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NI Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS)

Back to Document This document describes the features and benefits of the NI ELVIS suite and its uses in the academic environment. Table of Contents: Introduction NI ELVIS: A Three-Part System NI ELVIS and LabVIEW NI ELVIS and Data Acquisition The Hardware The Software Virtual Suite Components NI ELVIS in Education Filter Comparison Laboratory Example Conclusion Introduction The NI Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS) is a LabVIEW-based design and prototype environment for university science and engineering laboratories originally conceptualized by Paul Dixon of the Cal State Physics Department. NI ELVIS consists of LabVIEW-based virtual instruments, a multifunction data acquisition (DAQ) device, and a bench-top workstation and prototype board. This three-part combination provides a ready-to-use suite of instruments required in most educational laboratories. Because the system relies on LabVIEW it delivers the flexibility required to provide complete data acquisition and prototyping capabilities; the system is ideal for academic course work ranging from lower-division classes to advanced project-based curriculum. NI ELVIS: A Three-Part System

NI ELVIS was designed to function as a three-part system. The NI ELVIS workstation interfaces with National Instruments LabVIEW software and a National Instruments data acquisition device to perform measurements and transmit signals. Both LabVIEW and a National Instruments data acquisition device are required for the NI ELVIS to operate due to the workstations dependency on these components to make measurements and send control signals. The integration of these three parts makes NI ELVIS a powerful, highly customizable measurement and experimentation platform. NI ELVIS and LabVIEW LabVIEW is an open, graphical programming environment that sets the industry standard for test, measurement, and automation applications. Because of its flexibility, modular nature, and ease of programming, LabVIEW has become a language of choice for laboratory use in top universities worldwide. Scientists and engineers performing research and teaching can take advantage of easy I/O functionality along with the strong foundation of analysis capabilities. Instructors can also use LabVIEW in classrooms to solve purely analytical or numerical problems. NI ELVIS software instruments take advantage of the modular and open architecture of LabVIEW to build virtual instruments (VIs) that

are necessary in typical laboratory applications. Using the included LabVIEW application program interface (API), you can change or enhance the functionality of the included VIs by making modifications in the LabVIEW environment to create your own custom virtual instrument. This empowers instructors to make appropriate modifications to laboratory exercises to suit their needs. It is also an opportunity to get students involved in building instrumentation systems by allocating part of code development. NI ELVIS and Data Acquisition The purpose of a data acquisition (DAQ) system is to capture and analyze some physical phenomenon from the real world. Light, temperature, pressure, voltage, and torque are a few of the many different types of signals that can interface to a DAQ system. To make a measurement using a DAQ system, a transducer or sensor is chosen to measure the desired phenomena. This transducer is then connected to the DAQ system which converts the signal to one that can be read by a computer.

National Instruments is an industry leader in multifunction DAQ devices for various measurement and monitoring needs. A typical DAQ board has analog inputs for making measurements of electric signals (as described above). They also typically have analog outputs for generating a stimulus to intelligently control a mechanical system or provide a signal to a control system in order to measure the response. Additionally, multifunction DAQ devices also have digital I/O lines to control or read the state of Boolean devices such as relays. Finally, counter/timer I/O lines are used for controlling and measuring timing of a DAQ process. The heart of a DAQ device is composed of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). These two components of the DAQ system are used to generate and read signals. A multiplexer connects the various analog input lines to the ADC. Before an analog signal is converted to a digital signal, it must be sampled. Generally, conversion occurs uniformly in time. Similarly, a DAC can generate a voltage with a maximum specified update rate. The National Instruments DAQ board that interfaces with NI ELVIS must have at least 8 digital I/O lines. A National Instruments DAQ device is one of the three key parts of an NI ELVIS system, measuring all electrical signals and generating waveforms. The NI ELVIS workstation functions with the DAQ system and LabVIEW to take readings of physical phenomena and then analyze them. Through the NI ELVIS workstation, users have direct access to all of the DAQ inputs and outputs via the prototype board. These inputs are then carried back through the NI ELVIS workstation to the DAQ system where they are converted and interpreted by the computer. Likewise, the DAQ system generates the signals that are routed through the workstation to the NI ELVIS outputs. For more information, see the related link A Review of PC-Based Data Logging and Recording Techniques The Hardware Hardware Features: Short -circuit and high-voltage protection Variable power supplies and function generator with manual or programmatic control 15 V and +5 V supply available User configurable BNC and banana inputs available to all instruments Detachable, customizable prototype board o Affordable for student ownership o Designed for 2 or 3-ring binder transport o Over 2,800 tie points The NI ELVIS workstation complements the capabilities of a DAQ board, creating a complete laboratory system. The custom designed workstation coupled with LabVIEW-based software and a multifunction DAQ board provide the functionality of an entire suite of instruments. Through the use of the DAQ boards digital I/O lines, the workstation is able to communicate with LabVIEW to display measurements and allow the user to programmatically change the workstations outputs. NI ELVIS Benchtop Workstation Features The workstation has a dual role of connectivity and functionality: users can manipulate their measurements from both the built-in control panel located on the front of the workstation and programmatically through the included NI ELVIS software suite. For instance, the control panel provides easy-to-operate knobs for the function generator and the variable power supplies. It also offers convenient connectivity in the form of BNC and banana-style connectors to various instruments, such as the oscilloscope and DMM. Another compelling feature of the workstation is the removable, solderless prototype board

