Simulink

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Version 7.8, part of Release 2011b, includes the following enhancements:

Project Management

• Simulink Projects tool that finds, manages, and shares (4:51) all the required files of your projects
• Standardized ways to initialize and shut down projects and access common operations (1:40)
• Integration with Subversion, an external source control tool
• Change sets for viewing and labeling (3:56) modified files for peer review workflows
• Model Reference rebuild algorithm enhancements that simplify workflows under configuration management

Component-Based Modeling

• Enable Port input at root level of models
• Continuous states in For Each Subsystem block for efficient modeling of system-of-systems
• Modeling of concurrent execution effects for multicore embedded systems
• Lockable library links that enable control of editing by end users
• Model reference accelerator mode build process for reduced memory usage by libraries

Data Management

• Specification of design ranges for individual signals in a bus for improved model checking and analysis
• Display of design ranges on signals to enhance model inspection

Block Enhancements

• Delay block that supports variable delay length, external reset, initial condition port, circular buffers, and state attributes
• Boolean output data type for the Edge Detection blocks in the Logic and Bit Operations library
• Explicit specification of intermediate data type for Sqrt and Reciprocal Sqrt blocks
• Single-precision floating point in the Discrete Zero-Pole block
• Array of bus signals in Data Type Duplicate block and all unit delay blocks in the Additional Discrete library

Performance

• Accelerator mode support for models with algebraic loops
• Model Explorer list view that improves performance when displaying large data sets

User Interface Enhancements

• Freeze columns in Model Explorer that keep the type and name of an object always visible
• Report generation and an API for comparing signals and simulation runs for Simulation Data Inspector tool
• Built-in block masks that provide custom icons and dialogs using the Mask Editor
• Graphical property editor for setting Scope block colors and line properties

See the Release Notes for details.

See highlights and screen shots.

Component-Based Modeling

• Modeling of interrupt-driven processes extended to Model Reference via asynchronous function-call inputs
• Latch block, enabling reusable function-call components in feedback loops
• Signal Logging Selector to centralize data logging selection across multiple models
• Model block that now displays model names of all variant choices in the Model Reference Parameter dialog box
• Creation of protected models via right-click on Model block (requires Simulink Coder)

Model Management

• Merge capability for Simulink models from the XML text comparison report (using Simulink Report Generator)
• Comparison Tool that highlights and merges differences in MAT-file variable values and excludes specified files, folders, and unchanged text

Data Management

• New signal logging format using MATLAB timeseries class, with simplified access to large-scale simulation data
• Data Stores that are compatible with bus signals, including access from Stateflow® and MATLAB Function blocks
• Creation and editing of Simulink.Parameter objects with bus types and MATLAB structures from the Bus Editor
• Bus output for signal groups in Signal Builder block for easy routing of test cases
• Improved data export of N-D arrays and saving of export preferences

Block Enhancements

• Expanded feature set across 1-D, 2-D, and N-D lookup tables, including option to exclude data range checking in generated code
• Shift Arithmetic block that supports shift amount as a signal
• Zero-crossing in the From File block, providing more accurate simulations by capturing discontinuities
• Complex exponential option in Trigonometric Function block with optimized run-time performance
• Sign block that supports complex floating-point input

Performance

• Single-precision computation for faster simulation on all simulation targets
• Restoration of a simulation state created in a previous release

User Interface Enhancements

• Model Explorer interface that remembers the current tab view in the property dialog pane
• Filter option in all bus-capable blocks to quickly find a member signal of the bus
• View menu items that control visibility of checks in Model Advisor
• Active signal group display on the Signal Builder block

Version 7.6.2, part of Release 2010bSP2, includes bug fixes.

See the Release Notes for details.

Version 7.6.1, part of Release 2010bSP1, includes bug fixes.

See the Release Notes for details.

See highlights and screen shots.

Component-Based Modeling

• New array-of-buses capabilities (4:05) for compact representation of structured data and efficient iterative processing using For Each subsystems
• Variant Subsystem blocks (4:33) for managing design alternatives
• Expanded support for referencing a model multiple times in normal mode, improving component workflows, linearization, and model coverage analysis

User Interface Enhancements

• New Simulation Data Inspector tool (4:26) for quickly viewing and comparing data from multiple simulations
• Model Explorer tool (4:54) with improved data import and export and the ability to group and filter items on the spreadsheet
• Interactive traceability between models and workspace variables based on the Simulink.findVars function
• Sample time display enhanced for hybrid systems
• Efficient management of model configuration sets by saving and loading them directly to and from files

