The MathWorks Introduces Fixed-Point Toolbox 2

NATICK, Mass.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--The MathWorks today announced the release of Fixed-Point Toolbox 2, which provides enhanced floating-to-fixed-point conversion capabilities and accelerated fixed-point MATLAB^® algorithms that execute at compiled C-code speed. As a result, design engineers now have a cohesive workflow for optimizing and verifying embedded algorithms entirely within MATLAB, which speeds up design iterations and eliminates translation errors.

“Now, with the new version of Fixed-Point Toolbox, The MathWorks introduces a complete workflow that equips engineers with efficient tools to perform design validation and tradeoff analysis on fixed-point algorithms in MATLAB.”

Most embedded signal processing and control systems require fixed-point algorithms for implementation on digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). A major challenge that embedded system designers face is maintaining the correct behavior of an algorithm when converting it from floating-point to fixed-point representation. Fixed-Point Toolbox provides tools for data logging and data-type override that streamline the conversion process and ensure consistent algorithm behavior in both representations. A new accelerated simulation mode in the toolbox increases the execution speed of fixed-point MATLAB algorithms by factors of up to a thousand.

“Fixed-point development usually involves managing a design expressed in several different languages, such as MATLAB, C, assembly, and HDL. This is a time-consuming and error-prone process,” said Dr. Houman Zarrinkoub, technical marketing manager at The MathWorks. “Now, with the new version of Fixed-Point Toolbox, The MathWorks introduces a complete workflow that equips engineers with efficient tools to perform design validation and tradeoff analysis on fixed-point algorithms in MATLAB.”

Fixed-Point Toolbox also facilitates the use of fixed-point MATLAB algorithms within Simulink^® for system simulation, system verification, and automatic generation of embeddable C code. Because the algorithms have the same fixed-point representation across MATLAB and Simulink, design engineers can complete their designs in a single environment.

Availability and Pricing

Fixed-Point Toolbox is available immediately for the Microsoft Windows, UNIX, Linux, and Macintosh platforms. U.S. list prices start at $1,000.

About The MathWorks

The MathWorks is the world’s leading developer of technical computing and Model-Based Design software for engineers and scientists in industry, government, and education. With an extensive product set based on MATLAB and Simulink, The MathWorks provides software and services to solve challenging problems and accelerate innovation in automotive, aerospace, communications, financial services, biotechnology, electronics, instrumentation, process, and other industries.

The MathWorks was founded in 1984 and employs more than 1,600 people worldwide, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts. For additional information, visit www.mathworks.com.

MATLAB, Simulink, Stateflow, Handle Graphics, Real-Time Workshop, SimBiology, SimHydraulics, and xPC TargetBox are registered trademarks and SimEvents is a trademark of The MathWorks, Inc. Other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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