One Word: Simulink.

Using Simulink/Matlab to Solve Ordinary Differential Equations

Jake Blanchard University of Wisconsin 2009

Introduction
Matlab offers several approaches for solving initial value ordinary differential equations Runge-Kutta solutions are common (ode45, ode15s, etc.) Simulink is a Matlab add-on that allows one to simulate a variety of engineering systems We can use Simulink to solve any initial value ODE

Process

Simulink offers a variety of components that are assembled graphically to provide a full system simulation

http://www.engin.umich.edu/class/ctms/simulink/model/model.htm

An Example

Consider a model for a damped, forced oscillator

d x dx 3 4 x 5 cos(2t ) 2 dt dt x(0) 0 dx (0) 0 dt

Preparation

d x dx 5 cos(2t ) 3 4 x 2 dt dt

The Simulink Model

2 Clock t->2t cos 2t->cos2t) 5 5cos(2t)

1 s d2x/dt 2->dx/dt

1 s dx/dt ->x Scope

3 dx /dt ->3dx/dt

4 x->4x

The Simulink Model

d x dx 5 cos(2t ) 3 4 x 2 dt dt

The Simulink Model

d 2x dx 5 sin(2t ) 3 4 x dt 2 dt
d 2x dt 2

dx dt

dx dt

4x

Initial Conditions
The ICs are set in the integrator blocks Right click the block and open Integrator Parameters This sets value of output variable from the integrator block

Demo