systemcomposer.interface.Dictionary

Interface data dictionary of architecture model

Since R2019a

Description

A Dictionary object represents the interface data dictionary of a System Composer™ model.

Note

When you load existing interface data dictionaries, Simulink automatically migrates them to the Architectural Data section of the Simulink data dictionary.

In addition to the Interface Editor, you can also use the Architectural Data Editor and Simulink.dictionary.ArchitecturalData API to manage and modify interfaces and value types. For more information on managing architectural data, see Graphically Manage Shared Interfaces, Data Types, and Constants and Programmatically Manage Shared Interfaces, Data Types, and Constants of Architecture Models.

Creation

Create an interface data dictionary using the systemcomposer.createDictionary function.

dictionary = systemcomposer.createDictionary('newDictionary.sldd');

Properties

Interfaces — Interfaces defined in dictionary

array of interface objects

Interfaces defined in dictionary, specified as an array of systemcomposer.interface.DataInterface, systemcomposer.interface.PhysicalInterface, or systemcomposer.interface.ServiceInterface objects.

Profiles — Profiles attached to dictionary

array of profile objects

Profiles attached to dictionary, specified as an array of systemcomposer.profile.Profile objects.

UUID — Universal unique identifier

character vector

Universal unique identifier for interface data dictionary, specified as a character vector.

Example: '91d5de2c-b14c-4c76-a5d6-5dd0037c52df'

Data Types: char

ExternalUID — Unique external identifier

character vector

Unique external identifier, specified as a character vector. The external ID is preserved over the lifespan of the interface data dictionary and through all operations that preserve the UUID.

Data Types: char

Object Functions

addValueType	Create named value type in interface dictionary
addInterface	Create named data interface in interface dictionary
addPhysicalInterface	Create named physical interface in interface dictionary
addServiceInterface	Create named service interface in interface dictionary
getInterface	Get object for named interface in interface dictionary
getInterfaceNames	Get names of all interfaces in interface dictionary
removeInterface	Remove named interface from interface dictionary
applyProfile	Apply profile to model
removeProfile	Remove profile from model
save	Save architecture model or data dictionary
saveToDictionary	Save interfaces to dictionary
addReference	Add reference to dictionary
removeReference	Remove reference to dictionary
destroy	Remove model element

Examples

Build Architecture Models Programmatically

Build an architecture model programmatically using System Composer™.

To build a model, add a data dictionary with data interfaces, data elements, a value type, and a physical interface, then add components, ports, and connections. Create a profile with stereotypes and properties and then apply those stereotypes to model elements. Assign an owned interface to a port. After the model is built, you can create custom views to focus on specific considerations. You can also query the model to collect different model elements according to criteria you specify.

Add Components, Ports, Connections, and Interfaces

Create a model and extract its architecture.

model = systemcomposer.createModel("mobileRobotAPI");
arch = model.Architecture;

Create an interface data dictionary and add a data interface. Add a data element to the data interface. Add a value type to the interface data dictionary. Assign the type of the data element to the value type. Add a physical interface and physical element with a physical domain type. Link the data dictionary to the model.

dictionary = systemcomposer.createDictionary("SensorInterfaces.sldd");
interface = dictionary.addInterface("GPSInterface");
element = interface.addElement("SignalStrength");
valueType = dictionary.addValueType("SignalStrengthType",Units="dB",...
    Description="GPS Signal Strength");
element.setType(valueType);
physicalInterface = dictionary.addPhysicalInterface("PhysicalInterface");
physicalElement = addElement(physicalInterface,"ElectricalElement",...
    Type="electrical.electrical");
linkDictionary(model,"SensorInterfaces.sldd");

Save the changes to the interface data dictionary.

dictionary.save

Save the model.

model.save

Open the model.

systemcomposer.openModel("mobileRobotAPI");

View the interfaces in the Interface Editor.

Add components, ports, and connections. Set the physical interface to the physical ports, which you will connect later.

componentSensor = addComponent(arch,"Sensor");
sensorPorts = addPort(componentSensor.Architecture,{'MotionData','SensorPower'},...
    {'in','physical'});
sensorPorts(2).setInterface(physicalInterface)

componentPlanning = addComponent(arch,"Planning");
planningPorts = addPort(componentPlanning.Architecture,...
    {'Command','SensorPower1','MotionCommand'},...
    {'in','physical','out'});
planningPorts(2).setInterface(physicalInterface)

componentMotion = addComponent(arch,"Motion");
motionPorts = addPort(componentMotion.Architecture,{'MotionCommand','MotionData'},...
    {'in','out'});

Create an owned interface on the 'MotionData' port. Add an owned data element under the owned data interface. Assign the data element "Rotation" to a value type with units set to degrees.

ownedInterface = motionPorts(2).createInterface("DataInterface");
ownedElement = ownedInterface.addElement("Rotation");
subInterface = ownedElement.createOwnedType(Units="degrees");

View the interfaces in the Interface Editor. Select the 'MotionData' port on the Motion component. In the Interface Editor, switch from Dictionary View to Port Interface View.

