The Worldwide Publication for Graphical System Design l Second Quarter 2012

DIGITAL ENERGY REVOLUTION

See how graphical system design changes how we manipulate, move, and store energy.

THE

Increase Your Productivity With DAQ Proficiency PAGE 6

NI Single-Board RIO Devices Add Analog I/O and Connectivity PAGE 10

Hunting the Higgs Boson Particle

PAGE 16

Taking Mobile Phone Coverage to Rural Areas With an Off-Grid Solution PAGE 28

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Inside NI

Prepare for the Next Technology Revolution

As new products launch and preparations for NIWeek 2012 begin, I am reminded of how quickly technology improves our lives from year to year. Technological revolutions happen every day. One example is power electronics, which are increasing in performance and falling in price and sit at the heart of digital energy systems. You can see the revolution in action as electric vehicles are now more than seven times cheaper to drive per mile than gasoline cars. With electrification, energy may become as cheap and abundant as Internet bandwidth, making renewable sources cheaper than fossil fuels (see page 3). The NI LabVIEW graphical system design platform is a driving force behind a number of these breakthroughs. For many of you, the only limit to your success is building the right skills to unlock the power and flexibility of NI tools. Whether you are performing basic measurements or designing complex systems to meet todays toughest challenges, NI training addresses these areas so you can be as productive as possible. NI offers multiple options to help you appropriately master tools such as NI LabVIEW software and DAQ hardware. We want you to be confident in designing your systems and proficient in executing them. We tell you how on pages 6 and 7. With training options that map to specific LabVIEW learning needs, it is easier than ever to innovate with confidence. As you prepare for the projects youll tackle today, know that you just may be driving tomorrows next technological revolution.
John Pasquarette
Vice President of Corporate Marketing and eBusiness at National Instruments john.pasquarette@ni.com

Volume 24, Number 2 Second Quarter 2012

Executive Editor John Pasquarette Editor in Chief Sarah Beck Managing Editor Lacy Rohre Associate Editors Jontel Moran, Brittany Wilson Contributing Editors Johanna Gilmore, Madison Lax Creative Manager Joe Silva Project Manager Megan Hammons Art Director Larry Leung Illustrator Komal Deep Buyo Design and Production Group Manager Joe Silva Production Artist Komal Deep Buyo Photo Editors Nicole Kinbarovsky, Allie Verlander Image Coordinator Kathy Brown Production Specialist Richard Buerger Circulation Coordinator Brande Yarnell

CONTENTS
3 6 8 10
The Digital Energy Revolution

12 14 16 18

Estimate the Uptime of Your PXI System Developing Problem-Solving Skills With Simulation Special Focus: Hunting the Higgs Boson Particle 5 Questions for Choosing the Right Measurement Bus

21 23 26 30

Log Data to the Cloud in Minutes

Increase Your Productivity With DAQ Proficiency Hack Your Car With NI CAN Interfaces and LabVIEW New NI Single-Board RIO Devices Add Analog I/O and More Connectivity

NI-USRP 1.1 Driver Enhances Software Defined Radio Research Capabilities Be More Confident in Your CompactRIO Designs NIWeek 2012 Early Bird Registration Ends May 31

Cover

The Digital Energy Revolution

See how graphical system design changes the way we manipulate, move, and store energy.
Hold on to your electric vehicle seat; energy is going digital. When a technology goes digital, it changes everything. For starters, the rate of technology improvement takes a new slopetransitioning from glacially slow to exponentially fast. Think about online search and how it changed the way we find information, how social media changed the way we receive news, and how electronic books and e-readers changed the way we buy books. When a technology goes digital, words like library, newspaper, and bookstore start to sound like relics of the past. What defines the transition from analog to digital and how can we tell when energy has made the jump? First, the digital control of energy, in the form of electricity, requires smart sensors that acquire voltage and current, fast digital signal processing to change raw measurements into meaningful information, and special switched-mode power supply (SMPS) circuits to electronically chop power into pulses that the system can manipulate. Second, digital energy systems must be networked and field reconfigurable to send data that makes continuous improvements and bug fixes possible and download software updates from a server. Third, the system must be modeled and simulated with high accuracy and speed, including the interaction between the analog circuitry and the digital embedded software code. Simulation is critical to test, optimize, and validate improvements in a safe environment so they can be deployed with confidence to the embedded systems in the field. When an analog technology goes digital, it becomes an information technologya software problem. The digital energy revolution is enabled by powerful software tools, ample computing power, secure Internet backbones, specialized embedded hardware systems, and one more thingpower electronics. Controlling Power With Electronics The technology enabler for the electronic control of power, better known as power electronics, is the power transistors that convert, control, manipulate, and transfer large amounts of electric energy. These power switching devices, namely IGBTs and MOSFETs, chop megawatts of electric power for pennies per watt. Energy efficiency doubles roughly every 11 years while prices decrease steadily. Today, an inexpensive inverter system can control 85 percent more power than a 1980s era system and lose just a few percent of that power to waste heat. The ability to digitally manipulate megawatts of power with low losses is truly a game changer. At the same time, the performance of embedded processors and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) is increasing at staggering rates. Whereas analog control systems were significantly higher performance per dollar in the late 1990s, the advance of Moores law is helping digital control systems zoom past their analog predecessors. The recent incorporation of mini hardcore digital signal processing (DSP) elements into FPGA fabric makes FPGAs a clear winner for digital energy control systems.

