[S32K312 External Mode Issue] Monitor & Tune Fails to Connect

[Berke_E]

Hello,

I am working with an S32K312 Evaluation Board and the NXP Model-Based Design Toolbox for MATLAB/Simulink. I can successfully build and deploy my application to the board—my code runs as expected, and I can see the results. However, when I try to use external mode example project and click the “Monitor & Tune” button, I consistently receive an error stating that Simulink cannot connect to the target. 

I have already checked the following:

1. The correct COM port is selected under Model Configuration Parameters > Hardware Implementation > Target Hardware Resources > External Mode.
2. The correct configuration project template is selected under Model Configuration Parameters > Hardware Implementation > Target Hardware Resources > Hardware
3. Drivers for OpenSDA/PEmicro appear to be installed correctly (no errors in Device Manager).
4. The board is powered.

Could anyone suggest additional steps, configuration details, or known workarounds for getting External Mode to function on the S32K312? Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[stefanvlad · Accepted solution]

Hi @Berke_E ,

I have tried to replicate the steps in s32k3xx_extmode_ebt_example_readme.html, please follow along:

1. Open the s32k3xx_extmode_ebt model and go to Hardware Settings -> Target hardware resources -> Select Configuration Project Template to be S32K312-Q172 EB Tresos: 

Screenshot 2025-02-24 180923.png

2. Then this Warning Dialog will appear on screen and click OK:

Screenshot 2025-02-24 181312.png

3. Then go to External Mode and select the Serial port of your board, press Refresh:

Screenshot 2025-02-24 181607.png

4. The serial com port must match the K312 boards OpenSDA as in Device Manager, in my case is COM12:

Screenshot 2025-02-24 182611.png

5. Click on Apply and OK, to close Configuration Parameters.

6. Press Monitor & Tune in Simulink, wait 1-2 minutes, then the Blue LED will toggle on the K312 board.

7. Open the Scope output and see the sinusoidal shape:

Screenshot 2025-02-24 182049.png

 

These steps are from the s32k3xx_extmode_ebt_example_readme.html , that my colleague @Irina_Costachescu  mentioned above,

Hope this helps,

Stefan V.

[Irina_Costachescu]

Hi @Berke_E 

All the steps required to run External Mode are described in the readme file associated to the model, under the Prepare the Demo section.

For being able to provide more guidance, could you please share with us the hardware setup that you are using? For External Mode you need to enable a Serial Connection via the USB port specified in the application model help file. Based on your point 1. I understand that this connection is established already.

Also, based on point 2. I understand that your model is already configured to address an S32K312 processor?

Thanks,

Irina