IoT Data Explorer for ThingSpeak using MATLAB

Visualize and compare IoT data from ThingSpeak channels directly in MATLAB. Supports time comparisons (recent vs. historical), multi-channel comparisons, auto-updating controls, dark mode, and data export.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• MATLAB (R2020a or later)
• ThingSpeak Support Toolbox (thingSpeakRead)

Installing

Option A: Toolbox installer (recommended)

1. Download IoT Data Explorer for ThingSpeak using MATLAB.mltbx from the File Exchange or the Releases page.
2. Double-click the .mltbx file. MATLAB will open an install dialog.
3. Click Install. The app is added to your MATLAB Add-Ons.
4. Launch from the MATLAB Toolstrip under Apps, or run IoTDataExplorer at the command line.

Option B: Run directly from source

1. Clone or download this repository.
2. Add the folder to your MATLAB path.
3. Run:

   app = IoTDataExplorer;

Using the app

Modes

• Time Compare (default): Overlay recent vs. older data for a single channel.
• Channel Compare: Stack fields from multiple channels side by side. Use the +/- buttons to add or remove channels.

Controls

• Channel ID: Enter the ThingSpeak channel ID.
• ReadAPIKey: Enter the Read API Key for private channels.
• Start Date: Select the start date for the data. Time starts at 12:00 AM unless otherwise selected.
• Start Hour / Min / AM/PM: Fine-tune the start time.
• Duration: The time window to plot (up to 8000 points). Select a base unit and a multiplier (e.g., Hour x 3 = 3 hours).
• Compare Length (Time mode): The offset between the recent and older time periods.
• Retime: Resample data to minutely, hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly intervals using linear interpolation.
• Field checkboxes: Select which fields to display.
• Update: Fetch and plot data. After the first update, controls auto-refresh the plot on change.
• Output to Workspace: Export the queried data to the MATLAB workspace.
• Dark Mode: Toggle between light and dark themes.
• Quit: Save preferences and close the app.

Channel IDs, API keys, and theme preference are saved between sessions.

Built With

MATLAB (standalone .m classdef — no App Designer required)

Authors

• Christopher Stapels - Initial work - MathWorks
• Alain Kutcha - Code review - MathWorks

Resources

• ThingSpeak for IoT Projects
• MATLAB