Signals
Signals transmit data between two blocks in a simulation. The data could be the calculated output of a block, or simply a message. The value of signals are calculated at all points during the simulation time. You can display the signal data and properties during and after simulation, see the real-time values on a block diagram, or you can log the values as variables in the workspace. Also, you can export the signals to a file or to a workspace to investigate further.
You can control the mathematical behavior of a model by specifying signal characteristics such as numeric data type, initial value, and value range.
Blocks
| Signal Specification | Specify desired dimensions, sample time, data type, numeric type, and other attributes of signal |
| Bus to Vector | Convert virtual bus to vector |
| IC | Set initial value of signal |
| Probe | Output signal attributes, including width, dimensionality, sample time, and complex signal flag |
| Rate Transition | Handle transfer of data between blocks operating at different rates |
| Signal Editor | Display, create, edit, and switch interchangeable scenarios |
| Signal Conversion | Convert signal to new type without altering signal values |
| Weighted Sample Time | Support calculations involving sample time |
| Width | Output width of input vector |
Functions
disableimplicitsignalresolution | Convert model to use only explicit signal resolution |
signalBuilderToSignalEditor | Import signal data and properties from Signal Builder block to Signal Editor block |
signalEditor | Start Signal Editor |
Classes
Simulink.Signal | Specify attributes of signal |
Topics
Get Started with Signals
Create, configure, identify, and test signals.
Learn about different types of signals, such as control signals and composite signals.
Test or debug models by creating interchangeable groups of signal data.
Signal Properties
Configure Data Properties by Using the Model Data Editor
Inspect and edit data items (signals, parameters, and states) in a list that you can sort, group, and filter.
Initialize, access, and view the values that signals have during a simulation run.
Specify the minimum and maximum value that a signal can attain during simulation. Fully specify your design and optimize data types and the generated code by specifying the minimum and maximum value that a signal can attain during simulation.
Inspect and control signal dimensionality.
Initialize Signals and Discrete States
Some systems contain signals and states whose initial values you must specify, for example, the starting position and velocity of a bouncing ball.
Configure Signals as Test Points
Use test points to exclude signal lines from optimizations which enables you to access the simulation data.
Display Signal Properties
Highlight Signal Sources and Destinations
Trace a signal to its source or destination while debugging or exploring a model.
Display Port Values for Debugging
Display the values of block outputs on the block diagram during simulation.
Improve model readability by displaying signal attributes, such as data types and dimensions, in the block diagram.
Name a signal to identify and access it more easily. Take advantage of signal label propagation to reduce the effort of naming a signal that crosses system boundaries.
Variable-Size Signals
Create a variable-size signal whose size, values cam change during a simulation.
Inspect Variable-Size Signals on Simulink Models
Inspect example models that show how to use variable-size signals.
