As I am doing this on hardware so the steps are: STEP 1. Insert your usb2RS232 Cable in your laptop(don't forget install the driver of your RS232 cable) STEP 2: Go to My computer right click on it properties -> Device manager->Ports(COM & LPS)-> there you can see the port(e.g COM7) if there is some yellow symbol it means your driver is not properly installed. So I suggest you to install it again properly. STEP 3: See the port number (COM No eg COM 7) STEP 4. go to matlab and type
s=serial('COM7','BaudRate',9600); %COM7 is your USB2RS232 COM PORT
fopen(s);
fprintf(s,'a');
PROBLEM SOLVED i am considering your have connected device and 'a' char will go to your microcontroller