Control System

VA (AC)

DC Power Bus

VB (AC) M/G VC (AC)

Energy Source

Power Inverter

Output Filter Stage

3-Phase AC System

Figure 1. Typical elements of a digital electronic power control system include an energy source, power inverter, output filter stage, and three-phase AC system.

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Performance per Chip

35,000 30,000 Million MACS per Watt Million MACS per Chip 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000
600 14,500

Performance per Watt

7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0
5,897

Performance per Dollar

400 360 Million MACS per Dollar 320 280 240 200 160 120 80
279

571

40 0
7

0 Single-Core DSP FPGA

Single-Core DSP

FPGA

Single-Core DSP

FPGA

Figure 2. The recent incorporation of mini hardcore DSPs into FPGA fabric has dramatically increased the performance of FPGAs compared to single-core DSPs as measured in multiply-accumulate operations per second (MACS).

The performance per dollar of FPGAs doubles every 14 months, which is just longer than the 12 to 13 months it takes a team of 15 engineers to develop a custom embedded design. Keeping up with the exponentially accelerating pace of Moores law is moving engineering managers to rely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. This is the motivation for devices like the new NI Single-Board RIO general-purpose inverter control (GPIC) producta cost-effective, off-the-shelf board with all the I/O for power electronics control and the latest FPGA and real-time processor technology. Modern FPGAs provide an ideal architecture for power electronics control systems because they enable you to place custom high-frequency digital pulse-width modulators (DPWMs) and digital control circuitry in dedicated hardware. The inherent field reconfigurability of FPGAs is especially beneficial for smart grid applications from the perspective of long-term support, maintenance, and interoperability with evolving standards and communication protocols. System-level graphical programming languages and the emergence of COTS hardware targets optimized for high-volume commercial deployment, such as the new NI GPIC platform, provide an alternative to fully custom hardware development. Reconfigurable COTS systems eliminate significant cost and risk associated with custom board design for high-volume commercial deployment. Completing the Design V for Power Electronics Digital energy technologies play a central role in increasing the performance and reducing the cost of solar, wind, and energy storage systems. National Instruments R&D is making investments to provide a comprehensive toolchain for the digital energy revolution. The vision is to complete the design V for power electronics. The design V, which you may know from the automotive and aerospace industries, describes an

integrated process for product design and test. NI is investing at each step of the V (see Figure 3) to improve in the design, prototyping, and deployment of commercial digital energy products. The goal is to eliminate issues that reduce the productivity of embedded design teams. The graphical system design approach begins with co-simulation, which enables you to develop LabVIEW FPGA code within a high-fidelity simulation environment that captures the interaction between the digital control system and analog power electronics. LabVIEW FPGA and the NIMultisim power electronics circuit simulator automatically adjust the simulation timestep to capture the fast transient behavior of the analog circuitry and its interaction with the FPGA-based control system. For example, if the current in an inductor is ringing, the simulation automatically slows down to capture the effect on the digital control system. Whats most important is to enable teams to develop their actual LabVIEW FPGA code within the simulation environment and then move it to a physical FPGA target with little effort. This enables a completely bidirectional development path. Changes made to the software at any stage from prototype to post-production automatically update anywhere that code is referenced in the toolchain. The goal is to write the embedded systems code on day one and continually improve it throughout development. You can design the power electronics circuitry in parallel with the FPGA software and the automated test code to help you evaluate the nonlinear design trade-offs between energy efficiency, cost, and component lifetime. This creates the opportunity to optimize for multiple design goals simultaneously, even given difficult trade-offs. To eliminate the need to manually tweak and possibly contaminate generated code, the FPGA resource utilization efficiency must be comparable to handwritten register transfer level (RTL) code. Also, the design platform must include fixed-point math blocks and power electronics IP libraries that enable efficient development of control,

Q2 2012

signal processing, and power analysis algorithms. Finally, the toolchain must target prevalidated COTS control boards that meet the specific control, I/O, performance, and cost needs of high-volume commercial digital energy products. On the right side of the power electronics design V is the challenge of how to test complex, high-power digital energy systems. The biggest issue in the past was a lack of real-time simulators for validation and verification. This is another area in which FPGA technology provides a solution. The same graphical system design tools are suitable for developing fast, real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulators for the comprehensive validation of grid-tied power electronics systems. Imagining the Future It may be hard to imagine a world in which energy becomes a software problem, just looking for the right algorithms to efficiently convert, control, transfer, and store it. Thats what the digital energy revolution makes possible. How will we know it has happened? You can call it a digital energy technology if the system is digitized and digitally

controlled, networked, field reconfigurable, modeled, simulated, and improving exponentially in performance per dollar each year. What grand challenges of engineering will the digital energy revolution help us address? One thing is clearthese technologies are rapidly increasing in performance and falling in price, and they lie at the heart of renewable energy, smart grid, and electric vehicle systems.
Brian MacCleery brian.maccleery@ni.com Brian MacCleery is the principal product manager for clean energy technology at National Instruments. His mission is to facilitate the design, prototyping, and deployment of advanced embedded systems technologies to help make clean energy less expensive and more abundant than fossil fuels. To join the conversation about power electronics, visit the developer community at ni.com/powerdev.

Design
Graphical Co-Simulation

NI Vision for Power Electronics

Test Cells
Power Electronics Testing

Prototype
Rapid Control Prototyping

HIL Testing
Real-Time HIL Simulation

Deploy
Commercial Deployment

Control System

VA (AC)

DC Power Bus

VB (AC)

M/G
VC (AC)

Energy Source

Power Inverter

Output Filter Stage

3-Phase AC System

Figure 3. NI is working to complete the digital energy design V by providing a comprehensive toolchain for the rapid design, commercialization, and validation testing of digital power electronics control systems.

