Set up and Blink - MATLAB and Simulink with Arduino

Created by Anuja Apte

Last updated on 2018-08-22 03:36:56 PM UTC

 Guide Contents

Guide Contents 2
Overview 3
Parts and Software 4
Build the circuit 5
Set up MATLAB and Simulink support package for Arduino Due 6
Blink an LED Using MATLAB Support Package and Arduino 9
Common Error Messages 9
Set up compiler support 11
Simulink model 12
Generate code, Load and Run 14
Resources 16

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Overview

You can use MATLAB to communicate with an Arduino board using MATLAB Support Package for Arduino.

You can program an Arduino board using Simulink Support Package for Arduino. The support package automatically
generates code from your Simulink model that then runs on the Arduino board (in a click of a button).

This tutorial covers a step-by-step guide to:

MATLAB Support Package

1. Set up the MATLAB support package for Arduino
2. Send commands from MATLAB to Arduino to blink an LED

Simulink Support Package

1. Set up the Simulink support package for Arduino
2. Build a simple Simulink model for controlling pins on the Arduino
3. Generate, download and run code on the Arduino to blink an LED

This is the first tutorial in a series on using MATLAB and Simulink to program an Arduino. In this tutorial Arduino Due is
used as an example, however the same steps can be used for other boards like Uno, Mega 2560 etc.

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Parts and Software

Software

MATLAB and Simulink Student Suite Release 2015a - now available for $99

MathWorks (https://adafru.it/d5E)
Amazon US (https://adafru.it/eoc)
Amazon UK (https://adafru.it/eod)

If you are not a student, you can purchase the MATLAB Home-Use license for personal use:

MATLAB home-use (https://adafru.it/eoe)

Hardware
1. Small breadboard (http://adafru.it/64)
2. 220 Ohm resistor
3. LED (http://adafru.it/845)
4. Connecting wires (http://adafru.it/153)
5. Arduino Due (http://adafru.it/50)
6. USB cable (http://adafru.it/2008)

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Build the circuit
Circuit

Use the following image to build a simple circuit that connects an LED to pin 9 of Arduino Due.

Connect the hardware

Using the USB connector, connect Arduino Due to the computer that has a MATLAB & Simulink installation.

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Set up MATLAB and Simulink support package for Arduino Due
Start MATLAB
Open MATLAB and click the Add-Ons drop down menu on the top right

Start Support Package Installer

Click on Get Hardware Support Packages in the drop down menu to start the installer. Select 'Install from Internet' as
the source for installing the support package

Select Arduino from a list of support packages

Click Next to see a list of support packages and select Arduino from the list for MATLAB Support Package and Arduino
Due for the Simulink Support Package.

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MathWorks Account
Click next and log in to your MathWorks account. If you don't have a MathWorks account, you can create one during
the install process or by visiting this page on the MathWorks website (https://adafru.it/eoA). (https://adafru.it/d5K)

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Continue and Complete the Installation
Accept the license agreement on the next screen and click Next through the following screens to finish the installation
for both MATLAB and Simulink Support Package for Arduino.

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Blink an LED Using MATLAB Support Package and Arduino
Now that we have the necessary software installed, it's time to blink an LED. In this example, we will use the MATLAB
support package.

To establish a connection between MATLAB and Arduino boards, the following command can be used from MATLAB.

>> a = arduino

This command connects MATLAB to the first Arduino detected on the system. A MATLAB variable by the name 'a'
should now appear on the workspace or an error message indicating what went wrong.

To switch on the LED connected to Pin 9 on the Due, execute the following command

>> writeDigitalPin(a, 9, 1)

Here we are sending a request from MATLAB to Arduino, to write on the Digital Pin 9 the value of 1. This should switch
ON your LED.

To blink the LED, we have to switch it ON and OFF periodically.

for i = 1:10
writeDigitalPin(a, 9, 1);
pause(0.5);
writeDigitalPin(a, 9, 0);
pause(0.5);
end

Other functions that are related to the MATLAB Support Package for Arduino can also be used along with the arduino
object 'a'.

