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Introduction to LabVIEW

6- Hou r Hands -O n
Co ur se Goals
• Become comfortable with the LabVIEW environment
and data flow execution
• Ability to use LabVIEW to solve problems
• LabVIEW Concepts
– Acquiring, saving and loading data
– Find and use math and complex analysis functions
– Work with data types, such as arrays and clusters
– Displaying and printing results
Th e Vir tual I nstru menta tion Ap pro ach
La bVI EW Grap hical De velop ment S yst em
• Graphical Programming Environment
• Compile code for multiple OS and devices
• Useful in a broad range of applications
Virtua l Inst rumen tat ion App li ca tio ns
• Des ign
– Signal and Image Processing
– Embedded System Programming A single graphical development platf orm
• (PC, DSP, FPGA, Microcontroller)
– Simulation and Prototyping Design Prototype Deploy
– And more…
• Control
– Automatic Controls and Dynamic Systems
– Mechatronics and Robotics
– And more…
• Meas urem ents
– Circuits and Electronics
– Measurements and Instrumentation
– And more…
The NI Approach – Integrated Hardware Platforms

P XI Mo d ula r In stru me n ta ti o n Deskto p P C La pto p P C P DA

Hig h-S pe edHig h -R eso lu tio n Mu lti functio n Dyn a mic In stru me n t Dig ita l I/ O Cou nter/ M ach in e Mo tio n Distr ib u te d I/O a nd
Dig itiz ers Dig itiz e rs a nd DMM sDa ta Acq u isi tio nS ig nal A cq uis itio n Co ntro l T ime rs V isio n Con tro l E mb e dd ed Con tro l

S ig nal C o nd itio nin g


a nd Sw itch in g

Un it Und er T est
Sect io n I – La bVI EW En vir onme nt
A. Getting Data into your Computer
• Data Acquisition Devices
– NI-DAQ
– Simulated Data Acquisition
– Sound Card
B. LabVIEW Environment
• Front Panel / Block Diagram
• Toolbar /Tools Palette
C. Components of a LabVIEW Application
• Creating a VI
• Data Flow Execution
D. Additional Help
• Finding Functions
• Tips for Working in LabVIEW
A. Sett in g Up Yo ur Ha rd wa re

• Data Acquisition Device (DAQ) Track A


– Actual USB, PCI, or PXI Device
– Configured in MAX

• Simulated Data Acquisition Device (DAQ) Track B


– Software simulated at the driver level
– Configured in MAX

• Sound Card Track C


– Built into most computers
Do No t De lete
– Notes on hardware setup
What type of device s hould I us e?

Sound Card* NI USB NI PC I DAQ Instruments*


DAQ
AI 8–44 KS/s 10–200 250 K–1. 2 20kS/s–2 GS/ s
Band widt h KS/s bit Ms/ sbit
Accur ac y 12–16 bi t 12–16 14–18 12–24 bi t
Por ta ble x x — some
AI 2 8–16 16–80 2
Ch annels
AO 2 1–2 2–4 0
Ch annels
AC or D C AC AC/DC AC/DC AC/DC
Trigg er ing — x x x
Ca li brated — x x x

abo ve tab le may no t be rep resen tative of all de vice varia tions that exist i n ea ch c ategory
What is MA X?
• MAX stands for Measurement & Automation Explorer.
• MAX configures and organizes all your National Instruments DAQ,
PCI/PXI instruments, GPIB, IMAQ, IVI, Motion, VISA, and VXI devices.
• Used for configuring and testing devices.

