Model Compare finds all the changes in your Simulink®, Stateflow®, and TargetLink models. Compare even large models in minutes.
Automated comparison
Let the tool help you find model differences quickly.
Graphical difference display
Intelligent, adjustable comparison algorithms meet intuitive visualization.
Intelligent merging
Clean up model differences by assisted conflict resolution and merging.
Traceability
Track changes bidirectionally from the tool to the model and back.
What is Model Compare?
Model Compare is a Diff & Merge Tool for all kinds of Simulink®, Stateflow®, and TargetLink models. It detects a wide range of differences between two models and provides support for merging as well as conflict resolution. The tool also supports libraries. Model Compare is an important helper when developing and optimizing function and simulation models and corresponding ECU production code. Automatic comparison as it is offered by Model Compare is a powerful accelerator whenever you work with multiple versions of a model, as these comparisons could hardly be managed manually. There is a broad range of use cases for Model Compare, including:
- Managing different model versions or model variants
- Merging parallel development branches
- Verifying and reviewing model changes
Application Areas
Generally, Model Compare can be used for any model comparison with Simulink®-based models. Many dSPACE customers have been using it comprehensively and successfully for control software development within the automotive and commercial vehicles field. Due to its universal functionality, Model Compare is also suitable for many other application fields where function and simulation models are used, e.g., agriculture, robotics, the railway industry, and the energy industry.
Automated comparison
Automatic comparison is a must whenever you work with multiple versions of a model. Model Compare from dSPACE can be used with any TargetLink, MathWorks® Simulink or Stateflow® model, and also supports libraries. There is a broad range of use cases for Model Compare, including:
- Managing different model versions or model variants
- Merging parallel development branches
- Verifying and reviewing model changes
Graphical difference display
Model Compare shows all model differences clearly arranged in two synchronized tree views, where changed, added and removed elements are indicated by customizable colors. While navigating through the model hierarchy, you can inspect all property differences in the Property Inspector. Predefined and flexible filter configurations improve the efficiency of the comparison and let you adjust the view to your individual needs.
Intelligent merging
With Model Compare you can eliminate differences between two Simulink/TargetLink models by merging them. Changes of model elements and individual properties can be transferred from one model to the other with the Copy to Right, Copy to Left, or Delete commands, if these changes exist in only one model. After performing a three-way analysis, additional comfort copy commands are available for automatically merging or resolving conflicts. A smart line handling mechanism automatically adjusts signal lines of copied or deleted blocks. If a block is copied, the related signal lines are copied as well. If a block is deleted, the related signal lines are automatically deleted or reconnected. All merge operations are logged in the merge log window.
Traceability
Differences can be traced from Model Compare directly to the Simulink/TargetLink models, where the corresponding elements are indicated by customizable colors. Thus, the differences can be easily inspected in the context of the models. In addition, elements of Simulink/TargetLink models can also be traced back to Model Compare to inspect all their differences at a glance.
Functionality Overview
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
| Support for TargetLink |
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| Three-way analysis with conflict detection and automatic resolution option |
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| Powerful comparison algorithm |
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| Flexible filter configuration |
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| Convenient result display |
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| Review support |
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| Traceability from Model Compare to model |
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| Traceability from model back to Model Compare |
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| Merge support |
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| Report generation |
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| Tool automation |
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| Version control system (VCS) and continuous integration (CI) pipeline integration |
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Tool Chain
Working with Model Compare
Report Generation
Comparison results and associated comments can be saved as difference reports in HTML, PDF and XML format. The generated reports also include all the comments that were created during a review. Thus, Model Compare´s difference reports are also a means of filing review results. There are advanced configuration options for customizing the report according to individual preferences. You can specify the subsystem level up to which screenshots are provided and the level of detail of the report.
Review Support
With Model Compare you can associate review comments with the found block and property differences or even with the complete comparison session. Remaining differences can be marked as approved. Author information and time stamps are added automatically by the tool. Thus, Model Compare supports even complex reviews with multiple participants.
Advanced Filter Options
To make your work as efficient as possible, Model Compare provides several filter options. This means you can focus on the differences and model parts that are relevant to you and your current work: You can use display filters to specify which model elements to show in the hierarchy display. You can use predefined filters to focus on a specific kind of difference or filter out unimportant ones such as layout changes or simulation settings. You can also define your own filters to exclude element properties or even entire model elements from the comparison. To reuse the defined filter settings in other projects, you can save them as favorites or export them as XML files.
Customizing Block Comparison
In order to make the comparison as efficient as possible also for models from other domains, Model Compare provides an add-on mechanism. This mechanism lets you use hook scripts to integrate block-specific knowledge in the comparison of any number of Simulink-based models. Differences in mask variables or block dialog parameters can therefore be displayed immediately, a method that has already been established for TargetLink models. Thus, Model Compare provides a concise and efficient model comparison also for models from other domains, such as rapid control prototyping (RCP) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation.
TargetLink Support
Model Compare has built-in support for all TargetLink blocks and properties. They are displayed and handled like ordinary Simulink/Stateflow elements, which means that also the TargetLink property names and values are clearly listed, so that all differences can be read directly and you do not have to bother with TargetLink implementation details. Since the semantics of TargetLink properties are known, they are also intelligently handled by the predefined filter options.
Interaction with Version Control Systems
Model Compare can be integrated in different version control systems (VCS), including Git and command-line interface-based version control. Furthermore, Model Compare can be used in your continuous integration (CI) pipeline, e.g., for generating diff reports for review purposes.
Optional Products
Support for Users of Model Compare
Links to detailed technical information, customer service, and purchasing information. Access may require registration.
