LabVIEW Basics I: Introduction Course


Overview

The LabVIEW Basics I course prepares you to
develop test and measurement, data acquisition,
instrument control, data logging, and measurement
analysis applications using LabVIEW. At the end of
LabVIEW Basics I, you can create applications that
acquire, process, display, and store real-world data.
This course is the fastest way to become productive
with LabVIEW. The hands-on format of the course
enables you to apply skills learned in the course to
your application.

Duration – Three Days

Audience

• New users and users preparing to develop
applications using LabVIEW, or NI Developer
Suite
• Users and technical managers evaluating
LabVIEW or NI Developer Suite in purchasing
decisions
• Users pursuing the Certified LabVIEW
Developer certification
Prerequisites
• Experience with Microsoft Windows
• Experience writing algorithms in the form of
flowcharts or block diagrams
NI Products Used During the Course

• LabVIEW Professional Development System

Version 7
• E-Series DAQ board
• IEEE 488.2 (GPIB) board
• DAQ Signal Accessory
• NI Instrument Simulator

After attending this course you will be able to:

• Use LabVIEW to create data acquisition,
analysis, and display applications
• Use Express VIs to get started with your
application quickly
• Create user interfaces with strip charts, graphs
and buttons
• Use the programming structures and data types
that exist in LabVIEW
• Use various editing and debugging techniques
• Create and save your own VIs so you can use
them as subVIs
• Save your data in files
• Create applications that use plug-in data
acquisition (DAQ) boards
• Create applications that use GPIB and serial
port instruments

Suggested Next Courses

• LabVIEW Basics II: Development
• LabVIEW Advanced: Performance and
Communication
• Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning
• LabVIEW Instrument Control

LabVIEW Basics I: Introduction Course Outline
Day 1

Introduction to LabVIEW
This lesson introduces the LabVIEW environment. In this lesson, you will develop a complete simulated
signal acquisition application using Express VIs which will enable you to fully explore the environment.
Topics include:
• The LabVIEW environment including windows, menus, and tools
• The LabVIEW front panel and block diagram
• Understanding the dataflow programming model of LabVIEW
• Using the LabVIEW help features include the Context Help, the LabVIEW Help and the LabVIEW
manuals
• Debugging techniques available in LabVIEW
Modular Programming
This lesson introduces modular programming in LabVIEW. In LabVIEW, when a VI is used within another
VI, it is called a subVI. You will learn how to build the icon and connector pane of a VI so that it can be
used as a subVI. Topics include
• Basics of modular programming with subVIs
• Creating an icon and connector pane
• Using a VI as a subVI
• Creating subVIs from sections of another VI
Repetition and Loops
This lesson introduces the While Loop and the For Loop structures, along with functions commonly used
with these structures, including the shift register and the Feedback Node. Structures are graphical
representations of the loops and case statements of text-based programming languages. Use structures in
the block diagram to repeat blocks of code and to execute code conditionally or in a specific order. Topics
include:
• Using a While Loop
• Using a For Loop
• Accessing the data from previous loop iterations using shift registers and Feedback Nodes
Arrays
This lesson describes how to use arrays to group data elements of the same type. Array techniques are
important when you work with a collection of similar data or when you perform repetitive computations.
Arrays are ideal for storing data you collect from waveforms or data generated in loops. Topics include:
• Understanding arrays
• Creating arrays with loops
• Using the array functions
• How polymorphism applies to various LabVIEW functions

Day 2

Clusters
This lesson describes how to use clusters to group data elements of mixed data types. You will learn when
it is appropriate to use a cluster rather than an array to group data together. In the second part of this
lesson, you will learn the foundations of error handling in LabVIEW VIs. Topics include:
• Understanding clusters
• Utilizing the cluster functions
• Error clusters
Plotting Data
This lesson describes how to display data on waveform charts, waveform graphs, XY graphs, and intensity
graphs. You will learn which type of graph to use for different types of data and how to set the properties
for graphs. Topics include:
• Using waveform charts to display data
• Using waveform and XY graphs to display data
• Intensity graphs
Decision Making in a VI
This lesson introduces methods for making simple and complex decisions in a VI. These methods allow
you to choose a course of action dependant on the result of a previous action. Topics include:
• Simple decision making with the Select function
• Using case structures for more complex decision making
• Using the formula node to perform text-based programming, such as an if-then statement
Strings and File I/O
This lesson describes the string and file I/O capabilities of LabVIEW. Strings group sequences of ASCII
characters – arrays of ASCII characters. File I/O operations pass data to and from files. Topics include:
• Creating string controls and indicators
• Using several string functions
• File I/O operations
• Using the high-level File I/O VIs
• Using low-level File I/O VIs
• Formatting text files for use in spreadsheets

Day 3

Data Acquisition and Waveforms
This lesson describes how to use plug-in data acquisition (DAQ) devices in LabVIEW. You will learn how
to write a VI that communicates with DAQ devices. You will also learn how to log data to file. Topics
include:
• Plug-in DAQ devices
• Data acquisition in LabVIEW
• Performing analog input
• Storing acquired data and average and log the acquired data to disk
• Performing analog output
• Counters
• Digital I/O
Instrument Control
This lesson describes how you can use LabVIEW to control and acquire data from external GPIB and serial
port instruments. You learn how to use VISA, LabVIEW Plug & Play instrument drivers, and the Instrument
I/O Assistant to perform instrument I/O. Topics include:
• Instrument control
• GPIB communication and configuration
• Using the Instrument I/O Assistant
• VISA
• LabVIEW instrument drivers
• Using instrument driver VIs to communicate with an instrument
• Serial communication
• Waveform transfers
VI Customization
This lesson describes how to configure the appearance and behavior of VIs and the LabVIEW environment.
Topics include:
• Configuring the appearance of the front panel
• Opening subVI front panels when a VI runs
• Using and assigning keyboard shortcuts
• Editing VIs with custom VI properties
• Customizing palette views