Connect components with an interface rule and the default name rule. The interface rule connects ports on components that share the same interface. By default, the name rule connects ports on components that share the same name.

c_sensorData = connect(arch,componentSensor,componentPlanning,Rule="interface");
c_motionData = connect(arch,componentMotion,componentSensor);
c_motionCommand = connect(arch,componentPlanning,componentMotion);

Add and Connect Architecture Port

Add an architecture port on the architecture.

archPort = addPort(arch,"Command","in");

The connect command requires a component port as an argument. Obtain the component port, then connect.

compPort = getPort(componentPlanning,"Command");
c_Command = connect(archPort,compPort);

Save the model.

model.save

Arrange the layout by pressıng Ctrl+Shift+A or using this command.

Simulink.BlockDiagram.arrangeSystem("mobileRobotAPI"); 

Create and Apply Profile with Stereotypes

Profiles are XML files that can be applied to any model. You can add stereotypes with properties to profiles and then populate the properties with specific values in the Profile Editor. Along with the built-in analysis capabilities of System Composer, stereotypes help you optimize your system for performance, cost, and reliability.

Create Profile and Add Stereotypes

Create a profile.

profile = systemcomposer.createProfile("GeneralProfile");

Create a stereotype that applies to all element types.

elemSType = addStereotype(profile,"projectElement");

Create stereotypes for different types of components. You can select these types are based on your design needs.

pCompSType = addStereotype(profile,"physicalComponent",AppliesTo="Component");
sCompSType = addStereotype(profile,"softwareComponent",AppliesTo="Component");

Create a stereotype for connections.

sConnSType = addStereotype(profile,"standardConn",AppliesTo="Connector");

Add Properties

Add properties to the stereotypes. You can use properties to capture metadata for model elements and analyze nonfunctional requirements. These properties are added to all elements to which the stereotype is applied, in any model that imports the profile.

addProperty(elemSType,'ID',Type="uint8");
addProperty(elemSType,'Description',Type="string");
addProperty(pCompSType,'Cost',Type="double",Units="USD");
addProperty(pCompSType,'Weight',Type="double",Units="g");
addProperty(sCompSType,'develCost',Type="double",Units="USD");
addProperty(sCompSType,'develTime',Type="double",Units="hour");
addProperty(sConnSType,'unitCost',Type="double"',Units="USD");
addProperty(sConnSType,'unitWeight',Type="double",Units="g");
addProperty(sConnSType,'length',Type="double",Units="m");

Save Profile

profile.save;

Apply Profile to Model

Apply the profile to the model.

applyProfile(model,"GeneralProfile");

Apply stereotypes to components. Some components are physical components, while others are software components.

applyStereotype(componentPlanning,"GeneralProfile.softwareComponent")
applyStereotype(componentSensor,"GeneralProfile.physicalComponent")
applyStereotype(componentMotion,"GeneralProfile.physicalComponent")

Apply the connector stereotype to all connections.

batchApplyStereotype(arch,'Connector',"GeneralProfile.standardConn");

Apply the general element stereotype to all connectors and ports.

batchApplyStereotype(arch,'Component',"GeneralProfile.projectElement");
batchApplyStereotype(arch,'Connector',"GeneralProfile.projectElement");

Set properties for each component.

setProperty(componentSensor,'GeneralProfile.projectElement.ID','001');
setProperty(componentSensor,'GeneralProfile.projectElement.Description',...
    'Central unit for all sensors');
setProperty(componentSensor,'GeneralProfile.physicalComponent.Cost','200');
setProperty(componentSensor,'GeneralProfile.physicalComponent.Weight','450');
setProperty(componentPlanning,'GeneralProfile.projectElement.ID','002');
setProperty(componentPlanning,'GeneralProfile.projectElement.Description',...
    'Planning computer');
setProperty(componentPlanning,'GeneralProfile.softwareComponent.develCost','20000');
setProperty(componentPlanning,'GeneralProfile.softwareComponent.develTime','300');
setProperty(componentMotion,'GeneralProfile.projectElement.ID','003');
setProperty(componentMotion,'GeneralProfile.projectElement.Description',...
    'Motor and motor controller');
setProperty(componentMotion,'GeneralProfile.physicalComponent.Cost','4500');
setProperty(componentMotion,'GeneralProfile.physicalComponent.Weight','2500');

Set the properties of connections to be identical.

connections = [c_sensorData c_motionData c_motionCommand c_Command];
for k = 1:length(connections)
    setProperty(connections(k),'GeneralProfile.standardConn.unitCost','0.2');
    setProperty(connections(k),'GeneralProfile.standardConn.unitWeight','100');
    setProperty(connections(k),'GeneralProfile.standardConn.length','0.3');
end

