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What Is Sample Time?

The sample time of a block is a parameter that indicates when, during simulation, the block produces outputs and if appropriate, updates its internal state. The internal state includes but is not limited to continuous and discrete states that are logged.

Note

Do not confuse the Simulink® usage of the term sample time with the engineering sense of the term. In engineering, sample time refers to the rate at which a discrete system samples its inputs. Simulink allows you to model single-rate and multirate discrete systems and hybrid continuous-discrete systems through the appropriate setting of block sample times that control the rate of block execution (calculations).

For many engineering applications, you need to control the rate of block execution. In general, Simulink provides this capability by allowing you to specify an explicit SampleTime parameter in the block dialog or at the command line. Blocks that do not have a SampleTime parameter have an implicit sample time. You cannot specify implicit sample times. Simulink determines them based upon the context of the block in the system. The Integrator block is an example of a block that has an implicit sample time. Simulink automatically sets its sample time to 0.

Sample times can be port based or block based. For block-based sample times, all of the inputs and outputs of the block run at the same rate. For port-based sample times, the input and output ports can run at different rates. To learn more about rates of execution, see Types of Sample Time.

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