SB2SL (SB2SL)

SB2SL

Using SB2SL

Before translating a SystemBuild model, you must save it in ASCII format (usually with a file extension .xmd). SB2SL does not support translation of binary SystemBuild files.

To start SB2SL, type

sb2sl

at the MATLAB command prompt.

This opens the main SB2SL graphical user interface (GUI) and an associated message window.

Figure 1: The Main SB2SL GUI and the Message Window

Loading a SystemBuild Model into SB2SL

Choose Open from the File menu in the main window to load a SystemBuild model. This opens a file browser from which you can select a SystemBuild model file. Once you select the name of a SystemBuild file in the browser, SB2SL:

Opens the file
Loads all of the parameters into the MATLAB workspace
Lists the names of all the SuperBlocks in your model in a listbox

You can follow along with this tutorial by loading the .xmd file, sbpend.xmd, included with SB2SL.

Hint:
To locate the directory from which to browse for sbpend.xmd, type

which sbpend.xmd

at the MATLAB command line.

Selecting SystemBuild SuperBlocks

You can use SB2SL to convert SystemBuild SuperBlocks to Simulink models at any level in the SystemBuild hierarchy. To begin the process of Superblock conversion, select the name of a top level SuperBlock you want to convert from the list in the main SB2SL GUI. This action highlights all SuperBlock names referenced by the selected SuperBlock.

Alternatively, you can display the SuperBlocks in a tree-like file structure by selecting Tree from the Windows menu on the main GUI. This opens the Model Tree Structure window. From this window, you can use your mouse to select the SuperBlock you want to convert to a Simulink diagram.

If you right-click on a SuperBlock icon, a window opens that contains additional information related to that SuperBlock (type, number of blocks, etc.).

Figure 2: Model Tree Structure and SuperBlock Information Windows

Selecting a SuperBlock Partition for Conversion

A SystemBuild model can contain data in separate partitions associated with each SuperBlock. When you load a SystemBuild model into SB2SL, all associated partitions are loaded into the MATLAB workspace as MATLAB structures. When you use SB2SL to convert a SuperBlock into Simulink, you must select the partition from which to reference the data for building the Simulink model. To choose the desired data partition, select Partition from the Build menu on the main SB2SL GUI.

This opens the following window.

Select the partition you want your Simulink model to use, and press Apply.

Converting SuperBlocks to Simulink Models

Before converting your SuperBlock to a Simulink model, there are several options you can set for building the model and recording the translation. See "Setting Translation Options" for more information.

You are ready to convert your model to Simulink once you have:

Selected the top level SuperBlock and the partition you want to translate
Set any desired translation options

To begin the translation, select the Convert button on the main SB2SL GUI. This begins the translation process and the resulting Simulink model is opened when it is finished. During the translation:

The progress bar beneath the Convert button on the main SB2SL GUI slides toward completion.
The message window displays actions describing the translation.

Once you convert your model to Simulink, some blocks on the Simulink diagram may be labeled Unconverted. See "Blocks Not Converted to Simulink" and "Suggestions for Handling Unconverted Blocks" for information about Unconverted blocks.

Figure 3: Simulink Model for sbpend.xmd

Compiling Converted BlockScript

When you convert using SB2SL, SystemBuild BlockScript blocks are translated into C code and placed into Simulink S-functions automatically. Choose Compile under the Build menu of the main SB2SL GUI to open the Source Files window. This window lists the S-functions generated by the translated SystemBuild BlockScript.

From Source Files window:

Select the files you want compiled
Select the Compile button, and MATLAB's standard mex command compiles these C code S-functions.

For more information on MATLAB's MEX-file capability and Simulink S-functions, see the MATLAB Application Program Interface Guide or Writing S-Functions.

Saving Translated Models and Data

Once the translation is complete, select the Save submenu under the File menu in the main SB2SL GUI to save either your model or your data:

Select Model under the Save submenu to save the Simulink model to a file so that it can be reloaded directly from MATLAB and Simulink.
Select Data under the Save submenu to save the model data read from the SystemBuild file during the translation.

Note:
You can set the PreLoadFcn callback on the Simulink block diagram to reload the model data file the next time the Simulink model is opened. See Using Simulink for details on model callbacks.

Generating a Report

You can generate a report recording the details of your translation after you convert a model with SB2SL. There are several options you may want to set beforehand. See "Report Generation Options" for information on these options.

To generate a report with the default option settings, select Report from the Build menu after converting your model.

Setting Translation Options

Before you convert your SystemBuild model to Simulink, you can set options for:

Building the Simulink models
Generating reports from the translation
Converting the reports to various text formats

Translation Build Options

To set the translation build options select the Options menu under Build in the main SB2SL GUI.

You have the following build options available:

Fit system to view
- Select this option to scale the model to fit the window size.
- Don't select this option if you want to use the original block sizes.
Add Terminator and Ground blocks

Select this option to terminate unconnected block inputs or outputs with Simulink Terminator or Ground blocks.

Avoid block crossing

Select this option to minimize crossing blocks with signal lines in the Simulink model resulting from SB2SL translation.

Ignore output posting for triggered SuperBlocks

When you select this option:

All triggered SystemBuild outputs are posted in "as soon as finished (SAF)" mode.
Triggered SuperBlocks assigned to "after timing requirement (ATR)" and "at next trigger (ANT)" output posting modes are ignored.

Convert idle SuperBlocks
Optimize translated model

When you select this option, SB2SL maximizes the use of standard Simulink blocks when translating the following SystemBuild blocks:

Data store blocks
Algebraic/Logical expression blocks
Integrator blocks

Report Generation Options

You can use report generation options to select those portions of the SystemBuild data you want to include in a report. Select the Report tab on the Translator Options window to access these options.

Report Formatting Options

You have the following options for specifying the format of generated reports:

Output format (HTML, RTF, or TeX)
Style
- Single or multipage output for the HTML format
- Standard, simple, or large type print for the RTF or TeX formats
A checkbox you can select to display the report once it is generated

Select the Report Format tab on the Translator Options window to access these options.

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