MATLAB: Running two sections of Matlab code in parallel. is this possible

parallel computingsections

I have a Matlab code that I need to run two sections at the same time as part of a control system.
It roughly looks like this
%%Section 1
logs data during  specified time and inputted to a control system
%%Section 2
takes photos and information from photo is also used in the control system
is this possible and if so how?

Best Answer

It is generally possible using the Parallel Computing toolbox.
parpool(2)
spmd
  if labidx == 1
    collect_for = 15;   %minutes
    start_time = now;                             %days

    end_time = start_time + collect_for/60 / 24;  %days
    while now < end_time
      data_from_camera = labReceive(2);
      %use the data from the camera to figure
      %out how to control, send commands to the
      %control system, and read log data from the
      %control system
      ...
    end
    elseif labidx == 2
       ... set up camera
       while true
         ... grab a picture
         labSend(1, image_from_camera);
       end
    end
  end
That said: it is common that you can do either data collection from the instrument or taking the pictures asynchronously, and have the availability of data signaled by a callback routine being called. When you can use this approach, you only need a single MATLAB proccess, as the interrupts and buffer management are handled by MATLAB.
Also note: you cannot update the graphics display from any worker (parfor, spmd, batch, parfeval). If you need to update the graphics display then you need to approach the parallelism slightly differently. The techniques became a bit easier in R2017a.
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