Introduction to LabVIEW
Getting Started
Right click the first input of the Add function and select CreateConstant.
Right click the constant and select RepresentationI32. This changes the numeric
representation of the constant to a 32-bit integer, also known as a long.
Create an indicator output for the Add function.
Constant
Indicator
Control
Run the program.
LabVIEW Programs Are Called Virtual
Instruments (VIs)
Each VI has 2 windows
Front Panel
User interface (UI)
Controls = inputs
Indicators = outputs
Block Diagram
Graphical code
Data travels on wires from
controls through functions to
indicators
Blocks execute by data flow
Controls Palette
(Place items on the front panel window)
Control:
Numeric
Customize
Palette View
Indicator:
Numeric Slide
Functions (and Structures) Palette
(Place items on the
block diagram Window)
Structure:
While Loop
Dataflow Programming
Block diagram execution
Dependent on the flow of data
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
Context Help Window
HelpShow Context Help, press the <Ctrl+H> keys
Hover cursor over object to update window
Additional Help
Right-click on the VI icon and choose
Help, or
Choose Detailed help on the context
help window
Tips for Working in LabVIEW
Keystroke Shortcuts
<Ctrl+H> Activate/Deactivate Context Help Window
<Ctrl+B> Remove Broken Wires from Block Diagram
<Ctrl+E> Toggle between Front Panel and Block
Diagram
<Ctrl+Z> Undo (also in Edit menu)
ToolsOptions Set Preferences in LabVIEW
FileVI Properties Configure VI Appearance,
Documentation, and so on
Loops
While Loop
While Loop
Terminal counts iterations
Always runs at least once
Runs until stop condition is
met
For Loop
Terminal counts iterations
Runs according to input N of
count terminal
For Loop
Drawing a Loop
2. Enclose code to be repeated
1. Select the structure
3. Drop or drag additional nodes and then
wire
Exercise 1
Make a very simple clock to count the seconds for a minute.
Exercise 1
Make a very simple clock to count the seconds for a minute.
Hints: Use a Gauge to show the clock, Delay or
Timer to count seconds, and For to limit the count.
What Types of Functions Are Available?
Input and Output
Signal and data simulation
Real signal acquisition and generation with DAQ
Instrument I/O Assistant (eg. Serial)
ActiveX for communication with other programs
Analysis
Signal processing
Statistics
Advanced math and formulas
Continuous time solver
Storage
File I/O
Express Functions Palette
How Do I Make Decisions in LabVIEW?
1.
Case Structures
FunctionsProgrammingStructuresCase Structure.
2.
Select
(a)
(c)
FunctionsProgrammingComparisonSelect.
(b)
Case Structure
The case structure has one or more sub diagrams, or cases, one of
which executes when the structure executes. The value wired to
the selector terminal determines which case to execute and can
be Boolean, string, integer, or enumerated type.
Functions Programming Structures Case Structure.
Select
Returns the value wired to the t input or f input, depending on the
value of s. If s is TRUE, this function returns the value wired to
t. If s is FALSE, this function returns the value wired to f. The
connector pane displays the default data types for this
polymorphic function. It is found at
Functions Programming Comparison Select.
Exercise 2 XOR
Create a VI with two Binary inputs (Buttons), and a Binary
output (LED) which simulates the XOR, with JUST using Case
Structures.
Hint: You may use more than one case structures.
XOR Table
Input 1 Input 2
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
Output
0
1
1
0
Create SubVI
Enclose area to be converted into a subVI
Select EditCreate SubVI from the Edit menu
Exercise 3 Simple Calculator
Create a VI that can do basic operations (Sum, divide, subtract,
and multiply) on two input numbers. User can choose between 4
different operations and can change the two input numbers. The
VI should show the result on an indicator.
Also, in the divide mode, if the user enters 0 as the second
number, an error LED should be turned ON.
Put the operation part of the program in a SubVI. User should be
able to see the results in real-time (after he changed the inputs,
without re-running the program).
