Can I add bidirectional ports in System Composer? Example: LIN, CAN, etc.

I need to build a System Architecture for an automotive ECU which has CAN and LIN communication.

How do I create bidirectional ports in System Composer? The only options I have are IN port and OUT port, but for example LIN is single wire bidirectional communication. How can I create a bidirectional port?

Currently I am working on the Functional Analysis view. Are bidirectional ports available on other views (Logical View, Technical View)?

Answer 1

[Josh Kahn]

Hi @Cristian Florica,

To ensure consistency between Simulink and System Composer, data ports are unidirectional with bidirectional communication being modeled by creating separate ports for inputs and outputs. We typically see customers adding an "_In" and "_Out," or equivalent, to the end of the port names. We have also heard feedback from customers that they prefer using unidirectional ports because it makes the model easier to understand at a high level.

We also have additional port types now, including physical ports which can be used to represent non-directional connections such as wires or pipes in a Simscape model, and client-server ports with service interfaces that can be used to represent call/response communication between components in a software architecture.

I hope that answers your question and gives you some additional methods for modeling data flow. If you need any more assistance, please reach out to us at:

https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html

Regards,

Josh