Control Simulations with Interactive Displays

Build dashboard for model, interactively tune parameter values, and monitor signal values during simulation

Create an interactive dashboard for your model using a variety of controls and displays available in the Dashboard library and the Customizable Blocks library.

Controls connect to variables and block parameters in your model, providing an interface for you to tune values during simulation.
Displays connect to signals and display the signal value during simulation.

To design custom dashboard blocks that look like controls and displays in your real system, choose blocks from the Customizable Blocks library. For example, you can create a photorealistic model of the speedometer in a real vehicle.

You can model real-life dashboards and control panels by adding blocks from the Dashboard library and the Customizable Blocks library to Simulink^® panels. Panels float above the canvas, can be moved to any location over the canvas, and can be minimized when you want to work on the model underneath them. Panels can have multiple tabs, so that you can organize your dashboard blocks into different groups.

Blocks

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Displays

Dashboard Scope	Trace signals on scope display during simulation
Display	Display signal value during simulation
Gauge	Display signal value on circular scale
Half Gauge	Display input value on semicircular scale
Quarter Gauge	Display input value on quadrant scale
Linear Gauge	Display input value on linear scale
Lamp	Display color that reflects signal value on lamp
MultiStateImage	Display image reflecting input value

Customizable Displays

Circular Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on circular gauge with customizable appearance (Since R2020b)
Half Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on gauge shaped as half-circle with customizable appearance (Since R2024a)
Quarter Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on gauge shaped as quarter-circle with customizable appearance (Since R2024a)
Display	Display signal value during simulation with customizable appearance (Since R2023b)
Horizontal Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on horizontal gauge with customizable appearance (Since R2020a)
Vertical Gauge	Display signal value during simulation on vertical gauge with customizable appearance (Since R2020a)
Lamp	Display color that reflects signal value on lamp with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)

Controls

Edit	Enter new value for parameter
Knob	Tune parameter value with dial
Slider	Tune parameter value with sliding scale
Push Button	Change parameter or variable value using button
Rotary Switch	Switch parameter to set values on dial
Radio Button	Select parameter value
Combo Box	Select parameter value from drop-down menu
Check Box	Select parameter or variable value
Rocker Switch	Toggle parameter between two values
Slider Switch	Toggle parameter between two values
Toggle Switch	Toggle parameter between two values
Callback Button	Execute MATLAB code using button

Customizable Controls

Knob	Change parameter or variable value using knob with customizable appearance (Since R2021a)
Horizontal Slider	Change parameter or variable value using horizontal slider with customizable appearance (Since R2021a)
Vertical Slider	Change parameter or variable value using vertical slider with customizable appearance (Since R2021a)
Push Button	Change parameter or variable value using button with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Callback Button	Execute MATLAB code using button with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Rotary Switch	Change parameter or variable value using rotary switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Check Box	Change parameter or variable value during simulation using check box with customizable appearance (Since R2024b)
Rocker Switch	Change parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Slider Switch	Change parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)
Toggle Switch	Change parameter or variable value using switch with customizable appearance (Since R2021b)

Tools

Simulation Pacing Options

Slow simulation to a specified ratio of simulation time to wall clock time

Objects

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Access Logged Parameter Data

Simulink.SimulationData.Parameter Stores logged parameter data and metadata

Programmatically Connect Dashboard Blocks

`Simulink.HMI.InstrumentedSignals`	Save and restore signal logging specification
`Simulink.HMI.SignalSpecification`	Programmatically connect a Dashboard block to a signal
`Simulink.HMI.ParamSourceInfo`	Information about Dashboard block variable and parameter connections

Topics

Model Dashboards with Panels

Getting Started with Panels
Learn how to add dashboard blocks to panels, edit panels, and edit panel contents.
Use Panels to Monitor Signals and Control Parameters
Use virtual dashboards to interact with the model during simulation.
Create Tabbed Panels
Organize your panel content into multiple tabs.
Create Dashboard Panel
This example shows how to create a climate control screen for an automotive infotainment system, modeled as a dashboard panel.
Deploy Dashboard Panel as App
Deploy your panel as a standalone desktop app or web app.

Connect Dashboard Blocks

Connect Dashboard Blocks to Simulink Model
Connect dashboard blocks to interactively tune and monitor model.
Connect Dashboard Blocks to Stateflow (Stateflow)
Dashboard blocks help you to control and visualize your Stateflow^® chart during simulation and while your simulation is paused.

Display Signals and Control Parameters with Dashboard Blocks

Tune and Visualize Your Model with Dashboard Blocks
Use blocks in the Dashboard block library to visualize and interact with your model.
Design Custom Gauges
Design gauges using the Circular Gauge, Horizontal Gauge, and Vertical Gauge blocks.
Design Custom Knobs
Design knobs using the customizable Knob block.
Design Custom Lamps
Design lamps using the customizable Lamp block.
Design Custom Rocker, Slider, and Toggle Switches
Design switches using the customizable Rocker Switch, Slider Switch, and Toggle Switch blocks.
Design Custom Buttons
Design buttons using the customizable Callback Button and Push Button blocks.
Design Custom Rotary Switches
Design rotary switches using the customizable Rotary Switch block.
Design Custom Sliders
Design slider switches using the customizable Slider Switch block.

Learn More About Visualizing Simulation Data

Decide How to Visualize Simulation Data
Choose the right visualization technique for each modeling and simulation task.

Featured Examples

Model Fault-Tolerant Fuel Control System

Combine Stateflow® and Simulink® capabilities to model hybrid systems. This type of modeling is particularly useful for systems that have numerous possible operational modes based on discrete events. Traditional signal flow is handled in Simulink while changes in control configuration are implemented in Stateflow. The model described in this example represents a fuel control system for a gasoline engine. The system is robust in that it detects individual sensor failures, and the control system is dynamically reconfigured for uninterrupted operation.

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Create a Realistic Dashboard Using the Circular Gauge Block

Use the Custom Gauge and MultiStateImage blocks to create a realistic dashboard for your model.

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Two Cylinder Model with Load Constraints

Use Simulink to model a rigid rod supporting a large mass interconnecting two hydraulic actuators. This model eliminates the springs as it applies the piston forces directly to the load.

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