Can I use the same test cases for both a fixed-point and floating-point model in Simulink Test?

I am doing model-in-loop (normal simulation) and software-in-loop testing on my models (codegen). Previously, I have been working with floating-point models and am now moving to work with fixed-point models. I am interested in knowing how Simulink Test supports signal and parameter scaling for fixed-point models in SIL workflows, and whether I need to provide parameter scaling and offsets for floating-point to fixed-point conversion of model inputs and outputs. I am familiar with using A2L files to do parameter scaling and offsets for fixed-point data conversion when running tests at the test bench with SIL workflows with other test tools. The input stimulus and expected outputs for my tests are pulled from an external Excel file.

When Simulink Test is used to manage test cases with an external Excel file to provide the input stimulus and expected outputs, and to manage parameter override, all signals and parameters are also in engineering units. This works OK with MIL testing since model is also in the engineering domain. However, the generated code is in integer world, and the SIL simulation takes integer values for inputs and outputs. What can be done in Simulink Test and/or the Excel file so the same test cases can be re-used for both MIL and SIL? Simulink Test should play the role of the Calibration/Test tool and somehow allow the user to specify the scaling and offset so as to unify both worlds."

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

Simulink Test supports fixed-point models in both MIL and SIL workflows, and the "Test from Spreadsheet" workflow will enable you to achieve your verification goals for fixed-point models using Simulink Test.

You can use Test Manager to create MAT-file and Microsoft® Excel® data files to use as inputs to test cases. This involves generating a template that contains the signal names and the times, and then entering the data.

Creating a data file also adds the file to the list of available input files for the test case. After you add input data, you can then select the file to use in your test case.

Selecting the Add an iteration that runs this input check box adds an iteration to the test case under Table Iterations and assigns the input file to it.

For more detailed documentation on the "Test from Spreadsheet" workflow, you can run the following command in the MATLAB R2020b command window:

>> web(fullfile(docroot, 'sltest/ug/create-data-files-to-use-as-test-inputs.html'))

For further information regarding the current release, please follow the link below:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/