User`s guide

Introduction
12-3
One of the key components of Simulink is its engine, which propagates data
from one block to the next along signal lines. The data propagated are:
• Data type
• Line widths
• Sample times
When generating code, Simulink first compiles the block diagram. This compile
stage is analogous to that of a C program. The C compiler carries out type
checking and pre-processing. Similarly, Simulink verifies that input/output
data types of block ports are consistent, line widths between blocks are of the
correct thicknesses, and the sample times of connecting blocks are consistent.
The Simulink engine typically derives signal attributes from a source block.
For example, the Inport block’s parameters dialog box specifies the signal
attributes for the block.
In this example, the Inport block has a port width of 3, a sample time of .01
seconds,thedatatypeisdouble,andthesignaliscomplex.