To take a look at the featured examples from MATLAB Support Package for Arduino type arduinoExamples in MATLAB
Command Window.

Common Error Messages

Cannot detect
For more Arduinosee
information, hardware. Make
this user's sure
guide fororiginal Arduino
additional hardware is steps.
troubleshooting properly plugged in. If using unofficial(clone) hardware, specify port and board type.

As mentioned in the error message, it is good practice to mention the COM port at which the Due is connected to the
computer. For Windows Users, Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.

>> a = arduino('COM4','Due')

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If for some reason the connection between MATLAB and Arduino board is lost, the following error message appears.

The host and client connection is lost. Make sure the board is plugged in and/or recreate arduino and its related objects.

The best practices to follow to resolve this error -

1. Disconnect the USB cable from both Arduino and computer
2. Clean up MATLAB by typing clear in MATLAB Command Window
3. Plug in the USB cable to computer and Arduino
4. Try connecting to the Arduino from MATLAB by using arduino command

The other common error message that one can encounter during the stage of reconnection is -

Failed to open serial

troubleshooting, see port COM4
Arduino to communicate
Hardware with Arduino board Due. Make sure there is no other MATLAB arduino object for this board. For
Troubleshooting.

To resolve this error message, repeat all the steps from before after typing clear all in MATLAB Command Window. In
the event that this also does not help, close MATLAB and reopen before proceeding further.

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Set up compiler support
Install a supported compiler

Simulink support package for Arduino is supported on 32-bit and 64-bit Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. For the
code generation process to work, a supported compiler installation is required. Refer to the following page on
MathWorks website for a list of supported compilers on Windows and Mac OS:

List of supported compilers (https://adafru.it/eof)

For example, you can download a Simulink supported compiler from the Microsoft website (https://adafru.it/d5J) for
free.

Compiler set up in MATLAB

Enter mex -setup at the MATLAB command prompt to start the compiler set up. When the compiler set up is complete,
you should see on MATLAB Command Window the compiler being used.

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Simulink model
Open a Simulink demo model

Enter arduinodue_gettingstarted at the MATLAB Command Window to open a demo model. Again, in this tutorial
Arduino Due is used as an example but the same steps can be used for other boards like Uno, Mega 2560 etc.

Double-click the Pulse Generator block to explore its pre-configured parameters. The Digital Output block is set up to
send the output of the Pulse Generator to pin 9 of the Arduino Due. Double-click the block to explore its pre-
configured parameters.

You are now ready to program Arduino boards!

Optional - Create the model on your own

Click on the Simulink Library icon to open the Simulink library browser
In the left navigation pane, select Simulink Support Package for Arduino Hardware
On the right navigation pane, double-click the [Examples] block to open the documentation

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Open step-by-step guide
Click 'Getting started with Arduino Due Hardware' in the list of demos to open the step-by-step guide to build this
model on your own.

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Generate code, Load and Run
If you opened the demo model, you can go straight to Run the model on Arduino section. If you followed the steps to
create your own model, then to configure the model for Arduino boards follow this section.

Prepare the model to run on Arduino boards

Connect the Arduino board to your computer with a USB cable

Select Tools > Run on Target Hardware > Prepare to Run...
Review the parameters in the dialog that opens
Unless already set, set the Target hardware parameter to the Arduino board being used (Arduino Due here)
Do not change any other settings
Click OK
Save the model

Run the model on Arduino

Click on the 'Deploy to Hardware' button as shown in the figure below

You should see the LED on Pin 9 blinking

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Resources
Examples for getting started

MATLAB examples (https://adafru.it/d5M)

Simulink examples (https://adafru.it/eUL)

Open Examples for the Support Package

Full tutorials

MATLAB Getting Started Tutorial (https://adafru.it/d5N) (3 hrs 15 mins)

Simulink Getting Started Tutorial (https://adafru.it/d5N) (2 hrs 15 mins - 10 mins per module)

© Adafruit Industries Last Updated: 2018-08-22 03:36:51 PM UTC Page 16 of 16