Develop HMI/scada applications with LabVIEW

SCADA/HMI

February 2007 SCADA/HMI

In the past, engineers developing industrial systems had to learn different software tools to program embedded controllers and HMI/scada applications even when buying everything from the same vendor.

With National Instruments LabVIEW graphical system design software, you now can program your human machine interface (HMI) and logic in the same environment, minimising development cost, training time, and maximum skill re-use. Specifically, you can use the new LabVIEW Touch Panel Module for Windows CE touch displays as a local operator interface or the LabVIEW datalogging and supervisory control (DSC) module to develop a full-fledged HMI/scada application.

Build a flexible HMI/scada system with the LabVIEW DSC Module

Applications today require open HMI/scada environments with OLE for process control (OPC), Modbus connectivity, and the flexibility of a programming language, so you can add high-speed measurements and analysis to existing systems. The LabVIEW DSC Module provides configuration-based datalogging, alarming, scaling, and security for developing your Windows XP-based HMI/scada system. For example, you can use the LabVIEW DSC Module to instantly create thousands of tags, link them to I/O servers, and network LabVIEW Real-Time targets and OPC devices.

In LabVIEW 8, the LabVIEW DSC Module was fully integrated into the LabVIEW environment, offering significant performance enhancements and improving ease of use. In LabVIEW 8.20, you can use the LabVIEW DSC Module to read and write from the built-in realtime database at 11 000 updates per second for 20 000 tags, a 2x datalogging performance improvement. You also can scale your application at run time using new power programming tools such as programmatic batch creation of shared variables, which you can bind to I/O servers created at edit time or run time.

Program Windows CE HMIs with the LabVIEW Touch Panel Module

Local displays are often used to communicate with, display information from, and interact with headless devices such as National Instruments Compact FieldPoint, CompactRIO, and Compact Vision System programmable automation controllers (PACs). Using the new LabVIEW Touch Panel Module, you can easily develop custom HMI applications for Windows CE touch panel devices. The LabVIEW Touch Panel Module includes features and tools for rapid user interface development, complex data analysis, and Ethernet-based communication. This software is designed for use with the NI TPC-2006 industrial touch panel computer and third-party Windows CE displays. Using the LabVIEW Touch Panel Module, you can:

* Program your Windows CE HMI and LabVIEW Real-Time system using the same environment.

* Use built-in LabVIEW user interface tools to display vital information to operators.

* Add custom decision-making capabilities to an HMI using familiar LabVIEW programming constructs such as for loops, while loops, case structures, and event structures.

* Access specialised functions for Windows CE memory management, application control, and error-checking.

* Communicate over the network with NI PACs through the shared variable, TCP/IP, and other protocols.

Learn more about developing HMI/scada systems using LabVIEW, visit ww.ni.com/labview/hmi.

For more information contact National Instruments South Africa, 0800 203 199, [email protected]

Share this article:

SCADA/HMI

Develop HMI/scada applications with LabVIEW

Further reading:

Published by Technews