Getting Started

Building Models

Introduction

This chapter introduces you to Simulink and the Communications Blockset. The chapter begins by showing you how to run an existing Simulink model and how to build a simple model. It then explains how to build typical models of communication systems using the Communications Blockset. These models show you how to use the blockset and illustrate some of its important features. We encourage you to build and run these models for yourself, as this is the best way to learn about the Communications Blockset.

New Simulink Users

If you are new to Simulink, the first two sections get you started with building and running models:

• Running a Simulink Model shows how to run a demo model that is included in the Communications Blockset.
• Building a Simple Model explains how to build a Simulink model and how to use Simulink block libraries. The section also explains sample times, frames, and sample-based versus frame-based processing.

Building Models of Communication Systems

If you are already familiar with Simulink, you can skip to these later sections, which describe some typical models of communication systems:

• Building a Channel Noise Model describes a model that simulates a channel with noise and calculates the bit error rate of data passing through the channel.
• Reducing the Error Rate Using a Hamming Code describes how to add a Hamming code to the channel noise model to improve the error rate. The section also explains how to view errors in a scope.
• Modeling a Channel with Modulation describes a model of a channel with binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN).
• Reducing the Error Rate with a Cyclic Code shows how to add a binary cyclic code to the BPSK model to improve the error rate. The section also shows how to use a Probe block to determine frame sizes and frame periods of signals.
• Building a Frequency-Shift Keying Model describes a model of frequency-shift keying. The section explains delays created by blocks in the model and how to compensate for them.
• Building a Convolutional Code Model describes a model of convolutional coding.

How to Use This Guide

Running a Simulink Model