Referenced Model Sample Times

How Sample-Time Inheritance Works for Model Blocks

The sample times of a Model block are the sample times of the model that it references. If the referenced model must run at specific rates, the model specifies the required rates. Otherwise, the referenced model inherits its sample time from the parent model.

Placing a Model block in a triggered, function call, or iterator subsystem relies on the ability to inherit sample times. Also, allowing a Model block to inherit sample time maximizes its reuse potential. For example, a model can fix the data types and dimensions of all its input and output signals. You could reuse the model with different sample times (for example, discrete at 0.1 or discrete at 0.2, triggered).

Conditions for Inheriting Sample Times

A referenced model inherits its sample time if the model:

Does not have any continuous states
Specifies a fixed-step solver and the Fixed-step size is auto
Contains no blocks that specify sample times (other than inherited or constant)
Does not contain any S-functions that use their specific sample time internally
Has only one sample time (not counting constant and triggered sample time) after sample time propagation
Does not contain any blocks, including Stateflow^® charts, that use absolute time, as listed in Blocks That Depend on Absolute Time
Does not contain any blocks whose outputs depend on inherited sample time, as listed in Blocks Whose Outputs Depend on Inherited Sample Time.

You can use a referenced model that inherits its sample time anywhere in a parent model. By contrast, you cannot use a referenced model that has intrinsic sample times in a triggered, function call, or iterator subsystem. To avoid rate transition errors, ensure that blocks connected to a referenced model with intrinsic samples times operate at the same rates as the referenced model.

Note

A continuous sample time cannot be propagated to a Model block that is sample-time independent.

For more information, see Blocks Whose Outputs Depend on Inherited Sample Time.

Determining Sample Time of a Referenced Model

To determine whether a referenced model can inherit its sample time, set the Periodic sample time constraint configuration parameter to Ensure sample time independent. If the model is unable to inherit sample times, this setting causes Simulink^® to display an error message when building the model. See Periodic sample time constraint for more about this option.

To determine the intrinsic sample time of a referenced model, or the fastest intrinsic sample time for multirate referenced models:

Update the model that references the model
Select a Model block within the parent model
Enter the following at the MATLAB^® command line:
```
get_param(gcb, 'CompiledSampleTime')
```

Blocks That Depend on Absolute Time

The following Simulink blocks depend on absolute time, and therefore preclude a referenced model from inheriting sample time:

Backlash (only when the model uses a variable-step solver and the block uses a continuous sample time)
Chirp Signal
Clock
Derivative
Digital Clock
Discrete-Time Integrator (only when used in triggered subsystems)
From File
From Workspace
Pulse Generator
Ramp
Rate Limiter
Repeating Sequence
Signal Generator
Sine Wave (only when the Sine type parameter is Time-based)
stateflow (Stateflow) (when the chart uses absolute-time temporal logic, or the reserved word t to reference time)
Step
To File
To Workspace (only when logging to Timeseries or Structure With Time format)
Transport Delay
Variable Time Delay
Variable Transport Delay

Some blocks other than Simulink blocks depend on absolute time. See the documentation for the blocksets that you use.

Blocks Whose Outputs Depend on Inherited Sample Time

Using a block whose output depends on an inherited sample time in a referenced model can cause simulation to produce unexpected or erroneous results. When building a referenced model that does not need a specified rate, Simulink checks for blocks whose outputs are functions of the inherited sample time. This checking includes examining S-Function blocks. If Simulink finds any such blocks, it specifies a default sample time. If you have set the Configuration Parameters > Solver > Periodic sample time constraint to Ensure sample time independent, Simulink displays an error. See Periodic sample time constraint for more about this option.

The outputs of the following built-in blocks depend on inherited sample time. The outputs of these blocks preclude a referenced model from inheriting its sample time from the parent model:

Discrete-Time Integrator
From Workspace (if it has input data that contains time)
Probe (if probing sample time)
Rate Limiter
Rate Limiter Dynamic
Sine Wave

Simulink assumes that the output of an S-function does not depend on inherited sample time unless the S-function explicitly declares the contrary. See Specify S-Function Sample Times for information on how to create S-functions that declare whether their output depends on their inherited sample time.

In referenced models that inherit their sample time, avoid S-functions in referenced models that fail to declare whether output depends on inherited sample time. Excluding those kinds of S-functions helps to avoid simulation errors. By default, Simulink warns you if your model contains such blocks when you update or simulate the model. See Unspecified inheritability of sample time for details.

Sample Time Consistency

Use consistent sample time rates to promote the reliable use of a model referenced by another model. Make the rates of root Inport and Outport blocks in a referenced model consistent with the rates of blocks reading from and writing to those blocks. Simulink generates an error when there are sample time mismatches between:

The sample times of root Inport blocks and the sample times of blocks to which the Inport block inputs.
The sample times of root Outport blocks and the sample times of blocks that input to the Outport block.

To address an error that flags a sample time inconsistency in a referenced model, you can use one of these approaches.

Top-Level Inport or Outport Block Sample Time	Possible Solution
Different from all the blocks to which it connects, and those blocks all have the same sample time as each other	Set the sample time of the Inport or Outport block so that it matches the sample time of the block to which it connects.
Different from one or more blocks and the same as one or more blocks	For blocks that do not match the Inport or Outport block, insert Rate Transition blocks on the signal that connects to the Inport or Outport block.

Sample Rates and Solvers

The solver of the top model controls all continuous sample times in a model hierarchy. For example, for a fixed-step solver, all continuous rates in referenced models run at the fixed-step size of the top model. For information about how sample times impact solvers, see Types of Sample Time.