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Category Feature

Increase Your Productivity With Greater DAQ Proficiency

Whether you are performing basic measurements or designing complex systems with NI data acquisition (DAQ) hardware and NI LabVIEW software, you need a specific set of skills to successfully complete your application. Before you begin a project, you should determine the skills you need to implement a high-quality and scalable solution in the shortest amount of time. As you move from project to project, assess what additional concepts you should learn to complete your new application. By becoming proficient in both LabVIEW and DAQ to the level that your application demands, you can take advantage of the innovative technologies built into DAQ and the software-driven productivity gains of LabVIEW. NI offers guidelines on the level of DAQ proficiency that best ensures success for your current and future projects. Use Figure 1 to find the level your application falls into and learn more about the skills you need. The second and third levels build on the skills from the previous levels. Perform Basic Measurements Everyone who uses LabVIEW and DAQ, whether acquiring basic measurements or generating simple waveforms, should be able to perform these tasks: Install hardware and software and connect signals properly Measure and analyze signals with the DAQ Assistant Use and modify the NI-DAQmx shipping examples Understand resolution/sampling rate considerations Understand when signal conditioning is necessary
n n n n n

In addition to the NI-DAQmx API, you should understand the following: Ground loops Virtual channels Scaling Triggering Logging Absolute accuracy Basic synchronization
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Architect Complex DAQ Systems If you plan to measure hundreds of channels, stream large quantities of data to disk, perform advanced control, synchronize measurements across multiple chassis, or manage deployed systems, you should invest time to become an expert in those concepts specific to your application challenges. To perform these advanced tasks, you should be comfortable with the following concepts: Advanced timing and synchronization Property node use Hardware-timed single point acquisition NI-DAQmx events Performance optimization Signal import/export State machine model (verified, committed, reserved, and so on) System API and device management
n n n n n n n n

Develop DAQ Systems Most DAQ users should exhibit this level of proficiency. Your application or job determines whether you need more than basic measurement skills. If you plan to trigger acquisitions, develop systems with multiple measurement types, or synchronize multiple devices, you need to be comfortable using NI-DAQmx API functions to build your application.

Performing Basic Measurements

Developing DAQ Systems

Architecting Complex DAQ Systems

Performing basic measurements or data logging Generating simple waveforms or toggling digital lines Running basic tests

Triggering acquisitions or synchronizing measurement tasks Developing systems with multiple measurement types Synchronizing multiple devices or modules

Measuring hundreds of channels or streaming large quantities of data to disk Performing advanced control Synchronizing across multiple chassis Managing deployed systems

Figure 1. Choose the level of proficiency that best fits your application.

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Perform Basic Measurements

Getting Started

Develop DAQ Systems

Basic Programming With NI-DAQmx

Architect Complex DAQ Systems

Advanced Programming With NI-DAQmx

ni.com/gettingstarted

LabVIEW Core 1

Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning

Advanced DAQ Webcasts

LabVIEW Core 2 and LabVIEW Core 31

Advanced Architectures in LabVIEW

Required Courses and Content Recommended Courses and Content Optional Courses
1 LabVIEW Core 1, or an equivalent level of experience, is required to complete the exercises in the Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning course. However, if you plan to use DAQ products in the LabVIEW programming environment, NI recommends pursuing additional LabVIEW training.

Figure 2. Identify the skills you need for your project and the learning resources you can use.

Become Proficient With DAQ Products See Figure 2 for a map of resources to help you develop your DAQ skills: Getting Started With NI Products at ni.com/gettingstarted LabVIEW Core 1 training course Data Acquisition and Signal Conditioning training course Introductory and advanced training resources at ni.com/daq/setup/
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Mallori Martin mallori.martin@ni.com Mallori Martin is the program manager for customer training and certification at National Instruments. She earned a bachelors degree in biomedical engineering from Texas A&M University.

Add Someone With These Skills to Your Team Many National Instruments Alliance Partners have already invested in the level of proficiency you need for your application. If your DAQ project requires specific skills and you are unable to develop those skills in the time allotted for your project, you can connect with an Alliance Partner that can provide consulting services while you get up to speed.

This article is the second installment in a four-part series on proficiency to be featured quarterly in Instrumentation Newsletter. The first installment on RIO proficiency was featured in the first quarter 2012 issue.
To see DAQ training options, visit ni.com/newsletter/daqtraining.

Navigate the LabVIEW Learning Curve

Proficiency with DAQ hardware and driver software are not the only skills you need to be successful. NI LabVIEW system design software increases productivity for simple measurement and control applications, but also has the power to automate large systems. The challenge for many LabVIEW users often lies in moving along the learning curve from simple systems to more sophisticated systems. If you are using LabVIEW, make sure you have the right level of software engineering skill for your application. To find the level of LabVIEW proficiency that best suits your application, see ni.com/labview/learning-curve.

