What happens if I change the parameters of a copy of a subsystem in simscape?

Hi,

I am a beginner with Simscape and I am trying to model the heat evolution of the angled tip of a rod. To do that I separated my rod into many blocks (subsystems) and I created a staircase with the blocks at the tip of the rod. In order to have a variable angle I have two options either I add blocks (but I can't think of an efficient way to do it without being limited in the possible angles my model can produce) or I have the length of the blocks vary by changing the values of the thermal elements properties inside all of my subsystems.

Thus my question, if I copy a subsystem and change the parameters in the original one will those changes be automatically transferred to the copied subsystem or do I have to change the values in each one of them? Is there another way to change all those values at once ?

Thank you!

Answer 1

[Luca Ferro]

No the copy is not linked whatwoever with the original.

What you are searching for is a reference block: https://ch.mathworks.com/help/simulink/slref/model.html

A reference block is strictly linked to its parent, meaning that every change in the parent will reflect on every reference. This is also true in the opposite direction, a change in the child will result in a change in the parent. Note that a reference block can also be de-referenced, so it is quite useful if you later decided to keep the block structure and get rid of the link.

[Hugo Tessonneau]

Thank you very much!