Referenced Model in Simulink: Definition and Usage

A referenced model in Simulink is a separate model file that is included inside another model to organize and reuse complex systems. It allows you to break large designs into smaller parts, improving simulation speed and collaboration.

How It Works

Think of a referenced model like a chapter in a book. Instead of writing the whole book in one file, you write each chapter separately and then include them together to form the complete story. In Simulink, a referenced model is a separate model file that you insert into a main model as a block.

This setup helps keep your project organized and makes it easier to work on parts independently. When you run the main model, Simulink runs the referenced models as if they are part of the main model, but they remain separate files. This separation also speeds up simulation because Simulink can compile and run referenced models independently.

Example

This example shows how to create a referenced model block in Simulink using MATLAB code. It creates a simple model, saves it, and then references it inside a new main model.

matlab

modelName = 'simpleReferencedModel';
new_system(modelName);
open_system(modelName);
add_block('simulink/Sources/Sine Wave', [modelName '/Sine Wave']);
add_block('simulink/Sinks/Scope', [modelName '/Scope']);
add_line(modelName, 'Sine Wave/1', 'Scope/1');
save_system(modelName);

mainModel = 'mainModelWithReference';
new_system(mainModel);
open_system(mainModel);
add_block('simulink/Model Reference', [mainModel '/RefModel'], 'ModelName', modelName);
save_system(mainModel);

% Display the blocks in the main model
get_param([mainModel '/RefModel'], 'ModelName')

Output

simpleReferencedModel

When to Use

Use referenced models when your system is large or complex and you want to break it into manageable parts. This helps teams work on different parts of the system without interfering with each other.

They are also useful when you want to reuse a model in multiple projects or simulations without copying the whole design. Referenced models improve simulation speed because Simulink can compile them once and reuse the compiled code.

For example, in automotive system design, you might have separate referenced models for engine control, braking, and transmission, each developed by different teams but combined in one main model.

Key Points

• Referenced models are separate Simulink files included inside a main model.
• They help organize large projects and enable team collaboration.
• Simulation speed improves because referenced models compile independently.
• They allow model reuse across different projects.
• Changes in a referenced model automatically update in the main model when reloaded.

Key Takeaways

Referenced models let you break large Simulink projects into smaller, manageable parts.

They improve simulation speed by compiling separately from the main model.

Use referenced models to enable team collaboration and model reuse.

Changes in referenced models update automatically in the main model.

They help keep your Simulink projects organized and easier to maintain.