Product

Multiply and divide scalars and nonscalars or multiply and invert matrices

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  • Simulink / Commonly Used Blocks

    Simulink / Math Operations

    HDL Coder / Commonly Used Blocks

    HDL Coder / HDL Floating Point Operations

    HDL Coder / Math Operations

  • Product block

Description

The Product block outputs the result of multiplying two inputs: two scalars, a scalar and a nonscalar, or two nonscalars that have the same dimensions. The default parameter values that specify this behavior are:

  • Multiplication: Element-wise(.*)

  • Number of inputs: 2

This table shows the output of the Product block for example inputs using default block parameter values.

Inputs and BehaviorExample

Scalar X Scalar

Output the product of the two inputs.

Scalar X Nonscalar

Output a nonscalar having the same dimensions as the input nonscalar. Each element of the output nonscalar is the product of the input scalar and the corresponding element of the input nonscalar.

Nonscalar X Nonscalar

Output a nonscalar having the same dimensions as the inputs. Each element of the output is the product of corresponding elements of the inputs.

The Divide and Product of Elements blocks are variants of the Product block.

The Product block (or the Divide block or Product of Elements block, if appropriately configured) can:

  • Numerically multiply and divide any number of scalar, vector, or matrix inputs

  • Perform matrix multiplication and division on any number of matrix inputs

The Product block performs scalar or matrix multiplication, depending on the value of the Multiplication parameter. The block accepts one or more inputs, depending on the Number of inputs parameter. The Number of inputs parameter also specifies the operation to perform on each input.

The Product block can input any combination of scalars, vectors, and matrices for which the operation to perform has a mathematically defined result. The block performs the specified operations on the inputs, then outputs the result.

The Product block has two modes: Element-wise mode, which processes nonscalar inputs element by element, and Matrix mode, which processes nonscalar inputs as matrices.

Element-Wise Mode

When you set Multiplication to Element-wise(.*), the Product block is in Element-wise mode, in which it operates on the individual numeric elements of any nonscalar inputs. The MATLAB® equivalent is the .* operator. In element-wise mode, the Product block can perform a variety of multiplication, division, and arithmetic inversion operations.

The value of the Number of inputs parameter controls both how many inputs exist and whether each is multiplied or divided to form the output. When the Product block is in element-wise mode and has only one input, it is functionally equivalent to a Product of Elements block. When the block has multiple inputs, any nonscalar inputs must have identical dimensions, and the block outputs a nonscalar with those dimensions. To calculate the output, the block first expands any scalar input to a nonscalar that has the same dimensions as the nonscalar inputs.

This table shows the output of the Product block for example inputs, using the indicated values for the Number of inputs parameter.

Parameter ValuesExamples

Number of inputs: 2

Number of inputs: */

Number of inputs: /**/

Number of inputs:**

Number of inputs: */*

Matrix Mode

When the value of the Multiplication parameter is Matrix(*), the Product block is in Matrix mode, in which it processes nonscalar inputs as matrices. The MATLAB equivalent is the * operator. In Matrix mode, the Product block can invert a single square matrix, or multiply and divide any number of matrices that have dimensions for which the result is mathematically defined.

The value of the Number of inputs parameter controls both how many inputs exist and whether each input matrix is multiplied or divided to form the output. The syntax of Number of inputs is the same as in element-wise mode. The difference between the modes is in the type of multiplication and division that occur.

Expected Differences Between Simulation and Code Generation

For element-wise operations on complex floating-point inputs, simulation and code generation results might differ in near-overflow cases. Although complex numbers is selected and non-finite numbers is not selected on the Code Generation > Interface pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box, the code generator does not emit special case code for intermediate overflows. This method improves the efficiency of embedded operations for the general case that does not include extreme values. If the inputs could include extreme values, you must manage these cases explicitly.

The generated code might not produce the same pattern of NaN and inf values as simulation when these values are mathematically meaningless. For example, if the simulation output contains a NaN, output from the generated code also contains a NaN, but not necessarily in the same place.

Ports

Input

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First input to multiply or divide, provided as a scalar, vector, matrix, or N-D array.

Data Types: half | single | double | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64 | Boolean | fixed point

Nth input to multiply or divide, provided as a scalar, vector, matrix, or N-D array.

Data Types: half | single | double | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64 | Boolean | fixed point

Input signal to be multiplied with other inputs.

Dependencies

To enable one or more X ports, specify one or more * characters for the Number of inputs parameter.

Data Types: half | single | double | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64 | Boolean | fixed point

Input signal for division or inversion operations.

Dependencies

To enable one or more ÷ ports, specify one or more / characters for the Number of inputs parameter.

Data Types: half | single | double | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64 | Boolean | fixed point

Output

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Output computed by multiplying, dividing, or inverting inputs.

