Signal Glossary :: Working with Signals (Using Simulink)

Using Simulink

Signal Glossary

The following table summarizes the terminology used to describe signals in the Simulink user interface and documentation.

Term
Meaning

Complex signal
Signal whose values are complex numbers.

Data type
Format used to represent signal values internally. See Working with Data Types for more information.

Matrix
Two-dimensional signal array.

Real signal
Signal whose values are real (as opposed to complex) numbers.

Scalar
One-element array, i.e., a one-element, 1-D or 2-D array.

Signal bus
A composite signal made up of other signals, including other buses. You can use Bus Creator, Mux, and Inport blocks to create signal buses.

Signal propagation
Process used by Simulink to determine attributes of signals and blocks, such as data types, labels, sample time, dimensionality, and so on, that are determined by connectivity.

Size
Number of elements that a signal contains. The size of a matrix (2-D) signal is generally expressed as M-by-N where M is the number of columns and N is the number of rows making up the signal.

Test point
A signal that must be accessible during simulation (see Signal Properties Dialog Box).

Vector
One-dimensional signal array.

Virtual signal
Signal that represents another signal or set of signals.

Width
Size of a vector signal.

Term	Meaning
Complex signal	Signal whose values are complex numbers.
Data type	Format used to represent signal values internally. See Working with Data Types for more information.
Matrix	Two-dimensional signal array.
Real signal	Signal whose values are real (as opposed to complex) numbers.
Scalar	One-element array, i.e., a one-element, 1-D or 2-D array.
Signal bus	A composite signal made up of other signals, including other buses. You can use Bus Creator, Mux, and Inport blocks to create signal buses.
Signal propagation	Process used by Simulink to determine attributes of signals and blocks, such as data types, labels, sample time, dimensionality, and so on, that are determined by connectivity.
Size	Number of elements that a signal contains. The size of a matrix (2-D) signal is generally expressed as M-by-N where M is the number of columns and N is the number of rows making up the signal.
Test point	A signal that must be accessible during simulation (see Signal Properties Dialog Box).
Vector	One-dimensional signal array.
Virtual signal	Signal that represents another signal or set of signals.
Width	Size of a vector signal.

Checking Signal Connections Determining Output Signal Dimensions