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Step

Sources

The Step block generates a step function signal that transitions from an initial value to a final value at a specified time. This block is commonly used to create step inputs for testing system responses, simulating sudden changes in reference signals, or modeling discrete events in control systems.

The Step block has no input ports and produces a single output signal that changes abruptly from the initial value to the final value at the specified step time.

Mathematical Model

The Step block implements a simple discontinuous function:

y(t) = \begin{cases} y_{\text{initial}}, & t < t_{\text{step}} \\ y_{\text{final}}, & t \ge t_{\text{step}} \end{cases}

Where:

t is the current simulation time
initialValue is the output value before the step
finalValue is the output value after the step
stepTime is the time at which the step occurs

Inputs & Outputs

Direction	ID	Label	Type	Status
← Out	`out`	Output	number	Output

Parameters

Parameters	Label	Type	Default
`stepTime`	Step Time	number	`1`
`initialValue`	Initial Value	number	`0`
`finalValue`	Final Value	number	`1`

Usage Examples

Unit Step Input

Apply a unit step at t = 0 to test a system:

Step (stepTime: 0, finalValue: 1) → System → Scope

Signal Jump

Simulate a sudden increase in demand:

Demand → Sum
SignalGenerator → Step (finalValue: 5, stepTime: 2) → Sum

Remarks & Best Practices

Discontinuous Value: The output changes instantly at the exact step time.
WASM Implementation: Runs natively in the WASM engine for perfect timing sync.
Time dependent: Pure function of time with no internal state.

Related Components

Ramp: Linear ramp signal generator
PulseGenerator: Periodic pulse signal generator
Constant: Constant value source