View source for Scilab/C4/Super-Blocks-in-Xcos/English

'''Title of script''': Super Blocks in Xcos

'''Author: Rupak Rokade and Anandajith'''

'''Keywords: Xcos, scilab, super blocks'''


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! '''Visual Cue'''
! '''Narration'''
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'''Title Slide'''
| Hello and welcome to the Spoken Tutorial on “'''Super Blocks in Xcos'''”.
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'''Learning Objectives'''
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In this tutorial, we will learn how to:

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>Use '''super block''' in '''Xcos.'''</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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'''System Requirements'''
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To record this tutorial, I am using:

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>'''Windows 10 OS'''</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>'''Scilab 6.1.0 '''</p></blockquote></li></ul>

The process demonstrated in this tutorial is identical in '''Linux''' OS also.
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'''Pre-requisites'''

https://www.spoken-tutorial.org
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Before practising this tutorial, a learner should have:

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>Basic knowledge of '''Scilab and Xcos.'''</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>If not, for relevant tutorials please visit this website.</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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'''Code Files'''
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<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>The files used in this tutorial are provided in the '''Code files''' link.</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Please download and extract the files.</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Make a copy and then use them while practising.</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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| First we will see why we need to use super blocks.
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'''Show slide:'''

Use of '''Super Blocks'''
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<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>'''Xcos''' diagrams can grow with increasing complexity.</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Larger more complicated '''Xcos''' diagrams are difficult to manage.</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Super blocks help to organize the complicated '''Xcos''' diagrams.</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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'''Show slide:'''

What is a '''super block?'''
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What is a '''super block?'''

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>A block that can represent a group of connected blocks</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>A complicated Xcos diagram can be represented with few super blocks.</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Super block can contain another super block providing deeper simplification.</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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| We will now demonstrate a super block using an example.
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Show '''scilab console.'''

Type '''xcos'''&gt;&gt;press '''Enter.'''
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Open the '''scilab console.'''

Type '''xcos''' and press '''Enter'''.

We can see two windows named '''Untitled Xcos''' and '''Palette browser''' opens'''.'''
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| Cursor on the '''Palette browser window''' and '''Untitled-Xcos window.'''
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Notice the '''Palette browser window''' is located on the left side.

The '''Untitled''' - '''Xcos window''' is on the right side.
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'''File'''&gt;&gt;'''Open.'''

'''Downloads&gt;&gt;super-initial.xcos .'''

&gt;&gt;'''Open.'''
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Go to the '''Untitled Xcos''' window.

In the '''menu bar,''' Click on '''File''' and then on '''Open'''.

Go to the '''Downloads''' folder and select the file '''Super-initial.xcos''' .

I have already created this file for demonstration of '''Super blocks.'''

Click on the Open button.

The file '''super-initial.xcos''' opens in the '''Xcos window.'''
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Show '''palette browse'''r and '''Super-initial''' window.

Cursor on '''CONST block.'''

Cursor on '''POWBLK_f block.'''

Cursor on '''AFFICH_m block.'''

Cursor on '''CLOCK_c block.'''

Cursor on CONST block

Cursor on '''POWBLK_f block'''

Cursor on '''AFFICH_m'''

Cursor on '''CLOCK_c'''
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Now let's look at the contents of the file..

We see that the file contains four blocks

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>A '''CONST''' block</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>A '''POWBLK_f''' block</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>An '''AFFICH_m''' block and</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>A '''CLOCK_c''' block.</p></blockquote></li></ul>

The '''CONST''' block will supply a constant value. In this file, I have given a value as 2.

The given value is then squared by the '''POWBLK_f''' block.

The resultant value is displayed by the '''AFFICH_m''' block.

The '''CLOCK_c block''' generates a regular and scheduled train of events.
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| Cursor on '''Scilab Multiple Values Reques'''t
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Let us change the constant value to 3.

Double click on the '''CONST block'''.

The '''Scilab Multiple Values Request''' window opens.

Change the value of the block to 3 and click on OK.
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| Show '''super-initial xcos window'''
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Let us now execute the '''super-initial.xcos''' file.

First we save the file by pressing '''Control and s''' keys simultaneously.

Then '''execute''' the file using the '''start''' button on the '''toolbar.'''

Here we can see the value is displayed as 9.0 in the '''AFFICH_ m''' block .
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Now we will demonstrate '''Super blocks''' using this example.

We will represent the squaring operation using a super block.

First we will import the '''Super block''' into the '''super-initial.xcos''' window.
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Show '''palette browser.'''

'''Cursor on Palette list .'''

'''User defined functions&gt;&gt;SUPER_f'''
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Go to the '''palette browser''' window.

Here we can see a list of '''palettes''' on the left side'''.'''

Click on the '''User defined functions''' palette.

In the right panel, select the '''SUPER _ f''' block which is the super block.

Now, drag and drop it in the '''super-initial.xcos''' window.
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Show '''super-initial''' xcos window.