Add Hierarchy

Add two components named Controller and Scope inside the Motion component. Define the ports. Connect the components to the architecture and to each other, applying a connector stereotype. Hierarchy in an architecture diagram creates an additional level of detail that specifies how components behave internally.

motionArch = componentMotion.Architecture;

motionController = motionArch.addComponent('Controller');
controllerPorts = addPort(motionController.Architecture,{'controlIn','controlOut'},...
    {'in','out'});
controllerCompPortIn = motionController.getPort('controlIn');
controllerCompPortOut = motionController.getPort('controlOut');

motionScope = motionArch.addComponent('Scope');
scopePorts = addPort(motionScope.Architecture,{'scopeIn','scopeOut'},{'in','out'});
scopeCompPortIn = motionScope.getPort('scopeIn');
scopeCompPortOut = motionScope.getPort('scopeOut');

c_planningController = connect(motionPorts(1),controllerCompPortIn);

For outport connections, the data element must be specified.

c_planningScope = connect(scopeCompPortOut,motionPorts(2),DestinationElement="Rotation");
c_planningConnect = connect(controllerCompPortOut,scopeCompPortIn,...
    "GeneralProfile.standardConn");

Save the model.

model.save

Arrange the layout by pressıng Ctrl+Shift+A or using this command.

Simulink.BlockDiagram.arrangeSystem("mobileRobotAPI/Motion");

Create Model Reference

Model references can help you organize large models hierarchically and define architectures or behaviors once that you can then reuse. When a component references another model, any existing ports on the component are removed, and ports that exist on the referenced model will appear on the component.

Create a new System Composer model. Convert the Controller component into a reference component to reference the new model. To add additional ports on the Controller component, you must update the referenced model "mobileMotion".

referenceModel = systemcomposer.createModel("mobileMotion");
referenceArch = referenceModel.Architecture;
newComponents = addComponent(referenceArch,"Gyroscope");
referenceModel.save

linkToModel(motionController,"mobileMotion");

Save the models.

referenceModel.save
model.save

Make Variant Component

You can convert the Planning component to a variant component using the makeVariant function. The original component is embedded within a variant component as one of the available variant choices. You can design other variant choices within the variant component and toggle the active choice. Variant components allow you to choose behavioral designs programmatically in an architecture model to perform trade studies and analysis.

[variantComp,choice1] = makeVariant(componentMotion);

Add an additional variant choice named MotionAlt. The second argument defines the name, and the third argument defines the label. The label identifies the choice. The active choice is controlled by the label.

choice2 = addChoice(variantComp,{'MotionAlt'},{'MotionAlt'});

Create the necessary ports on MotionAlt.

motionAltPorts = addPort(choice2.Architecture,{'MotionCommand','MotionData'},{'in','out'});

Make MotionAlt the active variant.

setActiveChoice(variantComp,"MotionAlt")

Arrange the layout by pressıng Ctrl+Shift+A or using this command.

Simulink.BlockDiagram.arrangeSystem("mobileRobotAPI/Planning");

Save the model.

model.save

Clean Up

Run this script to remove generated artifacts before you run this example again.

cleanUpArtifacts

More About

Definitions

Term	Definition	Application	More Information
interface data dictionary	An interface data dictionary is a consolidated list of all the interfaces and value types in an architecture and where they are used.	Local interfaces on a System Composer model can be saved in an interface data dictionary using the Interface Editor. You can reuse interface dictionaries between models that need to use a given set of interfaces, elements, and value types. Linked data dictionaries are stored in separate SLDD files.	Manage Interfaces with Data Dictionaries Reference Data Dictionaries
data interface	A data interface defines the kind of information that flows through a port. The same interface can be assigned to multiple ports. A data interface can be composite, meaning that it can include data elements that describe the properties of an interface signal.	Data interfaces represent the information that is shared through a connector and enters or exits a component through a port. Use the Interface Editor to create and manage data interfaces and data elements and store them in an interface data dictionary for reuse between models.	Create Architecture Model with Interfaces and Requirement Links Define Port Interfaces Between Components
data element	A data element describes a portion of an interface, such as a communication message, a calculated or measured parameter, or other decomposition of that interface.	Data interfaces are decomposed into data elements: Pins or wires in a connector or harness. Messages transmitted across a bus. Data structures shared between components.	Create Interfaces Assign Interfaces to Ports
value type	A value type can be used as a port interface to define the atomic piece of data that flows through that port and has a top-level type, dimension, unit, complexity, minimum, maximum, and description.	You can also assign the type of data elements in data interfaces to value types. Add value types to data dictionaries using the Interface Editor so that you can reuse the value types as interfaces or data elements.	Create Value Types as Interfaces
owned interface	An owned interface is an interface that is local to a specific port and not shared in a data dictionary or the model dictionary.	Create an owned interface to represent a value type or data interface that is local to a port.	Define Owned Interfaces Local to Ports
adapter	An adapter helps connect two components with incompatible port interfaces by mapping between the two interfaces. An adapter can act as a unit delay or rate transition. You can also use an adapter for bus creation. Use the Adapter block to implement an adapter.	With an adapter, you can perform functions on the Interface Adapter dialog box: Create and edit mappings between input and output interfaces. Apply an interface conversion UnitDelay to break an algebraic loop. Apply an interface conversion RateTransition to reconcile different sample time rates for reference models. Apply an interface conversion Merge to merges two or more message or signal lines. When output interfaces are undefined, you can use input interfaces in bus creation mode to author owned output interfaces.	Interface Adapter Adapter

