Subsystems

Group blocks into functional subsystems, create model hierarchy

As a model increases in size and complexity, you can simplify it by grouping blocks into subsystems. A subsystem is a set of blocks that you group into a single Subsystem block.

Using subsystems:

Establishes a hierarchical block diagram, where a Subsystem block is on one layer and the blocks that make up the subsystem are on another.
Keeps functionally related blocks together.
Helps reduce the number of blocks displayed in your model window.
Establishes an interface with inputs and outputs.

When you make a copy of a subsystem, that copy is independent of the source subsystem. To reuse the contents of a subsystem across a model or across models, consider referenced subsystems, referenced models, or subsystems linked to a block in a custom library. For more information, see Choose Among Types of Model Components.

A subsystem can be virtual or nonvirtual. A virtual subsystem provides graphical hierarchy in a model and does not impact the execution of a model. A nonvirtual subsystem executes as a single unit within a model.

Blocks

Subsystem

Group blocks to create model hierarchy

Functions

expand all

Subsystem Functions

`Simulink.BlockDiagram.createSubsystem`	Create subsystem containing specified set of blocks
`Simulink.BlockDiagram.copyContentsToSubsystem`	Copy graphical contents from system to empty subsystem
`Simulink.BlockDiagram.expandSubsystem`	Replace subsystem with subsystem contents
`Simulink.SubSystem.convertToModelReference`	Convert subsystem to model reference
`Simulink.SubSystem.copyContentsToBlockDiagram`	Copy graphical contents from subsystem to empty system
`Simulink.SubSystem.deleteContents`	Delete contents of subsystem

Subsystem Reference Functions

`convertAllSubsystemReferenceBlockToSubsystem`	Converts all subsystem reference blocks to regular Subsystem blocks
`convertSubsystemReferenceBlockToSubsystem`	Converts a subsystem reference block to a regular Subsystem block
`convertSubsystemToSubsystemReference`	Converts a Subsystem block to subsystem reference
`getActiveInstances`	Returns all the active instances of subsystem references
`getAllDirtyInstances`	Returns child Subsystem block diagrams that are referred in the given block diagram and are also being edited
`getAllInstances`	Returns all subsystem reference blocks inside a block diagram
`getAllReferencedSubsystemBlockDiagrams`	Returns all the child Subsystem block diagrams for a given block diagram
`getNearestParentSubsystemReferenceBlock`	Returns the nearest parent subsystem reference for a block
`getSystemOwningTheLock`	Returns the system that has acquired the lock for editing
`isSystemLocked`	Checks if the system is locked due to an edit or update to the subsystem reference

Tools

Model Reference Conversion Advisor	Convert subsystems to referenced models
Referenced Files Pane	View, save, and close referenced subsystems and models

Topics

Subsystems

Create Subsystems
How to create subsystems.
Expand Subsystem Contents
Flatten a model hierarchy by bringing the contents of a subsystem up one level.
Navigate Model Hierarchies
Navigate model hierarchy of subsystems and referenced models.
Preview Content of Model Components
Display representation of block contents on the face of a block.

Subsystem References

Subsystem Reference
Save a subsystem in a separate file and reference it in a model.
Reference a Subsystem File in a Model
Use subsystem reference in a model.
Change Subsystem Reference Component Dynamically Using InitFcn
This example shows how to dynamically change the subsystem reference component using the Initialization Function.

Subsystems

Blocks

Functions

Subsystem Functions

Subsystem Reference Functions

Tools

Topics

Subsystems

Subsystem References

Related Information