Set HDL Code Generation Options

R2026b

Configuring HDL code generation settings lets you control how HDL Coder™ generates code for your model. While some settings are shared across workflows, some apply only to specific modeling elements, such as an individual Simulink^® block or subsystem.

You can use these methods to set HDL code generation options:

Method	Description
HDL Code Tab in Simulink Toolstrip	Configure HDL code generation settings by using the HDL Code tab in the Simulink toolstrip.
HDL Code Generation Options in the Configuration Parameters Dialog Box	Configure HDL code generation settings by using the HDL Code Generation pane in the Configuration Parameters dialog box.
HDL Code Options in Block Context Menu	Configure HDL code generation options by right-clicking a block or subsystem.
HDL Block Properties Dialog Box	Set block-specific implementations and parameters by using the HDL Block Properties dialog box.

HDL Code Tab in Simulink Toolstrip

You can configure HDL code generation settings by using the HDL Code tab in the Simulink toolstrip. The HDL Code tab provides shortcuts to code generation options and lets you initiate code generation. To access the HDL Code tab, open the HDL Coder app from the Apps tab on the Simulink Toolstrip.

This table describes the options in the HDL Code tab:

Option	Description
Generic HDL Code	Select the output type for code generation. Choose Generic HDL Code to generate HDL code, or IP Core to generate an IP core.
Workflow Advisor	Open the HDL Workflow Advisor.
HDL Property Inspector	Open the HDL Property Inspector to view and set HDL block properties and implementation parameters for a block that you select in your model.
HDL Code Advisor	Open the HDL Code Advisor for the model or the selected Subsystem.
Settings	Open the HDL Code Generation pane in the Configuration Parameters dialog box. The Settings dropdown also includes: Report Options: Open the HDL Code Generation > Report pane. Remove HDL Configuration from Model: Remove the HDL configuration component from a model. For more information, see Add or Remove the HDL Configuration Component.
Target Interface	Configure the target interface for IP core generation. This option is applicable when you select IP Core as the output type for code generation.
Code for	Select the top-level Subsystem or model for which you want to generate HDL code. This option corresponds to the Generate HDL for option in the HDL Code Generation pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box.
Generate HDL Code	Initiate HDL code generation; equivalent to the Generate HDL Code check box in the HDL Code Generation > Global Settings > Advanced tab of the Configuration Parameters dialog box.
Build Bitstream	Build the FPGA bitstream for deployment to the target hardware. This option is applicable when you select IP Core as the output type for code generation.
View Code	View the generated HDL code.
Navigate to Code	Select a block in your model and navigate to the HDL code generated for that block. To use this option, you must have generated a traceability report.
Open Report	Open the Code Generation Report if this report exists on the path. Otherwise, this button opens the HDL Check Report.
Generate Testbench	Initiate test bench code generation. To use this option, you must select a subsystem. If you do not select a subsystem in the Code for menu, the Generate Testbench option is not available. If you have HDL Verifier™ installed, you can generate an HDL cosimulation model or a SystemVerilog DPI component.
Share	Generate a protected model that you can share with a third party without revealing the intellectual property of the model.

HDL Code Generation Options in the Configuration Parameters Dialog Box

You can configure HDL code generation settings by using the HDL Code Generation pane in the Configuration Parameters dialog box. This pane provides options for target language, folder settings, clock and reset signals, reporting, and optimization. To open this pane, in the Apps gallery, click HDL Coder. The HDL Code tab appears. In the Prepare section, click Settings.

HDL Code Options in Block Context Menu

You can configure HDL code generation options by right-clicking a block, a subsystem, or a model element that HDL Coder supports. To add HDL Coder app options to the context menu, point to Select Apps and click HDL Coder. The code generator enables items in the HDL Coder app section based on the following:

• Block type: For subsystems, the menu enables options specific to subsystems.

• Code and traceability status: Options are enabled only when HDL code and traceability information have been generated for the block or subsystem.

Note

You can also access these options from the HDL Code tab in the Simulink Toolstrip. To access this tab, open the HDL Coder app from the Apps tab.

This image shows the HDL Coder app section in the Simulink Context menu for a subsystem.

The table lists the buttons and options available in the HDL Coder app section:

Button / Option	Action	Availability
HDL Block Properties	Opens the HDL Block Properties dialog box for the block or subsystem. See Set and View HDL Model and Block Parameters.	Available for blocks or subsystems.
Generate HDL Code	Depending on the selection in the Output section of the HDL Code tab in the HDL Coder app, this button generates either HDL code or an IP core: When you select Generic HDL Code, HDL Coder generates HDL code for the subsystem. When you select IP Core, HDL Coder generates IP core for the subsystem.	Available only for subsystems.
Settings	Opens HDL Coder configuration parameter settings.	Available for blocks or subsystems.
Navigate to Code	Navigates to the generated HDL code. For more information, see Navigate Between Simulink Model and HDL Code by Using Traceability.	Enabled when both code and a traceability report have been generated for the block or subsystem.
Open Report	Opens the HDL Code generation report options.	Available for blocks or subsystems
HDL Workflow Advisor	Opens the HDL Workflow Advisor for the subsystem.	Available only for subsystems.

HDL Block Properties Dialog Box

You can set block-specific implementations and parameters by using the HDL Block Properties dialog box. HDL Coder provides selectable alternative block implementations for many block types. Each implementation is optimized for different characteristics, such as speed or chip area.

Most block implementations support several implementation parameters that let you control further details of code generation for the block.

This image shows the HDL Properties dialog box for a block.

There are several ways to specify implementations and implementation parameters for individual blocks or groups of blocks. See Set and View HDL Model and Block Parameters.