MATLAB: Can I use each of the I8254x and I82559 chipsets for model-based ethernet communication in Simulink Real-Time, even if the network adapter is based on PCI Express (PCIe x4)

Question

Hello. At http://www.mathworks.com/products/simulink-real-time/supported/xpc-target-supported-ethernet-chipsets.pdf you can find a list of supported ethernet chipsets for Simulink Real-Time host to target communication. For model-based ethernet communication only the Intel 8255X and Intel Gigabit chipsets are allowed. Can I use each of the I8254x and I82559 chipsets inside the pdf document, even if the network adapter is based on PCI Express (PCIe x4)? I really appreciate any help you can provide. Franz

Answer 1

Although there are hardware architectural differences between PCI and PCIe, they are software compatible. In theory, the target should transparently support PCIe boards in place of their PCI counterparts. However, since they are not in the list of supported cards, they are not officially supported (and hence no tech support for them).