Data Management

• Expanded support for defining root-level, input-port signal data using MATLAB structures and timeseries objects
• Enhanced Signal Builder block with ability to import multiple test cases from Excel^®, MATLAB, and CSV files
• Enhanced From File block, providing additional interpolation control and support for enumerated data
• Expanded enumerated data-type support to define multiple enumerated types in a single MATLAB file
• Expanded signal data-type specification to include bus objects

Model Management

• Enhanced Simulink Manifest Tools to identify data used in models, but not defined by files in the manifest
• Comparison Tool enhanced, allowing comparison among ZIP files, folders, and Simulink manifests, and improving MAT-file comparisons
• Ability to back up Simulink models when upgrading to a newer release

Block Enhancements

• Array-of-buses support in blocks, including Vector and Matrix Concatenation, Assignment, Selector, and in bus-capable blocks
• Multiport Switch block support for specification of the default case and diagnostic option for out-of-range control input
• Bus data-type support for Constant block and Signal Specification block
• Prelookup block and Interpolation Using Prelookup block support for specification of dynamic breakpoint and table data
• Switch block support to display criteria and threshold values
• Trigonometric Function block support for expanded input range for CORDIC algorithm
• Repeating Sequence Stair block support for enumerated data types

Embedded MATLAB

• Support for Embedded MATLAB^® Function blocks with distinct data types, sizes, and complexities in Simulink libraries
• Support for MATLAB linear algebra functions sqrtm, linsolve, and schur
• Support for creation and processing of arrays of buses

See the Release Notes for details.

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Version 7.5, part of Release 2010a, includes the following enhancements:

Component-Based Modeling 1:20

• New block, For Each Subsystem, to simplify vectorization of scalar algorithms and to provide increased code reuse
• Ability to trigger models for simulation or when referenced by another model
• Branching of function-call signals to control execution of multiple subsystems, and Stateflow^® charts and models

Data Management 1:46

• Support for tunable parameter structures in Simulink
• Support for nonzero initial conditions for bus signals
• New command-line and S-function API for using bus signals
• Simulink.findVars command for discovering relationships between Simulink models and workspace variables
• Ability to log Data Store Memory values during simulation
• Expanded Legacy Code Tool support for enumerated data type and tunable parameter structures

Model Management

• Enhanced File and Folder Comparison Tool, highlighting changes within lines in file comparisons, and sorting results by name, type, size, or timestamp in folder comparisons

Block Enhancements

• Enhanced To File and From File blocks for reduced data memory use and efficient support of large file sizes
• New Second-Order Integrator block for efficient and accurate modeling of second-order systems with limits
• Enhanced enumeration support for Multiport Switch block, including data-port ordering specification and icon display of enumerated values
• New block, Find Nonzero Elements, to obtain indices and values of nonzero elements of a signal
• New Square Root Function block to perform square root, signed square root, and reciprocal square root operations
• Enhanced Direct Lookup Table (n-D) block, supporting multidimensional input signals, fixed-point data types, and explicit specification of table data types
• Trigonometric Function block support for CORDIC approximation

Embedded MATLAB

• Support for global data and data store memory
• Support for logical indexing
• Support for MATLAB set functions, including ismember, intersect, and union
• Automatic renaming of a reused MATLAB variable name in generated C code
• Support for CORDIC approximation of trigonometric and complex exponential functions

Simulation Performance

• Parallel builds of model reference hierarchies that leverage MATLAB® Distributed Computing Server™ for faster update diagram
• Improved performance and accuracy of implicit solvers for models with large numbers of continuous states, by computing the Jacobian matrix in analytical and sparse form

User Interface Enhancements

• New customizable views in Model Explorer for enhanced control over columns displayed in the Contents pane
• New data store memory grouping inside the Model Advisor, including a new check to detect potential read/write issues without needing to simulate the model
• New MaskDisplay callback that supports creation of MATLAB variables, improving simulation speed

See the Release Notes for details.

Version 7.4.1, part of Release 2009bSP1, includes bug fixes.

See highlights and screen shots.

Version 7.4, part of Release 2009b, includes the following enhancements:

Component-Based Modeling

• Ability to configure model variants for efficiently managing design alternatives
• Enhanced library link management, making it easier to visualize and restore edited library links
• Model reference protected mode, enabling the sharing of models for simulation without exposing contents (requires Real-Time Workshop)
• Enhanced Simulink Manifest Tools to discover and analyze model variants, protected models, and Simscape files
• Enhanced S-Function Builder that supports bus signals for managing complex signal interfaces

Variable-Size Signals

• New ability to change signal sizes during execution, facilitating modeling of systems with varying environments, resources, and constraints
• Support for variable-size inputs and outputs in over 40 Simulink blocks, including many blocks from the Math Operations library

