Released October 9, 2008

What's New in Release 2008b

Release 2008b includes new features in MATLAB and Simulink, two new products, and updates and bug fixes to 91 other products, including PolySpace code verification products. Subscribers to MathWorks Software Maintenance Service can download product updates.

Since R2008a, the MATLAB and Simulink product families require activation. R2008b includes enhancements to the License Center, the online tool for managing your license and user information.

New capabilities for the MATLAB product family include:

• Function Browser for finding functions, and automatic help for function arguments, in MATLAB
• New algorithms for random number generation in MATLAB, including ability to create multiple independent streams
• Support for netCDF and JPEG 2000 file formats in MATLAB
• Ability to deploy Parallel Computing Toolbox applications using MATLAB Compiler that run with MATLAB Distributed Computing Server
• New notebook interface in Symbolic Math Toolbox for managing and documenting symbolic computations, plus access to MuPAD symbolic engine and language directly from MATLAB
• Nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) models in Statistics Toolbox
• Econometrics Toolbox, a new product for economic forecasting and risk management that incorporates the functionality of GARCH Toolbox

New capabilities for the Simulink product family include:

• MATLAB based language in Simscape for authoring of physical modeling components
• Fixed-point data types up to 128 bits for accelerated simulation, automatic code generation, Embedded MATLAB code, and Simulink Fixed Point
• Support for embedding Simulink function-call subsystems in Stateflow charts
• Target-specific code generation for Embedded MATLAB code, and generation of encapsulated C++ class interfaces, in Real-Time Workshop Embedded Coder
• CD and network boot options and real-time Ethernet I/O support in xPC Target
• SimElectronics, a new product for modeling and simulating electronic and electromechanical systems

MATLAB Product Family MATLAB   New products Key features and Release Notes below Econometrics Toolbox Univariate ARMAX/GARCH composite models, with EGARCH, GJR, and other variants Multivariate VARX and VARMAX simulation and forecasting Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron unit root tests Monte Carlo simulation of stochastic differential equations (SDEs), including Brownian motion, CEV, CIR, Hull-White, Vasicek, Heston stochastic volatility, and user-defined SDEs Statistical tests, including likelihood ratio, Engle’s ARCH, and Ljung-Box Q Diagnostic tools, including AIC/BIC model selection and partial-, auto-, and cross-correlation functions Hodrick-Prescott filter for business-cycle analysis Visit the product Release Notes or the product page for additional information. Updates and bug fixes Release Notes by product linked below Indicates major update Aerospace Toolbox Bioinformatics Toolbox Communications Toolbox Control System Toolbox Curve Fitting Toolbox Data Acquisition Toolbox Database Toolbox Datafeed Toolbox EDA Simulator Link IN (for Cadence Incisive) EDA Simulator Link IN (for Cadence Incisive) EDA Simulator Link MQ (for Mentor Graphics ModelSim) Embedded IDE Link CC (for TI’s Code Composer Studio) Embedded IDE Link MU (for Green Hills MULTI) Embedded IDE Link TS (for Altium TASKING) Embedded IDE Link VS (for Analog Devices VisualDSP++) Filter Design HDL Coder Filter Design Toolbox Financial Derivatives Toolbox Financial Toolbox Fixed-Income Toolbox Fixed-Point Toolbox Fuzzy Logic Toolbox Genetic Algorithm and Direct Search Toolbox Image Acquisition Toolbox Image Processing Toolbox Instrument Control Toolbox Mapping Toolbox MATLAB Builder EX (for Microsoft Excel) MATLAB Builder JA (for Java language) MATLAB Builder NE (for Microsoft .NET Framework) MATLAB Compiler MATLAB Distributed Computing Server MATLAB Report Generator Model-Based Calibration Toolbox Model Predictive Control Toolbox Neural Network Toolbox OPC Toolbox Optimization Toolbox Parallel Computing Toolbox Partial Differential Equation Toolbox RF Toolbox Robust Control Toolbox Signal Processing Toolbox SimBiology Spline Toolbox Spreadsheet Link EX (for Microsoft Excel) Statistics Toolbox Symbolic Math Toolbox System Identification Toolbox SystemTest Wavelet Toolbox		Simulink Product Family Simulink   New products Key features and Release Notes below SimElectronics* Modeling environment for building electronic and electromechanical systems as physical networks More than 55 electronic and electromechanical components, including sensors, semiconductors, and actuators Parameterization methods, enabling key parameter values to be entered directly from industry datasheets Ability to convert models to C code (with Real-Time Workshop, available separately) Access to linearization and steady-state calculation capabilities in Simscape Visit the product Release Notes or the product page for additional information.   Updates and bug fixes Release Notes by product linked below Indicates major update Aerospace Blockset Communications Blockset Real-Time Windows Target Real-Time Workshop Real-Time Workshop Embedded Coder RF Blockset Signal Processing Blockset SimDriveline SimElectronics SimEvents SimHydraulics SimMechanics SimPowerSystems Simscape Simulink Control Design Simulink Design Verifier Simulink Fixed Point Simulink HDL Coder Simulink Parameter Estimation Simulink Report Generator Simulink Response Optimization Simulink Verification and Validation Stateflow Stateflow Coder Target Support Package FM5 (for Freescale MPC5xx) Target Support Package IC1 (for Infineon C166) Target Support Package TC2 (for TI’s C2000 DSP) Target Support Package TC6 (for TI’s C6000 DSP) Video and Image Processing Blockset Virtual Reality Toolbox xPC Target xPC Target Embedded Option
PolySpace Code Verification Products
PolySpace Client for Ada PolySpace Client for C/C++ PolySpace Model Link SL (for Simulink) PolySpace Model Link TL (for dSPACE TargetLink)		PolySpace Server for Ada PolySpace Server for C/C++ PolySpace UML Link RH (for Telelogic Rhapsody)

* Indicates product was introduced via the Web after R2008a and is now available on the R2008b DVD

Products with Name Changes 

Please refer to MathWorks Release 2008b Products with License-Related or Pricing Changes for details.