Variant Systems

Create custom model versions to support different specifications, without duplication

In Simulink^®, you can create models that are based on a modular design platform that comprises a fixed common structure with a finite set of variable components. The variability helps you develop a single, fixed master design with variable components.

The approach helps you meet diverse customer requirements that are governed by application, cost, or operational considerations.

Variants are the variable components of modular design platforms. They help you specify multiple implementations of a model in a single, unified block diagram. For more information, see What Are Variants and When to Use Them.

There are two types of variants, hierarchical and inline. Hierarchical variants are through Variant Subsystem blocks, whereas Inline Variants are through Variant Source and Variant Sink blocks. Use of a Variant Subsystem block provides these advantages:

Allows you to mix Model and Subsystem blocks as variant systems
Supports flexible I/O, so that all variants do not need to have the same number of input and output ports

Blocks

Variant Subsystem, Variant Model	Template subsystem containing Subsystem blocks or Model blocks as Variant choices
Variant Source	Route among multiple inputs using Variants
Variant Sink	Route amongst multiple outputs using Variants
Manual Variant Source	Switch between multiple variant choices at input
Manual Variant Sink	Switch between multiple variant choices at output

Classes

`Simulink.Variant`	Specify conditions that control variant selection
`Simulink.VariantConfigurationData`	Class representing a variant configurations data object
`Simulink.VariantManager`	Class representing a set of Variant Manager functionality
`Simulink.VariantConfigurationAnalysis`	Class representing a set of Variant Configuration Analysis functionality

Topics

Introduction to Variants

What Are Variants and When to Use Them

Single system that caters to multiple variant requirements.

Variant Terminology

Learn terminology and parameters related to Simulink variants.

Create a Simple Variant Model

Learn how to create a model using Variant blocks.

Introduction to Variant Controls

Learn how to control variant blocks.

Working with Variant Choices

Activate, inactivate, or create default variant choices.

Create Variant Controls Programmatically

Use MATLAB^® code to define variant controls.

Variant Subsystem

Variant Subsystems

Learn basic functionality of variant subsystems.

Define, Configure, and Activate Variants

Represent variant choices in Variant Subsystems.

Condition Propagation with Variant Subsystem

Propagate variant conditions outside of Variant Subsystem block.

Variant Systems with Conditional Systems

Understand variant condition propagation to conditionally executed systems.

Convert Configurable Subsystem to Variant Subsystem

Learn how to convert configurable subsystems to variant subsystems and their behavior on loading.

Inline Variants

Define and Configure Variant Sources and Sinks

Represent variant choices using Inline Variants.

Visualize Variant Implementations in a Single Layer

View the variant choices in a model containing Inline Variants.

Variant Source and Variant Sink Blocks

Define variant choice in Variant Source and Sink blocks.

Variant Condition Propagation with Variant Sources and Sinks

Propagate variant conditions from the Inline Variants block.

Propagating Variant Conditions to Subsystems

Understand variant condition propagation to virtual and non-virtual subsystems.

Propagate Variant Condition to Conditional Subsystem

Learn about variant condition propagation with conditional subsystem.

Control Variant Condition Propagation

Control propagation of variant conditions upstream and downstream.

Variant Elements within Buses

Understand how to create variant bus, generate code, and variant condition propagation with bus.

Code Generation

Prepare Variant-Containing Model for Code Generation

Configure and generate code for a variant model.

Variant Manager

Variant Manager Overview

Use a central tool to manage variation points of a variants model.

Create and Validate Variant Configurations

Create variant configuration for a model and validate their accuracy.

Import Control Variables to Variant Configuration

Import control variables associated with a model.

Define Constraints

Define constraints across models.

Reduce Models Containing Variant Blocks

Generate models with a subset of variant configurations.

Analyze Variant Configurations in Models Containing Variant Blocks

Analyze model references and libraries for each variant configuration in a model containing variant blocks.

Example Models

Variants Example Models

A set of concept examples that illustrate some of the Simulink variants capabilities.

Related Information

Using Variant Subsystems (3 min, 38 sec)

Featured Examples

Model Reference Variants

Use model reference variants. A Model block is used to reference one Simulink® model from another Simulink model. A Variant Subsystem block can contain Model blocks as variants. A variant describes one of N possible modes a Variant Subsystem block can operate in. Each variant references a specific model with its associated model-specific arguments. Only one variant is active for simulation. You can switch the active variant by changing the values of variables in the base workspace, or by manually overriding variant selection using the Variant Subsystem block dialog.

Open Model