How does a Digital Twin in MATLAB differ from a standard Simulink simulation?

A traditional Simulink simulation operates on fixed, pre-configured parameters to analyze system dynamics offline during design phases.

In contrast, a Digital Twin built in MATLAB continuously streams real-time operational sensor data from physical machinery using industrial communication protocols (such as OPC UA or MQTT). Combined with the Predictive Maintenance Toolbox and Industrial Communication Toolbox, the Digital Twin updates its internal state in real time to:

• Track machine degradation and remaining useful life (RUL).
• Execute dynamic anomaly detection under real operating environments.
• Prevent unplanned equipment downtime by forecasting failures before they happen.