With TargetLink, you can convert graphical models directly from Simulink® into highest-quality production code.

Automatic Code Generation

TargetLink generates high-quality C/ C++ code automatically while you focus on your application.

Automotive standards

TargetLink provides high-performance Classic and Adaptive AUTOSAR support. 

Certifications

TargetLink is certified for functional safety standards like ISO 26262, ISO 25119, and IEC 61508.

Fits the developer's needs

Built for the needs of software developers and proven in millions of vehicles worldwide.

What is TargetLink?

TargetLink is software that generates highly efficient C code for electronic control units (ECUs) and domain controllers straight from MathWorks® Simulink®/Stateflow®, making TargetLink an essential tool for your model-based embedded production software and systems development.

The C code generation options in TargetLink range from plain ANSI C code to optimized fixed- or floating-point code for AUTOSAR platforms. By supporting Adaptive AUTOSAR, TargetLink supports C++ code generation. Moreover, TargetLink comes with software design features as well as built-in code optimization, simulation, and testing functionalities so that you can quickly verify and optimize your generated results. TargetLink interacts smoothly with other tools from dSPACE and with tools from other vendors, which together form the TargetLink Ecosystem. 

Application Areas

TargetLink lets you develop production software for ECUs and domain controllers in the automotive industry and further fields, covering applications such as:

  • E-mobility and electric drives
  • Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)
  • Highly automated and autonomous vehicles
  • Comfort electronics

... and many more.

Get exactly the code you want - With TargetLink!

Be Inspired by the Capabilities of TargetLink

TargetLink in application: Get to know what TargetLink contributed to our customer's projects. 

Discover all success stories!

Key Benefits & Features of TargetLink

Automatic Code Generation

  • TargetLink generates highly efficient C code straight from MathWorks® Simulink®/Stateflow®. Automatic code generation also means that if you make a change that impacts more than one line of code TargetLink updates all those lines automatically. As a result, you can now focus on the actual application. Early verification through the built-in simulation and testing features leads to faster turnaround times and lower costs.

Automotive Standards

  • TargetLink is deeply rooted in the automotive industry. We therefore attach great importance to supporting the relevant standards. Above all, this includes excellent AUTOSAR support, both in terms of workflows and the quality of the generated code. Other standards such as ASAM MCD-2 MC (ASAP2), target support for µCs, support for coding standards such as MISRA-C, and exchange formats such as FMI are also included. We ensure that integration into the vehicle runs smoothly!

Certifications

  • We build TargetLink for the development of safety-critical systems. For more than 15 years, TÜV Süd confirms this every year by recertifying TargetLink for ISO 26262 for all ASIL levels up to ASIL-D. But of course, TargetLink is also suitable for other standards, such as ISO 25119, IEC 61508 or DO-178C, thanks to our consistent and rigorous development approach.

Fits the developer's needs

  • TargetLink is more than a code generator for Simulink. It is a tool for professional software developers who need and want control over the generated code. They get the last bit of performance out of the model, optimize the code for specific µCs, and achieve significant savings thanks to TargetLink, because an upgrade to the next larger controller can be postponed thanks to software optimization with TargetLink.

Strong Partner Tools

  • TargetLink Ecosystem
    TargetLink Ecosystem

    Get to know the TargetLink Ecosystem within several dSPACE and third-party tools.

What our customers say

More In-depth Information about TargetLink

Functionality Overview

Feature Description Benefit
Code efficiency Efficient fixed-point or floating-point production code directly from Simulink®/Stateflow® (with support for included MATLAB code, see optional module) Your specifications – models and diagrams – are directly translated into efficient C code
Code reliability Consistent, deterministic translations of models into stress-tested C code Errors such as typing errors, oversights, misunderstandings are avoided
Human readability    
 