Icon Found on
Windows Desktop
Track A
Ex ercis e 1 – Se tting Up Your Device
• Use Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) to:
– Configure and test your Data Acquisition (DAQ) device
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Track B
Ex ercis e 1 – Se tting Up Your Device
• Use Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) to:
– Configure and test your Simulated Data Acquisition (DAQ) device
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Track C
Ex ercis e 1 – Se tting Up Your Device
• Use Windows to:
– Verify your Sound Card

Un-Mute Microphone
Open and Run LabVIEW
Sta rt »Al l P ro grams »N ation al In st ruments LabVIE W
»

Sta rtu p
Scr een:
Start from a Blank VI :
New» Blan k VI
or
Start from an
Example:
Ex am ples»F ind
Ex amples …
LabVIEW Programs Are Called Virtual Instruments (VIs)
Each VI has 2 Windows
Fr ont P anel
• User Interface (UI)
– Controls = Inputs
– Indicators = Outputs
Block D iagram
• Graphical Code
– Data travels on wires from
controls through functions to
indicators
– Blocks execute by Dataflow
Con trols Pale tte (Place items on the Front Panel Window)
(Con trols & Indicator s)
Control: Cu sto miz
Numeric e Pa lett e
Vi ew

Indicator:
Numeric Slide
Fun ction s (a nd Structure s) Pa lett e

(Place items on the


Block Diagram Window)

Structure:
While Loop
Tools Palette
• Recommended: Automatic Selection Tool
• Tools to operate and modify both front panel and
block diagram objects

Automatic Selection Tool

Automatically chooses among the following tools:

Operating Tool

Positioning/Resizing Tool

Labeling Tool

Wiring Tool
Status Toolbar

Run Button

Continuous Run Button

Abort Execution

Additional Buttons on
the Diagram Toolbar

Execution Highlighting Button


Retain Wire Values Button
Step Function Buttons
Do Not Delete
Exercis e Instr uc tions
Demonstration 1: Creating a VI
Front Panel Window

Graph
Indicator

Block Diagram Window

Output
Terminal
Boolean
Control
Input
Terminals
Da taf low Pro gr amming
• Block diagram execution
– Dependent on the flow of data
– Block diagram does NOT execute
left to right
• Node executes when data is
available to ALL input terminals
• Nodes supply data to all output
terminals when done
Debugging Techniques
• Finding Errors
Click on broken Run button.
Window showing error appears.
• Execution Highlighting
Click on Execution Highlighting button; data
flow is animated using bubbles. Values are
displayed on wires.
• Probes
Right-click on wire to display probe and it shows
data as it flows through wire segment.

You can also select Probe tool from Tools


palette and click on wire.
Track A&B
Exercis e 2 – Acquiring a S ignal wit h DA Q
• Use a LabVIEW template to:
– Acquire a signal from your DAQ
device

This exercise should take 15 minutes.


Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Track C
Exercis e 2 – Acquiring a S ignal wit h th e S ound
Card
• Use LabVIEW to:
– Acquire a signal from your sound card

This exercise should take 15 minutes.


Co ntext Help Wi ndo w
• Help»Sh ow Con text Help , press the <Ctrl+H>
keys
• Hover cursor over object to update window
Add itional He lp
– Right-Click on the VI icon and
choose Help, or
– Choose “De taile d Help.” on
the context help window
Tips f or W or kin g in La bVI EW
• Keystroke Shortcuts
– <Ctrl+H> – Activate/Deactivate Context Help Window
– <Ctrl+B> – Remove Broken Wires From Block Diagram
– <Ctrl+E> – Toggle Between Front Panel and Block
Diagram
– <Ctrl+Z> – Undo (Also in Edit Menu)
• Tools»Options… – Set Preferences in LabVIEW
• VI Properties–Configure VI Appearance,
Documentation, etc.
Blank Page – Do no t D elete
Sect io n I I – E le men ts of Typical
Pro gra ms
A. Loops
• While Loop
• For Loop
B. Functions and SubVIs
• Types of Functions
• Creating Custom Functions (SubVI)
• Functions Palette & Searching
C. Decision Making and File IO
• Case Structure
• Select (simple If statement)
• File I/O
Lo ops While Loop

• While Loops
– i terminal counts iteration
– Always runs at least once
– Runs until stop condition is
met

For Loop
• For Loops
– i terminal counts iterations
– Run according to input N of
count terminal
Drawing a Loop
2. Enclose code to be repeated