Data Types: half | single | double | int8 | int16 | int32 | int64 | uint8 | uint16 | uint32 | uint64 | Boolean | fixed point

Parameters

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Main

Control two properties of the block:

  • The number of input ports on the block

  • Whether each input is multiplied or divided into the output

When you specify:

  • 1 or * or /

    The block has one input port. In element-wise mode, the block processes the input as described for the Product of Elements block. In matrix mode, if the parameter value is 1 or *, the block outputs the input value. If the value is /, the input must be a square matrix (including a scalar as a degenerate case) and the block outputs the matrix inverse. See Element-Wise Mode and Matrix Mode for more information.

  • Integer value > 1

    The block has the number of inputs given by the integer value. The inputs are multiplied together in element-wise mode or matrix mode, as specified by the Multiplication parameter. See Element-Wise Mode and Matrix Mode for more information.

  • Unquoted string of two or more * and / characters

    The block has the number of inputs given by the length of the character vector. Each input that corresponds to a * character is multiplied into the output. Each input that corresponds to a / character is divided into the output. The operations occur in element-wise mode or matrix mode, as specified by the Multiplication parameter. See Element-Wise Mode and Matrix Mode for more information.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: Inputs
Type: character vector
Values: '2' | '**' | '*/' | '*/*' | ...
Default: '2'

Specify whether the block performs Element-wise(.*) or Matrix(*) multiplication.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: Multiplication
Type: character vector
Values: 'Element-wise(.*)' | 'Matrix(*)'
Default: 'Element-wise(.*)'

Specify the dimension to multiply over as All dimensions, or Specified dimension. When you select Specified dimension, you can specify the Dimension as 1 or 2.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Number of inputs to * and Multiplication to Element-wise (.*).

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: CollapseMode
Type: character vector
Values: 'All dimensions' | 'Specified dimension'
Default: 'All dimensions'

Specify the dimension to multiply over as an integer less than or equal to the number of dimensions of the input signal.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set:

  • Number of inputs to *

  • Multiplication to Element-wise (.*)

  • Multiply over to Specified dimension

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: CollapseDim
Type: character vector
Values: '1' | '2' | ...
Default: '1'

Specify the sample time as a value other than -1. For more information, see Specify Sample Time.

Dependencies

This parameter is not visible unless it is explicitly set to a value other than -1. To learn more, see Blocks for Which Sample Time Is Not Recommended.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: SampleTime
Type: character vector
Values: scalar or vector
Default: '-1'

Signal Attributes

Specify if input signals must all have the same data type. If you enable this parameter, then an error occurs during simulation if the input signal types are different.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: InputSameDT
Type: character vector
Values: 'off' | 'on'
Default: 'off'

Lower value of the output range that Simulink® checks.

Simulink uses the minimum to perform:

Note

Output minimum does not saturate or clip the actual output signal. Use the Saturation block instead.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: OutMin
Type: character vector
Values: '[ ]'| scalar
Default: '[ ]'

Upper value of the output range that Simulink checks.

Simulink uses the maximum value to perform:

Note

Output maximum does not saturate or clip the actual output signal. Use the Saturation block instead.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: OutMax
Type: character vector
Values: '[ ]'| scalar
Default: '[ ]'

Choose the data type for the output. The type can be inherited, specified directly, or expressed as a data type object such as Simulink.NumericType. For more information, see Control Signal Data Types.

When you select an inherited option, the block behaves as follows:

  • Inherit: Inherit via internal rule — Simulink chooses a data type to balance numerical accuracy, performance, and generated code size, while taking into account the properties of the embedded target hardware. If you change the embedded target settings, the data type selected by the internal rule might change. For example, if the block multiplies an input of type int8 by a gain of int16 and ASIC/FPGA is specified as the targeted hardware type, the output data type is sfix24. If Unspecified (assume 32-bit Generic), in other words, a generic 32-bit microprocessor, is specified as the target hardware, the output data type is int32. If none of the word lengths provided by the target microprocessor can accommodate the output range, Simulink software displays an error in the Diagnostic Viewer.

  • Inherit: Keep MSB– Simulink chooses a data type that maintains the full range of the operation, then reduces the precision of the output to a size appropriate for the embedded target hardware.

    Tip

    For more efficient generated code, deselect the Saturate on integer overflow parameter.

    This rule never produces overflows.

  • Inherit: Match scaling– Simulink chooses a data type whose scaling matches the scaling of the input types. If the full range of the type does not fit on the embedded target hardware, the range is reduced yielding a type appropriate for the embedded target hardware. This rule can produce overflows. This rule does not support multiplication between complex signals

    The Inherit: Keep MSB and Inherit: Match scaling rules do not support multiplication between complex signals or signals with non-zero bias. The rules support only multiplication and division ('**', '*/', '/*') between two inputs, matrix multiplication of two inputs, and collapsing product of two elements of a vector.

    It is not always possible for the software to optimize code efficiency and numerical accuracy at the same time. If the internal rule doesn’t meet your specific needs for numerical accuracy or performance, use one of the following options:

    • Specify the output data type explicitly.

