Telemark University College

Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Cybernetics

Basic LabVIEW Programming

Faculty of Technology, Postboks 203, Kjlnes ring 56, N-3901 Porsgrunn, Norway. Tel: +47 35 57 50 00 Fax: +47 35 57 54 01
Preface
In this document you will learn basic LabVIEW programming by creating some
simple LabVIEW applications.

LabVIEW is a graphical programming language created by National Instruments

For more information about LabVIEW, please refer to the Tutorial

For a flying start, watch this video (LabVIEW Quickie!):

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Task 1: Simple Calculator

Simple Calculator.vi

This simple calculator will add 2 numbers together.

Front Panel:

Add 2 Numeric
Controls and name them
Number1 and Number2
Add a Numeric Indicator
and name it Answer

Block Diagram:

Add a Add function from the Functions palette:

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Connect (wire) the different objects together like this:

Push the Run button in the Toolbar to do the calculations.

Extend your calculator (make sure to rename your file) so it can handle the 4
basic calculations (Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide).

Front Panel:

Calculator.vi

For selecting the different Operators (Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide),

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Enter Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide inside the Enum (right-click

Block Diagram:

The Block Diagram should look like this when you are finished:

Use the Case Structure for this.

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Wire the Enum (Operator) to the sign on the Case structure.

Push the Run button in the Toolbar to do the calculations.

[End of Task]

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Task 2: While Loop

While Loop.vi

The program will update the date and time each second using a While loop
until you stop the program using the Stop button.

Front Panel:

Add 2 String Indicators and name them Date and Time.

Block Diagram:

The Block Diagram should look like this when you are finished:

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While Loop:

Add a While Loop to your program.

Get Date/Time String:

Use the Get Date/Time String function in order to get the current Date and
Time from the computer:

Wait (ms):

The Date and Time strings should be updated every second. You can use the
Wait (ms) for that:

[End of Task]
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Task 3: Advanced Calculator

Advanced Calculator.vi

Front Panel:

Add the User Interface objects as shown in the Figure above.

The calculations will be performed when you click the Calculate button.

Block Diagram:

You need to use the following in your program:

While Loop:

Event Structure:

Add an Event Structure inside the While Loop.

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The Block Diagram should look like this when you are finished:

[End of Task]

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Task 4: Arrays
Create the following program:

Arrays.vi

Front Panel:

Creating an Array:

Start by dragging an empty array into your Front Panel and drag a
Numeric Control inside it:

Enter some data inside the array.

Block Diagram:

Index Array:

Next we will use the Index Array function in order to find a spesific
element in the array:

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The Block Diagram should look like this when you are finished:

Test your program by using the Run button in the Toolbar.

[End of Task]

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Task 5: SubVIs
Create a SubVI from the Calculator created in a previous task.

Calculator.vi

Icon Editor:

This includes creating a nice icon using the Icon Editor:

Right-click in the upper right window and select Edit Icon in order to open
the Icon Editor.

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You also need to create input/output Connectors

Using and testing the SubVI:

Block Diagram:

Create a new blank VI and open the Block Diagram.

Insert the SubVI by right-click and select Select a VI in the Functions

Right-click on the SubVI inputs and select CreateControl

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The Block Diagram should look like this when you are finished:

Front Panel:

The Front Panel could look like this:

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Test of SubVI Calculator.vi

Test your program by using the Run button in the Toolbar.

[End of Task]

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Task 6: Plotting
Create the following program:

Plotting.vi

Front Panel:

Use the Waveform Chart Control:

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Block Diagram:

Random Number (0-1):

Use the Random Number (0-1) function in order to create some random
data in your plot:

Waveform Chart:

Insert the Waveform Chart inside the While Loop.

Wait (ms):

Update the chart every second by using the Wait (ms):

The Block Diagram should look like this when you are finished:

[End of Task]

http://home.hit.no/~hansha
 Telemark University College

Faculty of Technology

Kjlnes Ring 56

N-3914 Porsgrunn, Norway

www.hit.no

Hans-Petter Halvorsen, M.Sc.

Telemark University College

Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and

Phone: +47 3557 5158

E-mail: [email protected]

Blog: http://home.hit.no/~hansha/

Room: B-237a