Getting Started with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware

Introduction

Simulink Support Package for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware enables you to create and run Simulink models on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware. The support package includes a library of Simulink blocks for configuring and accessing LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 sensors and actuators. Additionally, the support package enables you to monitor and tune algorithms running on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware from the same Simulink models from which you developed the algorithms.

In this example, you will learn how to create and run a simple Simulink model on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware. See other examples for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware to learn how to use External mode and to learn how to implement more complex algorithms.

Prerequisites

If you are new to Simulink, we recommend completing the Interactive Simulink Tutorial, Get Started with Simulink, and Simulink Getting Started video.

Required Hardware

You will need the following hardware:

Task 1 - Confirm LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Firmware Version

Verify the EV3 firmware version, and, if needed, perform a firmware update:

1. Turn on EV3 brick.

2. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > Brick Info.

3. Verify that Brick FW is V1.03E or later.

3. If the firmware version is earlier than V1.03E, use the LEGO EV3 Software to update the firmware.

Task 2 - Set Up Connection Between Host and LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3

There are four options to set up a connection between LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 and your Host machine.

Option 1: USB connection

1. Use the USB cable to connect the Mini-USB port on the EV3, labeled 'PC', and USB port on your host computer.

Option 2: Bluetooth connection

1. Enable Bluetooth® on your host computer. If it does not have built-in Bluetooth, use a Bluetooth dongle.

2. In the EV3 Brick Interface, select Settings > Bluetooth and enable Bluetooth.

3. Pair the host computer and EV3 brick.

4. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > Brick Info. Find the device ID of the brick under ID.

Option 3: Wired network access

1. Plug USB Ethernet Adaptor into EV3 Host USB Port

2. Connect USB Ethernet Adaptor to a network socket via an Ethernet cable

3. Restart EV3 brick.

4. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > Brick Info. Find the device ID of the brick under ID.

5. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > Brick Info. Find the IP address under IP Address.

Option 4: Wireless network access

1. Plug EV3 Wi-Fi Dongle into EV3 Host USB Port

2. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > WiFi. Enable Wi-Fi, search and connect to a Wi-Fi network. See detailed instructions in EV3 USER GUIDE.

3. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > Brick Info. Find the device ID of the brick under ID.

4. Navigate EV3 screen to Settings > Brick Info. Find the IP address under IP Address.

*Test network connection*

For Wired and Wireless network access, perform the following test.

In the MATLAB® Command Window, enter h = legoev3('EV3 IP address'). For example, h = legoev3('192.168.1.7'), to confirm the network connection between host machine and EV3 brick.

Task 3 - Review LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Block Library

Simulink Support Package for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware provides blocks that you can use to work with LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 sensors and actuators.

1. Enter simulink at the MATLAB prompt. This opens the Simulink Library Browser.

2. In the Simulink Library Browser, navigate to Simulink Support Package for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware.

3. Double-click the Button and Display block. Review each block mask, which contain a description of the block and parameters.

Task 4 - Create a Model for LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware

In this task, you will create a simple Simulink model that detects the state of the left button on the EV3 brick and displays it on the EV3 brick LCD.

1. In MATLAB, select HOME > New > Simulink Model.

2. Drag the Button and Display blocks to the model. Use the default settings for both blocks.

3. Connect the Button block to the Display block.

4. Save your model.

Task 5 - Configure and Run the Model on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware

In this task, you will configure and run your model on the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware.

1. In Configuration Parameters, set the Target hardware parameter to LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3.

2. Update the Host to Target Connection parameters with the ones found in Task 2.

3. Click OK.

4. In the Hardware tab, click the Build, Deploy & Start. The model will now be deployed to the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware.

5. Look at the EV3 brick LCD while you press the left button. The LCD displays the state of the left button, 0 for not pressed, 1 for pressed.

6. Save your model.

A pre-configure Simulink model ev3_gettingstarted is included for your convenience. To change the IP address setting of the preconfigured model, click Tools > Run on Target Hardware > Options....

Task 6 - Stop the Application Running on LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Hardware

There are two ways to stop the application running on EV3 brick.

Option 1: Press the Back button on EV3 brick.

Option 2: Enter a command in the MATLAB Command Window.

Reuse variable h created in Task 2. Enter h.stopModel('model name'). For example, if your model name is ev3_gettingstarted, enter h.stopModel('ev3_gettingstarted').

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