PS Abs

R2026b

Output absolute value of input physical signal

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PS Abs block

To add a block to a model, double-click the canvas and start typing the block name. Then, select the block from the list.

Libraries:
Simscape / Foundation Library / Physical Signals / Nonlinear Operators

Description

The PS Abs block returns the absolute value of the input physical signal:

$$O=\left|I\right|$$

where

I	Physical signal at the input port
O	Physical signal at the output port

Untyped physical ports facilitate unit propagation. The output signal has the same physical unit as the input signal.

Ports

Input

I — Input physical signal, untyped

physical signal

Input physical signal.

The port name is not visible in the block icon, but you can see this name in the underlying source file by clicking the Source code link in the Description tab of the block dialog box.

Programmatic Use

Port: I

Output

O — Output physical signal, untyped

physical signal

Output physical signal.

The port name is not visible in the block icon, but you can see this name in the underlying source file by clicking the Source code link in the Description tab of the block dialog box.

Programmatic Use

Port: O

Parameters

Enable zero-crossing detection — Whether to enable zero-crossing detection

on (default) | off

Clear to disable zero-crossing detection and increase simulation speed. For more information, see Managing Zero Crossings in Simscape Models.

Programmatic Use

Parameter:	ZeroCross
Values:	"true" | "false"

Programmatic Use: Add Block

To add the block programmatically, use the add_block function with one of these library block paths as the source.

"fl_lib/Physical Signals/Nonlinear Operators/PS Abs"

Example: add_block("fl_lib/Physical Signals/Nonlinear Operators/PS Abs","myModel/myBlock",MakeNameUnique="on")

For information about programmatic access to individual block parameters, see the Programmatic Use section of parameter descriptions on this page.

Extended Capabilities

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

Version History

Introduced in R2008a

R2025a: Optional zero-crossing detection

Starting in R2025a, the block contains the Enable zero-crossing detection check box. Clearing this check box provides the ability to disable zero-crossing detection and increase simulation speed.

R2019a: Unit propagation

Prior to R2019a, this block did not propagate physical units.

If your model contains legacy blocks without unit propagation, use the Upgrade Advisor to upgrade your blocks to the latest version. For more information, see Upgrading Models with Legacy Physical Signal Blocks.