Applying Breakpoints

You can apply breakpoints to variables. When a breakpoint is reached, the simulation is stopped and the result is displayed in the Messages Reporting window.

The breakpoints are kept during the session. If you close the simulation, simulate another model and open the previous model again, the breakpoints are retrieved.

Important: If you close the Signal Monitor window, the breakpoints are not tested for.
Tip: You can filter on breakpoints in the Signal Monitor window. See Filter the Content by Breakpoints

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Display the Signal Monitor window. See Display the Signal Monitor.
See Also
About Analyzing Virtual Execution Results

Add a Breakpoint

You can add a breakpoint to pause the simulation when the breakpoint is reached.

  1. To add a breakpoint on a variable, double-click the corresponding box in the Breakpoint column.
    The box is white and open to enter text.
  2. Type the condition.

    You can use the following operators:

    OperatorSimulation is paused when
    ==Variable is equal to value (for example ==TRUE).
    Note: This operator is useful for discrete variables. For continuous variables it is better to use for example >= or <=, since the value is only tested at a simulation step.
    !=Variable is not equal to value (for example !=1.2).
    >Variable is larger than value.
    >=Variable is larger than, or equal to, value.
    <Variable is smaller than value.
    <=Variable is smaller than, or equal to, value.
    !Variable is value is modified.
    Notes:
    • You can only add one simple condition per variable.
    • Units are supported. This means:
      • If you enter a value without unit, that value is interpreted as being in the display unit.
      • If you enter a value with another unit than the display unit, the value is converted to the display unit.

        As an example, if the display unit for an angle is degrees (deg) and you enter 1.5rad, the value is converted to degrees.

      • If you enter a value with a unit that does not fit, for example, using mm for an angle, the breakpoint is reset.

    Tip: You can also add the last breakpoint alternative above (variable value is modified) by right-clicking the breakpoint box and selecting Breakpoint on variable modification .

  3. Press Enter to validate.
    The breakpoint is added, indicated by
    • : for all breakpoints except on value modification
    • : for a breakpoint on value modification

    When the value of the corresponding variable fulfills the condition of the breakpoint, the following actions are performed:

    • The simulation is paused.
    • The breakpoint icon is changed to .
    • A message appears in the Messages Reporting window. The message contains the name of the variable, the condition, and the time of the event.

    You can restart the simulation, but the simulation is paused at the next step, if the breakpoint condition is still fulfilled.

Edit an Existing Breakpoint

You can edit an existing breakpoint.

  1. Click the breakpoint box and edit the text. For rules, see above.
  2. Press Enter to validate.

Deactivate or Activate a Breakpoint

You can deactivate or activate a breakpoint.

Note: When a breakpoint is added it is by default activated.

  1. To deactivate a breakpoint for a variable, right-click the box for the breakpoint, and select Deactivate Breakpoint .
    The breakpoint is deactivated, indicated by .
  2. To activate a deactivated breakpoint, right-click the box for the breakpoint, and select Activate Breakpoint .
    The breakpoint is activated, indicated by . A deactivated breakpoint does not pause the simulation, even if the condition for the breakpoint is fulfilled.

Remove All Breakpoints

You can remove all breakpoints.

To remove all breakpoints, right-click the header of the Breakpoint column and select Remove all breakpoints.
All breakpoints are removed.

Remove One Breakpoint

You can remove one breakpoint.

  1. To remove one breakpoint, double-click the breakpoint and press Delete.
  2. Press Enter to validate.