Read variable values from m-file

I work on a simulation project containing a large simulink model. Before I could load the input variables to the model directly to the base workspace from a large mat-file. For several reasons we had to change the input file format from .mat to .m. The input variables are each stored in one separate m-file. To read the variables to the base workspace I just run the m-files. Each m-file contains one signal name together with the corresponding simulation values in matrix form. Ex: signalA.m; signal_A = [1 3;2 5;....]; The first column is the time stamp values.

My problem is not to read the variables to the workspace but to obtain the stop time value in the signal matrix. I need the last time value in order to activate the simulink model with the correct simulation time from a main function. Before I could just read the last time stamp value from one signal from the mat-file. Does anyone have any idea how to read the signal values from the m-file in order to obtain the last time stamp value?

[Jan]

I do not have an idea. I assume it is impossible to have one without seeing the structure ofthe M-file. Is the signal replied when the function is called?

Storing data in M-files is a extremly inefficient method. Are you really sure that this method reduces the number of problems? Looking at your question, it does not seem so.

[Erik]

Hi! The m-files are scripts and do not return any values. I know that storing data in m-files is inefficient but this simulation task is just a small part of a much bigger system and I can't influence how the signal data is delivered to the simulation :(. I would of course rather receive one mat-file containing all sigal values! I beleve I just found a way to extract the last time stamp using fopen, fgetl, regexp and finaly convert the output to num. I only have to do this procedure once for each simulation so it won't slow down the system that much :). If anyone has a better idea I'm glad to hear it!

[Image Analyst]

I don't understand. Don't you have a line in your m-file that says something like

lastStopTime = signal_A(42);

???

Or do you have a scope problem where you need to call assignin(), evalin(), or something like that?

[Erik]

I'm sorry if I'm confusing. I just realized that I don’t need a simulation time for the simulink model if you have a time vector. :)

Thank you anyway!

Answer 1

[Daniel Shub]

The problem seems to be that the simulation wants its inputs in terms of many separate m-files, but that it is easier to work with a single data saved in a single mat-file. What about using a mat-file for everything you have control of and writing a wrapper to create the m-files the simulation wants. Just because one stage wants data in an efficient manner, doesn't mean your entire workflow needs to suffer.