Ashraf AlMadhoun Ashraf Said AlMadhoun

Mechatronics System Engineer AlAzhar University

Mechatronic Engineer Embedded Systems Researcher & Developer, EngPal Co.
LabVIEW Step By Step Guide

By Ashraf AlMadhoun | Mechatronics Engineer

 Course Goals
Understand the components of a Virtual
Instrument
Introduce LabVIEW and common LabVIEW
functions
Build a simple data acquisition application
Create a subroutine in LabVIEW
Work with Arrays.

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Step Guide
4
Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering Workbench

Compiled graphical development environment..

Development time reduction of 4~10 times..
Tools to: acquire, analyze, and present data..

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110+ Countries
40+ Int. Branches
5000+ Employees
7500+ University
1000+ University in USA
150+ Textbooks
600 Alliance Partners
30000+ Companies
1000+ Products

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 Diversity of Applications

Telecom Automotive Semiconductors Electronics Computers

Advanced Food
ATE Military/Aerospace Petrochemical Textiles
Research Processing

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 Acquiring data and displaying it using an oscilloscope

Two parallel loops for acquiring data and displaying it using an oscilloscope

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 13Pages ~700Lines

Two parallel loops with different rates for acquiring data and displaying it using
an oscilloscope

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 66Pages ~4000Lines

Acquiring analog data from FPGA pin and

storing it

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Data Flow
 Block diagram execution is
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
 If the computer running this
code had multiple processors,
these two pieces of code could
run independently without
additional coding

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What is a Virtual Instrument (VI)?
Answer: a LabVIEW program
1. Front Panel * Conn. pane
available from
User interface (UI) FP only

– Controls = inputs
– Indicators = outputs

2. Block Diagram
Graphical source code
– Data travels on wires from control
terminals through functions to indicator
terminals
– Blocks execute by data flow

3. Icon/Connector Pane
• Graphical representation of a VI
• Means of connecting VIs (subVIs)

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Ashraf AlMadhoun Spring Workshop 2011
19
Mechatronic Engineer 6th Feb - 10th Feb.
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Common Data Types Found in LabVIEW

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 LabVIEW Key Features
 Faster Programming
– Graphical Programming
Program with drag-and-drop,
graphical function blocks
instead of writing lines of text

– Dataflow Representation
Easily develop, maintain, and understand code with an intuitive
flowchart representation

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 LabVIEW Key Features
 Hardware Integration
– I/O and Communication
Connect to any instrument or sensor with built-in libraries and
thousands of instrument drivers

– Plug-and-Play Hardware
Seamlessly integrate NI plug-and-play devices for
USB, PCI, PXI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, GPIB, and more

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 Report
Generation & Embedded
Data Storage Design

Software
Development Control Design
& Deployment & Simulation

Industrial
Image & Signal
Monitoring
Processing
& Control
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Embedded Design
 Real-Time Module
 FPGA Module
 Microprocessor SDK
 Statechart Module
 Mobile Module
 DSP Module
 Embedded Module for ARM
 C-Code Generator
 Robotics Module

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Image & Signal Processing
 Vision Development Module
 MathScript RT Module
 Advanced Signal Processing Toolkit
 Digital Filter Design Toolkit
 Adaptive Filter Toolkit
 Sound & Vibration Measurement Toolkit
 Spectral Measurements Toolkit
 Modulation Toolkit
 Vision Builder for Automated Inspection
 Math Interface Toolkit
 Real-Time Vision Development Bundle

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Industrial Monitoring & Control
 Data Logging & Supervisory Control
 Wireless Sensor Network Module
 Touch Panel Module
 Motion Assistant
 SoftMotion Module
 OPC Servers
 Instrument Control
 Test Automation & Validation

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 LabVIEW Key Features
 Multicore Programming
– Automatic Multithreading
Handle large data sets and complex algorithms faster because
LabVIEW inherently runs on multiple threads
– Execution Highlighting
Easily optimize code for parallel execution
using built-in debugging and
Visualization tools

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 LabVIEW Case Studies

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Automating a Washing Machine Line Using
LabVIEW and Compact RIO

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Run LabVIEW

Start from a blank VI:

New»Blank VI

Start from an example:

Examples»Find
Examples…

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LabVIEW Programs Are Called Virtual Instruments
(VIs)

