Control Toolchain

Analysis, Design, and Code Generation

NgEK, Inc. is adept at leveraging the MATLAB software suite for systems modeling, analysis, embedded software prototyping, production development, and software unit test. We have worked through several complex projects from end-to-end, from initial plant modeling all the way through production code deployment, using these tools and have developed complementary scripts, block sets, style guides, and other tool extensions required for a truly seamless and robust process. While we do utilize and extend the toolchain to achieve a total process solution, we believe strongly in a minimal toolchain for production processes. As such, we tend to be very frugal in which tool features we choose to employ.

Revision Control and Tracking

At its core, the model-based development environment we work in, Simulink, is a graphical programming language. As with any programming language, good software architecture and source control are essential for efficient collaborative development. While we have experience with a variety of commercially available version control packages, we are currently having great success with the Open-Source CVS solution in conjunction with the SourceForge project tracking suite. Simulink diagram and related script changes are managed within a CVS version control repository linked to the SourceForge database of project tasks, bug reports, etc. SourceForge acts as a communications tool between the team and project management as detailed work is accomplished throughout the design.

Datalink Communications

Vector CANtech's CANape and related tools are widely used as a means of interfacing with embedded software for performance visualization. The NgEK, Inc. toolchain and process integrates seamlessly with Vector's suite of tools, and can be made to communicate with other datalink solutions.