MathWorks unveils major updates in MATLAB & Simulink R2024b

MathWorks has announced the release of MATLAB and Simulink R2024b, featuring significant updates aimed at enhancing the efficiency of engineers and researchers involved in wireless communications systems, control systems, and digital signal processing applications.

The new version includes major updates to well-regarded tools within MATLAB and Simulink. Notable enhancements have been integrated into the 5G Toolbox, which provides functions for the modelling, simulation, and verification of New Radio (NR) and 5G-Advanced systems. It now enables exploration of 6G waveform generation as well as signal quality assessments of 5G waveforms.

Moreover, the DSP HDL Toolbox has expanded its capabilities. It now offers a new interactive DSP HDL IP Designer app designed for configuring DSP algorithms and generating HDL code along with verification components, catering to the needs of developing signal processing applications. This feature is expected to be particularly beneficial for hardware engineers requiring robust Simulink blocks and subsystems.

Simulink Control Design, a tool often utilised for designing and analysing control systems, now supports the design and deployment of non-linear and data-driven control techniques. These include sliding mode and iterative learning control, broadening the scope for implementing advanced control systems.

The System Composer tool, integral for architecture specification and analysis, has also received updates. It now includes functionality for editing subsetted views and describing system behaviour through activity and sequence diagrams. This feature adds to the efficiency of model-based systems engineering and software architecture modelling, making it easier for engineers to manage complex systems.

Further enhancements come in the form of a new hardware support package for the Qualcomm Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU), part of the Snapdragon processor family. This package leverages both Simulink and Model-Based Design to facilitate the deployment of production-quality C code across various Snapdragon processors for digital signal processing (DSP) applications.

Commenting on the release, Andy Grace, MathWorks Vice President of Design Automation, stated, "An organisation's capacity to deliver high-quality, reliable, and secure products underscores the critical role of simulation and Model-Based Design. The enhancements in R2024b are designed to help scale, automate, and streamline key aspects of the workflow, enabling engineers to optimise system performance and reliability."

The release of MATLAB and Simulink R2024b introduces a range of new features and enhancements aimed at addressing the growing complexities in engineering and research. From advanced tools for wireless communications and digital signal processing to improvements in control systems and hardware integration, the updates cater to a wide variety of technical disciplines. These enhancements reflect the ongoing evolution of MathWorks' offerings to support the needs of engineers and researchers working on the cutting edge of technology.