Save the Simulink model regularly each 5 minutes

Hi there,

Is it feasible to set up a Simulink model to automatically save itself every 5 minutes or so?

Answer 1

[Simar]

Hi Jihed ,

I understand that you are looking for a way to automatically save Simulink model at regular intervals, specifically every 5 minutes. However, Simulink currently does not have a built-in feature specifically designed for auto-saving models at regular intervals. Instead, one can achieve this functionality through MATLAB scripting and utilizing Simulink's callback functions or MATLAB timers. Here is a basic approach using MATLAB's timer functionality:

1.Create a MATLAB script for timer: This script will create a timer object that calls a function to save Simulink model at specified intervals.

function setupAutoSave(modelName, interval) 
% Check if the model is open 
if bdIsLoaded(modelName) 
    % Create a timer object 
    t = timer; 
    t.StartDelay = interval; 
    t.Period = interval; 
    t.ExecutionMode = 'fixedRate'; 
    t.TimerFcn = @(myTimerObj, thisEvent)autoSaveModel(modelName); 
    start(t); 
    
    % Optional: Assign the timer to the base workspace for control 
    assignin('base', 'autoSaveTimer', t); 
else 
    error('Model %s is not loaded.', modelName); 
end 
end 

function autoSaveModel(modelName) 
% Auto-save the model 
fprintf('Auto-saving model: %s\n', modelName); % Optional: for verification 
save_system(modelName); 
end 

2.Call setup function with model name and interval: Before running, ensure model is open. Replace 'yourModelName.slx' with the actual name of model, and 300 (seconds) corresponds to 5 minutes.

setupAutoSave('yourModelName.slx', 300); 

This script sets up a timer that saves the specified Simulink model every 5 minutes. Adjust the interval as needed by changing the 300 to another value (in seconds).

Important points to consider:

• This method saves the model regardless of whether changes have been made since the last save. This could lead to unnecessary saves if the model is not being modified.
• Regularly saving large models may impact performance. Monitor system's performance and adjust the save interval if necessary.
• If need to stop the auto-save feature, stop, and delete the timer using the following commands in the MATLAB Command Window:

stop(autoSaveTimer); 
delete(autoSaveTimer); 
clear autoSaveTimer; 

Make sure to assign the timer to a variable as shown in the script (autoSaveTimer in this case). This approach provides a flexible way to ensure Simulink models are regularly saved, minimizing the risk of data loss during long modelling sessions.

Please refer to the following documentation links-

• save_system: https://www.mathworks.com/help/simulink/slref/save_system.html?searchHighlight=simulink%20save&s_tid=srchtitle_support_results_2_simulink%20save
• Save Models: https://www.mathworks.com/help/simulink/ug/save-models.html
• bdIsLoaded: https://www.mathworks.com/help/simulink/slref/bdisloaded.html?searchHighlight=bdIsLoADED&s_tid=srchtitle_support_results_1_bdIsLoADED
• error: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/error.html?searchHighlight=error&s_tid=srchtitle_support_results_1_error
• assignin: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/assignin.html?searchHighlight=assignin&s_tid=srchtitle_support_results_1_assignin
• stop: https://www.mathworks.com/help/imaq/stop.html?searchHighlight=stop&s_tid=srchtitle_support_results_1_stop
• delete: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/delete.html?searchHighlight=delete&s_tid=srchtitle_support_results_1_delete

Hope it helps!

Best Regards,

Simar

[Saku]

Very good and clearly instructed method. My issue is that Simulink crashes often, and this saves me quite much headache, thank you.

I will have to add a comment about the function call. The correct call is setupAutoSave('yourModelName', 300); without the '.slx' part, as the bdlIsLoaded will throw error otherwise.

[Simar]

Thanks, do accept the answer if that helped you, might help others in the community as well facing similar issues :)

[Augusto]

consider saving precious time by checking actual changes to the model with bdIsDirty built-in function.

https://it.mathworks.com/help/simulink/slref/bdisdirty.html