ELEC 2150 - LabVIEW Basics 1

Prerequisite: ELEC-1211 or approval of program advisor

Objectives:

1. Define dataflow and what is meant by ‘Graphical Programming Language’.
2. Describe and utilize the NI example finder.
3. Describe what is meant by ‘data acquisition’.
4. Describe the function of the ‘General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)’.

Outcome 2:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to develop and edit functional block diagrams and front panels.

Objectives:

1. Design and implement various front panel controls and indicators.
2. Connect and manipulate nodes and wires in the block diagram.
3. Demonstrate good LabVIEW project management techniques.
4. Work with and manipulate SubVIs, along with their icons and connectors.
5. Locate various toolbars and pull down menus for the purpose of implementing specific functions.
6. Locate and utilize the context help window.
7. Run a Virtual Instrument (VI).

Outcome 3:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to load, save, and debug VIs.

Objectives:

1. Execute save and load dialogs.
2. Demonstrate the use of the revert function.
3. Troubleshoot broken VIs.
4. Single-Step through a VI.
5. Implement execution highlighting and setting break points.
6. Create SubVIs
7. Use sound practice to document LabVIEW projects.

Outcome 4:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to control program execution through structures such as ‘For-While’ loops and ‘Case Structures’.

Objectives:

1. Execute ‘For’ loops and ‘While’ loops.
2. Utilize shift registers in conjunction with loops.
3. Utilize ‘Case’ structures to control program execution.
4. Use the ‘Select’ function for if-then-else scenarios.
5. Implement ‘Timing’ functions.
6. Input algebraic formulas via ‘Formula Nodes’ and ‘Expression Nodes’.
7. Combine ‘While Loops’ with ‘Case Structure’.

Outcome 5:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to utilize composite data in the form of Arrays and Clusters.

Objectives:

1. Create Array controls and indicators.
2. Use ‘Auto-Indexing’.
3. Create Cluster controls and indicators.
4. Interchange arrays and clusters.
5. Utilize Error Clusters and Error Handling functions.

Outcome 6:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to use Charts and Graphs.

Objectives:

1. Implement both single and multiple plot waveform charts.
2. Implement both single and multiple plot waveform graphs.
3. Create X-Y graphs.
4. Create intensity charts and graphs utilizing color as a 3rd dimension.
5. Add timestamps to charts and graphs.
6. Create mixed signal graphs containing both analog and digital data.
7. Export images of charts and graphs.

1. Introduction to LabVIEW
   1. Dataflow and Graphical Programming Language
   2. Example Finder
   3. Temperature System Example
2. Virtual Instrumentation
   1. Data Acquisition
   2. General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)
   3. Communication via the Serial Port
   4. Internet connectivity and networking
   5. Add-on Toolkits
   6. Various Communication Mechanisms
3. LabVIEW Operating Environment
   1. Front Panels, Controls and Indicators
   2. Block Diagrams
   3. LabVIEW Projects
   4. SubVI’s
   5. Alignment Grid
   6. Pull-Down Menus
   7. Floating Palettes
   8. Toolbars
   9. Pop-Up Menus
   10. Help Window
   11. Express and Sub VIs
4. LabVIEW Foundations
   1. Creating VIs
   2. Basic Controls and Indicators
   3. Wire Routing
   4. Running VIs
   5. Keyboard Shortcuts and Tips
   6. Loading and Saving VIs
   7. Debugging Techniques
   8. Creating SubVIs
   9. Documenting Projects
   10. Printing
5. Controlling Program Execution with Structures
   1. For and While Loops
   2. Shift Registers
   3. Case Structure
   4. Sequence Structure
   5. Timed Structures
   6. Formula and Expression Nodes
   7. Combining While Loops with Case Structure
6. Arrays and Clusters
   1. Array Controls and Indicators
   2. Auto-Indexing
   3. Two Dimensional Arrays
   4. Compound Arithmetic
   5. Cluster Controls and Indicators
   6. Interchangeable Arrays and Clusters
   7. Error Clusters and Error Handling Functions
7. Charts and Graphs
   1. Waveform Charts
   2. Waveform Graphs
   3. X-Y Graphs
   4. Chart and Graph Components
   5. Intensity Charts and Graphs
   6. Time Stamps
   7. Mixed Signal Graphs
   8. Exporting Images