Difference between revisions of "Scilab/C4/Super-Blocks-in-Xcos/English"

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Learning Objectives

In this tutorial, we will learn how to:

• Use super block in Xcos.

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System Requirements

To record this tutorial, I am using:

• Windows 10 OS

• Scilab 6.1.0

The process demonstrated in this tutorial is identical in Linux OS also.

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Pre-requisites

https://www.spoken-tutorial.org

Before practising this tutorial, a learner should have:

• Basic knowledge of Scilab and Xcos.

• If not, for relevant tutorials please visit this website.

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Code Files

• The files used in this tutorial are provided in the Code files link.

• Please download and extract the files.

• Make a copy and then use them while practising.

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Use of Super Blocks

• Xcos diagrams can grow with increasing complexity.

• Larger more complicated Xcos diagrams are difficult to manage.

• Super blocks help to organize the complicated Xcos diagrams.

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What is a super block?

What is a super block?

• A block that can represent a group of connected blocks.

• A complicated Xcos diagram can be represented with few super blocks.

• Super block can contain another super block providing deeper simplification.

Show Scilab console.

Type xcos>>press Enter.

Open the Scilab console.

Type xcos and press Enter.

We can see two windows named Untitled Xcos and Palette browser opens.

Notice the Palette browser window is located on the left side.

The Untitled - Xcos window is on the right side.

File>>Open.

Downloads>>super-initial.xcos .

>>Open.

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.

Cursor on CONST block.

Cursor on POWBLK_f block.

Cursor on AFFICH_m block.

Cursor on CLOCK_c block.

We see that the file contains four blocks

• A CONST block

• A POWBLK_f block

• An AFFICH_m block and

• A CLOCK_c block

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.

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.

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.

Show palette browser.

Cursor on Palette list.

User defined functions>>SUPER_f.

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.

Show super-initial xcos window.

Hover cursor over POWBLK_f Block.

Here the POWBLK_f block is the operation block.

We will use the SUPER_f to represent the POWBLK _ f block.

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.

Show super-initial xcos window.

Press Ctrl+X.

Click on the POWBLK_f block.

Press Control and X keys on the keyboard simultaneously.

This will cut the block from the file.

Show Untitled xcos window.

Press Ctrl+V.

Go to the untitled xcos window.

Press Control and V keys on the keyboard simultaneously.

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.

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

Go to the super-initial.xcos window.

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.

Show super initial xcos window.

Cursor over the start button.

Cursor on AFFICH_m.

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

• We can segregate operations using super blocks.

• In case of multiple operations, each operation can be represented by super blocks.

• It will help to keep the diagram neat and understandable.

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Summary

This brings us to the end of this tutorial. Let us summarise.

In this tutorial, we have learnt to:

• Use super blocks in Xcos.

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Assignment

For assignment activity, please do the following.

• Open the super-initial.xcos file.

• Add an operation to multiply the output of the POWBLK_f block by 3.

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Assignment

• Transfer the squaring and multiplications operations inside the SUPER_f block.

• Save and execute the super-initial.xcos file.

Hint: Use the GAIN_f block to multiply the output by three.

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About Spoken Tutorial Project

The video at the following link summarises the Spoken Tutorial project.

Please download and watch it.

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Spoken Tutorial Workshops

We conduct workshops using Spoken Tutorials and give certificates.

Please contact us.

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Answers for THIS Spoken Tutorial

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We give Certificates and Honorarium to the contributors.

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This is Anandajith TS, FOSSEE intern 2021, IIT Bombay signing off.

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