Version 1.3 (R14SP3) Fixed-Point Toolbox™ Software Release Notes

Version 1.3 (R14SP3) Fixed-Point Toolbox Software

This table summarizes what's new in Version 1.3 (R14SP3):

New features and changes introduced in this version are

• Fixed-Point Toolbox Function Support Added to Embedded MATLAB Subset

• Double, Single, and Boolean Data Type Support Added to the fi Object

• Fixed-Point Doubles Override, Min/Max Logging, and Scaling Demo

• Helper Functions Added for Accessing Logged Information

• RoundMode Property Value 'round' Now Called 'nearest'

Fixed-Point Toolbox Function Support Added to Embedded MATLAB Subset

The Embedded MATLAB Function block lets you compose a MATLAB language function in a Simulink model that generates embeddable code using the Embedded MATLAB subset. When you simulate the model or generate code for a target environment, a function in an Embedded MATLAB Function block generates efficient C code. This code meets the strict memory and data type requirements of embedded target environments. In this way, Embedded MATLAB Function blocks bring the power of MATLAB for the embedded environment into Simulink.

For more information about the Embedded MATLAB Function block and the Embedded MATLAB subset, refer to the following documentation:

• Embedded MATLAB Function block reference page in the Simulink documentation

• Using the Embedded MATLAB Function Block in the Simulink documentation

• Working with the Embedded MATLAB Subset in the Embedded MATLAB subset documentation

You can now use a significant number of Fixed-Point Toolbox functions with Embedded MATLAB subset. Refer to Supported Functions and Limitations of the Fixed-Point Embedded MATLAB Subset in the Using Fixed-Point Toolbox documentation.

Note   To simulate models using fixed-point data types in Simulink, including when using the Embedded MATLAB Function block, you must have a Simulink® Fixed Point™ license.

Double, Single, and Boolean Data Type Support Added to the fi Object

The fi object now supports double, single, and boolean data types. The values double, single, and boolean have been added to the DataType and DataTypeMode properties of the numerictype object. Math operations are supported for fi objects with data type single or double, but not boolean.

Fixed-Point Doubles Override, Min/Max Logging, and Scaling Demo

Since floating-point data types are now supported in Fixed-Point Toolbox software, it is possible to use doubles override and min/max scaling to help you choose the appropriate scalings for fixed-point variables in your algorithms. This is especially helpful when converting a floating-point algorithm to fixed point. A new demo "Fixed-Point Doubles Override, Min/Max Logging, and Scaling" leads you through an example of this process. You can access this demo from the Demos pane of the Help browser under Toolboxes > Fixed-Point.

Helper Functions Added for Accessing Logged Information

In the previous release it became possible to log overflows and underflows as warnings for all assignment, plus, minus, and multiplication operations when the fipref LoggingMode property is set to on. Now when LoggingMode is on, you can also use the following helper functions to return logged information to you at the MATLAB command line:

• maxlog — Returns the maximum real-world value

• minlog — Returns the minimum real-world value

• noperations — Returns the number of quantized operations

• noverflows — Returns the number of overflows

• nunderflows — Returns the number of underflows

To clear the log, use the function resetlog.

RoundMode Property Value 'round' Now Called 'nearest'

The RoundMode property value round is now nearest. This is a reflection of the fact that this rounding mode is identical to the Simulink rounding mode round toward nearest, and different from the behavior of the MATLAB round function.

Compatibility Considerations

For this release, any code using the RoundMode property value round will still work as it did in previous releases. However, you should update each instance of the property value round to nearest because in a later release, the property value round will give a different answer.

Version 1.4 (R2006a) Fixed-Point Toolbox Software

Version 1.2 (R14SP2) Fixed-Point Toolbox Software