1. Select the structure

3. Drop or drag additional nodes and then wire


3 Types of Fu nct io ns (from t he Fu nct ions
Palett e)
Express VIs: interactive VIs with configurable dialog page (b lue b or de r)

Standard VIs: modularized VIs customized by wiring (cus tomizable)

Functions: fundamental operating elements of LabVIEW; no front panel or


block diagram (ye llo w)
What Type s of Fu nctions are Availab le?
• Inpu t and O ut pu t
– Signal and Data Simulation Express Functions Palette
– Acquire and Generate Real Signals with DAQ
– Instrument I/O Assistant (Serial & GPIB)
– ActiveX for communication with other programs
• Ana lysis
– Signal Processing
– Statistics
– Advanced Math and Formulas
– Continuous Time Solver
• Sto ra ge
– File I/O
Sea rc hing for Con trols, VI s, a nd
Fun ction s
• Palettes are filled with hundreds
of VIs
• Press the search button to index the
all VIs for text searching
• Click and drag an item from the
search window to the block diagram
• Double-click an item to open the
owning palette
Track A,B,&C
Ex ercis e 2.1 – An alys is
• Use LabVIEW Express VIs to:
– Simulate a signal and display its amplitude and frequency

This exercise should take


15 minutes.
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Track A&B
Ex ercis e 2.2 – An alys is
• Use LabVIEW Express VIs to:
– Acquire a signal and display its amplitude and frequency

This exercise should take 15 minutes.


Track C
Ex ercis e 2.2 – An alys is
• Use LabVIEW Express VIs to:
– Acquire a signal and display its amplitude and frequency

This exercise should take 15 minutes.


Ho w Do I Make De ci sion s in La bVIEW ?
1. Case Structures

(a) (b)
7. Select

(c )
File I /O
• File I/O – Allows recording or reading data in a file.
• LabVIEW creates or uses the following file formats:
– Binary: underlying file format of all other file formats
– ASCII: regular text files
– LVM: LabVIEW measurement data file
– TDM: created for National Instruments products
Hi gh Le vel File I/O Fu nct io ns
• Easy to use
• High Level of abstraction

Writing to LVM file Reading from LVM file


Track A,B,C
Exercis e 3.3 – Deci sion M ak ing and S av ing
Dat a
• Use a case structure to:
– Make a VI that saves data when a condition is met

This exercise should take 15


minutes.
File I/ O Pro gr amming Mo del – U nd er t he
hood
Ope n/ Rea d
Cl ose Che ck for
Cre at e/ and/ or
File Er ro rs
Re plac e F ile Wr ite t o File
Spr ead sheet Form at tin g
• Spreadsheet files are ASCII files with a certain
formatting
– Usually tabs between columns and end of line constants
between rows
– LabVIEW includes VIs that perform this formatting or a string
can be concatenated
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Sect io n I II – Pre senting your Re sul ts
A. Displaying Data on the Front Panel
• Controls and Indicators
• Graphs and Charts
• Loop Timing
B. Signal Processing
• MathScript
• Arrays
• Clusters
• Waveforms
What Types of Con trols and In di cat ors are
•Available?
Numer ic Dat a
– Number input and display
– Analog Sliders, Dials, and Gauges Express Controls Palette
• Boolean Da ta
– Buttons and LEDs
• Array & Mat ri x Da ta
– Numeric Display
– Chart
– Graph
– XY Graph
– Intensity Graph
– 3D graph: point, surface, and model
• Dec or at ions
– Tab Control
– Arrows
• Other
– Strings and text boxes
– Picture/Image Display
– ActiveX Controls
Cha rts – A dd 1 d ata point at a t im e wit h
history
Waveform chart – special numeric indicator that can
display a history of values
• Chart updates with each individual point it receives

