NIWeek covers mechatronics, Windows Vista
Martin Rowe, Senior Technical Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 8/9/2007 10:20:00 AM
| Also see: NIWeek boasts record attendance The new LabView 8.5 and its multithreading ability were hot topics during the first day of NIWeek 2007. Read More |
Santori introduced Brian McCleery, who discussed the process of using graphical software to design a machine. McCleery discussed "mechatronics," a multidisciplinary combination of mechanical, electronic, and software engineering. He demonstrated the design of a laser-etching machine with SolidWorks software to model the machine in 3-D and LabView to simulate the electrical portion of the machine design. The demonstration showed a simulated machine while the software provided plots of the machine's performance.
Nick Folse and Chris Graf then took to the stage to demonstrate a real control system for the laser machine. Machine controls use the LabView Real Time operating system, a CompactRIO chassis and instruments, and a camera. A LabView virtual instrument (VI) modeled the control system, which reads encoders and provides analog output to control the machine's motors. A rotating disk held four wire cutters for the machine to scribe with the laser.
For automation and test-system developers, David Fuller demonstrated "system diagrams" that use images, and he could zoom and pan around the diagram (a feature many LabView developers want to get). When he graphically moved instrument modules into and out of the instrument chassis, the LabView software enabled or disabled the module's software.
LabView creator Jeff Kodosky addressed the audience about his vision for graphical programming. He talked about how diagrams are a form of system documentation as well as programming code. He noted that for 20 years, LabView diagrams and a engineering diagrams have had differences. "If we can model a physical system, we can test it," he said. He sees system diagrams as a way to use the enhanced graphics now available in PCs. But he still wouldn't comment on when this system diagram feature will be available.
Technical session looks at Vista
During the "Developing Applications for Windows Vista" technical session, NI senior software engineer Noel Adorna delved into the nuts and bolts that programmers need to know when writing applications for Vista. She began questioning if and when developers should move to Vista. "You have to prepare," she said. "You must find out where things will break under a new operating system."
Adorna asked the audience members who have used Vista what they think is good about the operating system. "Better security," replied several engineers. One said, "It's a bit of a pain to upgrade, but it's more secure than Windows XP." Disappointments included the additional resources in processing power and memory that Vista requires.
She then told the audience that Microsoft has discontinued support for help files. To use Windows help files, which LabView supports, you need to download the help engine for Vista from Microsoft.
Adorna also pointed out that some devices don't have Vista drivers and probably never will, but you need complete Vista support for all applications to work, that includes drivers.
Turning to other differences, Adorna noted that Vista uses slightly different fonts than Windows XP, which may affect user-interface designs. Font sizes now specified in dots-per-inch such as 96, 120, and custom. "Focus on making your most professional-looking GUI in 96 dpi, then test it in 120 dpi," she said. "Watch out for word wraps because of larger font size. You can change to Windows Classic look, which returns everything to XP fonts."
(You can read more about Windows Vista in Should you migrate test applications to Windows Vista?)
On the show floor
On the exhibit floor, NI and Analog Devices (ADI) introduced an update to NI Multisim Analog Devices Edition. This design aid is available in three forms: An online tool that lets you simulate ADI's op amps, a free downloadable version that will support designs with up to 25 ADI op amps, and a paid version (about $5000) that lets you simulate large designs.
Numerous system integrators exhibited PXI-based test systems. DAQtron introduced the Trident Suite of digital video broadcast generators. This system consists of a waveform generator and an RF modulator to create digital broadcast test signals (ATSC for North American and DVB for Europe). The system lets you produce simulated broadcasts of test patterns or your own captured video streams such as MPEG. You can then add impairments to the video streams for testing broadcast systems and receivers.
Danish system builder MicroLex Systems exhibited a PXI-based video tester for baseband digital video streams. The VideoMaster tests composite video, S-Video, HDTV, and SDTV video streams.
System Integrator Mindready demonstrated several configurable test systems for audio, RF, and functional test, including an RF signal record and playback system. The PXI-based system records up to 20 MHz of RF bandwidth with an 80-dB dynamic range. It stores data to an external hard drive. The company also demonstrated a universal radio tester that generates most radio, TV, and navigation signals for radio-receiver testing.
Boston Engineering took advantage of NIWeek to introduce a modular electronics platform. The 2.5-square-in. stackable FlexStack consists of a CPU board based on an Analog Devices Blackfin Processor, along with a data-acquisition module and a prototyping module.
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