LabVIEW Core 1

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Instructional Methods

Demonstrations

Concept
Quizzes
Exercise

Development
Lecture Topic Exercise

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Course Learning Map
Lesson 1 Lesson 4 Lesson 7
Developing Modular
Setting Up Hardware Implementing a VI
Applications

Lesson 2 Lesson 5 Lesson 8

Common Design Techniques
Navigating LabVIEW Relating Data
and Patterns

Lesson 3 Lesson 6 Lesson 9

Troubleshooting & Debugging
Managing Resources Using Variables
VIs

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Course Goals

This course prepares you for the following:

• Solve problems using LabVIEW
• Use data acquisition and instrument control in LabVIEW
applications
• Use modular programming practices
• Develop, debug, and test LabVIEW VIs
• Effectively use a state machine architecture
• Parallelism and variables

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 Lesson 1
Setting Up Hardware

TOPICS
A. DAQ Hardware E. Serial Port
B. Using DAQ Software Communication
C. Instrument Control F. Using Instrument Control
D. GPIB Software

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Setting Up Hardware

• LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment used by

millions of engineers and scientists to develop sophisticated
measurement, test, and control systems
• LabVIEW can integrate with wide variety of hardware
devices
• In this course, you will interact with DAQ, GPIB, and serial
hardware

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A. DAQ Hardware

1. Signal
2. Terminal Block
3. Cable
4. DAQ Device
5. Computer

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DAQ Hardware – DAQ Device

• Most DAQ devices have four standard elements: analog

input, analog output, digital I/O, and counters
• You can transfer the signal you measure with the DAQ
device to the computer through a variety of different bus
structures

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DAQ Hardware – Analog Input

The process of measuring an analog signal and transferring

the measurement to a computer for analysis, display, or
storage
• An analog signal is a signal that varies continuously
• Analog input most commonly measures voltage or current

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DAQ Hardware – Analog Output

The process of generating analog signals from your computer

• Performing digital-to-analog (D/A)
conversions generates analog output
• The available analog output types
are voltage and current
• To perform a voltage or current
output, a compatible device must be
installed that can generate that
type of signal

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DAQ Hardware – Digital I/O

• Digital signals:
− Electrical signals that transfer digital data (on/off, high/low, 1/0)
using a wire
− Used to control or measure digital or finite state devices, such
as switches and LEDs
− Used to transfer data
• program devices
• communicate between devices
− Use digital signals as clocks or triggers to
control or synchronize other measurements

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DAQ Hardware – Counters

• A counter is a digital timing device typically used for event

counting, frequency measurement, period measurement,
position measurement, and pulse generation
• A counter has a fixed number it can count to as determined
by the resolution of the counter
• For example, a 24-bit counter
can count to:
2(Counter Resolution) – 1 = 224 – 1 = 16,777,215

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B. Using DAQ Software – Configuration

• Configure and test your DAQ device using the Measurement

& Automation Explorer (MAX)

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Simulating a DAQ Device

• Using NI-DAQmx simulated devices, you can try NI products

in your application without the hardware
• With NI-DAQmx simulated devices, you also can export a
physical device configuration onto a system that does not
have the physical device installed

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Exercise 1-1
Concept: Measurement and Automation Explorer

Use MAX to examine, configure, and test a DAQ device.

GOAL
C. Instrument Control

• Use software on a PC to control an instrument over an

instrument control bus
• Mix and match instruments from various categories
• Understand the properties of the instrument, such as the
communication protocols to use

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C. Instrument Control

Benefits of Instrument Control

• Automate processes
• Save time
• One platform for multiple tasks
• Ease of use
• Many types of instruments available

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D. GPIB
GPIB (general purpose
interface bus) is a
standard interface for
communication between
instruments and controllers
from various vendors

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GPIB

• The bus supports one system controller, usually a computer,

and up to 14 additional instruments
• Controller:
− Defines the communication links
− Responds to devices that request service
− Sends GPIB commands
− Passes/receives control of the bus

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E. Serial Port Communication

Serial communication
• Transmits data between a computer and a peripheral
device, such as a programmable instrument or another
computer
• Uses a transmitter to send data one bit at a time over a
single communication line to a receiver
• Best method when data transfer rates are low, or you must
transfer data over long distances
• Most computers have one or more serial ports, so you do
not need any extra hardware other than a cable

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F. Using Instrument Control Software

• Interface Drivers: Instrument interfaces such as GPIB

include a set of drivers for the interface
• Configuration: Use MAX to configure the interface

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Exercise 1-2
Concept: GPIB Configuration with MAX

Learn to configure the NI Instrument Simulator and use MAX

to examine the GPIB interface settings, detect instruments,
and communicate with an instrument.
GOAL
Summary—Quiz

1. You can use the Measurement & Automation Explorer

(MAX) to examine, configure, and test your DAQ device
and GPIB instruments.
a) True
b) False

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Summary—Quiz Answer

1. You can use the Measurement & Automation Explorer

(MAX) to examine, configure, and test your DAQ device
and GPIB instruments.
a) True
b) False

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Summary—Quiz

2. Which of the following are benefits of instrument control?

a) Automate processes
b) Save time
c) One platform for multiple tasks
d) Limited to only one type of instrument

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Summary—Quiz Answers

2. Which of the following are benefits of instrument control?

a) Automate processes
b) Save time
c) One platform for multiple tasks
d) Limited to only one type of instrument

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