Functions»Express»Graph Indicators»Chart
Graph s – Dis play ma ny data poin ts at
onc e
Waveform graph – special numeric indicator that
displays an array of data
• Graph updates after all points have been collected
• May be used in a loop if VI collects buffers of data
Functions»Express»Graph Indicators»Graph
Build ing Arr ay s with Lo op s (Auto-
Inde xin g) Auto-I ndexing Enabl ed
• Loops can accumulate
Wire becomes thicker
arrays at their boundaries
with auto-indexing
• For Loops auto-index by
1D Array
default
• While Loops output only 012345
the final value by default
Aut o-Indexing Dis abl ed
• Right-click tunnel and
Wire remains the same size
enable/disable auto-
indexing

Only one value (last iteration)


5 is passed out of the loop
Cr ea tin g an Arr ay (St ep 1 of 2)
From the Controls»Modern»Array, Matrix, and
Cluster subpalette, select the Array icon.

Drop it on the Front Panel.


Cr ea te an Arra y (Step 2 o f 2)
1. Place an Array Shell.
2. Insert datatype into the shell (i.e. Numeric Control).
Ho w Do I Time a Lo op ?
1. Loop Time Delay
• Configure the Time Delay Express VI for seconds to wait
each iteration of the loop (works on For and While loops).
2. Timed Loops
• Configure special timed While loop for desired dt.

Time Delay Timed Loop


Co ntro l & I ndicator Pro pe rt ies
• Properties are characteristics or qualities about an object
• Properties can be found by right clicking on a Control or Indicator
• Properties Include:
– Size
– Color
– Plot Style
– Plot color
• Features include:
– Cursors
– Scaling
Track A,B,&C
Ex ercis e 3.1 – Ma nua l An alys is
• Use the cursor legend on a graph to:
– Verify your frequency and amplitude measurements

This exercise should take 15


minutes.
Textual Math in La bVIE W
• Integrate existing scripts with LabVIEW for faster development
• Interactive, easy-to-use, hands-on learning environment
• Develop algorithms, explore mathematical concepts, and
analyze results using a single environment
• Freedom to choose the most effective syntax, whether
graphical or textual within one VI
Su pp or ted M ath Too ls :
MathScript script node MathSoft software
Mathematica software MATLAB® software
Maple software Xmath software

MATLAB ® is a registered trademark of The MathWorks, Inc.


Math w it h the Math Scrip t N ode
• Implement equations and algorithms textually
• Input and Output variables created at the border
• Generally compatible with popular m-file script language
• Terminate statements with a semicolon to disable immediate
output

(F unc tions»P rogram ming »


Structures » Mat hSc ri pt)

Prototype your equations in the interactive Mat hS cript W indo w.


The Inter act ive MathScrip t W in dow
• Rapidly develop and test algorithms
• Share Scripts and
Variables with the Node
• View /Modify Variable
Va ria ble
content in 1D, 2D, and 3D Out put Wo rk spac
Wind ow e

View/ Mod ify


Var iable
Co nte nts
User
m-f il e Sc ri pt Commands
(LabV IEW » Tools » Math Scr ipt
Window )
Track A,B,&C
Ex ercis e 3.2 – Using MathScrip t
Use the MathScript Node and Interactive Window to process the
acquired signal (logarithmic decay) in the MathScript and save
the script.

This exercise should take 25


minutes.
Do No t De lete
Exercise Instructions
Do No t De lete
Exercise Instructions
Re vi ew of Da ta Type s Fou nd in L abVIE W
Track A,B,&C
Exerc is e 3.3 – A ppl y What Yo u Hav e Learned
This exercise should take 20 minutes.
Sect io n I V – A ddition al Lab VI EW Top ic s
A. Additional Data types
• Cluster
B. Data Flow Constructs
• Shift Register
C. SubVIs
D. State Machines
E. Local Variables
F. Producer/Consumer
Int rod uct io n t o Clusters
• Data structure that groups data together
• Data may be of different types
• Analogous to struct in C
• Elements must be either all controls or all indicators
• Thought of as wires bundled into a cable
• Order is important
Cr ea tin g a Clu ster
• Select a Cl ust er shell. 2. Place objects inside the shell.
Contro ls »M odern»Arra y, Matr ix &
Cluste r
Cl us te r F unct ions
• In the Cluster & Variant subpalette of the
Programming palette
• Can also be accessed by right-clicking the cluster
terminal

