Using Simulink

Manually Connecting Blocks

Simulink allows you to draw lines manually between blocks or between lines and blocks. You might want to do this if you need to control the path of the line or to create a branch line.

Drawing a Line Between Blocks

To connect the output port of one block to the input port of another block:

1. Position the cursor over the first block's output port. It is not necessary to position the cursor precisely on the port. The cursor shape changes to crosshairs.

   

2. Press and hold down the mouse button.
3. Drag the pointer to the second block's input port. You can position the cursor on or near the port or in the block. If you position the cursor in the block, the line is connected to the closest input port. The cursor shape changes to double crosshairs.

   

4. Release the mouse button. Simulink replaces the port symbols by a connecting line with an arrow showing the direction of the signal flow. You can create lines either from output to input, or from input to output. The arrow is drawn at the appropriate input port, and the signal is the same.

   

Simulink draws connecting lines using horizontal and vertical line segments. To draw a diagonal line, hold down the Shift key while drawing the line.

Drawing a Branch Line

A branch line is a line that starts from an existing line and carries its signal to the input port of a block. Both the existing line and the branch line carry the same signal. Using branch lines enables you to cause one signal to be carried to more than one block.

In this example, the output of the Product block goes to both the Scope block and the To Workspace block.

To add a branch line, follow these steps:

1. Position the pointer on the line where you want the branch line to start.
2. While holding down the Ctrl key, press and hold down the left mouse button.
3. Drag the pointer to the input port of the target block, then release the mouse button and the Ctrl key.

You can also use the right mouse button instead of holding down the left mouse button and the Ctrl key.

Drawing a Line Segment

You might want to draw a line with segments exactly where you want them instead of where Simulink draws them. Or you might want to draw a line before you copy the block to which the line is connected. You can do either by drawing line segments.

To draw a line segment, you draw a line that ends in an unoccupied area of the diagram. An arrow appears on the unconnected end of the line. To add another line segment, position the cursor over the end of the segment and draw another segment. Simulink draws the segments as horizontal and vertical lines. To draw diagonal line segments, hold down the Shift key while you draw the lines.

Moving a Line Segment

To move a line segment, follow these steps:

1. Position the pointer on the segment you want to move.

   

2. Press and hold down the left mouse button.

   

3. Drag the pointer to the desired location.

   

4. Release the mouse button.

   

To move the segment connected to an input port, position the pointer over the port and drag the end of the segment to the new location. You cannot move the segment connected to an output port.

Moving a Line Vertex

To move a vertex of a line, follow these steps:

1. Position the pointer on the vertex, then press and hold down the mouse button. The cursor changes to a circle that encloses the vertex.

   

2. Drag the pointer to the desired location.

   

3. Release the mouse button.

   

Inserting Blocks in a Line

You can insert a block in a line by dropping the block on the line. Simulink inserts the block for you at the point where you drop the block. The block that you insert can have only one input and one output.

To insert a block in a line:

1. Position the pointer over the block and press the left mouse button.

   

2. Drag the block over the line in which you want to insert the block.

   

3. Release the mouse button to drop the block on the line. Simulink inserts the block where you dropped it.

   

Connecting Blocks

Disconnecting Blocks