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Comparison of Custom Block Functionality

When creating a custom block, consider:

Does the block model continuous or discrete state behavior?
Is the simulation performance important?
Do you need to generate code for a model containing the custom block?

This table shows how each custom block type addresses the three concerns.

Modelling Considerations

Custom Block Type	Model State Dynamics	Simulation Performance	Code Generation
Interpreted MATLAB Function	No	Less fast	Not supported
Level-2 MATLAB S-Function	Yes	Less fast	Requires a TLC file
MATLAB Function	No	Fast	Supported with exceptions
MATLAB System	Yes	Fast	Supported with exceptions
S-Function	Yes	Fast	Requires a TLC file or non-inline S-Function support
C Caller	No	Fast	Supported
C Function	Yes	Fast	Supported
S-Function Builder	Yes	Fast	Supported
Simulink Function	Yes	Fast	Supported
Subsystem	Yes	Fast	Supported
Fcn	No	Very fast	Supported

For detailed design of custom blocks, consider:

Does the custom block need multiple input and output ports?
What are the callback methods to communicate with the Simulink^® engine and which custom blocks let you implement all or a subset of these callback methods?
How important is the effect of the custom block on the speed of updating the Simulink diagram?

Model State Behavior

You need to model the state behavior for a block that requires some or all of its previous outputs to compute its current outputs. See State variables for more information.

Custom Block Type	Notes
Fcn, Interpreted MATLAB Function, C Caller	Does not allow you to model state behavior.
MATLAB Function, C Function	Allows you to model a discrete state using `persistent` variables.
Level-2 MATLAB^® S-Function	Allows you to model both continuous and discrete state behavior using the `ContStates` or `Dwork` run-time object methods in combination with block callback methods. For a list of supported methods, see Level-2 MATLAB S-Function Callback Methods in Write Level-2 MATLAB S-Functions.
MATLAB System	Allows you to model discrete state behavior using `DiscreteState` properties of the System object™, in combination with block callback methods. This block uses System object methods for callback methods: `mdlOutputs` (`stepImpl`, `outputImpl`), `mdlUpdate` (`updateImpl`), `mdlInitializeConditions` (`resetImpl`), `mdlStart` (`setupImpl`), `mdlTerminate` (`releaseImpl`). For more information see What Are System Objects?.
C MEX S-Function, S-Function Builder	Allows you to model both continuous and discrete state behavior in combination with block callback methods. For more information, see Callback Methods for C MEX S-Functions
Simulink Function	Communicates directly with the engine. You can model the state behavior using appropriate blocks from the continuous and discrete Simulink block libraries. When multiple calls to this function originate from different callers, the state values are also persistent between these calls. For more information, see Call a Simulink Function Block from Multiple Sites.
Subsystem	Communicates directly with the engine. You can model the state behavior using appropriate blocks from the continuous and discrete Simulink block libraries.

Simulation Performance

For most applications, all custom block types provide satisfactory simulation performance. Use the Simulink profiler to get the actual performance indication. See How Profiler Captures Performance Data for more information.

The two categories of performance indication are the interface cost and the algorithm cost. The interface cost is the time it takes to move data from the Simulink engine into the block. The algorithm cost is the time it takes to perform the algorithm that the block implements.

