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Connecting LabVIEW to Devices and Sensors – Systems Integration

Connecting to Devices and Sensors

These days, computers can be connected to almost anything via data acquisition devices and other interfacing hardware. LabVIEW provides the means for communication to take place.

Data Acquisition Using LabVIEW

Data acquisition in a LabVIEW-based system can include one or more of the following:

  • Signal conditioning
  • Measurement of voltage, current, temperature, pressure etc
  • Counting and timing of pulses
  • Digital I/O and switching
  • Signal and pulse generation

We are experienced in using National Instruments Data Acquisition equipment, including CompactDAQ, CompactRIO, PXI, R-series cards (FPGA), Legacy devices such as E- and M-Series cards, FieldPoint, Compact FieldPoint and SCXI

Motion Control Devices & Vision Equipment

We have used stepper and servomotors together with motion controllers from companies like National Instruments, Aerotech, Lenze and Danfoss.

We have completed several projects that included image acquisition from one or more cameras. Some of these have included image processing and pattern recognition. We have used vision equipment from companies like National Instruments, Pleora, Axis Communications and Kodak.

Communication Buses for Other Devices

For a PC to communicate with any device, a communication bus is typically required. We have experience of using such buses to communicate with:

  • Temperature Controllers
  • PLCs
  • Power Supplies
  • Weigh Scales
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Lasers
  • A Refractometer
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • Ultrasonic Probes
  • Many other devices

Buses we have used to communicate with these devices include RS232, RS485, Modubs, USB, Ethernet, CAN, GPIB

Each of these buses has its own idiosyncrasies. CAN and GPIB require cards which are available from National Instruments. Multiport serial cards are also available and bus converters are sometimes useful – such as USB to RS232 converters.

Bringing it All Together - Systems Integration

At LiveWires, we can bring it all together - integrating PCs with multiple components, both hardware and software:

This is known as “systems integration”. In some projects, we only develop the software, but in others, we specify and set up data acquisition equipment from National Instruments, and in others we deal with component purchasing, rack assembly and wiring so that we can supply a complete “turnkey system”.

Many Organisations Have Had Their Fingers Burnt in Systems Integration.

Although experts in their own fields, many may lack the breadth of skills required for such integration. Difficulties often arise at the interface between two or more components where it can be tricky to spot problems.

Surprisingly, even so-called system integrators can lack the variety of skills needed to provide quality results, such as  a company comprising mostly instrumentation engineers may struggle with the software required for a complex system.

At LiveWires, our developers work closely with Naitonal Instruments and with local engineering companies. Together, we can supply all the pieces of the jigsaw to build what you require.

Contact Us to find out more or to discuss your requirements

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