    • Use the simple choice of Inherit: Same as input.

    • Explicitly specify a default data type such as fixdt(1,32,16) and then use the Fixed-Point Tool to propose data types for your model. For more information, see fxptdlg (Fixed-Point Designer).

    • To specify your own inheritance rule, use Inherit: Inherit via back propagation and then use a Data Type Propagation block. Examples of how to use this block are available in the Signal Attributes library Data Type Propagation Examples block.

  • Inherit: Inherit via back propagation — Use data type of the driving block.

  • Inherit: Same as first input — Use data type of first input signal.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: OutDataTypeStr
Type: character vector
Values: 'Inherit: Inherit via internal rule | 'Inherit: Keep MSB'| 'Inherit: Match scaling'| 'Inherit: Same as first input' | 'Inherit: Inherit via back propagation' | 'double' | 'single' | 'half' | 'int8' | 'uint8' | 'int16' | 'uint16' | 'int32' | 'uint32' | 'uint64'|'int64'|'fixdt(1,16)' | 'fixdt(1,16,0)' | 'fixdt(1,16,2^0,0)' | '<data type expression>'
Default: 'Inherit: Inherit via internal rule'

Select this parameter to prevent the fixed-point tools from overriding the Output data type you specify on the block. For more information, see Use Lock Output Data Type Setting (Fixed-Point Designer).

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: LockScale
Type: character vector
Values: 'off' | 'on'
Default: 'off'

Select the rounding mode for fixed-point operations. You can select:

Ceiling

Rounds positive and negative numbers toward positive infinity. Equivalent to the MATLAB ceil function.

Convergent

Rounds number to the nearest representable value. If a tie occurs, rounds to the nearest even integer. Equivalent to the Fixed-Point Designer™ convergent function.

Floor

Rounds positive and negative numbers toward negative infinity. Equivalent to the MATLAB floor function.

Nearest

Rounds number to the nearest representable value. If a tie occurs, rounds toward positive infinity. Equivalent to the Fixed-Point Designer nearest function.

Round

Rounds number to the nearest representable value. If a tie occurs, rounds positive numbers toward positive infinity and rounds negative numbers toward negative infinity. Equivalent to the Fixed-Point Designer round function.

Simplest

Chooses between rounding toward floor and rounding toward zero to generate rounding code that is as efficient as possible.

Zero

Rounds number toward zero. Equivalent to the MATLAB fix function.

For more information, see Rounding (Fixed-Point Designer).

Block parameters always round to the nearest representable value. To control the rounding of a block parameter, enter an expression using a MATLAB rounding function into the mask field.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: RndMeth
Type: character vector
Values: 'Ceiling' | 'Convergent' | 'Floor' | 'Nearest' | 'Round' | 'Simplest' | 'Zero'
Default: 'Floor'

Specify whether overflows saturate or wrap.

ActionRationaleImpact on OverflowsExample

Select this check box (on).

Your model has possible overflow, and you want explicit saturation protection in the generated code.

Overflows saturate to either the minimum or maximum value that the data type can represent.

The maximum value that the int8 (signed, 8-bit integer) data type can represent is 127. Any block operation result greater than this maximum value causes overflow of the 8-bit integer. With the check box selected, the block output saturates at 127. Similarly, the block output saturates at a minimum output value of -128.

Do not select this check box (off).

You want to optimize efficiency of your generated code.

You want to avoid overspecifying how a block handles out-of-range signals. For more information, see Troubleshoot Signal Range Errors.

Overflows wrap to the appropriate value that is representable by the data type.

The maximum value that the int8 (signed, 8-bit integer) data type can represent is 127. Any block operation result greater than this maximum value causes overflow of the 8-bit integer. With the check box cleared, the software interprets the overflow-causing value as int8, which can produce an unintended result. For example, a block result of 130 (binary 1000 0010) expressed as int8, is -126.

When you select this check box, saturation applies to every internal operation on the block, not just the output, or result. Usually, the code generation process can detect when overflow is not possible. In this case, the code generator does not produce saturation code.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: SaturateOnIntegerOverflow
Type: character vector
Values: 'off' | 'on'
Default: 'off'

Model Examples

Multiply Inputs of Different Dimensions with the Product Block

Multiply Inputs of Different Dimensions with the Product Block

Perform element-wise (.*) multiplication of inputs using the Product block.

Open Model
Multiply and Divide Inputs Using the Product Block

Multiply and Divide Inputs Using the Product Block

Multiply and divide several input signals using the Product block.

Open Model

Block Characteristics

Data Types

Boolean | double | fixed point | half | integer | single

Direct Feedthrough

yes

Multidimensional Signals

yes

Variable-Size Signals

yes

Zero-Crossing Detection

no

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

PLC Code Generation
Generate Structured Text code using Simulink® PLC Coder™.

Fixed-Point Conversion
Design and simulate fixed-point systems using Fixed-Point Designer™.

See Also

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Introduced before R2006a

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