Hi,
The `hmmdecode` function in the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) toolbox performs the forward algorithm. The forward algorithm calculates the probability of being in a particular state at each time-step, given the observed sequence.
To obtain the forward-variable for each consecutive time-step, you can look at the `Alpha` output of the `hmmdecode` function. The `Alpha` matrix contains the forward probabilities for each state at each time step.
Regarding the issue of `hmmdecode` always starting in the same state, you are correct that it typically assumes the initial state to be fixed (often denoted as s_1). If you want to start from a different initial state, you can modify the initial state probabilities in the HMM model.
I hope this helps!
