System Programming and Computer Control
CT047-3-2-SPCC
LabView Features
Degree – Level 2
Prepared by: SGU First Prepared on: 10.09.07 Last Modified on: 16/09/2007
Quality checked by: xxx
Copyright 2007 Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology
Topic & Structure of the lesson
• Software in Virtual instrumentation.
• Importance of LabVIEW software for
creating Virtual instrumentation.
• Virtual instrumentation in the engineering
process.
• Virtual instruments beyond the Personal
computer.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Learning Outcomes
• At the end of this session, you should be
able to:-
– Know about the software in virtual
instrumentation.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Key Terms you must be able to use
• If you have mastered this topic, you should
be able to use the following terms correctly
in your assignments and exams:-
– Lab View programming tool.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Software In Virtual Instrumentation
• Software is the most important component of
a virtual instrument:-
– enables the designing and integrating of
routines that a particular process requires.
– allows for the creation of an appropriate user
interface.
– it should be intelligent and allows for decision-
making capabilities to be built into the
instruments.
– an important advantage that software provides is
modularity.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Features of LabVIEW
• Graphical programming
– Design custom virtual instruments by creating
a graphical user interface on the computer
screen through which you can:-
• Operate the instrumentation program.
• Control selected hardware.
• Analyse acquired data.
• Display results.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Features of LabVIEW
• Multiple platforms
– Software minimises this concern, because it
runs on Windows 2000,NT,XP,Me,98,95, and
embedded as well as Mac OS, Sun Solaris,
and Linux.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Features of LabVIEW
• Distributed Development
– Easily develop distributed applications with
easy to use server tools.
• Used for processor-intensive routines to machines
for faster execution.
• Create remote monitoring and control applications.
• Powerful server technologies can simplify the task
of developing large, multicomputer applications.
• It includes standard networking technologies such
as TCP/IP and incorporates robust publish and
subscribe protocols.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Features of LabVIEW
• Analysis Capabilities
– Virtual instrumentation software requires
comprehensive analysis and signal
processing tools. High speed applications in
machine monitoring and control systems
usually require order analysis for accurate
vibration data.
– It provides for a wide array of analysis and
signal processing features.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Features of LabVIEW
• Visualisation Capabilities
– It includes a wide array of built-in visualisation
tools to present data on the user interface of
the virtual instrumentation for charting and
graphing as well as 2D and 3D visualisation.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Features of LabVIEW
• Flexibility and Scalability
– Engineers and scientists have needs and
requirements that can change rapidly.
– It supports for rapid application development
due to its modularity, ease of use and
powerful feature set.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Why is LabVIEW ideal?
• LabVIEW is an integral part of virtual
instrumentation as it provides an easy-to-
use application development environment.
• LabVIEW is platform independent.
• LabVIEW applications are portable across
platforms.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Virtual instrumentation in the
Engineering Process
• With Virtual instruments:-
– we can quickly develop a program.
– we can take measurements from an instrument
to test a prototype, and analyse results.
– we can automate a testing procedure.
– we can eliminate the possibility of human error.
– we can ensure the consistency of the results by
not introducing unknown variables.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Virtual Instruments Beyond The
Personal Computer
• Commercial PC technologies have begun
migrating into embedded systems.
• Easy to use networking functionality of desktop
software and target it to real-time and embedded
systems.
• National instruments has described a vision that
includes the ability to scale from development for
desktop operating systems to:-
– embedded real-time systems
– handheld personal digital assistant
– enable smart sensors
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Quick Review Question
• Why do we need many good features for
virtual instrumentation?
• List the features of LabVIEW programming
tools.
• Discuss the topic “Virtual instrumentation
in the Engineering Process”.
• Discuss the topic “Virtual instruments
beyond the Personal Computer”.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Summary of Main Teaching Points
• Virtual instrumentation is advanced computer
technology and offers the power to create and
define the system based on open frame work.
• It provides the flexibility to adapt and extend as
needs change.
• LabVIEW was designed with scientists and
engineers in mind, providing powerful tools and
a familiar development environment created
specifically for the design of virtual instruments.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Question and Answer Session
Q&A
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2
Next Session
• Fundamental Concepts of the Data
Acquisition.
CT014-1 Hardware, Systems Software and Networks Chapter 2