Matlab R2021b has been released, and this version has two highlights that I find very engaging: one is the RF PCB Toolbox – which allows for electromagnetic analysis of PCBs, and the other is the Signal Integrity Toolbox – which simulates and analyzes high-speed serial and parallel links.
Below is a video from MATLAB
Of course, the important updates in version R2021b also include:
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Lidar Toolbox – Visualize, analyze, and preprocess LiDAR point clouds interactively using the LiDAR viewer.
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Simulink Code Inspector – Use the Code Inspector context tab to check compatibility, inspect code, and view results directly in the model.
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Simulink Control Design – Design model reference adaptive controllers.
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Symbolic Math Toolbox – Provides next-step suggestions in the MATLAB live editor to guide users through symbolic workflows.
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Wavelet Toolbox – Use wavelet analysis to process and extract features from signals and images for AI workflows.
RF PCB Toolbox provides functions and applications for designing, analyzing, and visualizing high-speed and RF multilayer printed circuit boards (PCBs). You can design components with parametric or arbitrary geometries, including distributed passive structures such as traces, bends, and vias. Using the frequency domain method of moments and other EM techniques, you can model coupling, dispersion, and parasitic effects.
With the RF PCB Toolbox, designers of RF boards, modules, MMICs, and SiPs can predict PCB performance and verify that manufactured PCBs meet specifications. For RF and antenna designers, the toolbox offers parametric models for distributed filters, couplers, splitters, and matching networks, as well as Gerber file generation. The toolbox supports design formats from ODB++, Cadence Allegro, Mentor Expedition, Altium, and Zuken, enabling signal integrity engineers to analyze the high-speed aspects of PCB layouts.
Signal Integrity Toolbox provides functions and apps for designing high-speed serial and parallel links. You can generate experiments covering multiple parameters, extract design metrics, and visualize waveforms and results. You can predict margins and link performance by analyzing the interactions between transmitters, receivers, and channels.
The toolbox supports standard-compliant IBIS-AMI models for statistical and time-domain simulations to analyze equalization and clock recovery. You can describe channels using multi-port S-parameter data, IBIS, HSPICE, and analysis models.
The Signal Integrity Toolbox allows you to analyze waveforms and eye diagrams and measure channel quality while observing impacts such as ISI, jitter, and noise. You can analyze the insertion loss, return loss, and crosstalk of channels in the frequency domain and verify compliance with industry standards, including IEEE 802.3, OIF, PCIe, and DDR.
Before layout, you can evaluate trade-offs and optimize the cost, performance, reliability, and compliance of parallel and serial links. Then, you can perform post-layout validation of the system and correlate simulation results with measurement data.
How to Install Matlab R2021b
This is a shared video based on the installation steps for Matlab R2021a, which are identical to those for Matlab R2021b, so there is no need to record a new video.