1. An Introduction to Simulink
Marios S. Pattichis

2. Configuration Parameters
Simulink is designed to be a front-end tool for
integrating ordinary differential equations
(ODEs). So, you need to keep sampling
issues in mind:
Experiment with the ODE “Solver” parameters to make things appear correctly.

3. Setting the Configuration Parameters
To start:
1. Click on the Simulink icon to open up
Simulink in Matlab.
2. In the new model window, click on the
configuration parameters.

4. Starting and Ending Time Parameters
Simulation time
Start time: 0.0 End time: 100
Note that these times come from the “Sources”
parameters. Keep in mind that the “Sources” are
usually designed for continuous-time (not discrete
time) simulations.

5. Solver Configuration Parameters
Solver Options
Type: Variable-step
Solver: discrete (no continuous-states)
Max Step Size: 0.5 <- Set lower for better simulations!
Or:
Type: Fixed-step
Fixed Step Size (fundamental sample size): 0.5
Set lower “Fixed Step Size” for better simulations!
The rest are not as important …

6. Connecting Things 1. Hold down the Control key down.
2. Click on the “source” icon.
3. Click on the “sink” icon.
4. Press the left mouse key to make the
connection.

7. Displaying Things Can use the “scope” attached to any signal.
Use the “Autoscale” function that appears as binoculars in order to look at the results of the entire simulations
Click on the “X”, the “Y” or the “zoom” functions to look at any specific part of the simulation

8. Documenting Your Work
Use “Alt” + “PrntScrn” to capture a window of your work
Then, in Word, simple use “Paste” to get the window of your simulation

9. A Simple Example: Displaying a Chirp Signal in Simulink
The Model ->

10. Chirp Parameters Thus, the correct display
should show a slowly varying
sinusoid that is speeding up.
From the source parameters:
Start time = 0
End time = 100

11. Configuration Parameters
Notice the “Fixed-step size” of 0.1.

12. After Running the Simulation
After clicking on “Autoscale”, it all appears to be working.

13. Aliasing Due to Insufficient Sampling
After changing the “Fixed-step size” to TOO LARGE!