An Introduction to LabVIEW

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An Introduction to LabVIEW
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Course Aims

• Understand the components of a Virtual Instrument
• Introduce LabVIEW and common LabVIEW functions
• Create a subroutine in LabVIEW

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Section I

• LabVIEW terms
• Components of a LabVIEW application
• LabVIEW programming tools
• Creating an application in LabVIEW

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LabVIEW Programs known as Virtual Instruments
(VIs)
Front Panel Controls Inputs Indicators Outputs
Block Diagram Accompanying program for front
panel Components wired together
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VI Front Panel
Panel Toolbar
Numeric Controls
Numeric Indicator
Boolean Control
Array Indicators
X-Y Graph
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VI Block Diagram
Numeric Indicator
Control Terminals
Stop Button Terminal
Numeric Constant
While Loop Stop Terminal
While Loop
For-Next Loop
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Controls and Functions Palettes
Graphical, floating palettes used to place
controls and indicators on the front panel, or to
build the block diagram.
Controls Palette (Front Panel)
Functions Palette (Block Diagram)
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Tools Palette
Floating palette used to operate and modify front
panel and block diagram objects. Click the green
rectangle for automatic selection.

• Operating Tool
• Positioning/Resizing Tool
• Labeling Tool
• Wiring Tool
• Shortcut Menu Tool

Scrolling Tool Breakpoint Tool Probe Tool Color
Copy Tool Coloring Tool

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Status Toolbar
Run Button Continuous Run Button Abort
Execution Pause/Continue Button Text
Settings Align Objects Distribute
Objects Re-order
Additional Buttons on the Diagram Toolbar
Execution Highlighting Button Step Into
Button Step Over Button Step Out Button
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Creating a VI
Front Panel Window
Indicators
Corresponding Indicator Terminals
Controls
Corresponding Control Terminals
Block Diagram Window
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Right click to select the controls palette
Creating a front panel
Drag and drop the components
As you place components a corresponding terminal
will appear in the diagram window
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Right click to select the functions palette
Wiring the diagram
Drag and drop functions
Select the wiring tool
Drag the wire between terminals
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Program Dataflow

• Block diagram does not execute left to right
• Node executes when data is available to ALL input
  terminals
• Nodes supply data to all output terminals when
  done

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Running the program
Click Run to execute the program
The program will read the inputs, display a
result, and exit
To make the process continuous, a loop must be
added.
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Section II Loops
While Loops Have iteration terminal I Run
continuously, subject to the Exit terminal
status
For Loops Have iteration terminal I Run N times
set by input N
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Adding a loop
Select the While loop and drag and drop around
the section you wish to repeat.
Add a Stop button with which to exit the loop.
Wire the button terminal to the exit terminal.
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