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Feature

Hack Your Car With NI CAN Interfaces and LabVIEW

Vehicles have complex electronic systems that perform many tasks to keep riders safe and comfortable. To diagnose these systems on your own, you can evaluate the electronic networks in your vehicle.
A Brief History of On-Board Diagnostics Federal regulations governing vehicle emissions have driven the wide availability of vehicle diagnostic information to the public. In an oversimplified, ideal situation, your car has a closed-loop emissions system. The general flow for this process begins with an electronic control unit (ECU) specifying the exact air-to-fuel mixture ratio that What Information Can You Read? The main specification (SAE J1979) for onboard diagnostics defines several test modes and parameters that you can read from your vehicle such as Service $01 to $04. Service $01Get real-time diagnostic data: This service helps you read real-time data from your car and use it to create real-time displays or data-logging-specific vehicle parameters. With this service, you can Feedback provided to optimize performance request certain parameter IDs (PIDs), such as engine and vehicle speed, that correspond to a value or variable from an ECU. You can ECU Engine Catalytic Converter O2 Sensor read common PIDs in most vehicles, but keep in mind that some PIDs may be vehicle-or Air-to-fuel Exhaust gases Reaction measured ratio determined converted for efciency OEM-specific. Service $02Get freeze frame data: Figure 1. A simplified closed-loop emissions system in a vehicle features an ECU, an engine, a catalytic converter, and oxygen sensors. Whenever a fault code occurs in a car, a short history of data leading up to that fault is combustible in an engine. Next, the vehicles catalytic converter is recorded. This is an extremely powerful tool for fault analysis. transforms some of the dangerous exhaust gases into environmentally Service $03Get trouble codes: This service returns diagnostic friendly substances, and oxygen sensors measure the reaction to provide trouble codes (DTCs) that explain why your check engine light is on. feedback to the ECU. Finally, the ECU uses this feedback to adjust the Service $04Clear trouble codes: Have you ever paid an auto parts air-to-fuel ratio to maintain optimal engine exhaust performance. store to turn off your check engine light? This is the service used to do This sounds like a great system, but what happens when something goes wrong, like an oxygen sensor failure? Unfortunately, an error like this creates an open-loop emissions system because the sensor provides no feedback to the ECU about the emissions from your car. Your car still works properly, but it can create more pollution. The problem is that you might have little incentive to get your car fixed in this situation because the open-loop system may cause the car to perform betterthe engine might err on the side of being fuel-rich and, thus, more powerful. Governing bodies have made several attempts to create regulations for enforcing emissions standards. The most well-known attempt is On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II), which first became a federal requirement in 1996. Since 2008, all of the required diagnostic information in OBD-II must be sent through a controller area network (CAN) bus in the vehicle.
n n n n

Figure 2. This is an example user interface of an application that reads information from a car.

Q2 2012

Figure 3. Hack your own car by developing an application on your laptop with the Automotive Diagnostic Command Set, connecting your laptop to your NI CAN interface, and then cabling your CAN interface directly to your cars OBD-II port.

that. But before you turn off your check engine light, remember that your engine still stores the DTCs for some time and records the last time the light was turned off, so it still needs to be cleared by a professional. How to Diagnose Your Car With NI Tools Here are the National Instruments tools you need to get this information and evaluate your own car: NI LabVIEWDevelop your own vehicle diagnostic application with this system design software. NI Automotive Diagnostic Command SetUse the command sets high-level and intuitive APIs with LabVIEW and NI CAN hardware interfaces to collect vehicle diagnostics while avoiding the low-level details of diagnostic protocols. NI USB CAN interfacesCommunicate with your diagnostic vehicle network using these portable CAN interfaces. CAN OBD-II cableConnect your NI CAN interface directly to the OBD-II port on your car with this cable.
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With the open development environment of LabVIEW and the various hardware items that you can interact with directly using software, this isnt your average diagnostics reading tool. If you want to take other types of measurements like analog inputs, you can combine this tool with your diagnostic readings in the same application for a more complete view of your vehicles electronic network.
Noah Reding noah.reding@ni.com Noah Reding is a product manager for the automotive industry at National Instruments. He earned his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt University. To learn more about the NI Automotive Diagnostic Command Set, visit ni.com/newsletter/commandset.

After you have all of the tools, you can develop your desired application in LabVIEW and connect your system directly to your vehicle.

Announcing the 2012 LabVIEW Tools Network Awards

The 2012 LabVIEW Tools Network Awards call for submissions is officially open. Each year, the LabVIEW Tools Network recognizes top third-party software products based on NI LabVIEW software and NI technology that are high quality, demonstrate excellent integration, and fill a business need. The deadline to submit your nomination is June 1. For more information about eligibility and the selection process, visit ni.com/lvtn2012awards.

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Product In-Depth

New NI Single-Board RIO Devices Add Analog I/O and More Connectivity

Figure 1. New NI Single-Board RIO devices feature analog and digital I/O along with more peripheral connectivity options in a small 4.05 in. x 6.05 in. size.

Figure 2. The NI Single-Board RIO platform provides several options for built-in I/O as well as I/O customization through the RMC connector.

National Instruments recently introduced four new NI Single-Board RIO devices. Each device features a 400 MHz real-time processor and a Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA that you can program with NI LabVIEW software, the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, and the LabVIEW FPGA Module. These devices have more peripheral options in the form of two RS232 serial ports, an RS485 serial port, an Ethernet port, and an optional controller area network (CAN) port, USB port, and SDHC card slot. They also feature a wide-ranging 9 to 30 VDC power input, a real-time clock backup battery, built-in memory up to 256 MB, and nonvolatile storage up to 512 MB that you can expand using the USB port or SDHC card slot. For a more customized solution, the NI sbRIO-962x devices incorporate a RIO Mezzanine Card (RMC) connector that provides direct access to 96 FPGA digital I/O (DIO) lines as well as certain processor-specific functions like USB. You can use the RMC connector to mate NISingle-Board RIO devices to custom daughter cards with application-specific circuitry to combine the benefits of off-the-shelf and custom systems.

