1. Introduction to Matlab and Simulink
Dr Martin Brown
E1k, Control Systems Centre
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University of Manchester
Tel:
EEE Intranet
EE-M110 EFIS, W

2. Background and Aims
Matlab and Simulink have become a defacto standard for system modelling, simulation and control
It is assumed that you know how to use these tools and develop Matlab and Simulink programs on this MSc.
Over the next two weeks, we’re going to have a rapid introduction to Matlab and Simulink covering:
Introduction to Matlab and help!
Matrix programming using Matlab
Structured programming using Matlab
System (and signal) simulation using Simulink
Modelling and control toolboxes in Matlab
Note that we’re not covering everything to do with Matlab and Simulink in these 4*2 hour lectures
Also, after every lecture block in this module, there is a 1 hour lab scheduled – programming is a practical activity
EE-M110 EFIS, W

3. Resources Mathworks Information Mathworks: http://www.mathworks.com
Mathworks Central:
Matlab Demonstrations
Matlab Overview: A demonstration of the Capabilities of Matlab
Numerical Computing with Matlab
Select Help-Demos in Matlab
Matlab Help
Select “Help” in Matlab. Extensive help about Matlab, Simulink and toolboxes
Matlab Homework Helper
Newsgroup: comp.soft-sys.matlab
Matlab/Simulink student version (program and book ~£50)
Other Matlab and Simulink Books
Mastering Matlab 6, Hanselman & Littlefield, Prentice Hall
Mastering Simulink 4, Dabney & Harman, Prentice Hall
Matlab and Simulink Student Version Release 14
lots more on mathworks, amazon, …. It is important to have one reference book.
EE-M110 EFIS, W

4. Introduction to Matlab
Command
window
Variable
browser
Click on the Matlab icon/start menu initialises the Matlab environment:
The main window is the dynamic command interpreter which allows the user to issue Matlab commands
The variable browser shows which variables currently exist in the workspace
Command history
EE-M110 EFIS, W

5. Matlab Programming Environment
Matlab (Matrix Laboratory) is a dynamic, interpreted, environment for matrix/vector analysis
Variables are created at run-time, matrices are dynamically re-sized, …
User can build programs (in .m files or at command line) using a C/Java-like syntax
Ideal environment for model building, system identification and control (both discrete and continuous time
Wide variety of libraries (toolboxes) available
EE-M110 EFIS, W

6. Basic Matlab Operations
>> % This is a comment, it starts with a “%”
>> y = 5*3 + 2^2; % simple arithmetic
>> x = [ ]; % create the vector “x”
>> x1 = x.^2; % square each element in x
>> E = sum(abs(x).^2); % Calculate signal energy
>> P = E/length(x); % Calculate av signal power
>> x2 = x(1:3); % Select first 3 elements in x
>> z = 1+i; % Create a complex number
>> a = real(z); % Pick off real part
>> b = imag(z); % Pick off imaginary part
>> plot(x); % Plot the vector as a signal
>> t = 0:0.1:100; % Generate sampled time
>> x3=exp(-t).*cos(t); % Generate a discrete signal
>> plot(t, x3, ‘x’); % Plot points
EE-M110 EFIS, W

7. Introduction to Simulink
Simulink is a graphical, “drag and drop” environment for building simple and complex signal and system dynamic simulations.
It allows users to concentrate on the structure of the problem, rather than having to worry (too much) about a programming language.
The parameters of each signal and system block is configured by the user (right click on block)
Signals and systems are simulated over a particular time.
vs, vc t
EE-M110 EFIS, W

8. Starting and Running Simulink
Type the following at the Matlab command prompt
>> simulink
The Simulink library should appear
Click File-New to create a new workspace, and drag and drop objects from the library onto the workspace.
Selecting Simulation-Start from the pull down menu will run the dynamic simulation. Click on the blocks to view the data or alter the run-time parameters
EE-M110 EFIS, W

9. Signals and Systems in Simulink
Two main sets of libraries for building simple simulations in Simulink:
Signals: Sources and Sinks
Systems: Continuous and Discrete
EE-M110 EFIS, W

10. Basic Simulink Example
Copy “sine wave” source and “scope” sink onto a new Simulink work space and connect.
Set sine wave parameters modify to 2 rad/sec
Run the simulation:
Simulation - Start
Open the scope and leave open while you change parameters (sin or simulation parameters) and re-run
Many other Simulink demos …
EE-M110 EFIS, W