Front Panel
Controls = Inputs •
Indicators = Outputs •

Block Diagram
Accompanying “program” for front •
panel
Components “wired” together •

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Step Guide
 VI Front Panel
Front Panel Icon
Toolbar

Boolean
Control Graph
Legend

Waveform
Graph

Plot Scale
Legend Legend

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Step Guide
 VI Block Diagram
Block
Diagram
Toolbar Divide
Function

SubVI

Graph
Terminal

Wire
Data

While Loop Numeric Timing Boolean Control

Structure Constant Function Terminal

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Step Guide
Express VIs, VIs and Functions
• Express VIs: interactive VIs with configurable dialog page
• Standard VIs: modularized VIs customized by wiring
• Functions: fundamental operating elements of
LabVIEW; no front panel or block diagram
Function

Express VI Standard
VI
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Step Guide
Controls and Functions Palettes

Controls Palette
(Front Panel Window)

Functions Palette
(Block Diagram Window)

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Step Guide
 Tools Palette
• Floating Palette
• Used to operate and modify
front panel and block diagram
objects.
Automatic Selection Tool

Operating Tool Scrolling Tool

Positioning/Resizing Tool Breakpoint Tool

Labeling Tool Probe Tool

Wiring Tool Color Copy Tool

Shortcut Menu Tool Coloring Tool

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Step Guide
 Status Toolbar

Run Button

Continuous Run Button Additional Buttons on

the Diagram Toolbar
Abort Execution

Pause/Continue Button Execution Highlighting

Button
Text Settings
Step Into Button
Align Objects
Step Over Button
Distribute Objects
Step Out Button
Reorder

Resize front panel

objects

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Step Guide
Open and Run a Virtual Instrument
Example finder

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Step Guide
 Creating a VI
Front Panel Window

Block Diagram Window

Control Indicator
Terminals Terminals

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Step Guide
Creating a VI – Block Diagram

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Step Guide
 Wiring Tips – Block Diagram
Wiring “Hot Spot” Click To Select Wires

Use Automatic Clean Up Wiring

Wire Routing

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 Help Options

Context Help
• Online help
• Lock help
• Simple/Complex Diagram help
• Ctrl + H

Online reference
• All menus online
• Pop up on functions in diagram to access online info directly

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Step Guide
End of Introduction To LabVIEW
- Now you let’s learn more by doing a simple Led
Example

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Step Guide
Exercise 1 - Convert °C to °F

1 degree Celsius = 33.8

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Step Guide
 Debugging Techniques
• Finding Errors
Click on broken Run button
Window showing error appears
• Execution Highlighting
Click on Execution Highlighting button; data
flow is animated using bubbles. Values are
displayed on wires.
• Probe
Right-click on wire to display probe and it
shows data as it flows through wire segment

You can also select Probe tool from Tools

palette and click on wire
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Step Guide
 Section II – SubVIs

What is a subVI?
Making an icon and
connector for a subVI
Using a VI as a subVI

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Step Guide
 Block Diagram Nodes
Icon Expandable Node Expanded Node

• Function Generator VI
• Same VI, viewed three different ways
• Yellow field designates a standard VI
• Blue field designates an Express VI

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Step Guide
 SubVIs
A SubVI is a VI that can be used within another VI
Similar to a subroutine
Advantages
• Modular
• Easier to debug
• Don’t have to recreate code
• Require less memory

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Step Guide
 Icon and Connector

An icon represents a VI in other

Icon block diagrams
Terminals
A connector shows available
terminals for data transfer
Connector

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Step Guide
 SubVIsSub VIs

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Step Guide
 Steps to Create a SubVI
1. Create the Icon
2. Create the Connector
3. Assign Terminals
4. Save the VI
5. Insert the VI into a Top Level VI

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Step Guide
 Create the Icon
Right-click on the icon in the
block diagram or front panel

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 Create the Connector
Right click on the icon pane (front panel only)

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Step Guide
Assign Terminals

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Step Guide
 Save The VI
Choose an Easy to Remember Location
Organize by Functionality
Save Similar VIs into one directory (e.g. Math Utilities)
Organize by Application
Save all VIs Used for a Specific Application into one
directory or library file (e.g. Lab 1 – Frequency
Response)
Library Files (.llbs) combine many VI’s into a single file, ideal for
transferring entire applications across computers

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Step Guide
 Insert the SubVI into a Top Level
VI
Accessing user-made subVIs
Functions >>All Functions >> Select a VI
Or
Drag icon onto target diagram

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Step Guide
 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)
Tools » Options… – Set Preferences in LabVIEW
VI Properties – Configure VI Appearance,
Documentation, etc.