(Terminal labels
reflect data type)
Bundle

Bundle By Name
Using A rra ys and Clust ers wit h G ra phs
The Waveform Datatype contains 3 pieces of data:
• t0 = Start Time
• dt = Time between Samples
• Y = Array of Y magnitudes

Two ways to create a Waveform Cluster:

Build Waveform (absolute time) Cluster (relat iv e ti me)


Shift Register – Access Previous Loop Data
• Available at left or right border of loop structures
• Right-click the border and select Ad d Sh ift Re gis ter
• Right terminal stores data on completion of iteration
• Left terminal provides stored data at beginning of next iteration

Initial
Va lu e Val ue 3

Before
Loop First Second Last
Begins Iteration Iteration Iteration
Mod ula rity in La bVI EW – Sub VI s

Convert repeated functions


and VIs with a single VI
Crea te Su bVI
• Enclose area to be converted into a subVI.
• Select Edit» Create S ubVI from the Edit Menu.
LabVIEW Functions and SubVIs operate like Functions in
other languages
Fu nct ion Ps eudo Co de Ca lli ng Pr og ra m P se udo
function average (in1, in2, Co de
out) main
{ {
out = (in1 + in2)/2.0; average (in1, in2, pointavg)
} }

Su bV I Bl ock Dia gr am Ca lli ng VI Bl ock Diag ra m


Ic on and Con nector Pan e
• Use this connector pane layout as a standard

• Top terminals are usually reserved for references, such as a file reference
• Bottom terminals are
usually reserved for
error clusters
Ic on and Con nector Pan e – Cr ea te Ic on
• Create custom icons by right-clicking the icon in the upper right corner of
the front panel or block diagram and selecting Ed it Ic on or by double-
clicking the icon
• You also can drag a graphic from anywhere in your file system and drop it
on the icon
• Refer to the
Icon Art Glossary at
ni.com for standard
graphics to use in
a VI icon
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
St ate Ma chine s
• While Loop
• Case Structure
• Shift Register
St ate Ma chine s Tra nsit io ns

• Several programming
techniques exist for transitioning
from state to state in LabVIEW
using State Machines
• Default transition implies that
after one state, another state
always follows
• Transitions between two
potential states can be handled
by a Select Function
Co mmun ic atin g betw ee n l oop s
•Communicating between loops using data
flow is not possible
•The left loop will execute completely
before the right loop
•Variables are needed when communication
with wires does not give the desired behavior
Local Variables
• Local Variables allow data to be passed between parallel loops.
• A single control or indicator can be read or written to from more than one
location in the program
– Local Variables break the dataflow paradigm and should be used sparingly
Crea ting a Local Variable - Walk Throu gh
In this example we will see
how Local Variables allow us
to share data between
parallel loops. We will
create a program that
toggles two separate LEDs
using one switch. It also
stops two loops with one
button.

Create the block diagram


and front panel as seen to
the right.
Cr ea tin g Loca l Var iab les

Right-click on the Stop


Button in the Front Panel
and change the
Mechanical Action to
“Switch When Released”
since Local Variables
cannot store Latched
data.
Producer/Con sum er Design Pat tern
V. La rg e Pr og ram D evelop ment
A. Navigation Window
B. LabVIEW Project
C. Shared Variable
La bVI EW Naviga tio n W in dow

• Shows the current region of view


compared to entire Front Panel or
Block Diagram
• Great for large programs

* Organize and reduce program visual size with subVIs


La bVI EW Pr oject
• Group and organize VIs
• Hardware and I/O management
• Manage VIs for multiple targets
• Build libraries and executables
• Manage large LabVIEW applications
• Enable version tracking and management

(Lab VI EW» Pr ojec t»Ne w)


Sha red Va riab les
• Shared Variables are used to send data between VIs.
• Variable Types:
– Single Process: share the data among VIs on the local computer.
– Network-published: communicate between VIs, remote
computers, and hardware through the Shared Variable Engine.

