Product information
Altair Embed
Visual environment for embedded systems
Altair Embed is a model-based embedded graphical environment. The schematics are automatically converted into compact and optimized code, which is essential for low-cost and high-speed sampling processors. The code can be verified, debugged, and tuned using an offline simulation before downloading it to the target microcontroller (MCU).
1. Benefits of using Altair Embed embedded programming software
Rapid development of control systems
Embed provides a complete toolkit for developing embedded control systems including software in the loop, processor in the loop, as well as simulation of hardware in the loop.
You can change the control scheme, compile and download microcontrollers that target the MCU in seconds. Then while the system is running, you can interactively update the control parameters.
Using powerful digital recording, buffering, and range block, you can gain a better understanding of the control algorithms deployed on the target MCU in real time.
No manual code required
Turning control diagrams into executable, real-time code used requires an experienced embedded software developer. With the Altair Embed code generator, a control design engineer can easily try out new algorithms on the target hardware without the need to write code manually.
Affordable and easy configurable solution
Embed embedding included in the base configuration already exists with most of the tools needed for embedded development including status charts, target support, fixed point algorithm, efficient code generator, dynamic library mechanical controls, and more. This provides an easy and affordable configurable development environment.
2. Altair Embed and outstanding features
Diagram to Code Code
Embed generates efficient and compact ANSI C code that is easy to read for discrete, continuous, and graphically generated hybrid systems.
Example: code generated for closed loop motor control - including a PI controller, digital output, PWM and encoder peripherals - runs at 300KHz on a 150 MHz F28335 MCU with capacitance 2095 bytes of memory for the code, 501 bytes for the initialization data, and 504 bytes for the uninitialized data.
Embed allows for easy integration of legacy and flexible portability into target hardware with fixed point codes and generated changepoint codes, with automated scaling, which can be compiled on any any platform with the target compiler.
The schematic significance allows users to easily configure execution of blocks using software / hardware timers, interrupts, and small / global scales. Users can also opt to use a highly efficient, royalty-free scheduling program with embedding or to make calls to an external RTOS.
The traceability between the diagram and the code makes it intuitive and easy to work on large diagrams with high volume numbers and possibly multiple layers of hierarchy.
Hardware interaction simulation
In the MCU-in-the-loop (MIL) simulation, the device model runs on the host computer in the embedded part while the control algorithm runs in real time on the target MCU.
Real-time communication between the target MCU and Embed is done through the JTAG quick link. Then continue using the embedded GUI while you adjust parameters and monitor real-time data transfers. Embed also supports a PIL synchronous communication mode that runs the target in a locking step with simulation, allowing for easy verification of embedded algorithms.
Status chart
Embed supports chart editing, simulation, and generation of OMG UML 2.1-compliant graphical state codes. Combined with the integrated C interpreter, this allows for the rapid and reliable development of complex control applications.
Extensive algorithm, fixed point
The fixed point block library allows you to perform simulations and generate efficient code for fixed point, scale operations. Overflow effects and accuracy are easy to see and correct at the time of the simulation. Auto-scaling of fixed point development, while inline code generation generates fast target code.
Support target hardware
Hardware agnostic Embed embeds with the ability to also expand to use target specific blocks for any embedded target. With its growing list of hardware support, Embed now supports micro controllers from Texas Instruments (C2000, MSP430 / Concerto), Atmel (Atmega 328/2560 / 32u4) which are commonly used in Arduino and support Generic MCU for expansion to other equivalent silicon.
Embed also offers device driver blocks including analog ADC, ePWM, eCAP (event capture), SPI, SCI (RS232 serial), I2C, digital GPIO, QEP (quadrature encoder) and CAN 2.0.
3. Add-ons in Embed
Embedded / digital designer
Provides a library of components and subsystem models suitable for digital source applications (including power converters, controllers, compensators, power, etc.).
Embed / Comm
Allows you to model end-to-end communications systems at signal or physical level. It provides fast and accurate solutions for analog, digital and mixed-mode communication systems.