Custom Block Type	Notes
Fcn	Has the highest simulation performance. The block is tightly integrated with the Simulink engine and optimized for simulation and code generation.
Interpreted MATLAB Function	Has a slower performance due to the interface, but has the same algorithm cost as a MATLAB function. When block data (such as inputs and outputs) is accessed or returned from an Interpreted MATLAB Function block, the Simulink engine packages this data into MATLAB arrays. This packaging takes additional time and causes a temporary increase in memory during communication. If you pass large amounts of data across this interface, such as frames or arrays, the performance can be substantially slow. Once the data has been converted, the MATLAB execution engine executes the algorithm. As a result, the algorithm cost is the same as for MATLAB function.
Level-2 MATLAB S-Function	Incurs the same algorithm costs as the Interpreted MATLAB Function block, but with a slightly higher interface cost. Since MATLAB S-Functions can handle multiple inputs and outputs, the packaging is more complicated than for the Interpreted MATLAB Function block. In addition, the Simulink engine calls the MATLAB execution engine for each block method you implement, whereas the Interpreted MATLAB Function block calls the MATLAB execution engine only for the `Outputs` method.
MATLAB Function	Performs simulation through code generation and incurs the same interface cost as other Simulink built-in blocks. The algorithm cost of this block is harder to analyze because of the block's implementation. On average, a function for this block and the MATLAB function run at about the same speed. If the MATLAB Function block has code that uses `coder.extrinsic` to call out to the MATLAB execution engine, it incurs all the costs that the MATLAB S-Function or Interpreted MATLAB Function block incur. Calling out to the MATLAB execution engine from a MATLAB Function block produces a warning to prevent you from doing so unintentionally. To reduce the algorithm cost, you can disable debugging for all MATLAB Function blocks.
MATLAB System	In the interpreted execution mode, performance is similar to that of the Level-2 MATLAB S-function because the model simulates the block using the MATLAB execution engine. In the code generation mode, performance is similar to that of the MATLAB Function because the model simulates the block using the generated code. For more information, see the MATLAB Function entry in this table.
C Caller, C Function	First time model simulation with could be slower due to parsing and building of the custom code. To speed up the simulation after the first compile, from Configuration parameters, select Faster Builds for faster compile and select Faster Runs for faster simulation.
C MEX S-Function	Simulates via the compiled code and incurs the same interface cost as Simulink built-in blocks. The algorithm cost depends on the complexity of the S-Function.
S-Function Builder	This block only builds an S-Function from the specifications and C code you supply. You can also use this block as a wrapper for the generated S-Function in models. The algorithm cost of this block compared to C MEX S-Function is incurred only from the wrapper.
Simulink Function, Subsystem	If included in a library, introduces no interface or algorithm costs beyond what would normally be incurred if the block existed as a regular subsystem in the model. Performance is proportional to the complexity of the algorithm implemented in the subsystem. If the subsystem is contained in a library, some cost is incurred when Simulink loads any unloaded libraries the first time the diagram is updated or readied for simulation. If all referenced library blocks remain unchanged, Simulink does not subsequently reload the library. Compiling the model becomes faster than if the model did not use libraries.

Code Generation

You need code generation if your model is part of a bigger system. Not all custom block types support code generation with Simulink Coder™.

Custom Block Type	Notes
Fcn	Supports code generation.
Interpreted MATLAB Function	Does not support code generation.
C Caller, C Function	Supports code generation.
Level-2 MATLAB S-Function	Generates code only if you implement the algorithm using a Target Language Compiler (TLC) function. In accelerated and external mode simulations, you can choose to execute the S-Function in the interpretive mode by calling back to the MATLAB execution engine without implementing the algorithm in TLC. If the MATLAB S-Function is `SimViewingDevice`, the Simulink Coder product automatically omits the block during code generation.
MATLAB Function, MATLAB System	Supports code generation. However, if your block calls out to the MATLAB execution engine, it will build with the Simulink Coder product only if the calls to the MATLAB execution engine do not affect the block outputs. Under this condition, the Simulink Coder product omits these calls from the generated C code. This feature allows you to leave visualization code in place, even when generating embedded code.
C MEX S-Function, S-Function Builder	Both supports code generation. For non-inlined S-Functions, the Simulink Coder product uses the C MEX function during code generation. In the case of C MEX S-Functions, if you need to either inline the S-Function or create a wrapper for handwritten code, you must write a TLC file for the S-Function. In the case of S-Function Builder, you can choose the Generate wrapper TLC option to automatically generate a TLC file. See S-Functions and Code Generation (Simulink Coder) for more information.
Simulink Function	Supports code generation.
Subsystem	Supports code generation as long as the blocks contained within the subsystem support code generation. For more information, see Subsystems (Simulink Coder).

Multiple Input and Output Ports

These types of custom blocks support multiple input and output ports.

Custom Block Type	Notes
Fcn, Interpreted MATLAB Function	Supports only a single input and a single output port.
MATLAB Function	Supports multiple input and output ports, including buses. For more information, see Create Structures in MATLAB Function Blocks and Attach Buses to MATLAB Function Blocks.
MATLAB System	Supports multiple input and output ports, including buses. In addition, you can modify the number of input and output ports based on System object properties using the `getNumInputs` and `getNumOutputs` methods.
C Caller, C Function	Supports multiple input and output ports, including buses.
Level-2 MATLAB S-Function, C MEX S-Function, S-Function Builder	Supports multiple input and output ports. In addition, you can modify the number of input and output ports based on user-defined parameters. The C MEX S-Function and S-Function Builder support buses.
Simulink Function	Supports multiple input and output ports, including buses.
Subsystem	Supports multiple input and output ports, including buses. In addition, you can modify the number of input and output ports based on user-defined parameters. See Self-Modifiable Linked Subsystems for more information.

