How can I index a duration variable

Hi, my problem is about indexing. I've got a variable of duration Time_AIS1(has all the times from messages from AIS1). Then I got Time_msg_match(it is a char that has all the line positions that I want from Time_AIS1).

As you can see each line gives a number from where I have to get the number in Time_AIS1. How can I use Time_msg_match to index andd get the information from Time_AIS1.

I've used str2double but I get all the values NaN and I know why I saw it in a post but how could I do it because if I want to use it as an index is has to be in numeric type

Answer 1

[dpb]

Always much easier if you attach the actual code you've used to get to this point and a little bit, at least of the data array. Attach a .mat file is simple way to do that..

But, couple comments -- why a cell array of just one element per cell all of the same type? Why not just an array?

Probably the simplest is to use something like (I'm guessing on the datatypes here since we don't have enough to go on...)

>> tmsg=seconds(randi(30,10,1))         % dummy times duration array
tmsg =  
  10×1 duration array
    3 sec
   12 sec
   18 sec
   24 sec
   12 sec
   13 sec
   15 sec
   10 sec
   29 sec
    4 sec
>> locate=num2cell(randi(30,10,1))              % the cell array of wanted matching times
locate =
  10×1 cell array
    {[ 1.00]}
    {[13.00]}
    {[26.00]}
    {[ 9.00]}
    {[25.00]}
    {[27.00]}
    {[25.00]}
    {[14.00]}
    {[11.00]}
    {[22.00]}
>> [lia,ib]=ismember([locate{:}],seconds(tmsg))          % find posi
lia =
  1×10 logical array
   0   1   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
ib =
   0   6   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0
>>

Salt to suit actual storage types you have or, I'd suggest to remove the cell array if isn't needed and you might be able to dispense with using a duration array here as well in lieu of just numeric times. durations have their uses, but they come with warts as well...

[dpb]

ADDENDUM:

Or, of course, you could convert the lookup array into durations of the same units...

[flashpode]

That was just perfect thank youu