with over 2,800 tie points. The basic prototype board has an area for building electronic circuitry, along with connectivity for most common applications. With the powerful, modular nature of the NI ELVIS platform, students can own a prototype board and build circuits at home, saving valuable laboratory time for testing and learning concepts. In addition to the two variable power supplies, the prototype board offers a 15 V and a +5 V power supply, so students can construct a wide array of common circuits. In addition, students can use the same prototype board for building custom signal conditioning for measurement applications. In fact, the workstation is so versatile that students can use NI ELVISs standard PCI slot to build their own custom printed circuit boards and test them using LabVIEW. Because of the workstation prototype boards design, the user has the added functionality to connect signals between various instruments and DAQ system inputs. For example, the output of the function generator can be connected to a specific input channel of the DAQ board, ultimately displaying it on a desired channel of the oscilloscope. In addition, due to NI ELVISs open architecture design, several other companies are now offering applicationspecific boards and training modules such as Freescale Semiconductors boards for embedded controller design or Quansers boards, which are used to teach controls. Internal Protection Board Inside the workstation, a protection board provides high-voltage and short -circuit protection. Due to the likelihood of errors in a student lab, it is important to isolate the experimental circuit from the DAQ system and ultimately the CPU. The NI ELVIS protection board does this ensuring no out -of-range current or voltage leaves the workstation. Hardware and Software Integrated Instruments NI ELVISs signal analyzers (Oscilloscope, Dynamic Signal Analyzer, Digital Multimeter, Bode analyzer, and Current-Voltage Analyzers) use the analog input lines of the DAQ board. Because a typical DAQ board has up to 8 differential analog input lines, it is possible to have an oscilloscope and a DSA running simultaneously. The speed of the NI ELVIS oscilloscope is a function of the maximum sampling speed of the DAQ board. In addition, all of the analyzers can leverage the digital triggering functionality of the DAQ board as well as the storage and data processing capabilities of the computer for a multitude of applications. A waveform can be generated using two different methods. First, the built-in full-featured function generator can be controlled using knobs on the control panel or programmatically with a specially designed LabVIEW software suite included with NI ELVIS. A student therefore gets practice with both a traditional knob-type instrument and a modern virtual instrument with enhanced functionality. Because of this, NI ELVIS is capable of training students on multiple platforms. The analog output capabilities of the DAQ board form the basis of the NI ELVIS arbitrary waveform generator (ARB). Programmable analog output facilitates the fully functional ARB, which is also capable of reading a previously saved data file and outputting a corresponding waveform. Additionally, the workstations built-in function generator contains advanced features such as frequency sweep and AM/FM modulation inputs. You can also use the function generator as a source for the impedance analyzer. With the impedance analyzer, measurements such as capacitance and inductance, which were not previously feasible with a DAQ-based system, are now possible. NI ELVIS also has a very important capability that makes it a fully capable laboratory platform. The NI ELVIS workstation contains a programmable power supply along with its fixed voltage power supplies. The programmable supplies draw their power from an external source that is easily replaceable. Custom electronics within the workstation provide 12-bit resolution for the power supply. The Software NI ELVIS Software Features: Open platform based on industry-standard LabVIEW software and NI DAQ devices Combination of instrumentation, data acquisition, and prototype station Complete suite of virtual instruments with context help o Oscilloscope, Digital Multimeter, Function Generator, Variable Power Supplies, Bode Analyzer, Arbitrary Waveform Generator, Dynamic Signal Analyzer, Voltage/Current Analyzer, Digital Reader and Writer o LabVIEW source code provided o Ability to customize each instrument in the LabVIEW environment Data storage in Excel, text, or HTML format The NI ELVIS software suite provides the user two different ways to perform measurements using the workstation: the instrument launcher and the LabVIEW API. The instrument launcher provides easy access to all of NI ELVISs 12 standard instruments as well as the suites source code and NI ELVIS examples. By using the instrument selector the user is able to quickly open the instruments they would like and use the pre-built interface to control them. Additionally, the instrument selector provides direct access to the NI ELVIS source code and NI ELVIS instrument examples. Alternately, the user can use the included LabVIEW API to build custom instruments or take the

