Software wrapper links Matlab to instruments

Martin Rowe, Senior Technical Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 12/1/2007 2:00:00 AM

Matlab is a popular computing environment for electrical engineers. Many use it to analyze data, although they often save the data using another program, then import the data into Matlab. Mike Flaherty, an applications engineer at Agilent Technologies, wanted a direct programming interface from Matlab scripts to generate waveforms with an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG).

Flaherty needed Matlab scripts that generate numerous waveforms, including 7-bit Barker-coded radar pulses, and multitone signals. The software needed to work with two AWGs: one through Ethernet, the other through CompactPCI.

To provide an easy-to-understand programming interface, Agilent engineers developed several Matlab scripts to control the instruments. They used function names such as awg_open and awg_storewaveform.

A Matlab MEX file provides an interface between Matlab and LXI or CompactPCI instrument drivers.

These scripts call a Matlab MEX file, written in C, that in turn calls IVI-C drivers for the instruments. Those drivers then call the protocol stacks for the Ethernet and CompactPCI I/O ports (see figure).

“The waveform generators are 100% code compatible with this application,” said Flaherty.

Flaherty also developed a user interface that lets users select from a menu of signals, then select specific parameters. Using Matlab and Agilent Vee, he built prototypes of the user interface. He wanted to develop a compiled, stand-alone executable, though. Because Vee is an interpreted language, Agilent engineers ported the GUI and the control code to Microsoft C#. The waveform engine is still Matlab but is compiled and linked to the application when built.

“The key to the application is the Matlab interface,” explained Flaherty. “It communicates through a MEX file to an instrument's IVI-C driver. It passes a resource string to a CompactPCI or Ethernet stack.”

Average Rating:

(0)

Rate this:

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Datasheets.com Electronic Parts & Inventory Search

185 million searchable parts

Part Number
Description
Inventory
Products
Manufacturers

Featured Company

AR Worldwide

AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation is a manufacturer and distributor of high-power, broadband amplifiers from dc to 45 GHz, from 1 - 50,000 watts that are well suited for radiated and conducted immunity testing as well as equally suitable for general... more
Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis... more
Aeroflex

Aeroflex is a leading worldwide provider of highly specialized test and measurement equipment and microelectronic solutions... more
LeCroy

LeCroy is a leading provider of oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers and related test and measurement solutions that enable companies across a wide range of industries to design and test electronic devices of all types. Since our founding in 1964, we... more