These latest additions to the NI Single-Board RIO platform give you several levels of I/O customization. You can build a completely custom I/O solution and use the RMC connector to link the daughter card to an NISingle-Board RIO device. You can also combine a custom daughter card with the new multifunction devices featuring an RMC connector to take advantage of NIs expertise in analog I/O circuitry while still using your custom I/O. If you dont need custom I/O, the NI sbRIO-9633/36 devices offer easy access to built-in digital and analog I/O. Off-the-shelf solutions like NI Single-Board RIO decrease overall design expenses by reducing end-of-life component management, certification, extensive device testing, and support. The NI Single-Board RIO platform and LabVIEW combine the benefits of an off-the-shelf solution with the I/O customization options of in-house designs to give you the best of both worlds when building embedded control and monitoring systems.
To view detailed specifications and learn more about the new NISingle-Board RIO features, visit ni.com/singleboard.

Model sbRIO-9623 sbRIO-9626 sbRIO-9633 sbRIO-9636

Memory (MB) 256 512 256 512

RAM (MB) 128 256 128 256

RS232 2 2 2 2

RS485

CAN

USB

SDHC

FPGA LX25 LX45 LX25 LX45

DIO 4 4 28 28

AI 16 ch, 12-bit 16 ch, 16-bit 16 ch, 12-bit 16 ch, 16-bit

AO 4 ch, 12-bit 4 ch, 16-bit 4 ch, 12-bit 4 ch, 16-bit

RMC

RMC DIO 96 96

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Product In-Depth

Test Cell Control With the INERTIA Add-On for NI VeriStand

The INERTIA add-on for NI VeriStand is specifically designed to help you quickly and efficiently implement real-time test applications that require closed-loop control. Created by NI Alliance Partner Wineman Technology, INERTIA enhances NIVeriStand with a ready-to-use set of integrated control and monitoring features for test cell applications: Advanced closed-loop controllers with multiaxis synchronization, dither, and amplitude control Multimode control support with bumpless transfer between modes Tightly integrated test editor with control procedure commands UI objects for run-time interaction with the control features Integrated proportional integral derivative (PID) control-loop tuning
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Figure 2. Prior to INERTIA becoming an add-on for NI VeriStand, INERTIAs IP was used for more than a decade across hundreds of test applications.

NI VeriStand is powerful test software that offers real-time hardware I/O and model execution, deterministic stimulus generation, alarming, and data logging in a configuration-based environment. When you combine INERTIA and NI VeriStand, you can quickly configure several closed-loop controllers to implement test systems for the following: Engine, transmission, and motor Actuator, valve, and pump Turbine and gearbox Auxiliary power unit Tires
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INERTIA is ideal for multimode and multiaxis control applications that use dynamometers or hydraulic control. By combining NI VeriStand and INERTIA, you can integrate actuator control to real-time model execution on a common hardware and software platform. This combination allows you to implement next-generation test cell applications using real-time simulation for more sophisticated and efficient testing. The INERTIA add-on features are installed into the NI VeriStand System Explorer and Workspace for seamless system configuration. The combined features allow you to define hardware I/O channels, PID control loops, shutdown procedures, and alarms for your test cell application. For example, control mode mapping allows multiple channels such as feedback, actuator command output, and control coefficients to be simultaneously changed at run time. INERTIA closed-loop controllers are automatically linked to the test-cell-specific Stimulus Profile Editor to offer intuitive test authoring and execution. In the NI VeriStand Workspace, the INERTIA add-on features GUI objects for safely executing manual mode transfers, manual setpoint ramping, and more. You also have a PID tuning tool with a detailed interface for real-time management of control-loop tuning parameters at run time. Wineman Technologys INERTIA uses the core strengths of NI VeriStand to offer an integrated, out-of-the-box control package for motors and drives, servo-hydraulics, and real-time model execution. Reduce the time and cost of implementing and maintaining your test cell applications with powerful, intuitive INERTIA tools.
Download an evaluation copy of the INERTIA add-on at ni.com/inertia/download.

Figure 1. The INERTIA add-on for NI VeriStand provides the ready-to-use controllers, tuning utilities, and other tools you need to implement test applications that require closed-loop control.

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11

Test Techniques

Estimate the Uptime of Your PXI System

When was the last time you calculated the availability rating of your system and do you have a preventive failure plan?
A products life cycle comprises three phases: early life, useful life, and wear out. Failures can happen in each phase, but the mechanisms of failure differ across the phases. The majority of those that occur during a typical system deployment happen in the useful life phase. In this phase, the concepts of reliability, availability, serviceability, and manageability (RASM) engineering are applied. Availability is the measure of how often a system can perform its intended function, even in the midst of failures. For test, measurement, and control applications with demanding system uptime requirements, practices like sparing strategies and preventive maintenance schedules have traditionally improved the availability of critical system components. For the PXI platform, some of the most critical components are housed in the PXI chassis including the power supply, fan, and backplane. Defining Availability for Your System The Availability (Av) rating of a system represents the percentage of time that the system can perform its intended function (uptime) during the time frame that the system is expected to perform this function, with the goal being 100 percent availability. Availability is commonly stated as a percentage or in terms of the number of nines within the percentage. For example, Av = 99.9523%, is stated as three nines of availability.
Failure Mechanisms