Term	Definition	Application	More Information
physical subsystem	A physical subsystem is a Simulink® subsystem with Simscape™ connections.	A physical subsystem with Simscape connections uses a physical network approach suited for simulating systems with real physical components and represents a mathematical model.	Implement Component Behavior Using Simscape
physical port	A physical port represents a Simscape physical modeling connector port called a Connection Port (Simscape).	Use physical ports to connect components in an architecture model or to enable physical systems in a Simulink subsystem.	Define Physical Ports on Component
physical connector	A physical connector can represent a nondirectional conserving connection of a specific physical domain. Connectors can also represent physical signals.	Use physical connectors to connect physical components that represent features of a system to simulate mathematically.	Architecture Model with Simscape Behavior for a DC Motor
physical interface	A physical interface defines the kind of information that flows through a physical port. The same interface can be assigned to multiple ports. A physical interface is a composite interface equivalent to a Simulink.ConnectionBus object that specifies any number of Simulink.ConnectionElement objects.	Use a physical interface to bundle physical elements to describe a physical model using at least one physical domain.	Specify Physical Interfaces on Ports
physical element	A physical element describes the decomposition of a physical interface. A physical element is equivalent to a Simulink.ConnectionElement object.	Define the Type of a physical element as a physical domain to enable use of that domain in a physical model.	Describe Component Behavior Using Simscape

Term	Definition	Application	More Information
software architecture	A software architecture is a specialization of an architecture for software-based systems, including the description of software compositions, component functions, and their scheduling.	Use software architectures in System Composer to author software architecture models composed of software components, ports, and interfaces. Design your software architecture model, define the execution order of your component functions, simulate your design in the architecture level, and generate code.	Author Software Architectures Simulate and Deploy Software Architectures
software component	A software component is a specialization of a component for software entities, including its functions (entry points) and interfaces.	Implement a Simulink export-function, rate-based, or JMAAB model as a software component, simulate the software architecture model, and generate code.	Implement Behaviors for Architecture Model Simulation Create Software Architecture from Component
software composition	A software composition is a diagram of software components and connectors that represents a composite software entity, such as a module or application.	Encapsulate functionality by aggregating or nesting multiple software components or compositions.	Modeling Software Architecture of Throttle Position Control System
function	A function is an entry point that can be defined in a software component.	You can apply stereotypes to functions in software architectures, edit sample times, and specify the function period using the Functions Editor.	Author and Extend Functions for Software Architectures
service interface	A service interface defines the functional interface between client and server components. Each service interface consists of one or more function elements.	Once you have defined a service interface in the Interface Editor, you can assign it to client and server ports using the Property Inspector. You can also use the Property Inspector to assign stereotypes to service interfaces.	Author Service Interfaces for Client-Server Communication systemcomposer.interface.ServiceInterface
function element	A function element describes the attributes of a function in a client-server interface.	Edit the function prototype on a function element to change the number and names of inputs and outputs of the function. Edit function element properties as you would edit other interface element properties. Function argument types can include built-in types as well as bus objects. You can specify function elements to support: Synchronous execution — When the client calls the server, the function runs immediately and returns the output arguments to the client. Asynchronous execution — When the client makes a request to call the server, the function is executed asynchronously based on the priority order defined in the Functions Editor and Schedule Editor and returns the output arguments to the client.	systemcomposer.interface.FunctionElement
function argument	A function argument describes the attributes of an input or output argument in a function element.	You can set the properties of a function argument in the Interface Editor just as you would any value type: Type, Dimensions, Units, Complexity, Minimum, Maximum, and Description.	systemcomposer.interface.FunctionArgument
class diagram	A class diagram is a graphical representation of a static structural model that displays unique architecture types of the software components optionally with software methods and properties.	Class diagrams capture one instance of each referenced model and show relationships between them. Any component diagram view can be optionally represented as a class diagram for a software architecture model.	Class Diagram View of Software Architectures

Version History

Introduced in R2019a