Table of Contents
This note gives step-by-step instructions to install the Software Development Kit (SDK) for the Automated Code Generation (ACG) from Simulink and PLECS.
Recommended articles related to the ACG workflow are shown below. A series of video tutorials is also available with similar content.
| Step | Documentation | Videos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Software installation | Installation guide for the ACG SDK PN133 | N/A | |
| 2. Getting started | Getting started with the ACG SDK PN134 | Create the model Video 1 | |
| 3. Running simulations | Simulation essentials with Simulink PN135 | Simulation essentials with PLECS PN137 | Simulate it Video 2 |
| 4. Device programming | Programming and operating imperix controllers PN138 | Generate code Video 3 | |
| 5. Monitoring | Cockpit user guide PN300 | ||
Required software
| ACG SDK used with | Simulink | PLECS |
|---|---|---|
| Imperix tools | Imperix ACG SDK | Imperix ACG SDK |
| Main simulation software | Matlab Simulink | PLECS |
| Plant simulation plug-in | - Simscape Electrical or - PLECS Blockset for Simulink | None required |
Licensing policy
| Software | Licensing policy |
|---|---|
| Imperix ACG SDK | Paid license for loading the generated code on a programmable controller. (see licensing policy on Licensing of imperix software) |
| Matlab Simulink | Paid license issued by MathWorks (trial version available). |
| PLECS standalone | Paid license issued by Plexim (trial version available). |
| PLECS blockset for Simulink | PLECS blockset: Paid license issued by Plexim (demo version available). |
| Simscape Electrical | Paid license issued by MathWorks. 1) |
1) The Specialized Power System (SPS) library will be removed in Matlab R2026a. Users will need to use Simscape Electrical instead. Upgrading models from SPS to Simscape Electrical can be done automatically, following instructions at mathworks.com/help/sps/ug/upgrade-sps-models-to-use-simscape-blocks.html.
Installing the software
In order to generate run-time code for the real-time controllers, and/or simulate the corresponding behavior, the necessary software must be installed on a computer (in general, in this order):
- The main simulation software (Matlab Simulink or PLECS).
- In case Simulink is used, for simulation: a plant simulation software (Simscape Electrical or PLECS blockset for Simulink). With PLECS, no extra simulation software is needed.
- Imperix ACG SDK.
Supported versions
| Product | Supported versions |
|---|---|
| Operating system | ≥ Windows 8 (not tested on Windows 7 - macOS not supported) |
| Matlab | ≥ R2016a |
| PLECS | ≥ 4.4.2 |
Imperix ACG SDK
The ACG SDK can be downloaded directly from imperix’s website, under Resources > Downloads.
Download the latest version and follow the installation instructions. It is highly recommended to keep the default destination folder C:\imperix\BB3_ACG_SDK and to avoid spaces or special characters in the pathname.
At the end of the installation procedure, the installer shows detected MATLAB installations as shown in the image below. Clicking Next opens the selected MATLAB instances and launches the script <install dir>\simulink\target\imperix_ACG_SDK_setup.m, which sets the imperix ACG SDK target path.
imperix_ACG_SDK_setup.m script can be manually executed from the MATLAB Command Window.
Main simulation software
[Option 1] Matlab Simulink
A compatible version of Matlab Simulink can be downloaded directly from MathWorks' website. The compatible versions are R2016a and newer.
To activate a Matlab installation, a paid license issued by MathWorks is needed. This license is neither provided nor sold by imperix.
When prompted (figure below), select the following products during the installation :
- Matlab Simulink
- Embedded Coder
- Matlab Coder
- Simulink Coder
They are the only mandatory packages to start working.
Mex compiler add-on
When installed, launch Matlab and make sure that a MEX compiler for C++ language is installed.
The list of available compilers can be displayed with the Matlab command mex -setup.
With recent Matlab versions, if no compiler is configured, MinGW-w64 can be installed directly from Matlab’s Add-Ons menu.
- On the MATLAB Home tab, in the Environment section, click Add-Ons > Get Add-Ons.
- Search for MinGW or select from Features.
Alternatively, download and execute the installer proposed in the Matlab article "MATLAB Support for MinGW-w64 C/C++ Compiler".
[Option 2] PLECS Standalone
A compatible version of PLECS Standalone Packages can be downloaded directly from Plexim’s website. The compatible versions are 4.4.2 and newer, in 64-bit.
Download link: https://www.plexim.com/download/standalone
To use PLECS with Imperix ACG SDK, a paid license is required. Both PLECS and PLECS Coder licenses are needed. These licenses are neither provided nor sold by imperix.
Installing “Imperix Controllers” support package on PLECS Standalone
In order to use Imperix library on PLECS standalone, “Imperix Controllers” support package needs to be installed.
- Launch PLECS and click on File > PLECS Preferences.
- In the Coder tab, change the Target support packages path and select the path to the “Imperix Controllers” support package installed with the Imperix ACG SDK.
- If the Imperix ACG SDK default destination was not changed, the target support package path is C:\imperix\BB3_ACG_SDK\plecs.
- Once the correct path is entered, the “Imperix Controllers” should appear under Installed targets.
Note: When using multiple Target Support packages (TSPs), PLECS requires that they are placed in the same folder. Therefore, the Imperix_Controllers support package folder in C:\imperix\BB3_ACG_SDK\plecs should be moved to any location on the computer, common with other TSPs.
Plant simulation
Although simulation software is not required to program imperix controllers, it is highly recommended to facilitate control development and pre-testing.
- In the Simulink environment, imperix recommends using MathWorks’ Simscape Electrical toolbox. Plexim’s PLECS Blockset for Simulink can also be used.
- In the PLECS environment, no additional library is required, as the electrical circuit components are part of the standard PLECS library.
In either environment, users can rely on the imperix Power library, which is part of the ACG SDK and includes simulation models of all imperix power products (power modules, passive components, sensors, etc.) to facilitate the development of their plant models.
Simscape Electrical
Simscape Electrical is a Simulink toolbox that allows modeling and simulating electrical power systems. It requires a paid license from MathWorks. The license is neither provided nor sold by imperix.
The Specialized Power Systems (SPS) library, a subcomponent of Simscape Electrical, is particularly convenient for modeling power systems, switching converters, and electrical machines. However, this library will be removed starting in Simulink R2026a, and users will need to use Simscape Electrical components instead.
Further reading
It is highly recommended to read the following pages
- Getting started with the imperix ACG SDK provides instructions for first-time users of the ACG SDK.
- Simulation essentials with Simulink guides the reader through offline simulation using ACG SDK and Simulink.
- Simulation essentials with PLECS guides the reader through offline simulation using ACG SDK and PLECS.
- Programming and operating imperix controllers addresses how to deploy the control code onto an imperix controller.
- Cockpit user guide (PN300) gives a full guide on how to use imperix Cockpit monitoring software.
Controller-specific getting-started instructions can be found in the following notes:
By Julien Orsinger • March 24, 2021 • PN134