The inherent availability is defined by the following equation: Av = MTBF/(MTBF + MTTR) Where MTBF = Mean Time Between Failure and MTTR = Mean Time to Repair More practically, availability is defined as the following: Av = Uptime/(Uptime + Downtime) Calculating the Availability of Your PXI Chassis To calculate the availability of a PXI chassis, you need to know its functional mission. The mission, for purposes of the availability calculation, is composed of operational run-time expectations, a critical component sparing strategy, and MTTR variance of critical system components. For the NI PXIe-1066DC chassis, these mission assumptions are defined as follows: 24/7 run-time operation (this is a worst-case run-time operation value; deployments with a less demanding run-time operation schedule can expect improved availability). A sparing strategy is in place with adequate spare power supplies, fans, and a chassis (in case the backplane and electronics fail) on-site MTTR is associated with the Mechanical moving parts unexpected downtime; the planned Hard drives Fans downtime. (scheduled maintenance) Connectors is not included Batteries MTTR = 0 for power supplies and Capacitors fans because they are hot Solid-state drives and more... swappable, and switchover times are instantaneous with hot redundancy. MTTR = 40 minutes if the backplane and electronics fail (this value may vary per installation as a function of the notification system, availability and skill of repair personnel, chassis accessibility, and location of spare chassis).
n n n n n

Manufacturing Shipping Storage Installation and more...

Random failures Least robust component and more...

Failure Rate

HW
Early Life Useful Life

Wear Out

Time
Figure 1. The bathtub curve depicts the failure rate over time of a system or a product.

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Figure 2. The NI PXIe-1066DC chassis features redundant, hot-swappable fans and power supplies to maximize its availability.

You also need to estimate the probability of chassis failure in one of two ways: (1) the Bellcore model or (2) the empirically gathered field failure data. The Bellcore model estimates the MTBF of the NI PXIe-1066DC chassis to be 305,782 hours at 25 C. This is not the MTBF of any component (power supply, fan) in the chassis failing but rather the MTBF of a chassis outage because enough critical components failed. To calculate the availability of the NIPXIe-1066DC chassis: MTBF = 305,782 hours MTTR = 40 minutes (0.67 hours) Therefore, Av = 305,782/(305,782 + 0.67) = .999998 = 99.9998% or 5 nines (the accepted scale goes up to 6) Planning for Failure As you can see from the availability calculation, the high-availability features, including redundant, hot-swappable fans and power supplies,

improve the availability of a PXI chassis (in this case, the NI PXIe-1066DC) to beyond five nines. To calculate the availability of the entire system, you must take into account failures because of software and modules. Availability considers sparing strategy and service capabilities (as a part of MTTR), so redundancy does not eliminate the need to plan for these other elements of system uptime. To aid in this planning, the NIPXIe-1066DC incorporates an Ethernet port to remotely monitor the health and status of critical system components, including chassis fans, power supplies, and overall temperature. A preventive failure plan comprising critical component redundancy, sparing, and efficient maintenance scheduling reduces the frequency of unexpected system failures and maximizes system uptime.
David Nosbusch david.nosbusch@ni.com David Nosbusch is a product marketing manager for PXI chassis and PXI timing and synchronization products at National Instruments. He earned a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the University of WisconsinMadison. For more information on the NI PXIe-1066DC chassis, visit ni.com/pxi.

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NI in Academia

Developing Problem-Solving Skills With Simulation and Portable Instrumentation

Circuits and microelectronics courses traditionally treat laboratory projects and homework as separate activities; however, integrating physical measurements into homework assignments can help students appreciate that textbook theory really does apply to the real world. It also helps them experience the limits of mathematical models. In my classes at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, I use NImyDAQ computer-based instrumentation to accomplish this integration without laboratory scheduling constraints. My students can build and experience real circuit behavior anywhere and at any time. By solving the problem analytically simulating the circuit, building the circuit, and taking measurements students triangulate on the true circuit behavior from three independent vantage points. Adding NI Multisim circuit simulation to the mix provides students with a three-way solution process. As students work to harmonize these three aspects of the problem, they gain confidence in circuit analysis, improve their ability to set up and interpret simulation results, and develop hands-on laboratory and troubleshooting skills. Moreover, they go beyond basic mathematical manipulations to develop deeper insights into the effects of simplified assumptions, device model mismatches, and temperature-dependent behavior. Rose-Hulman recently piloted the three-way solution method as a weekly laboratory activity. Student questions shifted from the typical How do I do this step? to a more confident request for help: Something must be wrong with my analytical work because my simulation and measurement results agree with each other! To try this new learning paradigm, faculty can download two textbook supplements for free from NTS Press. NI myDAQ and Multisim Problems for Circuits offers 40 problems written in the style of traditional end-ofchapter homework problems. Each problem guides students through applicable simulation and measurement techniques, with links to relevant task-oriented Multisim and NI myDAQ video tutorials. Topics include DC/AC circuits, transient circuits, AC power, filters, and Fourier analysis. Problems and Explorations in Microelectronics with NI myDAQ and Multisim features 40 more problems written in the same style and covers diodes, operational amplifier circuits, MOSFETs, and BJTs.
Ed Doering is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Download the courseware today from ntspress.com.

Student Perspective: Why I Use LabVIEW

Students worldwide are using NI LabVIEW software to finish projects faster, increase collaboration, and build their resume skills. Heres what they have to say: Within minutes, you can create a working application, and it doesnt take a computer science major to actually write the code. Andy, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology As a student, you always need more time, and theres no other programming language that lets you take and process measurements as fast as LabVIEW.Sam, The University of Texas at Austin I became LabVIEW certified, and, along with my engineering expertise, it proved to potential employers that I have the skills to be on their team.Brad, Case Western Reserve University To hear more about why students use LabVIEW, visit ni.com/students.

