Using Simulink

Simulink Basics

The following sections explain how to perform basic Simulink tasks.

Starting Simulink	How to start Simulink.
Opening Models	How to open a Simulink model.
Entering Simulink Commands	Explains various ways to execute Simulink commands.
Simulink Windows	Guide to the features of the windows used to display Simulink models and block libraries.
Saving a Model	How to save a Simulink model to disk.
Printing a Block Diagram	How to print a Simulink block diagram.
Generating a Model Report	How to generate an HTML report on a model's structure and content.
Summary of Mouse and Keyboard Actions	Lists key combinations and mouse actions that you can use to execute Simulink commands.
Ending a Simulink Session	How to end a Simulink session.

Starting Simulink

To start Simulink, you must first start MATLAB. Consult your MATLAB documentation for more information. You can then start Simulink in two ways:

Click the Simulink icon on the MATLAB toolbar.
Enter the simulink command at the MATLAB prompt.

On Microsoft Windows platforms, starting Simulink displays the Simulink Library Browser.

The Library Browser displays a tree-structured view of the Simulink block libraries installed on your system. You can build models by copying blocks from the Library Browser into a model window (this procedure is described later in this chapter).

On UNIX platforms, starting Simulink displays the Simulink block library window.

The Simulink library window displays icons representing the block libraries that come with Simulink. You can create models by copying blocks from the library into a model window.

Note On Windows, you can display the Simulink library window by right-clicking the Simulink node in the Library Browser window.

Opening Models

To edit an existing model diagram, either

Click the Open button on the Library Browser's toolbar (Windows only) or select Open from the Simulink library window's File menu and then choose or enter the file name for the model to edit.
Enter the name of the model (without the .mdl extension) in the MATLAB command window. The model must be in the current directory or on the path.

Entering Simulink Commands

You run Simulink and work with your model by entering commands. You can enter commands by

Selecting items from the Simulink menu bar
Selecting items from a context-sensitive Simulink menu (Windows only)
Clicking buttons on the Simulink toolbar (Windows only)
Entering commands in the MATLAB command window

Using the Simulink Menu Bar to Enter Commands

The Simulink menu bar appears near the top of each model window. The menu commands apply to the contents of that window.

Using Context-Sensitive Menus to Enter Commands

Simulink displays a context-sensitive menu when you click the right mouse button over a model or block library window. The contents of the menu depend on whether a block is selected. If a block is selected, the menu displays commands that apply only to the selected block. If no block is selected, the menu displays commands that apply to a model or library as a whole.

Using the Simulink Toolbar to Enter Commands

Model windows in the Windows version of Simulink optionally display a toolbar beneath the Simulink menu bar. To display the toolbar, select the Toolbar option on the Simulink View menu.

The toolbar contains buttons corresponding to frequently used Simulink commands, such as those for opening, running, and closing models. You can run such commands by clicking the corresponding button. For example, to open a Simulink model, click the button containing the open folder icon. You can determine which command a button executes by moving the mouse pointer over the button. A small window appears containing text that describes the button. The window is called a tooltip. Each button on the toolbar displays a tooltip when the mouse pointer hovers over it. You can hide the toolbar by clearing the Toolbar option on the Simulink View menu.

Mixed Continuous and Discrete Systems Using the MATLAB Window to Enter Commands