dSPACE TargetLink

TargetLink is a powerful software solution for generating highly efficient C code for electronic control units (ECUs) and domain controllers directly from MathWorks® Simulink®/Stateflow®. It is an essential tool for model-based embedded production software and systems development.

TargetLink offers a wide range of C code generation options, from plain ANSI C to optimized fixed- or floating-point code for AUTOSAR platforms. It also supports C++ code generation for Adaptive AUTOSAR. The tool includes software design features, built-in code optimization, simulation, and testing functionalities, enabling rapid verification and optimization of generated results. TargetLink integrates seamlessly with other dSPACE tools and third-party solutions, forming the TargetLink Ecosystem.

Key Application Areas:

• E-mobility and electric drives
• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
• Highly automated and autonomous vehicles
• Comfort electronics

Key Benefits & Features:

• Automatic Code Generation: Generates highly efficient C code from Simulink®/Stateflow®, automatically updating all impacted lines when changes are made. This allows developers to focus on the application, with early verification through built-in simulation and testing leading to faster turnaround times and reduced costs.
• Automotive Standards Support: Deeply integrated into the automotive industry, TargetLink provides excellent AUTOSAR support for workflows and code quality. It also supports standards like ASAM MCD-2 MC (ASAP2), target support for µCs, coding standards such as MISRA-C, and exchange formats like FMI, ensuring smooth integration into vehicles.
• Certifications: Built for safety-critical systems, TargetLink is recertified annually by TÜV Süd for ISO 26262 up to ASIL-D. It is also suitable for other standards like ISO 25119, IEC 61508, or DO-178C due to a rigorous development approach.
• Developer-Centric Design: TargetLink provides professional software developers with control over the generated code, enabling them to extract maximum performance, optimize for specific µCs, and achieve significant savings by potentially postponing controller upgrades.
• Strong Partner Tools: Integrates within the TargetLink Ecosystem, working with various dSPACE and third-party tools.

Functionality Overview:

• Code Efficiency: Generates efficient fixed-point or floating-point production code directly from Simulink®/Stateflow®.
• Code Reliability: Produces consistent, deterministic translations of models into stress-tested C code, avoiding errors.
• Human Readability: Generates concise, readable code for easy code reviews.
• Automatic Scaling: Utilizes intelligent scaling based on worst-case propagation and simulation, shortening the scaling process.
• Test Mechanisms: Offers various test levels (MIL, SIL, PIL) to test production code against specifications.
• Incremental Code Generation: Modular code generation for specific subsystems speeds up code generation and preserves approved code.
• Model Referencing Support: Facilitates modular model development and efficient handling of large models.
• Multirate Code: Full support for multirate systems with intertask communication.
• TargetLink Data Dictionary: Centralized management of variables, data structures, scaling formulas, tasks, and functions for complex data planning.
• Compliance with Standards: Adheres to standards like ASAM-MCD 2MC (ASAP2), AUTOSAR, and MISRA for guaranteed quality and interoperability.
• Calibration Data Generation: Exports calibration data as ASAM-MCD 2MC (ASAP2) files for calibration tools.
• Documentation: Provides automatic model and code documentation for project transparency.
• AUTOSAR Software Component (SWC) Container Exchange: Enables safe and convenient round trips for AUTOSAR software development with SystemDesk.
• Component-Based Development: Innovative interface concept for ports, measurement signals, and calibration parameters to increase software reuse.
• Connection to dSPACE VEOS: Exports virtual ECUs from TargetLink for simulation in VEOS.
• FMI Support: Exports Functional Mock-up Units (FMUs) for execution with various simulators.
• On-Target Bypassing: Integrates new functions directly into existing ECUs for a seamless transition from prototyping to series production.