Calculates the derivative of a continuous signal. Details Example
| Dialog Box Options |
| Block Diagram Inputs |
| Block Diagram Outputs |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Polymorphic instance | Specifies whether this function is Scalar or Vector. The default value is Scalar. |
| Preview | Displays a graphical preview, if available, of the function output or configuration. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| input | Specifies the input to the function. |
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| output | Returns the output of the function. |
This function uses the following first-order backward difference formula to calculate the output.

| where | u is the input |
| y is the output | |
| t is the current simulation time |
![]() | Note If the input signal you use has noise, this function might return unwanted results. Consider filtering noisy input signals to avoid this problem. For example, the following transfer function can provide a filtered derivative for a noisy signal.
where s is the Laplace transform variable. |
If you take the derivative of a discontinuous signal, such as the Step Signal function, and integrate that derivative, the LabVIEW Simulation Module returns an error. Refer to the labview\examples\simulation\PID\PID.llb for an example of how to address this scenario without causing an error.
All input/output pairs of this function have direct feedthrough behavior.
Refer to the derivative VI in the labview\examples\simulation\Getting Started\Continuous Linear directory for an example of using the Derivative VI.