Map System Architecture to Simulink Modeling Environment

When designing models for rapid-prototyping deployment, think about these design factors.

Modeling Algorithms (Embedded Coder)	Given initial state and input, a set of tasks or instructions that efficiently produce a correct result that you want.
Modeling Interfaces (Embedded Coder)	Mechanisms that enable algorithm components to communicate and exchange information across component boundaries.
Modeling Systems (Embedded Coder)	Collection of algorithm components that achieve a higher-level, domain-specific goal or result. Components often share resources.
Modeling Target Platform Environments (Embedded Coder)	Framework that handles scheduling of system algorithm resources and execution.

Consider the following questions concerning modeling capabilities. Use the information listed with the questions as a guide as you design models. Designing a model with a specific run-time execution environment in mind can help you avoid rework and future conversion and maintenance costs.

Modeling Algorithms

Architecture Considerations	Modeling Considerations	Related Information
What is the system domain?	Product prerequisites (based on domains of components)	Use Products and Blocks Supported for Code Generation Simulink Control Design Signal Processing Signal Generation, Manipulation, and Analysis (DSP System Toolbox)
Does the system involve physical domains, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic domains?	Physical systems	Physical Modeling Basic Principles of Modeling Physical Networks (Simscape) Essential Physical Modeling Techniques (Simscape)
What aspects of your algorithm can you represent with blocks provided by MathWorks® products? What blocks do you need to create?	Block usage, creation, and customization	Use Products and Blocks Supported for Code Generation
Does the architecture include state machine components?	Event-driven system	Model a Finite State Machine (Stateflow)

Modeling Interfaces

Architecture Considerations	Modeling Considerations	Related Information
What data must you represent in the generated code? How do you need to represent input and output—data type, dimension, complexity? How will the data change?	Data representation	Define Interfaces of Model Components Data Representation in Generated Code
Where and how is data pulled into the system and pulled within the system?	Input	Comparison of Signal Loading Techniques
Where and how is data pushed within the system and out of the system? What external triggers are needed?	Output	Simulation Data Inspector Organize Parameter Data into a Structure by Using Struct Storage Class (Embedded Coder)
What functions do you need to define for each component? What is the prototype for each entry-point function?	Functions and function calls	Configure Generated C Function Interface for Model Entry-Point Functions
Do you need to export functions that are invoked by controlling logic that is outside the model?	Function export	Export-Function Models Overview Generate Component Source Code for Export to External Code Base
Does the system monitor signals or log data (for example, for calibration)?	C API and ASAP2 data exchange interfaces	Write External Code to Access Generated C API Code Introduction to ASAP2 File
Do you need to replace code generated for functions or operators, for example, to optimize the code for specific hardware?	Code replacement	What Is Code Replacement? What Is Code Replacement Customization? (Embedded Coder)
Is there a requirement for elaboration and future considerations?	Elaboration and future considerations	Define Interfaces of Model Components

Modeling Systems

Architecture Considerations	Modeling Considerations	Related Information
What is the scope of the system? Controller? External environment or plant? Test harness? How is the system partitioned into algorithm components (chunks of logic)? Which components can you represent in Simulink®? Can you design components for reuse? What is the motivation for reuse (for example, division of labor or plug-n-play)?	Componentization	Define Interfaces of Model Components Component-Based Modeling Guidelines Compare Capabilities of Model Components Create Custom Library Author Block Algorithms Generate Subsystem Code as Separate Function and Files Generate Code for Model Reference Hierarchy Code Generation of Stateflow Blocks
Do aspects of the system require unit testing? Is a team of people collaborating on the project? Do you need to protect intellectual property?	Model referencing	Model Reference Behavior and Capabilities Compare Capabilities of Model Components Generate Code for Model Reference Hierarchy Generate Code from Atomic Subcharts
Are you modeling a client-server architecture?	Simulink Function and Caller blocks	Client-Server Architecture Simulink Functions Overview
Is relevant legacy or custom code available?	External code integration	Choose an External Code Integration Workflow (Embedded Coder)
Can you apply a reference architecture or reference components?	Model and project templates	Create Template from Model Create New Project Using Templates
Can you reuse functions?	Function reuse	Generate Reusable Code for Subsystems Shared Across Models Generate Reusable Code from Library Subsystems Shared Across Models Generate Reentrant Code from Top Models Generate Reentrant Code from Subsystems Generate Reusable Code from Stateflow Atomic Subcharts (Embedded Coder)
Do components need to share access to global data? Within the system, do state changes occur? In each case, how does the result get communicated? Are there identifier (naming) issues to consider?	Shared data	Local and Global Data Stores Data Structures in the Generated Code Storage Classes for Parameters and Signals Used in Model Blocks How Generated Code Stores Internal Signal, State, and Parameter Data Data Stores in Generated Code Avoid Identifier Naming Collisions (Embedded Coder)

Modeling Run-Time Environments

Architecture Considerations	Modeling Considerations	Related Information
What level of control over run-time interfacing does your application require? How much of your system can you represent in a model?	Runtime interfacing	Execution of Code Generated from a Model Design Model Architecture
Is the system partitioned into concurrent components to maximize parallelism? Which components?	Concurrency	Multicore Processor Targets
Are components driven by an external clock? What clock rates do system components use? Do components use a single rate or multiple rates?	Clocks and clock rates	Define Interfaces of Model Components
Are components in the system driven by clocks? What clock rates do system components use? Do components use a single rate or multiple rates? What are the priorities of system tasks and functions?	Time-based scheduling	Timer Representation and Computation Time-Based Scheduling
Are components in the system driven by events (interrupts)? What are the priorities of system tasks and functions?	Event-based scheduling	Timer Representation and Computation Event-Based Scheduling Model a Finite State Machine (Stateflow)
Does the system need to handle initialization, reset, or terminate events?	Initialization, reset, termination	Using Initialize, Reinitialize, Reset, and Terminate Functions Startup, Reset, and Shutdown Function Interfaces
Is the system a single-tasking or multitasking system? Are components required to execute in real time? What are the execution order dependencies (sequencing) between components? What are the time constraints for task and function execution?	Task execution	Execution of Code Generated from a Model Tasking Modes and Execution Order
If you know the processing platform, what is it? Will the system run on a single-core or multicore processor? Is the system a distributed system? Is the processing platform hybrid or heterogeneous? Does the architecture employ symmetric or asymmetric multiprocessing? If asymmetric, how is the platform software partitioned across CPUs?	Processing platforms	Multicore Processor Targets