Check Signal Slope with Check Discrete Gradient Block

Using the Check Discrete Gradient block, you can check if the absolute value of the difference between successive samples of a signal is less than a defined value.

In this example, the Check Discrete Gradient block compares the value of an input signal from a Sine Wave block to the Maximum gradient parameter value, which is 0.1. If the absolute value of the difference between successive samples of the signal is less than 0.1, the block asserts true (1). Because the Output assertion signal parameter of the block is selected, the block outputs the assertion value. The block requires a fixed-step discrete solver, which has been selected in the model. Run the simulation to observe the model output.

The block asserts true when the sine wave is near a maximum or minimum. In these sections of the signal, the absolute value of the gradient is less than the Maximum gradient value 0.1. This pattern repeats until the simulation end time.