Target Support Package 4.0

Real-Time Deployment

Target Support Package lets you add device driver blocks to your model, generate and build real-time code, and download the code to hardware. You can also integrate your model with hand-coded I/O drivers. Target Support Package can then execute the code using on-target rapid prototyping to evaluate algorithm performance on production hardware. You can also deploy and execute the code in a production environment.

Application Download

Target Support Package lets you download the code onto the hardware using third-party software tools. Depending on your hardware, the selected tool is launched automatically at the end of the build process. The generated executable is then downloaded and executed. On some hardware, you can also use JTAG, CAN, or serial communication to download the executable to flash or RAM memory and automatically start the execution in real time. Alternatively, you can launch a third-party debugger to execute code on an instruction set simulator (ISS) running on the host PC.

Schedulers and Real-Time Operating System

Target Support Package includes a variety of single-tasking, multitasking, synchronous, and asynchronous schedulers.

A preemptive, multitasking scheduler supports the execution of multirate systems. You can configure this scheduler to enable temporary overruns, maximizing processor utilization when a task takes longer than normal to execute.

An asynchronous scheduler lets you create multiple tasks, tie each task to a specific hardware interrupt, and use it to trigger the execution of a task. You can prioritize each task, enabling higher priority tasks to interrupt lower priority tasks at any time. This approach improves response times in your embedded application. It also lets you implement algorithms that could not be implemented with traditional periodic timer interrupts.

You can assign background tasks to run while the system is idle without the involvement of a hardware interrupt, enabling you to control the execution schedule for noncritical tasks. All nonreserved CPU and PIE interrupts are supported by the asynchronous scheduler. Logical interrupt priorities are assigned to each interrupt-driven task that you specify. The generated code automatically incorporates these priorities.

On selected Texas Instruments hardware, you can design and implement advanced embedded systems that use the DSP/BIOS operating system. The Hardware Interrupt block lets you create an interrupt service routine (ISR) that executes a subsystem or a task that you define using the Task block.

Real-Time Parameter Tuning and Signal Logging

Using Simulink external mode, you can log signals and tune parameters in your algorithm running on the hardware in real time without a calibration tool. As a result, you can execute your algorithm using different parameters without recompiling and downloading the code onto the hardware. Depending on your hardware, an Ethernet, CAN, or serial connection is required. You may also use a third-party calibration tool such as CANape® from Vector Cantech, which requires the use of a CAN connection between host and target.