Getting Started
The Vernier Toolkit adds support for Vernier SensorDAQ and LabQuest interfaces to LabVIEW. This section was designed to give you a brief tutorial on some of the special programming features available in the Vernier Toolkit. You will practice graphing data with an analog sensor, learn to control a digital device, and then combine the two activities into a single application. At the end of this section, you will find a list of the projects in this book along with their required Vernier sensors and/or accessories. These projects require a basic knowledge of LabVIEW programming. If you need a refresher, check out our first book, Hands-On Introduction to NI LabVIEW with Vernier.
Part 1 LabVIEW and the Vernier Toolkit
About LabVIEW
LabVIEW is a graphical programming language used by millions of engineers and scientists to develop sophisticated measurement, test, and control programs. LabVIEW offers integration with thousands of hardware devices, and provides hundreds of built-in libraries for advanced analysis and data visualization. The LabVIEW platform is scalable across multiple targets and operating systems, and since its introduction in 1986, has become an industry leader.
Educators use LabVIEW for teaching engineering concepts, controlling student design projects, and researching advanced topics. LabVIEW allows hands-on investigation of sensor-based systems by acquiring a signal, performing an analysis, and visualizing the data.
LabVIEW is a graphical programming language that uses icons instead of lines of text to create programs. In contrast to text-based programming languages, where instructions determine program execution, LabVIEW uses dataflow programming, where the flow of data determines execution order.
LabVIEW programs and subroutines are called virtual instruments (VIs). A LabVIEW VI represents a fundamental shift from traditional hardware-centered instrumentation systems to software-centered systems that exploit the computing power, productivity, display, and connectivity capabilities of popular computers and workstations. With LabVIEW VIs, engineers and scientists build measurement and automation programs that suit their needs exactly (user-defined) instead of being limited by traditional fixed-function instruments (vendor-defined).
The LabVIEW Education Edition software helps teachers bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to life through hands-on learning. With LabVIEW, you can quickly build a program to log data, power a motor, or analyze information. LabVIEW Education Edition was designed in conjunction with Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach to meet the needs of engineering educators, and works seamlessly with products such as Vernier SensorDAQ, Vernier LabQuest technology, and the LEGO NXT Intelligent Brick.
About the Vernier Toolkit
The Vernier Toolkit is a library of functions, Express VIs, examples, utilities, and documentation designed to simplify the development process when building projects with Vernier technology. The toolkit is optimized for specific applications ranging from auto-identification and calibration of sensors to output voltage control. You can download the latest installer directly from the Vernier website (www.vernier.com/labview/downloads). We provide versions for Windows and Macintosh. See Appendix B for installation instructions.
Once the Vernier Toolkit is added to LabVIEW, you will have new palettes of VIs to use for writing programs. Due to subtle differences in the capabilities of the Vernier interfaces, there are two separate versions of palettes–one for the SensorDAQ and one for LabQuest interfaces. The palettes look and act almost identically, but you must match the proper ones to your interface to avoid a programming error. If you are using a Vernier SensorDAQ and you use a LabQuest VI in your program, you will see an error message.
These palettes include Express VIs and subVIs. The two most common functions that you will use when building your projects are the Analog Express VI and the Digital Express VI. The Analog Express VI will allow you to collect data from an analog sensor. The Digital Express VI will allow you to collect data from a digital sensor or control a digital output device. A third Express VI that is included is used to control a Vernier Power Amplifier.
You may find that the screenshots for this book do not exactly match what you see on your screen. Minor differences in the screenshot may be due to differences between the SensorDAQ and LabQuest interfaces, or between different versions of LabVIEW. Be flexible with the minor differences; however, make sure that your Vernier functions palette contains the Express VIs shown above.