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LabVIEW Everywhere

UKs First LabVIEW Champion Looks Back

Dr. Richard Thomas shares his passion for LabVIEW and how the software is essential to his career.
Q: What did you do to improve your LabVIEW programming skills? A: I initially just explored LabVIEW, examined existing code, and interacted on the NI forums to learn programming techniques. When I joined Product Technology Partners Ltd, I started a more rigorous training program. By studying the resources and training manuals on the NI website, I honed my software development skills and became a Certified LabVIEW Architect (CLA). The training helped advance my professional approach to designing full software solutions for customers. Q: How has LabVIEW helped advance your career? A: LabVIEW has been absolutely instrumental in my career. After studying aerodynamics for many years, I realized in 2008 that LabVIEW development was what I really wanted to do. I took an ambitious sideways leap into the software consultancy world and Ive never looked back. Becoming a CLA raised my profile in my local LabVIEW developer community. LabVIEW is the largest part of my unfolding career and I couldnt imagine a future without it! Q: How do you give back to the LabVIEW Community? A: I help run one of only two LabVIEW user groups in the UK. As a regular presenter and host of the Cambridge LabVIEW User Group, Im happy to share my knowledge and experience with other developers. Im also a regular contributor to the NI Community and NI Discussion Forums, and I participate in the LabVIEW beta program. My community contributions recently helped me become the first UK developer accepted into the prestigious LabVIEW Champions group, which is made up of members from the global community who are recognized for helping grow LabVIEW adoption and proficiency.
Read more about LabVIEW Champions at ni.com/champions and the Cambridge LabVIEW user group at labviewCambridge.co.uk.

Q: What were some of the first projects you worked on with LabVIEW? A: In 2000, I was completing my PhD studies at Leicester University where LabVIEW 6i was controlling and acquiring data from a large-scale wind tunnel. I took to the concept of graphical programming like a duck to water and began using LabVIEW to acquire, process, and present the masses of data I was collecting. Because it was so easy to experiment and explore software ideas, I quickly created an interactive, animated plot to show a measured boundary layer time variation, which I could export as a movie file. When I later worked at the University of Cambridge, I created numerous software solutions for myself and students, including high-speed data acquisition, 3-axis robotic probe controls, and APIs for communicating across instruments. I also created a network-enabled safety-monitoring application for students working in isolated laboratories. LabVIEW drivers made it easy to communicate with most third-party hardware.

Exploding Supernovas, Lasers, and a GUI Inspired by Star Trek

The UCLA High Energy Density Plasma Physics group controls the only high-energy laser in the United States that is planned, commissioned, and operated by students. Group members use NILabVIEW software and CompactRIO hardware to control the laser and study the strong shock waves normally seen only during astrophysical events like supernova explosions. To find out more about how this group modeled its GUI after LCARS, visit ni.com/sweetapps.
Photo courtesy of Christoph Niemanns UCLA HEDP lab.

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Special Focus

Scientists have been trying to find evidence of the existence of the Higgs boson particle for decades. But what is it? And whats all the excitement about?

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Scientists have been searching for the Higgs boson particle for years, and theyre finally narrowing the range within which they might find evidence of this elusive subatomic particle. First proposed by Dr. Peter Higgs, Higgs boson is a hypothetical elementary particle. If proven to exist, the Higgs boson particle is predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics to explain why particles have mass. The Higgs energy field consists of countless Higgs bosons, just like water is filled with countless H2O molecules. The Higgs field and Higgs boson particle are still theoretical so, to validate the Standard Model, scientists are trying to prove their existence. HOW CAN SCIENTISTS FIND HIGGS BOSON? The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the worlds largest particle accelerator, hosts six experiments. Two of them (ATLAS and CMS) are dedicated to finding evidence of the Higgs boson particles existence through the side effects of collisions when protons smash into each other. Waiting for protons to collide is risky because the energy of a proton beam at full power is so high that it can melt a 1,100 lb block of copper. It is extremely important that the protons do not stray from their path and are reliably controlled. HOW NI HELPS The scientists at CERN use NI PXI and FPGA-based reconfigurable I/O (RIO) devices to control the motors that move graphite blocks within the collider to absorb any protons that stray from the nominal proton beams path. This process is commonly known as collimation. Because the LHC is a 27 km circular tunnel, more than 100 collimators around the tunnel must be synchronized accurately. Over 120 NI PXI systems with NI reconfigurable I/O (RIO) modules control these collimators and align the graphite blocks to absorb stray protons with millisecond resolution. What you may have seen in the news lately is that the ATLAS experiment showed excess events close to 125 gigaelectron volts (GeV). In physics, electron volts express both energy and mass. The CMS detector, which is independent of the ATLAS detector, similarly found events near 124 GeV. These findings are a huge development for scientists, who are closer than ever to capturing the elusive Higgs boson particle. While other experiments are planned to further support the evidence, scientists are optimistic that they are close to ending their search. The collision of protons at high energy levels produces a number of subatomic particles that are captured by detectors to validate the existence of the Higgs Boson. This collimator with graphite blocks is controlled by NI PXI to absorb particles not in the nominal path of the beam. This illustration shows a typical particle accelerator with a linear accelerator (LINAC) for initial acceleration, a booster ring to impart required energy on the particle, and a storage ring to store the particle before eventual collision.

