then starts the kernel from xpcboot.com.

• DOSLoader Mode -- Run the kernel from a device other than the floppy disk such as a hard disk or flash disk, and download the target application from the host PC.
• (DOSLoader)/StandAlone Mode -- Run both the kernel and the target application from the floppy disk on the target PC, or optionally boot from a device other than the floppy disk. The target application runs completely independent from the host PC.

When using the normal BootFloopy mode, you do not need DOS to load and run the xPC Target kernel.

Note    The xPC Target Embedded Option is a separate product that requires an additional license from The MathWorks. With this additional license you can deploy an unlimited number of real-time applications for stand-alone operation.

For more information on the xPC Target Embedded Option, see the xPC Target documentation.

DOSLoader Mode

The DOSLoader mode allows you to boot your target computer from devices other than a 3.5-inch floppy disk. For example, the boot device can be a hard disk drive or flash memory. The target application is still downloaded from the host PC.

You can also use this mode to boot from a floppy disk, but there is no advantage to using this method over using a normal target boot disk. The advantage to using the DOSLoader mode with the extra work to create a bootable DOS disk is that you can boot from an alternative device.

1. Select the DOSLoader mode from the xPC Target Setup window.
2. Create a new target boot disk.
3. Copy DOS system files and utilities to the target boot disk. In the autoexec.bat file, temporarily remove the line that executes xpcboot.com.
4. Boot the target PC with a bootable DOS disk from the floppy disk.
5. Copy files to the alternate boot device. In the autoexec.bat file, add the line that loads xpcboot.com.
6. Remove the target boot disk and reboot the target PC from the alternate boot device.
7. Build a target application and download it to the target PC.

For more information on the xPC Target Embedded Option, see Embedded Option in the xPC Target User Guide documentation.

(DOSLoader)/StandAlone Mode

The StandAlone mode combines the target application with the kernel and boots them together on the target PC from a 3.5 inch floppy disk, hard disk drive, or flash memory. The host PC does not have to be connected to the target PC.

1. Select the StandAlone mode from the xPC Target Setup window.
2. Build a kernel/target application.
3. Copy DOS system files, utilities, kernel/application files and helper files to the boot disk.

1. Note If booting from a alternate boot device, in the autoexec.bat file, remove the line that loads xpcboot.com.

4. Boot the target PC with a bootable DOS disk from the floppy disk.

1. Note If booting from an alternate boot device, copy files to the alternate boot device. In the autoexec.bat file, add the line that loads xpcboot.com. Remove the target boot disk and reboot the target PC from the alternate boot device.

For more information on the xPC Target Embedded Option, see Embedded Option in the xPC Target User Guide documentation.

Rapid Prototyping Process

User Interaction