Documentation

Incoming Run Names and Location

You can configure how the Simulation Data Inspector handles incoming runs from import or simulation. You can choose whether new runs are added at the top of the work area or the bottom and specify a naming rule to use for runs created from simulation.

By default, the Simulation Data Inspector adds new runs below prior runs in the work area. The Archive settings also affect the location of runs. By default, prior runs are moved to the archive when a new simulation run is created.

The run naming rule is used to name runs created from simulation. You can create the run naming rule using a mix of literal text that is used in the run name as-is and one or more tokens that represent metadata about the run. By default, the Simulation Data Inspector names runs using the run index and model name: Run <run_index>: <model_name>.

Signal Metadata to Display

You can control which signal metadata is displayed in the work area of the Inspect pane and in the results section on the Compare pane in the Simulation Data Inspector. You specify the metadata to display separately for each pane using the Table Columns preferences in the Inspect and Compare sections of the Preferences dialog, respectively.

Signal Selection on the Inspect Pane

You can configure how you select signals to plot on the selected subplot in the Simulation Data Inspector. By default, you use check boxes next to each signal to plot. You can also choose to plot signals based on selection in the work area. Use Check Mode when creating views and visualizations that represent findings and analysis of a data set. Use Browse Mode to quickly view and analyze data sets with a large number of signals.

For more information about creating visualizations using Check Mode, see Create Plots Using the Simulation Data Inspector.

For more information about using Browse Mode, see Visualize Many Logged Signals.

How Signals Are Aligned for Comparison

When you compare runs using the Simulation Data Inspector, the comparison algorithm pairs signals for signal comparison through a process called alignment. You can align signals between the compared runs using one or more of the signal properties shown in the table.

You can specify the priority for each piece of metadata used for alignment. The Align By field specifies the highest priority property used to align signals. The priority drops with each subsequent Then By field. You must specify a primary alignment property in the Align By field, but you can leave any number of Then By fields blank.

By default, the Simulation Data Inspector aligns signals between runs according to this flow chart.

For more information about configuring comparisons in the Simulation Data Inspector, see How the Simulation Data Inspector Compares Data.

Colors Used to Display Comparison Results

You can configure the colors used to display comparison results using the Simulation Data Inspector preferences. You can specify whether to use the signal color from the Inspect pane or a fixed color for the baseline and compared signals. You can also choose colors for the tolerance and the difference signal.

By default, the Simulation Data Inspector displays comparison results using fixed colors for the baseline and compared signals. Using a fixed color allows you to avoid the baseline signal color and compared signal color being either the same or too similar to distinguish.

Signal Grouping

To visualize hierarchy within a data set in the Simulation Data Inspector, you can specify how to group signals within a run in the Inspect and Compare panes. The preference applies to both panes such that signals are always grouped the same way on the Inspect and Compare panes.

You can group signals in a run based on model hierarchy or data hierarchy. When you have Simscape™, you can also group signals based on physical system hierarchy. By default, the Simulation Data Inspector groups signals by physical system hierarchy if you have a Simscape license, and by data hierarchy.

Grouping signals adds rows for the hierarchical nodes that you can expand to show the signals within that node. For example, you can group signals within a run by model hierarchy and then by data hierarchy.

By default, all hierarchical nodes within the run are collapsed. You can expand the model node to see the logged signals.

Signals inside subsystem A are collapsed, and the signals in the Mux block output are grouped under Mux: 1. You can expand these groups to see the rest of the signals in the run. The check boxes for signals remain on the left, and the signal names indent to indicate the level of hierarchy.

To remove the hierarchy and display a flat list of signals in each run, select None for all grouping options.

Data to Stream from Parallel Simulations

When you run parallel simulations using the parsim function, you can stream logged simulation data to the Simulation Data Inspector. A dot next to the run name in the Inspect pane indicates the status of the simulation that corresponds to the run, so you can monitor simulation progress while visualizing the streamed data. You can control whether data streams from a parallel simulation based on the type of worker the data comes from.

By default, the Simulation Data Inspector is configured for manual import of data from parallel workers. You can use the Simulation Data Inspector programmatic interface to inspect the data on the worker and decide whether to send it to the client Simulation Data Inspector for further analysis. To manually move data from a parallel worker to the Simulation Data Inspector, use the Simulink.sdi.sendWorkerRunToClient function.

You may want to automatically stream data from parallel simulations that run on local workers or on local and remote workers. Streaming data from both local and remote workers may affect simulation performance, depending on how many simulations you run and how much data you log. When you choose to stream data from local workers or all parallel workers, all logged simulation data automatically shows in the Simulation Data Inspector.

Options for Saving and Loading Session Files

You can specify a maximum amount of memory to use while loading or saving a session file. By default, the Simulation Data Inspector uses a maximum of 100 MB of memory when you load or save a session file. You can specify a memory use limit as low as 50 MB.

To reduce the size of the saved session file, you can specify a compression option.

Archive Behavior and Run Limit

The Simulation Data Inspector archive stores runs in a collapsible pane, allowing you to manage the contents of the work area without deleting run data. You can configure whether the Simulation Data Inspector automatically moves prior simulation runs to the archive. You can also limit the number of runs stored in the archive.

Signal Display Units

Signals in the Simulation Data Inspector have two units properties: stored units and display units. The stored units represent the units of the data saved to disk. The display units specify how the Simulation Data Inspector displays the data. You can configure the Simulation Data Inspector to use a system of units to define the display units for all signals. You can choose either the SI or US Customary system of units, or you can display data using its stored units.

When you use a system of units to define display units for signals in the Simulation Data Inspector, the display units update for any signal with display units that are not valid for that unit system. For example, if you select SI units, the display units for a signal may update from ft to m.

In addition to selecting a system of units, you can specify override units so that all signals of a given measurement type are displayed using consistent units. For example, if you want to visualize all signals that represent weight using units of kg, specify kg as an override unit.

You can also modify the display units for a specific signal using the Properties pane. For more information, see Modify Signal Properties in the Simulation Data Inspector.