Matlab - Kunnskapsbasen
Matlab
Norsk versjon - Matlab
Software information
MATLAB is a versatile and powerful tool that is widely used in both academia and industry, including at NTNU, where it is the most frequently employed tool for numerical mathematics. It provides more than 300 functions and supports both standard computations and advanced applications. MATLAB’s functionality can be further extended through specialized toolboxes, as well as with add-ons such as Simulink for the simulation of dynamic systems.
The most important areas of application include:
- Numerical computations
- Solution of linear and differential equations, polynomial processing, matrix operations, and numerical integration.
- Data analysis and visualization
- Import, analysis, and graphical representation of data in 2D and 3D, with the possibility of exporting results for publications.
- Algorithm development and programming
- Development, testing, and implementation of user-defined algorithms using MATLAB’s high-level programming language, as well as interfaces to C and Fortran.
- Simulation and modeling
- Modeling and simulation of dynamic and nonlinear systems, particularly through the use of Simulink.
- Control systems
- Design and analysis of control systems for mechanical, electrical, and industrial applications.
- Signal and image processing
- Analysis and processing of signals and images, including applications in audio engineering and medical imaging.
- Machine learning and artificial intelligence
- Development and evaluation of machine learning and AI models using dedicated toolboxes.
- Financial modeling
- Quantitative analysis in finance, including risk modeling, pricing, and portfolio optimization.
- Embedded systems and hardware interfacing
- Code generation and communication with microcontrollers and other hardware components.
License information – MATLAB at NTNU:
- Agreement: NTNU has entered into a site license agreement that provides students and staff with access to MATLAB, Simulink, and more than 100 associated toolboxes.
- Platforms: The software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Scope of use: The license may be used exclusively for academic purposes, including teaching and research. Use in commercial activities, including revenue-generating contract research, is not permitted.
- Use at NTNU: The software is employed by most faculties at the university.
Download/Install/Run:
From Software Center
From Software Farm
From NTNU's portal for downloadable software
From the supplier
- Installation:
In the standard installation, all toolboxes are included automatically, which may require up to 5 GB of storage space. It is therefore recommended to use a custom installation and install only the toolboxes necessary for the specific work. - Single-user installation:
In a single-user installation, each computer is assigned its own license file, which can only be used on that particular machine. MATLAB can then be used independently of an internet connection. - Use of license server:
When using the license server, a license file stored at NTNU is employed. In order to use MATLAB, one must be connected to NTNU’s network, either directly on campus or via a VPN connection from external networks. - License renewal:
The license file must be renewed annually, following NTNU’s renewal of its agreements with MathWorks.
The process for licensing a single-user installation can be divided into three main steps:
- Creation of an Account
- Create a MathWorks account associated with NTNU’s name and email address
- The email address must be an NTNU address (employees: ntnu.no, students: stud.ntnu.no).
- You will receive an email from MathWorks that must be confirmed.
- This process is carried out only once.
- Linking the Account to NTNU’s License Agreement
- The account is registered as a Licensed End User under NTNU’s license agreement.
- For this step, either an Activation Key or an Agreement Number may be used.
- Activation
- A license file is generated for the computer on which the program is installed.
- The license file is stored locally and provides access to MATLAB without requiring an internet connection.
Note
- All three steps may be carried out during the installation itself if the computer is connected to the internet.
- In such cases, the license file is installed automatically.
- Users who already possess a MathWorks account only need to complete steps 2 and 3.
Installation without Internet – Licensing
It is also possible to install MATLAB without being connected to the internet. In this case, use the File Installation Key. You must then be connected to the internet and complete steps 1–3 either before or after the installation. The File Installation Key is available on the MATLAB download page at apps.ntnu.no.
An account may be created in the MathWorks License Center. There you may also complete steps 1–3. Use the activation code and provide a machine identifier (Host ID for Windows PC and Linux). You will receive a license file by email or have it transferred to the machine. It is advisable to prepare this file before installation. At the same time, you will also receive the File Installation Key.
Licensing from MATLAB after Installation
Licensing may also be carried out directly from MATLAB after installation. This process requires an internet connection.
- Start the licensing process:
- In MATLAB, navigate to Help → Licensing → Activate Software.
- This will also install a small program used to complete the licensing procedure.
- Platform-specific procedures:
- Windows: Select Programs → MATLAB → Activate MATLAB.
- Linux: Run the program activate_matlab.sh. If you do not already have an account, one can be created as the first step.
- macOS (OS X): Right-click on MATLAB in the Applications folder, select Show Package Contents, and then choose Activate.
- Note Regarding User Licensing:
- The same user may install MATLAB on multiple computers under the current license agreement.
✅ concurrent lisens
- A concurrent (network) license means that MATLAB licenses are managed centrally via a license server. When a user launches MATLAB, the client “borrows” a license key from the server.
- This allows multiple users to access MATLAB using the same license pool; however, the number of simultaneous users is limited by the number of licenses purchased by NTNU.
🛠️ Licensing MATLAB at NTNU Using a Concurrent License
The following steps outline the standard procedure:
1. Install MATLAB as usual
- You download the installation file through NTNU’s software distribution system or via Software Center/Farm.
- During the installation, select the option to use a license server—not the “single-user installation” option.
