Why am I receiving the error "Array indices must be positive integers or logical values."?

I am trying to graph the current distributions of a dipole antenna. I keep getting the error "Array indices must be positive integers or logical values." I want to obtain the current distributions for l=0.25λ,0.5λ,0.75λ,λ,1.25λ,1.5λ,1.75λ and 2λ. Here is my code:

z = 0:0.25:2;
l = 0.5;  %(change l for desired value)
k = 2*pi;
I = zeros(1,length(z));
I0 = 1;
for i = 0<=z<=l/2;
    I(i) = I0*sin(k(l/2 - z));   % Define I(z)
end
for i = -l/2<=z<=0;
    I(i) = I0*sin(k(l/2 + z));
end
 
figure(1)
plot(z,I);     %Plot Rectangular
title('Current Distribution');
xlabel('Coordinate z(lambda)');
ylabel('Current, I');

Answer 1

[the cyclist]

Here is a completely different tack, that I think is less confusing because you just defining the function I(z) more naturally as you have it, and don't have to worry about the indexing problem

% Define parameters
l = 0.5;  %(change l for desired value)
k0 = 2*pi;
I0 = 1;
 
% Define plotting range for z
z = -l/2 : l/100 : l/2;

% Define anonymous function I(z)
I = @(z) (z>=0) .* I0.*sin(k0*(l/2-z)) + (z<0) .* I0.*sin(k0*(l/2+z));

% Plot
figure
plot(z,I(z))
title('Current Distribution');
xlabel('Coordinate z(lambda)');
ylabel('Current, I');

[Deniz Duran]

It is not a homework Sir. I am just trying to implement the theory I learn in class to Matlab to both understand the theory better and try learning Matlab as I go along. Your code makes so much sense! Thank you for contrubuting to my learning journey.

Answer 2

[the cyclist]

You have at least two problems with your code. First, you need an explicit multiplication sign in these lines:

I(i) = I0*sin(k*(l/2 - z)); % Added *

and

I(i) = I0*sin(k*(l/2 + z));

Second, your for loop is ill-defined, as probably does not do what you intend. You cannot specify a range of z values as you have here:

for i = 0<=z<=l/2;

Instead, you need something more like

for i = z*l % I think this maybe be what you intend? Steps are fractions of lambda (l)

In this syntax, i is going to loop over the values of the vector z*l.

[Deniz Duran]

Thank you sir for your answer! What I want to implement to Matlab is the equaiton attached to this message. Would z*l still work?

[the cyclist]

OK, so this exposes yet another error that I had missed the first time, which is that you are using a looping variable that takes on values of zero and fractions, and then you try to use those as an index into a vector. That makes no sense (as the link @Image Analyst shared explains).

I'll add another answer in a bit.

Out of curiosity, is this a homework assignment?

Answer 3

[Image Analyst]

You might want to learn about this and lots of other good things in the FAQ:

https://matlab.fandom.com/wiki/FAQ#.22Subscript_indices_must_either_be_real_positive_integers_or_logicals..22