Simulink is an extremely powerful tool, used with MATLAB for developing simulations using a graphical interface. It is difficult to imagine the variety of applications to which a tool this versatile can be applied. Gran’s book is a good start. It is somewhat of a tutorial, but mostly a showcase of the kinds of applications that can be created. The book’s chapters are organized according to the kinds of mathematics featured in the examples. The mathematics and the physical examples develop each other in the chapters. The chapters then show how the mathematical techniques can be applied in a wide variety of problems in science and engineering, using Simulink to develop the models. There are problems at the end of each chapter, and the examples discussed in the book can be downloaded from the Web site given in the book. Readers should obtain the examples right away, since studying them is essential to understanding the text.

The first chapter is an introduction to Simulink. There are three principal examples developed in it: Galileo’s experiment on the leaning tower of Pisa, simulating a pendulum clock, and Foucault’s pendulum. The emphasis is on the mechanics of creating a simulation. The second chapter is on linear systems: differential equations, matrix algebra, and control systems. The last item, control systems, is the theme that characterizes the chapter. Chapter 3 is on nonlinear differential equations. The mathematical discussions in this chapter emphasize differential equation solvers applied to models representing angular change and motion. Two major examples are presented: the Lorenz attractor and orbital mechanics of a satellite. The fourth chapter is devoted to the topic of digital signal processing with emphasis on z-transforms, discretization, and digital filters. The simulations in the fifth chapter also use discrete mathematics: Monte Carlo simulations, random walks, and white noise. Differential equations return in chapter 6 as partial differential equations describing heat flow, Kirchhoff’s law, and vibrations. Stateflow is a feature in Simulink for representing finite-state machines and event-driven actions; it is discussed in chapter 7 with a simulation of a home heating system. The eighth chapter is on modeling physical systems using blocksets that can be purchased at an additional cost. Chapter 9 shows how Simulink simulations can be used to develop specifications, using a model of a lunar module.

This book shows the power of Simulink through the sophistication and variety of the examples presented. However, it is neither a tutorial on how to use Simulink, nor an introduction to the basic mathematics and physics of the models. Yet, there is at least a tacit assumption that readers can begin their use of Simulink by starting with this book. The introductory example of finding the sine and cosine of a number does nothing except show how to move icons and connect them. No numbers are produced. If readers do not get discouraged and puzzled, but continue to the full example of Galileo’s experiment, they can see how a full simulation can be put together. Readers of this book would profit from having studied first an introductory text on the mechanics and structure of Simulink.

The book’s target readership is probably graduate students and working scientists and engineers. Part of the book is devoted to blocksets and tools that are add-ons to Simulink and cost extra. However, most of it is on applying Simulink alone.