How can I use data from the workspace in an equation? - matlab

I have two tables of data in the workspace on Matlab, and I want to use an equation that takes the first value from each table, does the calculation, then the 2nd value from each and so on... and stores these output numbers.
I could probably do this if I was just defining the data arrays myself in the code, but I'm stuck when trying to do it from the workspace...

Is it inside a function? You could pass the workspace variables as arguments to the function, or use evalin('base', 'variableName') to get the values (this second method is HIGHLY discouraged however).

Related

Access/Index Array In Simulink

I have a 2D matrix/array in my model, as shown in image. I need to be able to index/access it randomly and pass it as a signal. How do I do this?
I can't use From File block, because the storage is forced to be double and too large for my embedded design.
It doesn't appear I can use From Workspace block...because this array is defined in my model as SoundArray.
This seem like it should be SO SIMPLE, but I just can’t figure it out. The only way I can think of doing it is in custom C code…which I don’t want to do.
Thanks
Array Definition and Model At Bottom
A matlab Function block (formerly EML-block) can pick up model workspace data if it is in "Parameter" scope and you define a Parameter input in the Function block. You could then use other inputs for controlling the random access, then return the desired position as a signal output from the Matlab function block.
function y = fcn(i,j,soundArray)
y = soundArray(i,j);
(Where soundArray is defined as a Parameter, and i and j are Inputs)
Edit:
Or define a Data Store Memory (add definition block). Then put a Data Store Read block for that memory which is routed to a selector block with 2 dimensions and "starting index (port)" for both those dimensions.
I believe you can use Model Workspace data to initialize the Data Store Memory, but I don't think that Model Workspace data is "live" during simulation.

How can I get Matlab to use the variable value instead of name

In my code, I have a line that looks like this:
f=#(test) bf{i}(5);
where bf is a cell array with functions from str2func() stored in it, i is a variable storing an integer, and the 5 is the argument to pass to the function. How can I get matlab to evaluate the line using the current value of i? Right now when I display f it outputs:
#(test)bf{i}(5)
Lets say i=1, I want it to output:
#(test)bf{1}(5)
Although technically the bf{1} should also be replaced with whatever function is stored in bf{1}. How can I force matlab to evaluate the variables in this statement?
When you create a function handle, the workspace variables are copied and the expression is evaluated when you call the function handle (Typically not a problem in memory consumption, matlab stores only changes).
Now the problem is, to tell Matlab when to evaluate what part of the expression.
If you are aiming for a better performance, pre-evaluate all constant parts of the function. Let's say your function is #(x)(g(3).*f(x)), in this case matlab would evaluate g(3) on every call.
Instead use:
f=#(x)(x.^2)
g_3=g(3)
h=#(x)(g_3.*f(x))
Now having the constant parts evaluated, you want to see the constants instead of the variabe name. I know two ways to achieve this.
You can use the symbolic toolbox, basically converting the function handle to a symbolic function, then to a function handle again. This not only displays the constants, but also substitutes f. This is not possible for all functions.
>> matlabFunction(h(sym('x')))
ans =
#(x)x.^2.*4.2e1
Another possibility is to use eval:
h=eval(['#(x)',sprintf('%e',g_3),'.*f(x)'])
Pre-evaluating constant parts of the expressions as I did in the first step is typically recommendable, but both solutions to get the constant visible in your function handle aren't really recommendable. The first solution using matlabFunction only applies to some functions, while the second comes with all the disadvantages of eval.

When using a multiple-output matlab function, do i need to callback all variables?

When using a multiple-output matlab function, do i need to callback all variables? or can I just take the first two variables? (if so..is it not recommended?)
lets say in function.m
[a, b, c] = function( )
in main.m
[var1, var2] = function;
When calling (almost) any function in matlab you can request fewer outputs than it specifies. So, yes the example you give should work perfectly fine.
There are some clever things you can do with this, such as using nargout within a function to see how many output arguments have been requested and only calculating the values that have been requested as an optimisation trick.
It depends on the definition of the function, and exactly which of the outputs you want to get.
Not all the function allow to do it, you can find all the options for each function in the beginning of the help documentation on the specific function.
If you want only the 2nd, or 3rd outputs, and you want also to save the computation-time of the results that does not interesting, you can use ~ option, like this (for versions 2009b and later):
[~, var1, var2]=function
Many functions allow for options to passed that change how the function behaves. I used/wrote various numerical solving functions a bit and one that nice amount of option, for instance is the LSMR function(s).
Otherwise, if you can manipulate the original either introduce an input(s) to do so before or at the end with an inline subroutine to generate the outputs you want.
Or if you can't it will return as either a cell array or a vector and you can pass an anonymous function to generate the desired outputs that way.
Really, can be done many ways. Very contextual.

Choosing MATLAB Vector element based on Simulink model argument

I'm trying to parameterize one of my Simulink models, so that I will have a gain in the model whose value is equal to an element of a MATLAB workspace vector indexed by the model parameter. That is, I want to define a model argument WheelIndex and have a gain inside the model with a value AxelLoads(WheelIndex).
When I do it exactly as I've described above, I get "vector indices must be real and positive integers" error. When I change the model argument to AxelLoad(To be used directly in the gain component) and assign its value to be AxelLoads(1)(for the first wheel) I get:
Error in 'Overview/Wheel1'. Parameter '18000.0, 15000.0, 17000.0,
21000.0' setting: "18000.0, 15000.0, 17000.0, 21000.0" cannot be evaluated.
I've also tried importing the vector as a constant block into the model, and use a selector block parameterized by the WheelIndex argument to direct the right element to a multiplication block (thereby making an ugly gain block), but then Simulink complains that I'm trying to use a model argument to define an "un-tunable value".
I just want to somehow define the parameters in the MATLAB workspace to be used in each model instance, so that I can, say, calculate the total weight by adding the loads on each wheel. Simulink seems to block all workarounds I've been trying.
Thanks
Could you use a lookup table to obtain AxelLoads vs. WheelIndex?
The easiest way is if I just came over? :P
Perhaps this explaination of tunable parameters helps a little?

What is the syntax for declaring a global 2-dimensional array in MATLAB?

What is the syntax for declaring a global 2-dimensional array in MATLAB?
I want the array to be blank, or uninitialized. That is, I want to be able to initialize it to some value later on using a for-loop. All the examples I have come across so far consist of initializing the array when it is declared. I find this rather tedious because my array might have to be a large one.
Thanks.
Declare a variable as global first before using it:
global my_glob_var;
MATLAB doesn't really support the concept of 'uninitialised' variables, but you can create an array of NaNs (not a number) to indicate that each value hasn't been assigned yet. The arguments to the nan function indicate the size of the NaN array you wish to create:
my_glob_var = nan(200, 200)
There are other similar functions in case you wish to initialise arrays of zeros, ones, Inf etc.
Then inside the functions you want to use it in, declare it as global again:
function my_function
global my_glob_var % allows this function to use the global variable
my_glob_var % outputs the variable to command
As an aside, you note that you will "initialise it to some value later using a for-loop". Depending on how you are initialising the array, there may be a vectorised way to achieve this (i.e. without using a for-loop). Vectorised operations are usually much quicker in MATLAB.