Updated blocks simplify sophisticated algorithm design

14th January 2014

Staff Reporter

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Updated to include multi-rate and interrupt-capable device blocks, Version 3.30 of Microchip's MPLAB Device Blocks for Simulink has been announced. Designed to simplify complex designs using Microchip’s dsPIC30 and dsPIC33 DSCs, the software provides a set of user interfaces to MathWorks’ Simulink graphical environment for simulation and model-based design, where code for the application is generated, compiled and loaded onto a target dsPIC DSC in a single, one-click step.

There is a free edition available for up to seven I/O ports that eliminates the compile wait time found on prior Free editions. Existing users can upgrade to the new PRO edition for free. The device blocks provide complete, model-based control of most dsPIC DSC on-chip peripherals for greater flexibility and higher utilization, including digital I/Os, ADCs, PWMs, change notifications, output compares, input captures, quadrature encoder interfaces, interrupts and resets, as well as communication interfaces such as I²C^™, SPI and UARTs. Additionally, designers can monitor, tune and log their algorithms and applications in real time, via a GUI.

The blocks are easy to set up, with one configuration which can be used across all dsPIC DSCs. This enables easy in-process design changes and seamless migration. Target configuration blocks include Master Block, Simulink Reset Config, Compiler Option and Data Sheet. The Device Blocks’ facility to invoke dsPIC3X dedicated functions written in C, via a C function-call block, allows designers to write less code by utilizing many of Microchip’s numerous application, algorithm and operation libraries directly from a Simulink model.

Available for download today, the PRO edition (SW007023) is priced at $1495, and existing users can upgrade for free.