Toolbox Features Reference

Complete reference of EHANDBOOK Container-Build Toolbox for Simulink features, capabilities, and specifications.

Feature Overview

Feature Status Notes

One-click container generation

✓ Supported

Generate complete container from Simulink menu

Interactive model diagram generation

✓ Supported

Create explorable, hierarchical model visualizations

Mask image generation

✓ Supported

Visual representation of masked blocks

Multi-level hierarchy support

✓ Supported

Support for nested subsystems and hierarchies

Signal connectivity preservation

✓ Supported

Capture signal flows and connections between blocks

Block metadata extraction

✓ Supported

Extract block properties and parameters

Supported Input Models

The toolbox supports Simulink models with:

  • Model format: .slx (recommended), .mdl

  • Content: Any Simulink block set that’s compatible with your MATLAB version

  • Hierarchies: Multi-level subsystems and nested structures

  • Signal types: All standard Simulink signal types

  • Block types: All standard and custom Simulink blocks (with few exceptions)

Unsupported and Limited Features

While the toolbox supports most Simulink content, some limitations exist:

Limitation Impact

Certain custom block types

May not render properly in interactive models; fall back to block icon

Very large models (10,000+ blocks)

Generation takes significantly longer; may require more RAM

Complex stateflow charts

Supported but may render with reduced interactivity

Linked models and subsystems

Supported; links are resolved at generation time

Protected models

Cannot be processed unless unprotected

Container File Size

Typical container sizes:

  • Small model (100 blocks): 1-5 MB

  • Medium model (500 blocks): 5-20 MB

  • Large model (2000+ blocks): 20-100 MB

Size depends on:

  • Number of blocks and signals

  • Number of mask images generated

  • Embedded resources and attachments

  • Compression effectiveness

Generation Options Reference

Configuration Parameters

Parameter Description Default

Output Location

Where .ehb file is saved

Model directory

Container Name

Name of output .ehb file

Model name

Include Mask Images

Generate visual images of masked subsystems

Enabled

Include Interactive Models

Include explorable diagrams

Enabled

Compress Container

Compress .ehb file (reduces size, increases generation time)

Disabled

Encrypt Container

Encrypt .ehb file for security

Disabled

Include Documentation

Include any comments or documentation from model

Enabled

Performance Characteristics

Generation Time

Typical generation times:

  • Small model (100 blocks): 60 seconds

  • Medium model (500 blocks): 2-5 minutes

  • Large model (2000 blocks): 5-10 minutes

  • Very large model (10000+ blocks): 10-30+ minutes

Factors affecting time:

  • Model complexity (number of blocks)

  • Mask image generation (adds significant overhead)

  • System performance (disk speed, RAM available)

  • MATLAB version and configuration

Version Compatibility

Supported versions:

  • MATLAB R2016b and later

  • Simulink R2016b and later

  • Up to current version (2024b)

Container Compatibility

  • Containers generated by the toolbox work with same version of EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR and all later versions

  • Newer EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR versions may have additional features for older containers

Backward Compatibility

The toolbox is backward compatible:

  • Older containers continue to work with newer EHANDBOOK-NAVIGATOR versions