AN OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE FOR SIMULINK MODELS

Visual programs for modeling dynamic systems have become popular because they simplify the construction and maintenance of math models. These products also offer an appealing variety of analytical tools that aid the evaluation of model performance. With the addition of code generators, these tools can convert their visual diagrams into source code that can run standalone or be integrated within an existing software product. The simulation industry has experienced a growing trend of integrating generated code with existing, simulation frameworks. Because the simulation framework and the auto-code generator are based on independent designs, developers must add software layers that overcome incompatibilities. Ideally, the developer strives to design a reusable interface for the visual-modeling product. This frees future projects from handling autocode integration issues. However, achieving a reusable interface may require customization of the visual modeling product and restrictive guidelines on its use. Many simulation customers at NASA Langley Research Center have selected Mathworks' Simulink® for visual modeling. Mathworks supplies a code generator for Simulink called the Real-Time Workshop® (RTW).