Executing Simulink models on FPGA in a LabVIEW environment

Abstract: This paper describes the tools, methods and problems of converting Simulinkmodels to IP blocks for FPGA and run them in the LabVIEW FPGA environ-ment. The conversion from Simulink models is performed with MathworksSimulink HDL Coder, Xilinx System Generator and by manually writingHDL code to investigate the different aspects of the workflow.A proof-of-concept model is implemented with different parts convertedwith different methods. The analysis show that the automatic tools are usefulfor quickly implementing and verifying DSP models. It is also noticed thatthe tools in many cases produce suboptimal code and in these cases hand-written code is the only option. The target platform, National InstrumentscompactRIO, is considered useful as there are high-level communication read-ily available, simplifying the integration with other components. The biggestproblem with the RIO platforms is the lack of control a developer has, oncethe IP is inserted in the LabVIEW FPGA design flow.