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Signal Generator

Generate various waveforms

  • Signal Generator block

Libraries:
Simulink / Sources

Description

Supported Operations

The Signal Generator block can produce one of four different waveforms:

  • sine

  • square

  • sawtooth

  • random

You can express signal parameters in hertz or radians per second. Using default parameter values, you get one of the following waveforms:

WaveformScope Output

Sine wave

Square wave

Sawtooth wave

Random wave

A negative Amplitude parameter value causes a 180-degree phase shift. You can generate a phase-shifted wave at other than 180 degrees in many ways. For example, you can connect a Clock block signal to a MATLAB Function block and write the equation for the specific wave.

You can vary the output settings of the Signal Generator block while a simulation is in progress to determine quickly the response of a system to different types of inputs.

The Amplitude and Frequency parameters determine the amplitude and frequency of the output signal. The parameters must be of the same dimensions after scalar expansion. If you clear the Interpret vector parameters as 1-D check box, the block outputs a signal of the same dimensions as the Amplitude and Frequency parameters (after scalar expansion). If you select the Interpret vector parameters as 1-D check box, the block outputs a vector (1-D) signal if the Amplitude and Frequency parameters are row or column vectors, that is, single-row or column 2-D arrays. Otherwise, the block outputs a signal of the same dimensions as the parameters.

Solver Considerations

If your model uses a fixed-step solver, Simulink® uses the same step size for the entire simulation. In this case, the Signal Generator block output provides a uniformly sampled representation of the ideal waveform.

If your model uses a variable-step solver, Simulink might use different step sizes during the simulation. In this case, the Signal Generator block output does not always provide a uniformly sampled representation of the ideal waveform. To ensure that the block output is a uniformly sampled representation, add a Hit Crossing block directly downstream of the Signal Generator block. These models show the difference in Signal Generator block output with and without the Hit Crossing block.

Model That Uses a Variable-Step SolverSignal Generator Block Output

Ports

Output

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Output signal specified as one of these waveforms.

  • sine

  • square

  • sawtooth

  • random

Data Types: double

Parameters

expand all

Specify the wave form.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: WaveForm
Type: character vector
Values: 'sine' | 'square' | 'sawtooth' | 'random'
Default: 'sine'

Specify whether to use simulation time or an external signal as the source of values for the waveform time variable. If you specify an external source, the block displays an input port for connecting the source.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: TimeSource
Type: character vector
Values: 'Use simulation time' | 'Use external signal'
Default: 'Use simulation time'

Specify the amplitude of the generated waveform.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: Amplitude
Type: character vector
Values: real scalar
Default: '1'

Specify the frequency of the generated waveform.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: Frequency
Type: character vector
Values: real scalar
Default: '1'

Specify the signal units as Hertz or rad/sec.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: Units
Type: character vector
Values: 'rad/sec' | 'Hertz'
Default: 'rad/sec'

Select this check box to output a vector of length N if the Constant value parameter evaluates to an N-element row or column vector.

  • When you select this check box, the block outputs a vector of length N if the Constant value parameter evaluates to an N-element row or column vector. For example, the block outputs a matrix of dimension 1-by-N or N-by-1.

  • When you clear this check box, the block does not output a vector of length N if the Constant value parameter evaluates to an N-element row or column vector.

Programmatic Use

Block Parameter: VectorParams1D
Type: character vector
Values: 'on' | 'off'
Default: 'on'

Block Characteristics

Data Types

double

Direct Feedthrough

yes

Multidimensional Signals

yes

Variable-Size Signals

no

Zero-Crossing Detection

no

Extended Capabilities

Version History

Introduced before R2006a