functionality of NI ELVIS instruments and incorporate it into another LabVIEW program. This is done simply by selecting the appropriate functions from the NI ELVIS Instrument palette, within LabVIEW, and placing them on to the block diagram. The block diagram shown below demonstrates a basic DC voltage measurement using the LabVIEW APIs followed by a simple amplitude analysis and report generation using LabVIEWs express VIs. This VI works by initializing the NI ELVIS workstation then configuring the instrument, taking a reading, and finally outputting the measurement to the analysis and report generation tools and closing the connection to the instrument. This added functionality allows the user to take complex, completely customizable measurements using the NI ELVIS workstation from within a LabVIEW program or build upon an instrument included in the NI ELVIS software suite to add custom functionality or layout.

Virtual Suite Components Oscilloscope The oscilloscope has all the functionality of a standard desktop instrument found in typical undergraduate laboratories. It provides sensitivity and position adjustment knobs along with a modifiable time base. It is also capable of providing RMS and peak-to-peak voltage measurements as well as the signals frequency. Additionally, the NI ELVIS oscilloscope has the ability to choose a trigger source and mode. Depending on the NI DAQ device, the user can choose either a digital or analog hardware trigger. It is also possible to internally route signals from the function generator and impedance analyzer to the NI ELVIS oscilloscope. The NI ELVIS oscilloscope VI is also capable of storing measured data to the hard drive, thus providing the functionality of an advanced storage scope. This computer-based scope display has the ability to use cursors for accurate screen measurements. The sampling rate of the scope is determined by the maximum sampling speed of the DAQ device. Features: 2 independent channels Digital and analog triggering Programmatic signal routing Frequency and amplitude measurements Cursors Data storage Specifications: Maximum input bandwidth - 50 kHz* Maximum sampling rate per channel - 500 kHz* Vertical resolution - 12-bit or 16-bit * Range - 100 mV 10 V full scale Input impedance - 1 G* *DAQ device dependent Function Generator The function generator is a powerful device providing functionality above and beyond a typical instrument found in undergraduate laboratories. Using the NI ELVIS function generator, you can select waveform shape (sine, square, triangle), amplitude, and frequency settings. In addition, the instrument offers DC offset setting, frequency sweep capabilities, and modulation. You can use an external modulation input, route it from the programmable power supply, or use the analog output of the DAQ device as the source. The instrument intelligently uses timing I/O on the DAQ board to lock the frequency of the function generator. Additionally, the main function generator controls (frequency, amplitude, and shape) are available for manual control on the hardware control panel.

Features: Manual and programmatic control Coarse and fine frequency control Ability to output an exact frequency Frequency sweep AM / FM modulation Specifications: Frequency range - 5 Hz to 250 kHz in 5 ranges Waveform shapes - Sine, triangle, square Output amplitude - 2.5 V DC offset - 5.0 V Frequency set point accuracy - 3% of range, max Software amplitude resolution - 8 bits Digital Multimeter (DMM) This commonly used instrument makes AC/DC voltage and current measurements. It can also check continuity of the circuit or perform diode testing. Access to the DMM instrument inputs is available on the workstation control panel through convenient banana-style probe inputs and through the prototype board. Resistance Capacitance Accuracy - 1% Accuracy - 2% Range - 5 to 3 M in four ranges Range - 50 pF to 500 F in three ranges Test frequency - 120 Hz Test frequency - 120 Hz or 950 Hz Test frequency voltage - 1 V p-p sine wave Test frequency voltage - 1 V p-p sine wave DC and AC Voltage Accuracy - 0.3% DC Range - 20 V in four ranges AC Range - 14 Vrms in four ranges Input impedance - 1 M Current Range - 250 mA in two ranges DC accuracy - 0.25% 3mA* AC accuracy - 0.25% 3mA* Maximum common-mode voltage - 42 V Common-mode rejection - 70 dB Voltage burden - 0.5 mV/mA Shunt resistance - 0.5 Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB) With this advanced level instrument, you can choose a variety of signal types, such as periodic, harmonic, modulated, or other waveforms. The ARB also provides the ability to load a data file to generate a stored waveform or use the built-in waveform editor to create your own custom waveform. Because a typical DAQ board has two analog output channels, you can generate two waveforms simultaneously. You also have the choice of a continuous output or a one-shot output. The output of the ARB can also be routed to the modulation input of the function generator. Note that the ARB only functions with NI DAQ boards that contain buffered analog outputs. Features: One-shot or continuous generation Dual channel Waveform editor Programmatic signal routing to modulation inputs of function generator Specifications: Amplitude - 10 V, 12 or 16-bit DC Frequency range - one-tenth of the DAQ device update rate Output drive current - 25 mA max Output impedance - 1 Slew rate - 1.5 V / s Variable Power Supplies Two types of power supplies come with the NI ELVIS platform. First, three fixed power supplies of +5 V Inductance Accuracy - 1% Range - 100 H to 100 mH Test frequency - 950 Hz Test frequency voltage - 1 V p-p sine wave Continuity Resistance threshold - 15 max Test voltage - 3.89 V * Proper null correction at the common-mode voltage can reduce the 3mA offset error to 200A of noise