Hover cursor over '''POWBLK_f Block.'''
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Here the '''POWBLK_f''' block is the operation block.

We will use the '''SUPER_f''' to represent the '''POWBLK _ f''' block.
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Show '''untitled''' xcos window.

Cursor on '''SUPER_f block'''

Cursor on '''POWBLK_f block'''
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Double click on the '''SUPER _ f block.'''

We see another '''untitled xcos window''' open instead of '''parameters'''.

This '''Untitled Xcos window''' will have one input and output port by default.

Blocks connected to the input and output ports become part of the '''SUPER_f''' block.

'''SUPER_f block''' will perform the squaring operation when connected to the '''super-initial.xcos''' file.

We will now transfer the '''POWBLK_f block''' into the '''Untitled Xcos''' window.
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Cursor on '''super-initial''' xcos window.

Press '''Ctrl+X.'''
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Click on the '''POWBLK_f''' block.

Press '''Control and X''' keys on the keyboard simultaneously.

This will cut the block from the file.
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Cursor on '''Untitled''' xcos window.

Press '''Ctrl+V.'''

Cursor on '''POWBLK_f block'''
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Go to the '''untitled''' '''xcos''' window.

Press '''Control and V''' keys on the keyboard simultaneously.

We can see the '''POWBLK_f block''' is transferred to the '''untitled''' '''xcos''' window.

Position the '''POWBLK_f block''' between the input and output ports.

Connect the black '''input port''' to the '''input port''' of the '''POWBLK_f block.'''

Connect the black '''output port''' of the '''POWBLK_f''' '''block''' to the '''output port.'''
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Cursor on '''super-initial''' xcos window.

Cursor on '''SUPER_f block'''
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Now we connect the '''SUPER_f block''' to the '''super-initial.xcos file.'''

Go to the '''super-initial.xcos''' window

Place the '''SUPER_f''' '''block''' between the '''CONST''' and '''AFFICH_m blocks.'''

Connect the black '''output port''' of '''CONST block''' to the input '''port''' of '''SUPER_f block.'''

Connect the black '''output port''' of '''SUPER_f block''' to the input '''port''' of '''AFFICH_m''' '''block'''.

All the necessary connections have been made.

We have modified the '''super-initial.xcos''' file

The squaring operation is now represented by a super block.

Now let us save and execute the '''super-initial.xcos''' file.
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Cursor on '''super initial''' xcos window.

Cursor over the '''start''' button.

Cursor on '''AFFICH_m'''
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Press '''Control''' and '''S''' keys on the keyboard to save the file.

'''Execute''' the file using the '''start''' button on the '''toolbar.'''

We can see that the file runs without error and displays the result as '''9.0'''.

We got the desired result when we executed the file with the superblock as well.
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'''Advantages of Super''' '''blocks'''
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<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>We can segregate operations using '''super blocks'''</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>In case of multiple operations each operation can be represented by '''super blocks'''</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>It will help to keep the diagram neat and understandable</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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'''Summary'''
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This brings us to the end of this tutorial. Let us summarise.

In this tutorial, we have learnt to:

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>Use super blocks in '''Xcos.'''</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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'''Assignment'''
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For assignment activity, please do the following.

<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>Open the '''super-initial.xcos''' file</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Add an operation to multiply the output of the '''POWBLK_f''' block by 3.</p></blockquote></li></ul>
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'''Assignment'''
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<ul>
<li><blockquote><p>Transfer the squaring and multiplications operations inside the '''SUPER_f''' block.</p></blockquote></li>
<li><blockquote><p>Save and execute the '''super-initial.xcos''' file.</p></blockquote></li></ul>

'''Hint''': Use the '''GAIN_f''' block to multiply the output by three.
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'''About Spoken Tutorial Project'''
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The video at the following link summarises the '''Spoken Tutorial''' project.

Please download and watch it.
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'''Spoken Tutorial Workshops'''
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We conduct workshops using '''Spoken Tutorials''' and give certificates.

Please contact us.
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'''Answers for THIS Spoken Tutorial'''
| Please post your timed queries in this forum.
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| Show Slide: '''FOSSEE Forum'''
| Please post your general and technical queries on '''Scilab''' in this forum.
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'''Textbook Companion project.'''
|
The '''FOSSEE''' team coordinates the '''Textbook Companion project'''.

We give '''Certificates''' and '''Honorarium''' to the contributors.

For more details, please visit this site.
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| Show Slide: '''Lab Migration'''
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The '''FOSSEE''' team coordinates the '''Lab Migration project'''.

For more details, please visit this site.
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| Show Slide: '''Acknowledgement'''
| '''Spoken Tutorial''' and '''FOSSEE''' projects are funded by '''MoE''', '''Government of India'''.
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| Show Slide: '''Thank you'''
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This is '''Anandajith TS''', FOSSEE intern 2021, IIT Bombay signing off.

Thanks for joining.
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