Learn more about Signal Processing Blockset

Signal From Workspace - Import signal from MATLAB workspace

Library

Signal Processing Sources

dspsrcs4

Description

The Signal From Workspace block imports a signal from the MATLAB workspace into the Simulink model. The Signal parameter specifies the name of a MATLAB workspace variable containing the signal to import, or any valid MATLAB expression defining a matrix or 3-D array.

When the Signal parameter specifies an M-by-N matrix (M≠1), each of the N columns is treated as a distinct channel. You specify the frame size in the Samples per frame parameter, M_o, and the output is an M_o-by-N matrix containing M_o consecutive samples from each signal channel. You specify the output sample period in the Sample time parameter, T_s, and the output frame period is M_o*T_s. For M_o=1, the output is sample based; otherwise the output is frame based. For convenience, an imported row vector (M=1) is treated as a single channel, so the output dimension is M_o-by-1.

When the Signal parameter specifies an M-by-N-by-P array, each of the P pages (an M-by-N matrix) is output in sequence with period T_s. The Samples per frame parameter must be set to 1, and the output is always sample based.

Initial and Final Conditions

Unlike the Simulink From Workspace block, the Signal From Workspace block holds the output value constant between successive output frames (that is, no linear interpolation takes place). Additionally, the initial signal values are always produced immediately at t=0.

When the block has output all of the available signal samples, it can start again at the beginning of the signal, or simply repeat the final value or generate zeros until the end of the simulation. (The block does not extrapolate the imported signal beyond the last sample.) The Form output after final data value by parameter controls this behavior:

When you specify Setting To Zero, the block generates zero-valued outputs for the duration of the simulation after generating the last frame of the signal.
When you specify Holding Final Value, the block repeats the final sample for the duration of the simulation after generating the last frame of the signal.
When you specify Cyclic Repetition, the block repeats the signal from the beginning after it reaches the last sample in the signal. If the frame size you specify in the Samples per frame parameter does not evenly divide the input length, a buffer block is inserted into the Signal From Workspace subsystem, and the model becomes multirate. If you do not want your model to become multirate, make sure the frame size evenly divides the input signal length.
Select the Warn when frame size does not evenly divide input length parameter to be alerted when the input length is not an integer multiple of the frame size and your model will become multirate. Use the Model Explorer to turn these warnings on or off model-wide:
1. Select Model Explorer from the View menu in your model.
2. In the Search bar of the Model Explorer, search by Property Name for the ignoreOrWarnInputAndFrameLengths property. Each block with the Warn when frame size does not evenly divide input length check box appears in the list in the Contents pane.
3. Select each of the blocks for which you wish to toggle the warning parameter, and select or deselect the check box in the ignoreOrWarnInputAndFrameLengths column.

Examples

Example 1

In the first model below, the Signal From Workspace imports a two-channel signal from the workspace matrix A. The Sample time is set to 1 and the Samples per frame is set to 4, so the output is frame based with a frame size of 4 and a frame period of 4 seconds. The Form output after final data value by parameter specifies Setting To Zero, so all outputs after the third frame (at t=8) are zero.

Example 2

In the second model below, the Signal From Workspace block imports a sample-based matrix signal from the 3-D workspace array A. Again, the Form output after final data value by parameter specifies Setting To Zero, so all outputs after the third (at t=2) are zero.

The Samples per frame parameter is set to 1 for 3-D input.

Dialog Box

Signal

The name of the MATLAB workspace variable from which to import the signal, or a valid MATLAB expression specifying the signal.

Sample time

The sample period, T_s, of the output. The output frame period is M_o*T_s.

Samples per frame

The number of samples, M_o, to buffer into each output frame. This value must be 1 when you specify a 3-D array in the Signal parameter.

Form output after final data value by

Specifies the output after all of the specified signal samples have been generated. The block can output zeros for the duration of the simulation (Setting to zero), repeat the final data sample (Holding Final Value) or repeat the entire signal from the beginning (Cyclic Repetition).

Warn when frame size does not evenly divide input length

Select this parameter to be alerted when the input length is not an integer multiple of the frame size and your model will become multirate. For more information, see Initial and Final Conditions.

This parameter is only visible when Cyclic Repetition is selected for the Form output after final data value by parameter.

Supported Data Types

Double-precision floating point
Single-precision floating point
Fixed point (signed and unsigned)
8-, 16-, and 32-bit signed integers
8-, 16-, and 32-bit unsigned integers