and 15 V are included to power electronic circuits built on the prototyping board. Two variable power supplies are also built into the system, which can be controlled from a programmable LabVIEW interface or from the control panel of the workstation. These independently adjustable power supplies have opposite polarity. The power supplies provide sufficient current to power small electromechanical systems, such as DC motors. Specifications: 5 V supply: 15 V supply: Accuracy - 5% Accuracy - 5% Output current fused at 2A Output current fused at 500 mA** Ripple and noise - 1% Ripple and noise - 1% Line regulation - 0.5% Line regulation - 0.5% Variable power supplies: Range - 012 V and -120 V** Ripple and noise - 0.25% Software controlled resolution - 7 bits Current limiting: o Positive supply - 0.5 V at 160 mA, 5 V at 275 mA, 12 V at 450 mA o Negative supply - 0.5 V at 130 mA, 5 V at 290 mA, 12 V at 450 mA * Total current drawn from -15V supply and negative variable power supply cannot exceed 500mA Dynamic Signal Analyzer (DSA) The dynamic signal analyzer uses the analog inputs of the DAQ board to make measurements. This instrument uses extensive LabVIEW analysis functionality to build a fully functional DSA. The DSA offers various filtering and averaging options, while also displaying THD and SINAD measurements. In addition, data recorded with the DSA can be stored in tab-delimited format. Additionally, the DSA provides a variety of triggering options and cursors. Specifications: Input range - 10 V in four ranges Input resolution - 12-bits or 16-bits

Impedance Analyzer The impedance analyzer provides phase and frequency polar plots to display measurements at various frequencies. A phasor diagram is visible to determine phase relationships between various signals. Using this virtual instrument, you can specify logarithmic and linear scales as well as specify the correct display quadrant and measurement frequency. Specifications: Frequency range - 5 Hz 35 kHz

Bode Analyzer The power of virtual instrumentation is evident when you can use the same virtual set of hardware to build instruments that undergraduate labs can rarely afford. By simultaneously making use of the frequency sweep feature of the function generator and analog input of the DAQ board, you can build a fully functioning bode analyzer. You can also set the frequency range and choose between linear and logarithmic display scales. In addition, you have the option to set cursors and log data, which are usually only available on more expensive analyzers. Specifications: Frequency and phase plots Frequency range and step control Logarithmic or linear frequency spacing Amplitude accuracy - 12 bits or 16 bits Frequency range - 5 Hz 35 kHz Phase accuracy - 1

Current-Voltage Analyzers These instruments make use of the programmable power supplies available with NI ELVIS. These instruments also offers full flexibility in setting parameters such as voltage and current ranges, linear and logarithmic scales, cursors, and the ability to save data to file. Two wire: With the 2-wire curve analyzer, you can conduct diode testing and view I-V curves. Specifications: Current range - 10 mA Voltage sweep range - 10 V Three wire: This instrument is designed to function with NPN BJT transistors and familiarize students with curve analyzers. Specifications: Minimum base current increment - 15 uA Maximum collector current - 10 mA Maximum collector voltage - 10 V Digital Writer The digital writer is a useful tool in analyzing digital circuits and providing control signals to circuits built on the prototype board. It provides TTL logic write access to the eight digital input channels on the NI ELVIS prototype board. Additionally, you can select from testing patterns such as walking 1s, alternating 1s and 0s, and ramp. The digital writer also provides the user the ability to input the value to write to the digital channels in binary, hexadecimal, decimal, and octal. Specifications: Digital output resolution 8-bits