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Step Guide
 Section III – Data Acquisition
DAQ Device
 Data acquisition (DAQ) basics
 Connecting Signals
 Simple DAQ application
Computer
Sensors
Cable

Terminal Block

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Step Guide
 Data Acquisition in LabVIEW

Traditional NI-DAQ NI-DAQmx

Specific VIs for Next generation driver:
performing: • VIs for performing a
• Analog Input task
• Analog Output • One set of VIs for all
• Digital I/O measurement types
• Counter operations

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Step Guide
 DAQ – Data Acquisition
Temperature Acquisition using the DAQ Assistant

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 Data Acquisition Terminology
Resolution - Determines How Many Different
Voltage Changes Can Be Measured
Larger Resolution  More Precise Representation of
Signal
Range - Minimum and Maximum Voltages
Smaller range  More Precise Representation of
Signal
Gain - Amplifies or Attenuates Signal for Best Fit
in Range

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Step Guide
 Hardware Connections
SC-2075
BNC-2120

NI-ELVIS
SCB-68

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Exercise 2 – Simple Data Acquisition
Complete Convert C to F.vi, then create Thermometer.vi.

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 Section IV – Loops and Charts
 For Loop
 While Loop
 Charts
 Multiplots

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Step Guide
 Loops

While Loops
• Have Iteration Terminal
• Always Run at least Once
• Run According to Conditional
Terminal

• For Loops
• Have Iteration Terminal
• Run According to input N of
Count Terminal

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Step Guide
 Loops (cont.)
1. Select the loop 2. Enclose code to be repeated

3. Drop or drag additional nodes and then wire

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Step Guide
 Charts

Waveform chart – special numeric

indicator that can display a
history of values
Controls >> Graph Indicators
>> Waveform Chart

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 Wiring Data into Charts
Single Plot Charts Multiplot Charts

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Step Guide
 Exercise 3 – Using loops
Students build Use a loop.vi.

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Step Guide
 Section V – Arrays & File I/O
 Build arrays manually
 Have LabVIEW build arrays automatically
 Write to a spreadsheet file
 Read from a spreadsheet file

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Step Guide
 Adding an Array to the Front Panel
From the Controls >> All Controls >> Array and
Cluster subpalette, select the Array Shell

Drop it on the screen.

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Step Guide
 Adding an Array (cont.)
Place data object into shell (i.e. Numeric Control)

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Step Guide
 Creating an Array with a Loop
Loops accumulate arrays at their boundaries

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Step Guide
Creating 2D Arrays

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Step Guide
 File I/O
File I/O – passing data to and from files
- Files can be binary, text, or spreadsheet
- Write/Read LabVIEW Measurements file (*.lvm)
Writing to LVM file Reading from LVM file

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Step Guide
 Write LabVIEW Measurement File
Includes the open, write, close and error handling
functions
Handles formatting the string with either a tab or
comma delimiter
Merge Signals function is used to combine data into
the dynamic data type

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Step Guide
 Section VI – Array Functions &
Graphs
Basic Array Functions
Use graphs
Create multiplots with graphs

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Step Guide
Array Functions – Basics
Functions >> All functions>> Array

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Step Guide
Array Functions – Build Array

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Step Guide
 Graphs

Selected from the Graph palette of Controls menu

Controls>>All Controls>>Graphs
Waveform Graph – Plot an array of
numbers against their indices
Express XY Graph – Plot one array against
another
Digital Waveform Graph – Plot bits from
binary data

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 Graphs

Right-Click on the Graph and choose Properties

to Interactively Customize

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Step Guide
Exercise 5 – Using Waveform
Graphs

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Step Guide
 Section VII – Strings, Clusters, & Error
Handling
 Strings
 Creating Clusters
 Cluster Functions
 Error I/O

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Step Guide
 Strings
• A string is a sequence of displayable or nondisplayable
characters (ASCII)
• Many uses – displaying messages, instrument control, file
I/O
• String control/indicator is in the Controls »Text Control or
Text Indicator

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Step Guide
 Clusters
 Data structure that groups data together
 Data may be of different types
 Analogous to struct in C
 Elements must be either all controls or all
indicators
 Thought of as wires bundled into a cable

