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Signal Basics

About Signals

A signal is a time varying quantity that has values at all points in time. You can specify a wide range of signal attributes, including:

  • Signal name


  • Numeric type (real or complex)





    Note   Simulink signals do not travel along the lines that connect blocks in the same way that electrical signals travel along a wire. This analogy is misleading because it suggests that a block diagram represents physical connections between blocks, which is not the case. Simulink signals are mathematical, not physical, entities, and the lines in a block diagram represent mathematical, not physical, relationships among blocks.

Creating Signals

Create a signal by adding a source block to your model. For example, you can create a signal that varies sinusoidally with time, by dragging an instance of the Sine block from the Simulink Sources library into your model. See Sources for information about blocks that create signals in a model.

You can also use the Signal & Scope Manager to create signals in your model, without using blocks. See Signal and Scope Manager for more information.

Signal Line Styles


Simulink uses a variety of line styles to display different types of signals in the model window. Assorted line styles help you to differentiate the signal types.

Signal TypeLine StyleDescription
Scalar and Nonscalar Simulink uses a thin, solid line to represent scalar and nonscalar signals.
Nonscalar (optional) When you enable the Wide nonscalar lines option, Simulink uses a thick, solid line to represent nonscalar signals. For information about line display options, see Display Signal Attributes.

Control signal

Simulink uses a thin, dash-dot line to represent control signals.
Virtual Bus Simulink uses a triple line with a solid core to represent virtual signal buses.
Nonvirtual Bus Simulink uses a triple line with a dotted core to represent nonvirtual signal buses.
Array of Buses Simulink uses a heavy triple line with a dotted core to represent array of bus signals.
Variable-Size Simulink uses a solid wide line with a white dotted core to represent a variable-size signal.

Other than using the Wide nonscalar lines option to display nonscalar signals as thick, solid lines, you cannot customize or control the line style of signals. See Wide Nonscalar Lines for more information about this option.

As you construct a block diagram, Simulink uses a thin, solid line to represent all signal types. After you update or start simulation of the block diagram, Simulink redraws the lines, using the specified line styles.

Signal Properties

Specifying Signal Properties

Use the Signal Properties dialog box to specify properties for:

  • Signal names and labels

  • Signal logging

  • Simulink Coder™ to use to generate code

  • Documentation of the signal

To open the Signal Properties dialog box, right-click a signal and choose Properties.

Displaying Signal Attributes in the Model

Displaying signal attributes in the model diagram can make the model easier to understand at a glance. For example, in the Simulink Editor, use the Display > Signals & Ports menu to include in the model layout information about signal attributes, such as:

  • Port data types

  • Design ranges

  • Signal dimensions

  • Signal resolution

For details, see Display Signal Attributes.

Display Signal Source and Destination

To highlight a signal and its source or destination blocks:

  • Right-click a signal.

  • In the context menu, select either Highlight Signal to Source or Highlight Signal to Destination.

For details, see Display Signal Sources and Destinations.

Testing Signals

You can perform the following kinds of tests on signals:

Minimum and Maximum Values


Connection Validation

Many Simulink blocks have limitations on the types of signals that they accept. Before simulating a model, Simulink checks all blocks to ensure that the blocks can accommodate the types of signals output by the ports to which the blocks connect. If any incompatibilities exist, Simulink reports an error and terminates the simulation.

To detect signal compatibility errors before running a simulation, update the diagram. In the Simulink Editor, select Simulation > Update Diagram.

Signal Groups


Signal groups can greatly facilitate testing a model, especially when you use them in conjunction with Simulink Assertion blocks and the Model Coverage Tool in the Simulink Verification and Validation product.

For details, see Signal Groups.

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