Can I use protected models with Simulink Real-Time?

I am receiving some components from a supplier who can only send me protected models, and I want to run these models using Simulink Real-Time. When I try to build the model and connect to the target, however, I see one of the following errors:

Target in protected model <model name> does not match target of model that references it 'speedgoat'.
Regenerate protected model with correct target to continue.

Target in protected model <model name> does not match target of model that references it 'slrealtime'.
Regenerate protected model with correct target to continue.

Target slrt unsupported for protected model <model name>

How can I fix this? Is there any way I can use protected models with Simulink Real-Time?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

You can use protected models with Simulink Real-Time, although there are some limitations:

1. You cannot use protected models in External Mode in releases before R2023b. For more information, see: Can I run a Simulink model that references a Protected Model in External Mode?
2. There are several (mainly hardware functionality-related blocks) in SLRT that are non-inlined S-functions, and these blocks cannot be inside a protected model.
3. You need a Simulink Real-Time license to create a protected model that can be run with Simulink Real-Time.

One reason that could cause the error is if the protected model is not set to have the correct code generation target. To create a protected model that can be run with Simulink Real-Time, in the Configuration Parameters of the protected model under Code Generation > System target file, one of the options below should be selected, depending on the MATLAB release. If it is set to something else, this could be the cause of the error.

• speedgoat.tlc (R2024a or later)
• slrealtime.tlc (R2020b through R2023b)
• slrt.tlc (R2020a and earlier)

If the model has already been protected, then you can add another target with the 'Simulink.ProtectedModel.addTarget' function. An example for the same can be found here:  Create Protected Models with Multiple Targets

ALTERNATIVE WORKFLOW: If Simulink Real-Time is not available, but the model creator has access to Simulink Compiler, an alternative approach is to export the model as a standalone FMU. See: How can I run my Simulink model containing an FMU on Speedgoat hardware with Simulink Real-Time (SLRT)?