Signals

Configure signal ranges and dimensions, initialize signals and discrete states

Signals represent the calculated outputs of a simulation. Signals appear in a model as lines that connect the outputs of blocks to the inputs of other blocks. To view signal data during and after simulation, you can display the real-time signal values on the block diagram or log the values to variables in a workspace.

To control the mathematical behavior of a model, you can specify signal characteristics including numeric data type, initial simulation value, and value range.

For an overview of signals and how you work with them, see Signal Basics.

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 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
`signalbuilder`	(Not recommended) Create and access Signal Builder blocks

Classes

Simulink.Signal Specify attributes of signal

Topics

Signals in Simulink

Signal Basics

Create, configure, and identify signal lines.

Signal Types

Models can contain different kinds of signal line including composite signals, virtual signals, and control signals.

Virtual Signals

Virtual signals can make a model easier to maintain and understand without affecting the functionality of the model.

Signal Values

Initialize, access, and understand the values that signals have during a simulation run.

Highlight Signal Sources and Destinations

While debugging or exploring a model, trace a signal to its source or destination.

Signal Groups

To test or debug a model, provide simulation input stimulus by creating interchangeable groups of signal data.

Display Port Values for Debugging

Display the values of block outputs on the block diagram during simulation.

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.

Signal Label Propagation

You can name a signal so that you can identify and access it more easily. Take advantage of signal label propagation to reduce the effort of naming a signal that crosses system boundaries.

Signal Ranges

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.

Determine Output Signal Dimensions

Inspect and control signal dimensionality. Take advantage of the interaction between signal and parameter dimensionality.

Signal Dimensions

Model systems of equations and concurrent systems by using nonscalar signals.

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.

Test Points

Use test points to exclude signal lines from optimizations, enabling you to access the simulation data.

Display Signal Attributes

Improve model readability by displaying signal attributes, such as data types and dimensions, in the block diagram.

Variable-Size Signals

Variable-Size Signal Basics

A variable-size signal is a signal whose size (the number of elements in a dimension) can change during a simulation.

Simulink Models Using Variable-Size Signals

Inspect example models that show how to use variable-size signals.

S-Functions Using Variable-Size Signals

Inspect example S-functions that show how to use variable-size signals.

Simulink Block Support for Variable-Size Signals

You can view a list of blocks that support variable-size signals.

Variable-Size Signal Limitations

Some features and products do not support variable-size signals.

Related Information

Load Signal Data for Simulation

Composite Signals

Data Stores

Featured Examples

Matrix Signals

Use matrix and frame signals in Simulink® diagrams. Through this example, you can access models that relate to the following practical applications.

Open Model

Variable-Size Signal Basic Operations

How variable-size signals can be generated and also illustrates some of the operations that can be applied to them. The purpose of this example is to introduce you to the basic operations associated with variable-size signals.

Open Model