Architecture and Integration

Overview

The EHANDBOOK Container-Build Toolbox for Simulink is a Simulink add-on that seamlessly integrates into the MATLAB/Simulink environment. It enables one-click generation of EHANDBOOK containers directly from Simulink models without requiring external tools or complex configuration.

How It Integrates with Simulink

Installation Method

The toolbox installs via the MATLAB Add-on Manager, following standard MATLAB extension patterns:

  1. User installs the toolbox from the Add-on Manager

  2. Toolbox registers itself with Simulink

  3. New menu items appear in the Simulink main menu

  4. Toolbox is ready to use immediately after installation

Toolbox Menu

Once installed, the toolbox adds a dedicated menu to Simulink’s main menu bar. This menu provides:

  • Generate Container: Initiates container generation for the currently open model

  • Open Container: Opens the recently generated container in EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR

  • Configuration options for generation preferences

Container Generation Workflow

The toolbox converts a Simulink model into an EHANDBOOK container through the following process:

Step Action

Input

Simulink model (.slx or .mdl format) currently open in Simulink

Processing

Toolbox analyzes the model structure: * Extracts hierarchy of subsystems * Generates interactive model diagrams * Creates EHANDBOOK container structure * Packages everything into .ehb format

Output

Complete EHANDBOOK container file placed in the same directory as the source model

Access

EHANDBOOK container can be opened in EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR for exploration

Role in the EHANDBOOK Ecosystem

The Toolbox is one of several ways to create EHANDBOOK containers:

  • Directory-Based Approach: Traditional method using folder structures and external Container-Build tool

  • ASAM-Based Approach: For automotive standard-compliant setups

  • Toolbox for Simulink: Direct integration for Simulink users (fastest, least configuration)

All approaches produce identical .ehb container files that work with EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR.

What the Toolbox Generates

When you generate an EHANDBOOK container, the toolbox creates:

Interactive Models

  • Top-level diagram: Screenshot of the main Simulink subsystem

  • Hierarchy views: Expandable subsystems showing the model structure

  • Signal annotations: Labels showing signal names and properties

Container Components

  • Model diagrams: Interactive Simulink model visualizations

  • Mask images: Generated from masked subsystems

  • Metadata: Signal names, properties, and cross-references

Output File

  • Format: .ehb container file (EHANDBOOK Archive format)

  • Location: Same directory as the source Simulink model

  • Naming: Based on model name with .ehb extension

  • Size: Compact, self-contained package ready for distribution

Single-Model Limitation and Multi-Container Solutions

The toolbox is optimized for generating EHANDBOOK containers from individual Simulink models.

For projects with multiple ECU functions:

  • Generate separate EHANDBOOK containers for each Simulink model

  • Load multiple EHANDBOOK containers into EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR as a project

  • Enable cross-function signal flow tracing across containers

  • Create an integrated view of the entire ECU system

This approach provides flexibility to:

  • Develop functions independently with their own documentation

  • Combine functions at integration time

  • Update individual EHANDBOOK containers without affecting others