Getting Started with Simulink Coder Support Package for BBC micro:bit

This example uses:

Open Model

This example shows you how to use Simulink® Coder™ Support Package for BBC micro:bit to run a Simulink® model on a BBC micro:bit.

Introduction

Simulink Coder Support Package for BBC micro:bit enables you to create and run Simulink models on a BBC micro:bit. The support package includes a library of Simulink blocks for configuring and accessing BBC micro:bit peripherals and communication interfaces.

In this example you learn how to configure a simple Simulink model to generate code for BBC micro:bit and run the generated code on the board.

Prerequisites

Required Hardware

To run this example you need this hardware:

  • BBC micro:bit

  • USB type A to Mini-B cable

Task 1 - Connect a BBC micro:bit to Host Machine

Connect the BBC micro:bit to your development machine.

1. Plug in a Mini USB cable from a USB port on the development machine to the USB connector on the BBC micro:bit. The BBC micro:bit comes with the mass-storage device (MSD) Flash Programmer OpenSDA Application preinstalled.

2. Before using the BBC micro:bit, install the mbed Serial Driver (see Download and Install mbed Windows Serial Port Driver).

The device appears as a removable storage drive with a volume label of BBC micro:bit.

Task 2 - Review BBC micro:bit Support Package Block Library

1. Open the Library Browser and navigate to Simulink Coder Support Package for BBC micro:bit.

2. In the LED Library, double-click the 5x5 LED Matrix block. Review the block mask, which contains a description of the block and block inputs for the associated 5x5 LED Matrix.

Task 3 - Create a Model for BBC micro:bit

Create a Simulink model that sets the image on the 5x5 LED Matrix.

1. In MATLAB, select HOME > New > Simulink Model. Under Simulink, select Blank Model > Create Model.

2. From the BBC micro:bit block library, add a 5x5 LED Matrix block to the model.

3. Add a Constant block to the model. Set the value of Constant block to a 5x5 Matrix pattern. For example, for the letter "X" pattern, set the value to [ 1 0 0 0 1;0 1 0 1 0;0 0 1 0 0;0 1 0 1 0;1 0 0 0 1]

4. Connect the Constant block to the input of 5x5 LED Matrix block.

Task 4 - Configure and Run the Model on BBC micro:bit

Configure and run the model on the BBC micro:bit.

1. Connect the BBC micro:bit to your development computer with a USB cable.

2. In the Simulink model window, on the Modeling tab, click Model Settings.

3. When the Configuration Parameters dialog box opens, navigate to the Hardware Implementation pane.

  • Set the Hardware board parameter to BBC micro:bit.

  • On the Target Hardware Resources pane, Set the Build action to Build, load and run to automatically download the generated binary file on to the connected BBC micro:bit.

4. Navigate to the Solver pane and set the Solver parameter to discrete (no continuous states).

5. Click OK.

6. In Simulink model window, on the Hardware tab, click Build, Deploy & Start. The model is deployed to the BBC micro:bit.

7. Observe that the input pattern is displayed in the 5x5 LED Matrix.

8. Save your model.

Other Things to Try with RGB LED Block

  • Create and run a model that displays different Smiley patterns.

  • Create and run a model that can blink the pattern (use other Simulink blocks also).

Summary

This example introduced the workflow for creating an algorithm from a Simulink model and then running it on BBC micro:bit. In this example you learned that Simulink Coder Support Package for BBC micro:bit provides blocks for configuring, reading from, and writing to BBC micro:bit peripherals.