2. Specify the license server during installation
- When the installation program requests license information, the license file must contain the following lines:
SERVER matlab.lisens.ntnu.no ANY 8655
USE_SERVER
Location of the license file on Windows (x64): C:\Program Files\MATLAB\<version>\licenses\license.dat
Verification
In MATLAB, under Help → About, license number 833468 should be displayed as shown below:
If required by NTNU, ensure that you are connected to NTNU’s network (either on campus or via VPN) in order for the license server to be accessible.
3. Create or use an account if necessary
- For certain license types, it may be necessary to use an account associated with NTNU (e.g., an @ntnu.no or @stud.ntnu.no email address), although for a network license the licensing is typically server-based and does not require individual activation with a key.
4. Run MATLAB via the license server
- Once the installation is complete and the license server has been correctly configured, you may start MATLAB as usual. MATLAB will automatically contact the license server and check out a license if one is available.
- As long as you are connected to NTNU’s network (either directly or via VPN), the license will function. If you are not connected, MATLAB cannot be activated.
For further information on installation and activation, please refer to the relevant guidelines.
Getting Started
Introduction
In MATLAB, you can use the command demo, which will launch a simple demonstration with computational examples.
Documentation and Manuals
Information on how to use MATLAB can be obtained from MathWorks: Documentation for the MathWorks Product Family(external link).
Note the Getting Started Guide. This guide is available both under Help and as a PDF version.
Toolboxes
The functions within the toolboxes are available alongside the built-in functions in MATLAB. By entering the command help, a list of available topics will be displayed. This list also provides an overview of which toolboxes are installed and accessible, for example:
simulink/simulink - SIMULINK toolbox/control - Control System Toolbox. images/images - Image Processing Toolbox. nnet/nnet - Neural Network Toolbox. nnet/nndemos - Neural Network Demonstrations and Applications. toolbox/optim - Optimization Toolbox. toolbox/pde - Partial Differential Equation Toolbox. toolbox/signal - Signal Processing Toolbox. toolbox/stats - Statistics Toolbox.
To learn more about each individual toolbox, write, "help topic", for example:
help toolbox/pde
MATLAB Online
Matlab Online is a service where we can use Matlab with a web browser. We get interactive access to the Matlab user interface - to all commands and functions. We can perform calculations, we can create, store and execute Matlab programs (scripts). We can share data and files with other MATLAB users.
Matlab Mobile
We can perform calculations in Matlab from our mobile phones and tablets. No calculations are done on the cell phone or tablet - it takes place in Matlab Online or on Matlab in a computer.
We use Matlab Mobile App for Android and IOS. We can set up a connection to Matlab Online and to one or more computers on the Internet. The computer can be a PC, a Mac and a Linux machine. We can then perform calculations where we are connected. Matlab must be running on the computer we are connected to and the command "Connector on" must be executed in Matlab.
MATLAB Drive on PC
With this service, the same MATLAB files are accessible on our PCs and Macs, as well as in MATLAB Online and MATLAB Mobile.
On PCs and Macs, we install the MATLAB Drive Connector. This creates a dedicated folder on the computer called the MATLAB Drive Folder. Automatic synchronization occurs between this folder and the cloud storage accessible from MATLAB Online. This means that all files created in MATLAB on a PC or Mac and saved in the MATLAB Drive folder on the computer are available in MATLAB Online. Conversely, all files saved from MATLAB Online are accessible on our PCs and Macs. The same files are also available in MATLAB Mobile.
For further information and instructions on installing the MATLAB Drive Connector.
MATLAB Toolboxes
The toolboxes vary in size and it is recommended to only install the ones you need.
For information about each Toolbox, se: Products and Services
Interaction with Other Programs\\MATLAB – NAG Toolbox
NTNU provides the MATLAB – NAG Toolbox. With this toolbox, NTNU staff and students have access from MATLAB to all subroutines in the NAG (Numerical Algorithms Group) numerical subroutine library, thereby greatly expanding the mathematical capabilities available within MATLAB. This edition of the NAG library includes all subroutines from the Fortran library; there is no need to install any separate versions of the Fortran library. The NAG Toolbox is installed alongside other toolboxes in MATLAB and is used in the same manner as them. The MATLAB – NAG Toolbox can be found in the folder campus\Matlab on Progdist. See the file campus\Matlab\NAG_Installasjon.txt for installation instructions.
Instructions for accessing the NAG user manual within MATLAB are provided in the file campus\Matlab\NAG_Installasjon.txt and in Nag Toolbox for MATLAB.
For further information, refer to the NAG Toolbox for MATLAB.
Maple Toolbox for MATLAB
Maple toolbox is available for MATLAB. Maple is often used in symbolic and numerical calculations. It can be an alternative to Symbolic toolbox.
See Matlab Connectivity og Expand MATLAB by the use of Maple and NAG (in norwegian).
User help
Students at NTNU can send questions directly to MathWorks - at support@mathworks.se. Write in english, as the questions could be forwarded inside the MathWorks network. Remember to use your student emailaddress, @stud.ntnu.no.
MathWorks Online Courses
All users who are associated to NTNU's Campus-Wide License are automatically enrolled in all available online training courses. To access training, you should:
Click on “View My Courses” and log in using your MathWorks account.
Once logged in, you will have access to a complete list of available courses.
Users who are not affiliated with NTNU’s Campus agreement should visit the designated page to create a MathWorks account.
User support
For technical support related to MATLAB at NTNU, you may contact the following
1. NTNU IT, the Oracle Service
2. MathWorks Official Support
See also
Supplier information
Manufacturer: See more about Matlab at The MathWorks, Inc.
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