• Shared Variable must exist within a project library.


• Shared Variable must be deployed to be available to other projects
and remote computers.
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e Inst ruct ions
Sect io n V I - I nstru men t Co ntro l
A. Overview of Instrument Control
B. GPIB
C. Serial
D. Instrument I/O Assistant
E. VISA
F. Instrument Drivers and IDNET
Wha t Types of I ns trum ents Can Be
Con trolled?
• GPIB
• Serial
• Modular Instruments
• PXI Modular Instruments
• Image Acquisition
• Motion Control
• USB
• Ethernet
• Parallel Port
• CAN
GPI B
• General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)
• GPIB is usually used in stand alone bench top
instruments to control measurements and
communicate data
• Digital 8-bit parallel communication interface
• IEEE 488.1 and 488.2 define standards for GPIB
Ser ial
• Serial communication transmits one bit at a time over a
transmission line
• Usually does not require external hardware
• Four parameters: baud rate, data bits, parity bit, stop
bits
Inst rumen t I/ O As sist ant
• LabVIEW Express VI used to communicate with
message-based instruments
• Communicate with an instrument that uses a serial,
Ethernet, or GPIB interface
• Use the Instrument I/O Assistant when an instrument
driver is not available
Do Not Delete
Exercis e Instr uc tions
Do Not Delete
Exercis e Instr uc tions
VI SA
• Virtual Instrumentation Software Architecture (VISA)
• High-level API that calls low-level drivers
• Can control VXI, GPIB, serial, or computer-based
instruments
• Makes appropriate driver calls depending on the
instrument used.
Inst rumen t D rivers
• Plug and Play drivers are a set of VIs that control a
programmable instrument
• VIs correspond to instrument operation: configuring,
triggering, and reading measurements
• Help getting started since programming protocol for each
instrument is already known
IDN ET
• Instrument Driver Network (IDNET)
• Instrument Driver Finder within LabVIEW

To ols » In str um ent ation » Find In str um en t Dr ivers


He lp » Find I nst ru men t Driv ers

• Can be found online at www.ni.com/idnet


Add itio nal R es our ces
• NI Academic Web & Student Corner
– http://www.ni.com/academic

• Connexions: Full LabVIEW Training Course


– www.cnx.rice.edu
– Or search for “LabVIEW basics”

• LabVIEW Certification
– LabVIEW Fundamentals Exam (free on www.ni.com/academic)
– Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer Exam (industry recognized certification )

• Get your own copy of LabVIEW Student Edition d f or


d a te 8
– www.ni.com/academic Up VIEW By Robert H Bishop.
Lab
Published by Prentice Hall.
Th e LabVIEW Ce rtif ic atio n Pro gra m
Architect
• Mastery of LabVIEW
Certified
• Expert in large application development
LabVI EW
• Skilled in leading project teams
Ar ch itec t
Developer
• Advanced LabVIEW knowledge
and application development Ce rtifie d L ab VIEW
experience De velop er
• Project management skills

Associate Developer
• Proficiency in navigating
Certifie d L abVIEW Asso ciat e
LabVIEW environment De velo pe r
• Some application
development experience
Fundam ental s Ex am
• Pre-Certification Skills Test Fr ee O n-L ine Fu ndamen tals
Exa m
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– Electronics CBT: Computer-based training
• Low cost student editions available
• www.electronicsworkbench.com
Multisim Integ rated wit h Lab VIEW
1. Create Schematic 2. Virtual Breadboard 3. Simulate

4. PCB Layout 5. Test 6. Compare


You r Next Step …
Take the free LabVIEW Fundamentals Exam at
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Your first step to become LabVIEW Certified!


Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 1.2 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 2.1 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 2.2 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 3.3 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 2.4 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 3.1 & 3.2 Solution s
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 3.3 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 4.1 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 4.2 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 5.1 So luti ons
Do No t De lete
Ex ercis e 6.1 So luti ons

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