Speed of Updating the Simulink Diagram

Simulink updates the diagram before every simulation and when requested by the user. Every block introduces some overhead into the diagram update process.

Custom Block Type	Notes
Fcn, Interpreted MATLAB Function	Low diagram update cost.
MATLAB Function, C Caller, C Function	Simulation is performed through code generation, so this blocks can take a significant amount of time when first updated. However, because code generation is incremental, Simulink does not repeatedly update the block if the block and the signals connected to it have not changed.
MATLAB System	Faster than MATLAB Function because code is not generated to update the diagram. Since, code generation is incremental, Simulink does not repeatedly update the block if the block and the signals connected to it have not changed.
C MEX S-Function, Level-2 MATLAB S-Function	Incurs greater costs than other Simulink blocks only if it overrides methods executed when updating the diagram. If these methods become complex, they can contribute significantly to the time it takes to update the diagram. For a list of methods executed when updating the diagram, see the process view in Simulink Engine Interaction with C S-Functions. When updating the diagram, Simulink invokes all relevant methods in the model initialization phase up to, but not including, `mdlStart`.
Simulink Function, Subsystem	The speed is proportional to the complexity of the algorithm implemented in the subsystem. If the subsystem is contained in a library, some cost is incurred when Simulink loads any unloaded libraries the first time the diagram is updated or readied for simulation. If all referenced library blocks remain unchanged, Simulink does not subsequently reload the library. Compiling the model becomes faster than if the model does not use libraries.

Callback Methods

Simulink blocks communicate with the Simulink engine through block callback methods, which fully specify the behavior of blocks (except the Simulink Function block). Each custom block type allows you to implement a different set of callback methods. To learn how blocks interact with Simulink engine, see Simulink Engine Interaction with C S-Functions. This table uses S-Function Callback Methods names as equivalents.

Custom Block Type	Notes
Fcn, Interpreted MATLAB Function, MATLAB Function, C Caller	All create a `mdlOutputs` method to calculate the value of outputs given the value of inputs. You cannot implement any other callback methods using one of these blocks and, therefore, cannot model state behavior.
C Function	Allows implementation of start, output, and terminate callback methods. Allows modeling of discrete states with persistent data.
Level-2 MATLAB S-Function	Allows implementation of a larger subset of callback methods, including methods you can use to model continuous and discrete states. For a list of supported methods, see Level-2 MATLAB S-Function Callback Methods in Write Level-2 MATLAB S-Functions.
MATLAB System	Uses System object methods for callback methods: `mdlOutputs` (`stepImpl`, `outputImpl`), `mdlUpdate` (`updateImpl`), `mdlInitializeConditions` (`resetImpl`), `mdlStart` (`setupImpl`), `mdlTerminate` (`releaseImpl`). For more information, see Simulink Engine Interaction with System Object Methods
C MEX S-Function	Allows implementation of a complete set of callback methods.
S-Function Builder	Allows implementation of `mdlOutputs`, `mdlDerivatives` and `mdlUpdate`.
Simulink Function	Packaged as a standalone function. Any caller to this function becomes part of one of the callback methods based on the caller’s location.
Subsystem	Communicates directly with the engine. You can model state behaviors using appropriate blocks from the continuous and discrete Simulink block libraries.

Comparing MATLAB S-Functions to MATLAB Functions for Code Generation

MATLAB S-functions and MATLAB functions for code generation have some fundamental differences.

The Simulink Coder product can generate code for both MATLAB S-functions and MATLAB functions for code generation. However, MATLAB S-functions require a Target Language Compiler (TLC) file for code generation. MATLAB functions for code generation do not require a TLC file.
MATLAB S-functions can use any MATLAB function whereas MATLAB functions for code generation are a subset of the MATLAB language. For a list of supported functions for code generation, see Functions and Objects Supported for C/C++ Code Generation.
MATLAB S-functions can model discrete and continuous state dynamics whereas MATLAB functions for code generation cannot model state dynamics.

Expanding Custom Block Functionality

You can expand the functionality of any custom block using callbacks and MATLAB graphics.

Block callbacks perform user-defined actions at specific points in the simulation. For example, the callback can load data into the MATLAB workspace before the simulation or generate a graph of simulation data at the end of the simulation. You can assign block callbacks to any of the custom block types. For a list of available callbacks and more information on how to use them, see Block Callbacks.

App Designer, the MATLAB graphical user interface development environment, provides tools for easily creating custom user interfaces. See App Building for more information on using App Designer.