Data Management

• Enhanced sim command that saves all simulation results to a single object for easier management of simulation results
• New Simulink.saveVars function to save workspace variables to a MATLAB file
• Enhanced simulation restart capability with SimState feature, supporting common model configuration changes

Block Enhancements

• New turnkey PID Controller blocks with expanded simulation capabilities and automated tuning (requires Simulink Control Design)
• New EnumeratedConstant block and enhanced Switch-Case block that support enumerated variables
• Enhanced Relational Operator block that efficiently detects infinite, NaN, or finite signals for floating-point arithmetic
• Enhanced Lookup Table (n-D) block, supporting parameter data types that are different from signal data types
• Reduced parameter memory use for evenly spaced breakpoints in Prelookup and Lookup Table (n-D) blocks
• Enhanced Math Function block that directly supports reciprocal square root, 1/sqrt(u), for efficient computation

Embedded MATLAB

• Ability to create dynamically sized data in Embedded MATLAB Function blocks
• New report for analyzing compilation errors, array sizes, and target hardware compatibility of compiled data types in Embedded MATLAB Function blocks
• Ability to eliminate run-time checks from simulation code for faster simulation of Embedded MATLAB Function blocks and Stateflow charts

Simulation Performance

• Enhanced sim command improves compatibility with parfor-loops
• Enhanced timing resolution of fixed-step simulations by applying integer arithmetic to sample hit computations
• Enhanced Simulink Accelerator mode to support SimState feature for continuing simulations from a saved state
• Expanded Rapid Accelerator mode support for enumerations for root inputs and all fixed-point word lengths for parameters

User Interface Enhancements

• Enhanced Mask Editor that supports tabs and specification of data type, min, and max parameters
• New Frequently Used Blocks tab in Library Browser and context menu item for adding commonly used blocks to models
• New Model Advisor Configuration Editor to manage and deploy Model Advisor configurations and custom checks (requires Simulink Verification and Validation)

See the Release Notes for details.

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Version 7.3, part of Release 2009a, includes the following enhancements:

Simulation Performance

• Ability to save, restore, and restart the complete simulation state using the SimState feature
• Ability to save Simulink Profiler results for subsequent viewing

Component-Based Modeling

• Ability to display port values during simulation for referenced models in Normal mode
• Parallel builds enabling faster update diagram times for large model reference hierarchies when configured in Accelerator Mode (requires Parallel Computing Toolbox)

Embedded MATLAB

• Support for enumerated data types in Embedded MATLAB™ Function blocks
• Support for Basic Linear Algebra Subroutines (BLAS) libraries to speed up low-level matrix operations in simulation

Data Management

• Ability to specify custom storage class on the Signal Properties dialog box without creating a Simulink signal object in the workspace

File Management

• Ability to specify a project root folder in the Simulink manifest, making manifests easier to share, compare, and read

Block Enhancements

• Support for parameter data types different from signal data types in Prelookup and Interpolation Using Prelookup blocks
• Lookup Table (n-D) and Interpolation Using Prelookup blocks now performing more efficient fixed-point interpolations
• Lookup Table (n-D) block now supporting faster calculation of index and fraction for power of 2 evenly spaced breakpoint data
• Discrete Filter block now supporting fixed-point data types
• MinMax block now performing more efficient and accurate comparison operations for mixed floating-point and fixed-point data types

User Interface Enhancements

• Ability to customize the Library Browser by adding, hiding, or disabling menu items and selecting which libraries and blocks appear in the browser
• New Smart Guides option facilitating dynamic block alignment when editing a block diagram
• Physical port rotation option for masked blocks to synchronize port rotation with block rotation and enable new Flip Block Up-Down and Left-Right options
• New block rotation option to rotate counter clockwise
• New programmatic methods for creating subsystems from selected blocks and accessing the compiled block sample time data, color, and annotations
• New option to print the Sample Time Legend from the legend or from the block diagram print dialog box
• Enhanced status bar progress indicator now showing additional information during update diagram for Windows® platforms

See the Release Notes for details.

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Version 7.2, part of Release 2008b, includes the following enhancements.