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Step Guide
 Creating a Cluster
1. Select a Cluster shell 2. Place objects inside the shell

Controls >> All Controls >> Array & Cluster

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 Cluster Functions
• In the Cluster subpalette of the Functions>>All
functions palette
• Can also be accessed by right-clicking on the cluster
terminal

(Terminal labels
reflect data type)
Bundle

Bundle By Name
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Step Guide
 Cluster Functions

Unbundle

Unbundle By Name

Unbundled cluster
in the diagram

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Step Guide
 Error Clusters
Error cluster contains the following information:
Boolean to report whether error occurred
Integer to report a specific error code
String to give information about the error

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Step Guide
 Error Handling Techniques
Error information is passed from one subVI to the next
If an error occurs in one subVI, all subsequent subVIs are not
executed in the usual manner
Error Clusters contain all error conditions
Automatic Error Handling

error clusters

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Section VIII - Case & Sequence
Structures, Formula Nodes

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Step Guide
 Case Structures
In the Structures subpalette of Functions palette

Enclose nodes or drag them inside the structure

Stacked like a deck of cards, only one case visible

Functions >> Execution control

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 Sequence Structures
In the Execution Control subpalette of Functions palette
Executes diagrams sequentially
Right-click to add new frame

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Step Guide
 Formula Nodes
In the Structures subpalette
Implement complicated equations
Variables created at border
Variable names are case sensitive
Each statement must terminate with a semicolon (;)
Context Help Window shows available functions
Note semicolon

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Step Guide
 Section IX – Printing &
Documentation
 Print From File Menu to Printer, HTML, Rich
Text File
 Programmatically Print Graphs or Front Panel
Images
 Document VIs in VI Properties »
Documentation Dialog
 Add Comments Using Free Labels on Front
Panel & Block Diagram

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Step Guide
 Printing
File » Print… Gives Many Printing Options
Choose to Print Icon, Front Panel, Block Diagram, VI Hierarchy,
Included SubVIs, VI History
Print Panel.vi (Programmatically Prints a Front Panel)
Functions » All Functions » Application Control
Generate & Print Reports (Functions » Output »
Report)

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 Documenting VIs
VI Properties » Documentation
Provide a Description and Help Information for a VI
VI Properties » Revision History
Track Changes Between Versions of a VI
Individual Controls » Description and Tip…
Right Click to Provide Description and Tip Strip
Use Labeling Tool to Document Front Panels &
Block Diagrams

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Step Guide
 Section X – Basic Programming
Architecture
• Simple VI Architecture
• General VI Architecture
• State Machine Architecture

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Step Guide
 Simple VI Architecture
Functional VI that produces results when run
No “start” or “stop” options
Suitable for lab tests, calculations
Example: Convert C to F.vi

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 General VI Architecture
Three Main Steps
Startup
Main Application
Shutdown

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 State Machine Architecture
Advantages
Can go from any state to any other
Easy to modify and debug
Disadvantages
Can lose events if two occur at the
same time
States:
0: Startup
1: Idle
2: Event 1
3: Event 2
4: Shutdown

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Step Guide
 Section XI – Remote Front Panels
• View & Control LabVIEW Front Panels from a
Web Browser
• Requires no programming
• Remote clients see “live” front panel updates
• Multiple clients can view the same panel
simultaneously
• Only one client can control the front panel at a
time

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Step Guide
Remote Panel Web Publishing Tool
Tools » Web Publishing Tool…•

•Click Save to Disk

and VI is embedded
into an HTML file

•After file is saved, it

can be reopened and
customized in any
HTML editor

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Step Guide
 Remote Front Panels - Resources
• NI Developer Zone
(zone.ni.com)
• Search for Remote
Front Panel
• Tutorials &
Instructions Are
Available for
Download
• Information on
Incorporating Web
Cameras into Remote
Panel Applications

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 Section XII – Additional Topics
Property Nodes
Local Variables
Global Variables
DataSocket
Binary File I/O

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Step Guide
 Where Do I Go From Here?
Example programs (Help» Find Examples…)
LabVIEW Student Edition (www.ni.com/labviewse)
Web resources (ni.com)
NI Developer Zone (zone.ni.com)
Application Notes
Info-labview newsgroup (www.info-labview.org/)
Instrument Driver Library (www.ni.com/idnet)

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Step Guide