Digital Reader The NI ELVIS digital reader provides the ability to easily view the status of the digital input channels. The virtual instrument also provides the numeric representation of the digital channels in a variety of formats. Specifications: Digital input resolution - 8-bits NI ELVIS in Education The combination of the NI ELVIS workstation, LabVIEW software, and a NI DAQ board has extensive applications in the academic disciplines of engineering, physical sciences, and biological sciences. The system is open not only in terms of software, but also with its custom signal conditioning hardware. This flexibility gives instructors the ability to implement the system in various levels of curricula, from introductory to advanced levels. In addition, the open nature of the system means instructors can give an unprecedented, hands-on experience to students. NI ELVIS in Engineering The NI ELVIS system is very well suited for teaching basic electronics and circuit design to students in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and more. The suite offers full design, prototype, measurement, and data saving capabilities needed for such training. Additionally, the removable prototype board offers students the ability to build circuits at home, thus using laboratory time more effectively. NI ELVIS is not only capable of conveying basic electronic concepts; its advanced instruments such as the bode analyzer and curve tracer, offer an opportunity to teach specialty courses in signal analysis and processing. Students can construct software filters in LabVIEW and hardware filters on the prototype board, and then compare their performance. Because of this, students, for the first time, have the ability to see the effects of hardware antialiasing filters on signals.

In addition to circuit design, mechanical engineering students can use NI ELVIS to learn about sensor and transducer measurements. The prototype board offers a great platform for building custom signal conditioning for various sensors and transducers. Students can also install custom sensor adapters (manufactured by companies like PASCO Scientific and Vernier) onto the prototype board. For example, a thermocouple jack on the prototype board provides robust connections with a thermocouple. For strain measurements, students can use the programmable power supply for providing accurate excitation voltage to various transducers. NI ELVIS thus offers an opportunity for a mechanical engineering department to standardize on a single platform for multiple laboratories. Instrument design is also a great application for NI ELVIS. A biomedical engineering student could be assigned to create an EKG monitor using NI ELVIS. Along with offering signal conditioning capabilities for a student-built instrument, the NI ELVIS suite is also designed for testing these circuits as students build them. NI ELVIS in Physical Sciences Physics students typically learn significant electronics and circuit design concepts. The NI ELVIS platform is an ideal electronics and circuit design trainer. Physics students might also need signal conditioning for common sensors, such as a photoelectric multiplier or a light detector. It is also possible to build high-gain, low-noise circuits on a PCB and use these circuits in modern physics labs. The NI ELVIS system is not environmentally sealed. One should therefore exercise extreme caution when using the system in chemical and biological sciences. However, the suite does offer the ability to build signal conditioning for commonly used sensors such as a pH sensor or a dissolved O2 sensor.

See Also:
Deliver an Enriched Science and Engineering Education with NI ELVIS -- Web Event Filter Comparison Laboratory Example One example of the many uses of NI ELVIS is to teach the concepts of filter design through a bandpass filter comparison. In this basic laboratory experiment a student could be tasked with comparing a bandpass filter constructed with circuit components to the anticipated values calculated and simulated in LabVIEW. Design: The first step in this experiment would be to design a bandpass filter using standard circuit components. Simulate: After the student has designed the bandpass filter, the next step would be to simulate the filter in LabVIEW. This is easily done using the filter express VI. Build: The third step for the student would be to actually build the bandpass filter on the NI ELVIS prototype board using the circuit components specified in the design stage. Test: Once the student had designed, simulated, and built the filters, the second half of the experiment would be to compare the simulated circuit with the measured response of the hardware circuit. The student could begin this comparison by testing both of the circuits using the function generator and the oscilloscope to analyze the signal attenuation at a variety of frequencies. The LabVIEW filter could be analyzed by connecting the NI ELVIS LabVIEW APIs for the function generator and the oscilloscope to the input and output of the filter express VI. The hardware filter could be analyzed by wiring the function generator output to the input of the bandpass filter and then using an oscilloscope probe connected to NI ELVIS to examine the filters output. To further enforce the concept, the student could next be asked to use NI ELVISs bode analyzer to make a complete gain versus frequency analysis for both the software and hardware filters. This is just one example of the numerous options available for teaching circuits concepts using NI ELVIS. Conclusion NI ELVIS was designed to address both instructor and student needs. It provides an economical, highly customizable environment that students will find easy to use. Because of its powerful software suite and its easy serviceability, NI ELVIS is the ideal solution for both introductory and higher level courses. By using NI ELVIS at your university you are able to provide students with a leading edge, virtualinstrument based education.

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