MATLAB 6.0 Now Available on PCs and RCS UNIX Platforms

Version 6.0, or Release 12, of the MATLAB numerical analysis package is now available on all RCS UNIX platforms (IBM, SGI, and SUN), and in all Windows 98 Windows ME and Windows NT PC labs.

MATLAB 6 highlights include:

• New desktop front end with a portfolio of tools for managing the MATLAB environment, including the Command Window, Command History window, Workspace Browser, Array Editor, and more.

• New point-and-click tools for interactively editing and annotating graphics, minimizing coding and memorization of graphics commands and attributes.

• New mathematical computation and algorithm enhancements: optimized LAPACK library for faster matrix computations, faster FFT-based function performance with the new FFTW library, Qhull-based functions, new differential equation solvers, and more accurate quadrature algorithms

• New Data Statistics and Basic Fitting tools for quick analysis of plotted data

• New advanced visualization features: display of 2-D images, surfaces, and volumes as transparent objects; interactive camera toolbar for controlling perspective; and faster rendering with OpenGL

• New interface for calling Java routines and using prebuilt Java objects directly from MATLAB

• New serial port communication interface to communicate with external instruments from MATLAB

• Enhanced GUI design tools (GUIDE) for developing state-of-the-art interfaces and displays

• New MATLAB add-in for Microsoft Visual Studio integrates MATLAB code with Visual Studio C/C++ projects, enabling the generation of MATLAB based projects and C based MEX files from within Visual Studio.

Simulink 4.0 New Features

Enhancements to the GUI as well as the runtime engine include:

• Graphical debugger to easily diagnose and debug modeling errors

• Matrix signal support and matrix propagation for most Simulink blocks

• Frame-based signal processing for faster DSP applications

• Features to support large model development, including updated toolbar options and improved line editing

• Integrated Find dialog box that allows you to easily search for a component within a Simulink model and/or a Stateflow chart

• Simulink Data Objects for defining custom data structures

• New aerospace examples and block library

• Improved usability for Library Browser and Model Browser

• Library link disabling for easier editing of library blocks

• Improved configurable subsystems for making design alternatives easy to implement

• Advanced Lookup Table blocks with algorithm alternatives for fast, accurate, flexible simulations and generated code

• Single window mode saves valuable screen real estate

To use MATLAB 6.0 on a public PC, you can either open the Start menu, select Programs, and then select the MATLAB option, or simply double-click the MATLAB icon located either on the desktop or in the instructional software folder.

To use MATLAB 6.0 on all the UNIX platforms, enter the following command in a UNIX window:

	setup matlab-new
	matlab & 

Alternatively, select the Matlab: Numerical Analysis option from the RCS Applications menu after setting up matlab-new.

To get more information from either a PC or a UNIX workstation, start MATLAB, then enter the following command at the MATLAB >> prompt:

     
	helpdesk

This will launch your browser and then display a wealth of searchable information.

MATLAB 6.0 will become the default on Monday, May 14 on the RCS IBM AIX, SGI, and Sun Solaris platforms, and you will no longer have to set it up. However, you will still be able to access the old version of MATLAB, MATLAB 5.3, on the UNIX platforms only, until Monday, September 10, by entering the command setup matlab-old from a UNIX prompt before running the program.

If you have any further questions about using MATLAB, please contact the consultants at the ACS Help Desk, or direct electronic mail to consult@rpi.edu.