Dials & Gauges Blockset

Using ActiveX Control Blocks in a Model
This section discusses how to use ActiveX Control blocks in a model, including describing the following:

• Adding ActiveX Control Blocks to a Model
• Modifying ActiveX Control Block Parameters
• Moving and Selecting ActiveX Control Blocks
• Modifying Properties of ActiveX Controls
• Running the Simulation
• Saving the Model

Adding ActiveX Control Blocks to a Model
To add ActiveX Control blocks to your Simulink model, drag them into the model window:

• If the Simulink Library Browser is open, you can drag the ActiveX Control block by dragging either the icon or the ActiveX Control block name.
• If the library is open (displaying ActiveX Control blocks as instruments), drag the block by its border, as described in Chapter 1, Quick Start.

Note:   The rest of this section assumes that you selected the Generic Knob control block.

Modifying ActiveX Control Block Parameters

Specifying the Type of Connection and Input/Output Block Parameters
ActiveX Control blocks are drawn with an inport and an outport because all ActiveX Control blocks can be used as either input or output devices (or both). By default, however, each ActiveX Control block is set up to act as either an input device (with an output connection), or an output device (with an input connection). Unused ports are removed when the simulation starts running or when you update the block diagram.

Note:   For your own ActiveX controls built on top of the ActiveX Control block, you can also double-click on the border of the block to display the Block Parameters dialog box.

Block Parameters
The Block Parameters dialog box for the Generic Knob control block is shown below. Several of the fields are briefly described below.

Connections.    This field determines the type of connection the ActiveX Control block is currently using:

• input indicates that the ActiveX Control block has an inport and receives a signal. The Input property indicates the ActiveX Control block's property whose value is changed by the input.
• output indicates that the ActiveX Control block has an outport and outputs a signal. The Output property indicates the ActiveX Control block's property whose value is output.
• both indicates that the ActiveX Control block has an inport and an outport and receives and outputs a signal.
• neither indicates that the ActiveX Control block has neither an inport nor an outport.

Input and Output Properties.    Each ActiveX Control block stores its current value in a property. This table lists the names of those properties that are common to each ActiveX Control block in the given Global Majic ActiveX Control Library.

Library	Property Name
Angular Gauges	NeedleValue
Buttons & Switches	Value
Knobs & Selectors	KnobValue (Generic Knob) Value (Frequency Selector)
LEDs	Value
Linear Gauges	BandStop (Min-Max Thermometer) PointerValue (Others)
Numeric Displays	Value
Percent Indicators	PortionValue
Sliders	Value
Strip Chart	N/A (See The Strip Chart Control Block.)

Other Block Parameters.    See Summary of Dialog Box Fields and Check Boxes for information about the other fields and check boxes. You can also click the Help button to find out about other parameters.

Moving and Selecting ActiveX Control Blocks
The way you move and select ActiveX Control blocks is significantly different from how you move and select a Simulink block.

To move an ActiveX Control block, drag the border.

Note:   Double-clicking on the border of a block that is supplied with the blockset (i.e., a built-in block) displays the ActiveX Control property sheet. Double-clicking on a user-created block displays the Block Parameters dialog box.

Modifying Properties of ActiveX Controls
ActiveX controls have many properties. Changing characteristics of the ActiveX control often requires that you change several properties. This manual does not provide details on how to modify all properties of the Global Majic Systems ActiveX controls. However, it does provide some instructions on how to make some common changes to ActiveX controls. See Modifying ActiveX Control Properties.

Running the Simulation
Run a simulation as you normally would run a Simulink model. Choose a simulation stop time large enough to give you time to manipulate input ActiveX Control blocks.

Saving the Model
When you save a model that contains ActiveX Control blocks, MATLAB saves additional files that describe the ActiveX Control blocks. For example, saving a model with the name sample, containing a Generic Knob control and a Lower Right gauge, saves these files.

sample.mdl
sample@Generic_Knob.ax
sample@Lower_Right.ax

sample@SubSystem@Generic_Knob.ax

Accessing the Global Majic ActiveX Library

Modifying ActiveX Control Properties