Powerful virtual instrument development environment - Version 6.1

August 2002 System Integration & Control Systems Design

Many already use, or know of National Instrument’s LabVIEW and its capabilities. For the benefit of the uninitiated, LabVIEW is a remarkable graphical programming development environment based on the G programming language for data acquisition and control, data analysis, and data presentation. It gives the user the flexibility of a powerful programming language without the associated difficulty and complexity because its graphical programming methodology is inherently intuitive to scientists and engineers.

For anybody looking for a faster way to program their instrumentation systems without sacrificing performance, this was precisely the motive for LabVIEW - A faster way to implement and set up test and measurement, data acquisition and control, scientific research, process monitoring, and factory automation.

Engineers and scientists around the world rapidly create measurement and control applications using its easy-to-use graphical development environment. LabVIEW 6.1, expands the Internet capabilities and measurement intelligence of LabVIEW 6i by delivering powerful new features:

Web-based control

* Users may remotely control LabVIEW from any standard Web browser - anywhere in the world - without programming. Users may remotely control an application in a hazardous environment, even working from their homes. This is initiated by embedding their VI front panel in a standard Web browser via a simple menu selection.

Integrated networking

* Now users can import or export XML-formatted data using LabVIEW, to easily share data with Web or database applications.

* Communication with wireless devices using VIs for wireless infrared data communication.

Enhanced measurement analysis

* Pulse and transition measurements are included as an out-of-the-box, standard means to characterise digital signals with a set of four new VIs that return 12 different measurements. The new tools are used to characterise the timing, transition, and levels of digital signals. These types of analysis can be used to characterise the performance of signals generated by digital electronics. The new VIs are based on a draft of an IEEE standard, 'IEEE Standard on Transitions, Pulses, and Related Waveforms'.

* Point-by-point analysis library delivers the ability to perform single-point data analysis. The library includes more than 100 VIs, and offers true deterministic point-by-point execution by generating a result with each point of input data, instead of requiring an array of values before presenting a result.

* Enhanced Performance for Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Analysis: By applying an improved algorithm, NI has improved the speed of the FFT algorithm by almost 10X over the FFT algorithm of LabVIEW 6i. Users upgrading from LabVIEW 5.1 or earlier will see performance improvements of at least 200X for some block lengths.

Event driven programming

* The new event structure in LabVIEW 6.1 enables the user to better design sophisticated user interfaces that respond to mouse clicks, keyboard entries, and more.

Source code control

* Project management is improved by integrating LabVIEW projects with source code control environments such as Microsoft Visual Source Safe and Perforce. The new source code control improvements in Version 6.1 allow the user to perform all of their common source code control functions directly from the LabVIEW development environment.

For more information: National Instruments SA, 011 805 8197, [email protected], www.ni.com

Further reading:

Understanding the role of AI in generative engineering design
System Integration & Control Systems Design
When a design engineer sets out to design a new part, component, or assembly, the intent is to meet the design requirements for fit, form and function, and also incorporate a certain degree of innovation and elegance to the overall design. There is no reason to re-invent the wheel by introducing a new design.

Read more...

---

PCS stays up so you don’t have to
PCS Global System Integration & Control Systems Design
Maybe it’s time to look at a solution that stays online 99,99999% of the time so you don’t have to. This the world of Stratus computer platforms, tailor-made for your critical applications.

Read more...

---

Four ways the global parts shortage has led to innovation and openness
System Integration & Control Systems Design
For those who use automation parts, the unpredictable nature of the supply chain is one of the biggest problems faced today. The shortfall has impacted every industry, but automation components have been especially affected.

Read more...

---

Iritron’s year of consolidation
Iritron Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Despite the multiple challenges faced by businesses in South Africa, the buoyancy of the technology sector worldwide has produced some green shoots for automation specialist, Iritron.

Read more...

---

Five edge opportunities for SIs to maximise revenue in 2024
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
System integrators continue to face the challenge of doing more with less – supporting complex operations, while meeting production schedules with limited resources, and innovating to increase efficiency, maximise safety and reduce risk.

Read more...

---

Condition monitoring in a forging press retrofit
Beckhoff Automation System Integration & Control Systems Design
Significantly increased vibration on machines can result in many forms of negative impacts such as reduced system performance or damage to the machine and foundation. Using the example of retrofitting a forging press with a maximum press force of 2000 tons, Wölfel Engineering explains how efficiently the process was tailored and implemented with PC-based control and measurement technology from Beckhoff.

Read more...

---

System integration in the digital age
System Integration & Control Systems Design
To meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive marketplace, many manufacturers (end users) must focus on their core competencies and outsource the rest to experts.

Read more...

---

Choosing a system integrator
Editor's Choice System Integration & Control Systems Design
Automation is an essential part of manufacturing today. Whatever the size, an upgrade or migration project can be complex, and the risks can be high. This is where system integrators (SIs) can help. They can bring together complex subsystems or components of a larger system and make them operate as a whole.

Read more...

---

Iritron awarded international contract for furnace control
Iritron System Integration & Control Systems Design
Iritron has been awarded two international, multimillion-Rand furnace drying projects. The company has extensive expertise in furnace drying control systems, and provides solutions in the fields of electrical, instrumentation, control systems, and decision support systems.

Read more...

---

Capitalise on risks by turning them into opportunities for growth
Iritron System Integration & Control Systems Design
In spite of the challenges facing the global and local economy, systems integration expert, Iritron remains optimistic for the year ahead, and believes that there are significant opportunities to be found during a challenging economic climate.

Read more...

---