4.3 Channels and interfaces

Channels and interfaces are key when working with COUPLE. In fact, coupling and decoupling of components are only successful when the created interfaces contain the correct channels.

For this reason, setting up and checking channels and interfaces is the first step to perform right after importing a model. Interfaces are groups of channels that can be linked to other models and can be plotted in the Analysis, while channel groups can still be plotted but cannot be connected to anything else.

Accessing the Channels & Interfaces manager

All the information about channels and interfaces can be found in the Channels and Interfaces tab in the Model Library.

To access the Channels and Interfaces manager, complete the next steps:

1. Go to the Model Library.
2. Select the correct model in the Import or Organize tab.
3. Go to the Channels and Interfaces tab.

Creating interfaces

Multiple response and reference channels can be grouped to create an interface.

To create interfaces, complete the next steps:

1. Select all the channels belonging to an interface.
2. Right-click and select Create interface.
3. Click Save (or Import if the model is not imported yet).

Renaming interfaces

You can rename existing interfaces.

To change the name of the interfaces, complete the next steps:

1. Double-click on the interface.
2. Type the desired name and press Enter.
3. Click Save.

Adding channels to existing interfaces

You can add channels to an existing interface at a later stage.

To add channels to an already existing interface, complete the next steps:

1. Select the channels you want to move.
2. Drag and drop them into the correct interface group.
3. Click Save.

Creating channel groups

You can create channel groups by grouping channels that do not belong to an interface. Channel groups can be added to the topology but cannot be linked to other models.

To create a channel group, complete the next steps:

1. Select the channels you want to group.
2. Right-click and select Create group.

Organizing channels, interfaces and groups

You can organize channels, interfaces and channel groups by grouping them into folders.

To organize them, complete the next steps:

1. Select what you want to group.
2. Right-click and select Create Group.