Concise, yet readable code Code reviews are easy to perform
Automatic scaling Intelligent scaling based on worst-case propagation of signal ranges and simulation-based scaling Shortens the time-consuming and error-prone scaling process
Test mechanisms Various test levels to test the production code against the specification (MIL, SIL, PIL) Malfunctions are found at the earliest stage
Incremental code generation Modular code generation, i.e., for specific subsystems Faster code generation, preserving approved code
Model referencing support Developing models on a modular/component basis Distributed development by large teams is much easier, and large models can be handled more efficiently.
Multirate code Full support of multirate systems with intertask communication You can define tasks at block level
TargetLink Data Dictionary Central container to handle variables, data structures, scaling formulas, tasks, functions You can manage complex data to plan and structure your projects
Compliance with standards Compliance with relevant standards such as ASAM-MCD 2MC (ASAP2), AUTOSAR, and MISRA Quality and interoperability guaranteed
Calibration data generation Calibration data exported as ASAM-MCD 2MC (ASAP2) file for calibration tools Automated and complete process with perfect consistency between model and calibration data
Documentation Automatic model and code documentation Your projects are transparent and trackable
AUTOSAR software component (SWC) container exchange Exchanging AUTOSAR SWC containers between TargetLink and SystemDesk Safe and convenient round trips for AUTOSAR software development.
Access to SystemDesk simulation for proper software integration testing.
Component-based development Innovative interface concept for ports, measurement signals and calibration parameters Easily increase software reuse across different projects
Connection to dSPACE VEOS Export virtual ECUs from TargetLink and run them in VEOS in combination with other virtual ECUs and standard dSPACE tools like ControlDesk Easy testing and experimenting with TargetLink code
FMI support Export of Functional Mock-up Units (FMUs) from TargetLink models based on the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard Execution of TargetLink-generated code with offline and real-time simulators from third parties and dSPACE
On-Target Bypassing Integrating new functions directly into existing ECUs (using TargetLink and dSPACE ECU interface software) Seamless transition from prototyping to series production.
No need to perform complex software integration.

 

TargetLink Module Overview

Required Products

Integrated development environment
  • MathWorks MATLAB®/Simulink®/Stateflow®
  • Compiler for host simulation included in MATLAB
Operating system www.dspace.com/go/os_compatibility

 

Optional Products

  • SystemDesk
    SystemDesk

    Modeling system architecture and generating virtual ECUs.

  • Model Compare
    Model Compare

    Comparing MathWorks® Simulink®, Stateflow®, and dSPACE TargetLink models.

  • VEOS
    VEOS

    Platform for PC-based simulation of models and ECU network communication.

  • dSPACE AUTOSAR Compare
    dSPACE AUTOSAR Compare

    Comparison of two versions of AUTOSAR artifacts.

  • MicroAutoBox III
    MicroAutoBox III

    Compact and robust in-vehicle prototyping system.

  • ConfigurationDesk
    ConfigurationDesk

    For scenarios that use dSPACE realtime systems and TargetLink.

  • ECU Interface Base Package
    ECU Interface Base Package

    Tool chain for On-Target Bypassing.

  • dSPACE Internal Bypassing Service
    dSPACE Internal Bypassing Service

    Using an existing ECU for function development.

TargetLink Engineering Services

Our engineering portfolio includes special TargetLink customer services, for example: 
  • Hands-on support during introduction of TargetLink
  • Support during evaluations and pilot projects
  • Customer-specific TargetLink training
  • Integrating TargetLink into your development processes
  • Model analysis and advice
  • Support for developing Classic and Adaptive AUTOSAR-compliant software and integrating Classic AUTOSAR software components
  • Support for integrating the generated code in the ECU’s software environment
  • Tool chain development and maintenance
  • Process consulting

In use: See what TargetLink can do and what you can achieve with it.

Success stories

Inspiring user applications developed with TargetLink.

All Articles

Videos

Explore our TargetLink videos.

Videos

Product News

TargetLink 2023-B 

New and improved features for better modeling and more efficient code generation.

  • The SOLE (Systems of Linear Equations) Solver block becomes part of the TargetLink block library
  • Dynamic selection of variables at Data Store Read and Data Store Write blocks
  • Smooth transition from classic initialization mode to simplified initialization mode
  • More C++ constructs: enumeration class data types, static casts, and namespaces on the module level
  • Providing text-based DD files in the DDJSON format for better handling of DD files in version control systems like Git or in model-as-code workflows

Read More

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