Why is Model-Based Design Important in Embedded Systems?

Why and how to adopt Model-based Design?

In today's world, it is very difficult to find a smart device without an embedded computer system inside. Embedded systems are the key, which differentiates products in terms of their features and functionalities. However, this benefit comes with a price. An embedded product undergoes a wide range of processes — designing the architecture, developing the platform with programming language and tools, integrating processors, peripherals, and software and lastly, testing compliance and functioning.

As the demand for compact devices increases, the sizes of processors and microchips keep shrinking, which requires the development of complex control systems. It is necessary to monitor the entire embedded control system and application design processes to optimize the overall system design. Here, the model-based design approach proves to be an effective and efficient means of understanding the product parts such as commercial microcontrollers and processors as well as algorithms and code for the working of both microelectronic and embedded devices. It helps address various difficulties and complexities, which arises during the lifecycle of embedded application software through visual prototyping and simulation of models.

Model-based design (MBD) performs in the simulation environment. It covers various disciplines, functional behavior, and cost/performance optimization to deploy a product from early concept of design to final validation and verification testing. Although many organizations use some form of modeling, some apply simulation in an ad hoc manner that does not take advantage of the potential verification benefits.

Why adopt Model-based Design?

The market demands embedded products that are highly customizable, life-long maintainable, recyclable and that can be disassembled, as well as which no longer follow any traditional design process models.

For embedded control and algorithm designers, the focus is on modeling, which has always been an essential part of the design process. The model-based design is a prominent change in . In this context, when MBD is used effectively, it provides a single design platform to optimize overall system design. It helps embedded software developers to understand the difference between simulator and software development tool in order to create simulation models and check whether algorithms will work before the embedded code is written. Through virtual prototyping, system engineers can easily see whether the whole system (mechanical, electrical, and embedded software) will work as intended, even before the hardware is manufactured and available for testing.

Model-based design is a recommended approach for embedded hardware design companies due to the following advantages it offers:

Enable the teams to verify the specification of overall system design in a shared simulation environmentEase in the positioning of controller design on PLC hardwareProvides new opportunities for engineering low-power controller products

Through simulation, engineers can also use the model-based design to solve a different design problem or in the next product development project in embedded systems. However, very few players implement MBD's end-to-end capability in the embedded industry. Apparently, there are some common challenges faced by the industry in order to address MBD implementation in the stage of design analysis or rapid prototyping of control algorithms of an embedded system.

Changes in organization workflowRequirement of strategical approach for migrating to Model based designCosts of implementation and knowledge acquisitionRequirement of new tools, resources, and processes

However, with appropriate planning, analysis, and resource allocation, the above challenges can be addressed to kick off an effective model-based design implementation.

How does a Model-based Design work?Establish MBD workflow within V-Cycle:

Leveraging the in the market of embedded application systems, embedded software can be developed using MBD for systems in aircraft avionics, digital motor controllers, medical devices, and much more.