Composite Signals

Use composite signals, such as buses, to group signals and reduce model complexity

To simplify model appearance, combine individual signals into composite signals using these techniques:

Virtual buses
Nonvirtual buses
Mux signals
Concatenated signals

For a detailed comparison of composite signals, see Types of Composite Signals.

Virtual buses meet most modeling requirements for combining signals into a composite signal and give you flexibility for combining different types of signals.

Blocks

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Name-Based Composite Signals (Buses)

Bus Assignment	Assign new values to specified bus elements
Bus Creator	Create bus from input elements
Bus Selector	Select elements from incoming bus
In Bus Element	Select input from external port
Out Bus Element	Specify output that connects to external port

Index-Based Composite Signals

Demux	Extract and output elements of virtual vector signal
Mux	Combine input signals of same data type and complexity into virtual vector
Selector	Select input elements from vector, matrix, or multidimensional signal
Vector Concatenate, Matrix Concatenate	Concatenate input signals of same data type to create contiguous output signal

Signal Conversion

Bus to Vector	Convert virtual bus to vector
Signal Conversion	Convert signal to new type without altering signal values

Functions

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Simulink.Bus Objects

`Simulink.Bus`	Specify properties of buses
`Simulink.BusElement`	Specify properties of elements of buses
`Simulink.Bus.cellToObject`	Convert cell array containing bus information to Simulink.Bus objects
`Simulink.Bus.createObject`	Create `Simulink.Bus` objects from blocks or MATLAB structures
`Simulink.Bus.objectToCell`	Use Simulink.Bus objects to create cell array containing bus information
`Simulink.Bus.save`	Save Simulink.Bus objects in function

MATLAB Structures from Buses

Simulink.Bus.createMATLABStruct Create MATLAB structures that use the same hierarchy and attributes as buses

Signal Conversion

Simulink.BlockDiagram.addBusToVector Convert virtual bus signals into vector signals by adding Bus to Vector blocks

Tools

Bus Editor	Create, modify, and manage bus objects
Model Explorer	View, modify, and add elements of Simulink models, Stateflow charts, and workspace variables

Topics

Composite Signal Basics

Types of Composite Signals
Reduce visual complexity in a model by combining signals into a composite signal.
Bus-Capable Blocks
Identify the blocks that support virtual buses, nonvirtual buses, and arrays of buses.

Visually Group Lines

Group Signal Lines into Virtual Buses
Combine signals into virtual buses, which only affect visual appearance.
Simplify Subsystem and Model Interfaces with Buses
Use In Bus Element and Out Bus Element blocks for bus inputs and outputs.
Display Bus Information
Display information about buses, such as signal hierarchy and whether the bus is virtual or nonvirtual.
Identify Automatic Bus Conversions
Recognize modeling patterns that cause hidden Bus To Vector and Signal Conversion blocks.

Modify and Configure Buses

Modify Bus Hierarchy
Change the order and hierarchy of nested buses and their elements.
Assign Signal Values to Bus Elements
Use a Bus Assignment block to replace signals assigned to bus elements.
Specify Initial Conditions for Bus Elements
Specify bus element values as initial conditions for buses.
Share and Reuse Bus-Routing Blocks
Share blocks that create or interact with buses using subsystem references or custom libraries.

Define Bus Object Data Types

Specify Bus Properties with Simulink.Bus Object Data Types
Understand Simulink.Bus object uses and implementation.
Create Bus Objects Programmatically
Use functions and classes to define Bus objects and bus elements, create bus objects from blocks, or create Bus objects from MATLAB^® data.

Functionally Group Lines

Create Nonvirtual Buses
Create buses that appear in generated code and support modeling constructs such as arrays of buses.
Modify Sample Times for Nonvirtual Buses
Make the sample time of signals the same so that you can group them in a nonvirtual bus.
Generate Code for Nonvirtual Buses
Use a structure in code generation to represent a nonvirtual bus. Control data types of initial condition structure fields.
Inspect Generated Code for Nonvirtual Buses
Find nonvirtual buses in generated code for a simple model.

Simplify Iterative Processing

Group Nonvirtual Buses in Arrays of Buses
Streamline a model by combining nonvirtual buses that have the same data type into an array.
Work with Arrays of Buses
Set up your model to use an array of buses to select signals, assign values to a signal, perform iterative processing, log and load signals, and initialize signals.
Convert Models to Use Arrays of Buses
Convert an existing model that does not use arrays of buses to use arrays of buses.