Simulation Performance

• New capability to run parallel simulations in rapid accelerator mode using parfor on prebuilt Simulink models (requires Parallel Computing Toolbox)
• Enhanced tuning of solver and logging parameters in rapid accelerator mode without the need to rebuild
• Fixed-point and integer word size limit extended from 32 to 128 bits for Embedded MATLAB code, accelerated simulation modes, and automatic code generation

Component-Based Modeling

• New Model block simulation mode for Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) verification of generated code (requires Real-Time Workshop Embedded Coder)
• Enhanced handling of initial conditions for conditionally executed subsystems, Merge blocks, and Discrete-Time Integrator blocks, improving consistency of simulation results
• Model block inputs can now be local and reusable for more efficient Real-Time Workshop® generated code, and reduced memory usage during simulation

Data Management

• Support for enumerated data types
• Filtering of displayed bus objects by name or relationship in bus editor
• Fully customizable export and import functionalities in bus editor

File Management

• Enhanced Simulink Manifest Tools additionally finds system target files, analyzes STF_make_rtw_hook functions, and analyzes all config sets

Block Enhancements

• Enhanced Trigonometric Function block to support sincos
• Enhanced Math Function and Trigonometric Function blocks to provide more floating-point consistency

User Interface Enhancements

• Unified simulation and custom code options in the Configuration Parameters dialog for Embedded MATLAB Function blocks, Stateflow charts, and Truth Table blocks
• New Model Advisor model and data restore point, providing ability to revert to changes made in response to advice fromModel Advisor
• Context-sensitive help available for Model Advisor
• Context-sensitive help available for Simulink Commonly Used block parameters
• New Sample Time Legend that defines the Sample Time Colors and new color-independent annotations
• New ultracompact display mode for library contents in Library Browser
• Independent setting for Log signal data and Test point options in the Signal Properties dialog box

See the Release Notes for details.

Version 7.1.1, part of the Simulink product family update for Release 2008a, resolves several key customer-reported issues.

• Fixed-Point Toolbox 2.2.1
• Real-Time Workshop 7.1.1
• Real-Time Workshop Embedded Coder 5.1.1
• Simulink 7.1.1
• Simulink Design Verifier 1.2.1
• Simulink Fixed Point 5.6.1
• Simulink Report Generator 3.3.1
• Simulink Verification and Validation 2.3.1
• Stateflow 7.1.1
• Stateflow Coder 7.1.1

See highlights and screen shots.

Version 7.1, part of Release 2008a, includes the following enhancements.

Simulink Library Browser Enhancements

• Now runs on all platforms supported by Simulink software
• Improved performance for browsing and searching of libraries, by allowing these operations to proceed without actually loading the libraries
• Enhanced search finds all blocks and displays search results in a separate tab
• New option to display library blocks in a compact grid layout that conserves screen space

Simulation Performance

• Improved Rapid Accelerator sim command performance when running long simulations of small models on Windows platforms
• Additional zero-crossing algorithm with adaptive detection and adjustable threshold limits improves simulation performance

Component-Based Modeling

• Accelerator mode now supports an unlimited number of referenced models on all platforms, including 32-bit Windows
• Improved model compilation time when using models referenced in accelerator mode by rebuilding parent models only when the interface to a referenced model changes

Embedded MATLAB™

• Support for nontunable MATLAB structure parameters in Embedded MATLAB Function blocks

Data Management

• Enhanced Data Type Assistant display of status and details of fixed-point data type
• Enhanced signal range checking for both real and imaginary parts of a complex number
• Enhanced Bus Editor importing/exporting of data from MAT-files and M-files, defining bus elements with the Data Type Assistant, and expanding bus hierarchies
• Simulink Editor graphical indication of signals that must resolve to signal objects
• In models with asynchronous function calls, correct assignment of generic sample times instead of triggered sample times by some virtual blocks
• Changes to nontunable parameters during simulation ignored, matching the behavior in generated code
• Enhanced data logging on 64-bit platforms, providing the ability to save more than 2 GB of simulation data

File Management

• New autosave option for automatically saving models before updating or simulating
• New option to notify when loading a model saved in a previous version of Simulink
• Enhanced model dependencies manifest tools now also detect TLC files required by S-functions, .fig files created by GUIDE, and files referenced by common data loading functions

Block Enhancements

• New Discrete FIR Filter block replaces the Weighted Moving Average block for faster simulation and improved code generation
• Rate Transition block output port sample time now can be specified as multiple of input port sample time
• Enhanced auto-insertion options for the Rate Transition block to control the level of data transfer determinism, allowing reduced latency for models that do not require determinism
• Auto-insertion of Rate Transition block now supported for additional rate transitions, such as sample times with nonzero offset, and between non-integer-multiple sample times
• Enhanced Lookup Table (n-D) block supports all data types, complex table data, and nonscalar inputs
• Expanded Sum block dialog box displays new parameters for specifying the accumulator data type and its minimum and maximum values

User Interface Enhancements

• New unified Simulink Preferences window for configuring default settings
• Enhanced controls in the Solver pane of the Configuration Parameters dialog box
• Enhanced Model Advisor with improved GUI navigation and report production
• Context-sensitive help available for Configuration Parameters dialog box

See the Release Notes for details.

Getting Started with Simulink Example Video