Department of Robotics and 

Mechatronics 

 

Vision Systems  

Subject: Lab1_ Introduction to Rapid Prototyping and frame-grabber card 
programming using DS1003 board with signal processor. 

Main objective of this exercise is to acquaint with: rapid prototyping technology, 
frame grabber card cooperating with DS1003 board equipped with signal processor 
and to make skilled at programming basic image pre-processing algorithms. 

Lecturer: dr inż. Piotr KOHUT 

Group: 

 

Name and Surname: 

Date: 

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1.  The purpose of exercise  

 
Main objective of this exercise is to acquaint with: rapid prototyping technology, 

frame grabber card cooperating with DS1003 board equipped with signal processor 
and to make skilled at programming basic image pre-processing algorithms. 

The great advantage of rapid prototyping control system with using vision 
information is applying signal processor with large design power and automatic 

programming. The automatic built process is composed of generating controller 
code, in C language, directly from Simulink block diagram and automatic 
compilation, linking and object file downloading to processor memory in real time. 

Automatic code generation and direct DSP access with Matlab are key features of the 
rapid prototyping. This solution allows creation of new control algorithms very easy 
and fast. They are implemented and tested, in the same way, before the physical 
prototype of control system will be built. The coupling of hardware-software 

programming environment Matlab/Simulink/dSPACE makes possible to iteratilly 
testing of the obtained application 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

All procedures (image pre-processing and frame-

grabber programming) are written as Simulink S-
function in C language. An S-function is a computer 
language description of a dynamic system, and allows 

to add algorithms to Simulink models. C language S-
functions are compiled as MEX-files and are 
dynamically linked into Matlab when needed. S-

functions are incorporated into Simulink models by 

using the S-Function block in the Nonlinear Block sublibrary. Such block provides 
access to S-functions from a block diagram . An advantage of using S-functions is 

possibility to build a general purpose block, which can be used many times in a 
model, varying parameters with each instance of the block.  

The dSPACE Real-Time Interface (RTI) connects The MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Real-
Time Workshop (RTW) with dSPACE´s real-time system to form an integrated ready-
to-use development enviroment for real-time applications. It provides for an 

automatic and seamless implementation of SIMULINK graphical models on dSPACE 
real-time hardware systems for hardware-in-the-loop simulation and controller 
prototyping. Any kind of SIMULINK model for wich code can be generated by means 

of the RTW can be implemented by the RTI, including continuous-time, discret-time, 
and hybrid systems. With the additional MATLAB DSP blockset also digital signal 
processing, and frequency domain applications can run in the RTI environment. 

2. 

Exercises (Read instruction: Lab1_RapidProtot_Build.pdf)

 

 
Develop real time application and work out in the form of report each consecutive steps during 
building real time application: 
 

1.  Draw scheme and describe the laboratory stand (camera, frame-grabber, DS1003 board, 

stress and explain interfaces between hardware, which modules communicate by ISA 
and which by PHS bus). 

2.  Work out in details each consecutive steps during building real time application. 
3.  Develop S-function C-MEX and explain how C language S-functions are compiled as 

MEX-files and are dynamically linked into Matlab when needed. 

4.  Describe meaning RTW, RTI, MLIB  modules.  
5.  Describe the meaning of each S-function mdl <> model function. 
6.  Describe and explain in details contents of mdlOutput. 
7.  Describe procedures of image pre-processing and register settings for frame-grabber 

programming  

8.  Describe and explain in details implemented S-functions in C language, describe used 

data type. 

9. 

Illustrate example of using ControlDesk (virtual instrument panel that enables you to 
change parameters and monitor signals) and explain how to create simple application 
(step-by-step)

 

10. 

From Matlab to all variables and parameters in DSP by MLIB access is possible. 
Describe MLIB function and m-files allowing for this communication