Control Simulations with Interactive Displays

Build dashboard for model, interactively tune parameter values, and monitor signal values during simulation

Create an interactive dashboard for your model using a variety of controls and displays available in the Dashboard library.

Controls connect to variables and block parameters in your model, providing an interface for you to tune values during simulation.
Displays connect to signals and display the signal value during simulation.

To design custom dashboard blocks that look like controls and displays in your real system, use blocks from the Customizable Blocks library. For example, you can create a photorealistic model of the dashboard instrumentation in a real vehicle.

Blocks

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Displays

Dashboard Scope	Trace signals on scope display during simulation
Display	Display signal value during simulation
Gauge	Display signal value on circular scale
Half Gauge	Display input value on semicircular scale
Quarter Gauge	Display input value on quadrant scale
Linear Gauge	Display input value on linear scale
Lamp	Display color that reflects signal value on lamp
MultiStateImage	Display image reflecting input value

Customizable Displays

Circular Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on circular gauge with customizable appearance
Horizontal Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on horizontal gauge with customizable appearance
Vertical Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on vertical gauge with customizable appearance
Lamp	Display color that reflects signal value on lamp with customizable appearance

Controls

Edit	Enter new value for parameter
Knob	Tune parameter value with dial
Slider	Tune parameter value with sliding scale
Push Button	Change parameter or variable value using button
Rotary Switch	Switch parameter to set values on dial
Radio Button	Select parameter value
Combo Box	Select parameter value from drop-down menu
Check Box	Select parameter or variable value
Rocker Switch	Toggle parameter between two values
Slider Switch	Toggle parameter between two values
Toggle Switch	Toggle parameter between two values
Callback Button	Execute MATLAB code using button

Customizable Controls

Knob	Change parameter or variable value using knob with customizable appearance
Horizontal Slider	Change parameter or variable value using horizontal slider with customizable appearance
Vertical Slider	Change parameter or variable value using vertical slider with customizable appearance
Push Button	Change parameter or variable value using button with customizable appearance
Callback Button	Execute MATLAB code using button with customizable appearance
Rotary Switch	Change parameter or variable value using rotary switch with customizable appearance
Rocker Switch	Change parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance
Slider Switch	Change parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance
Toggle Switch	Change parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance

Classes

`Simulink.SimulationData.Parameter`	Stores logged parameter data and metadata
`Simulink.HMI.InstrumentedSignals`	Save and restore signal logging specification
`Simulink.HMI.SignalSpecification`	Programmatically connect a Dashboard block to a signal
`Simulink.HMI.ParamSourceInfo`	Information about Dashboard block variable and parameter connections

Topics

Tune and Visualize Your Model with Dashboard Blocks
Use blocks in the Dashboard block library to visualize and interact with your model.
Interactively Design and Debug Models Using Panels
Use a panel containing Dashboard blocks to design and debug your model.
Design Custom Gauges
Design gauges using the Circular Gauge, Horizontal Gauge, and Vertical Gauge blocks.
Design Custom Knobs
Design knobs using the customizable Knob block.
Design Custom Lamps
Design lamps using the customizable Lamp block.
Design Custom Rocker, Slider, and Toggle Switches
Design switches using the customizable Rocker Switch, Slider Switch, and Toggle Switch blocks.
Design Custom Rotary Switches
Design rotary switches using the customizable Rotary Switch block.
Design Custom Sliders
Design slider switches using the customizable Slider Switch block.
Simulation Pacing
Specify a pace to slow down simulations.
Decide How to Visualize Simulation Data
Choose the right visualization technique for each modeling and simulation task.

Featured Examples

Modeling a Fault-Tolerant Fuel Control System

Combine Stateflow® with Simulink® to efficiently model hybrid systems. This type of modeling is particularly useful for systems that have numerous possible operational modes based on discrete events. Traditional signal flow is handled in Simulink while changes in control configuration are implemented in Stateflow. The model described below represents a fuel control system for a gasoline engine. The system is highly robust in that individual sensor failures are detected and the control system is dynamically reconfigured for uninterrupted operation.

Open Model

Create a Realistic Dashboard Using the Circular Gauge Block

Use the Custom Gauge and MultiStateImage blocks to create a realistic dashboard for your model.

Open Model

Control a Parameter Value with Callback Button Blocks

Models control of a system that consists of two masses attached on either side of a spring.

Open Model

Two Cylinder Model with Load Constraints

Model a rigid rod supporting a large mass interconnecting two hydraulic actuators. The model eliminates the springs as it applies the piston forces directly to the load. These forces balance the gravitational force and result in both linear and rotational displacement.

Open Model