To learn more about how CERN engineers use over 200 PXI systems at once, visit ni.com/newsletter/cern.

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Feature

5 Questions for Choosing the Right Measurement Bus

Select the right bus for your application and be successful from the start.
When you have hundreds of different DAQ devices on a wide variety of buses, selecting the right bus for your application needs may be challenging. Each bus has different advantages and optimizations. To help you decide, ask yourself these five questions. Buses that always have the same latency when communicating with I/O are more deterministic than buses with varied responsiveness. Latency and determinism are important for control applications because they directly impact the reliability of the control loop. Therefore, when implementing closed-loop control applications, you should avoid buses such as wireless, Ethernet, or USB that are high in latency with poor determinism. In general, internal buses such as PCI Express and PXI Express are better for low-latency single-point I/O applications.

How Much Data Will I Stream Across This Bus? All PC buses have a limit to the amount of data that you can transfer in a certain period of time. This is the bus bandwidth, which is often specified in megabytes per second (MB/s). The PCI bus, for example, features a theoretical bandwidth of 132 MB/s that is shared among all PCI boards in the computer. Gigabit Ethernet offers 125 MB/s of shared bandwidth across devices on a subnet or network. PCI Express and PXI Express offer dedicated data links that are capable of up to 1 GB/s per device.

When you take waveform measurements, your bus bandwidth must support the speed at which you acquire data. To calculate the minimum required bandwidth, take the number of bytes per sample (rounded up to the next byte), multiply by the sampling speed, and then multiply by the number of channels. For example, a 16-bit (2-byte) device sampling at 4 MS/s on four channels requires the following bandwidth: 2 bytes S

Do I Need to Synchronize Multiple Devices? Many measurement systems have complex synchronization needs, whether youre synchronizing hundreds of input channels or multiple types of instruments. The simplest way to synchronize measurements across multiple devices is to share a sample clock and a trigger. Many DAQ devices offer programmable digital lines for importing and exporting both clocks and triggers.

Certain buses, such as PCI and PCI Express, work with the real-time system integration (RTSI) bus, on which you can cable multiple boards in a desktop system directly together inside the case to make synchronization as easy as possible. This removes the need for additional wiring through the front connector and simplifies I/O connectivity.
Modules Controller Chassis

4 MS sec

4 channels = 32 MB/s

Note that the actual observed system bandwidth will be lower than the theoretical bus limits. It depends on the number of devices in a system and any additional bus traffic from overhead.

2
18

What Are My Single-Point I/O Requirements? Applications that require single-point reads and writes often depend on I/O values that are updated immediately and consistently. Bus latency is the time delay between when a driver software function is called and the actual hardware value of the I/O is updated. Depending on the bus you choose, this delay can range from less than a microsecond to a few milliseconds.

Another important factor in single-point I/O applications is determinism, which is a measure of how consistently I/O can execute on time.
Figure 1. The PXI platform is the best option for multidevice synchronization.

Q2 2012

Figure 2. Portable USB DAQ devices can quickly connect to laptop computers.

The best bus option for synchronizing multiple devices is the PXI platform, including PXI and PXI Express. This open standard was designed specifically for high-performance synchronization and triggering, with several different options for synchronizing I/O modules within the same chassis or multiple chassis.

measurement, so you can take distributed measurements and send the data back to a central location. Based on these five questions, you can use NIs selection guide for the most common DAQ buses to choose the right option for your application.

4 5

How Portable Do I Need This System to Be? Portability is important for many applications. External buses like USB and Ethernet are particularly effective for portable DAQ systems because of their quick hardware installation and compatibility with laptop computers. Bus-powered USB devices offer additional convenience because they are powered from the USB port and do not require a separate power supply. Wireless data transfer buses are another good option because the measurement hardware itself becomes portable while the computer can remain stationary. How Far Will My Measurements Be From My Computer? The distance between the measurements you need and the computers location can drastically vary from application to application. To achieve the best signal integrity and measurement accuracy, place your DAQ hardware as close to the signal source as possible. Running cables across long distances is costly and can result in noisy signals. A solution to this problem is to use a portable computing platform to move the entire system closer to the signal source. Wireless technology can altogether remove the physical connection between the computer and the
Figure 3. Wi-Fi DAQ devices eliminate the wires between measurement hardware and the host PC.

Chris Delvizis chris.delvizis@ni.com Chris is a product marketing manager for DAQ at National Instruments. He earned his bachelors degree in wireless engineering from Auburn University. To download the Complete Guide to Building a Measurement System, including a selection guide for the most common buses, visit ni.com/newsletter/measurementguide.
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Product In-Depth

New USB X Series Devices for OEM and Mass Termination

With improved mechanical options and a range of price and performance offerings, the USB X Series line is NIs most powerful and flexible multifunction DAQ platform to date.
To address the needs of the most demanding test and measurement applications, National Instruments is introducing two new mechanical variants of USB X Series multifunction DAQ devices: board-only devices for OEM applications and mass termination. The latest USB X Series devices feature the integration of NI-STC3 timing and synchronization technology and NI Signal Streaming technology. With these improvements, you can easily synchronize a variety of device subsystems and pass large amounts of data to and from the device concurrently. The new devices also include up to 32 analog inputs, 4 analog outputs, 48 digital I/O lines, and four 32-bit counter/timers. In addition, several of the devices offer simultaneous sampling, a feature that provides high sampling rates on each analog input channel and no interchannel delay. To help you decide which device best fits your application needs, the table lists the mechanical options USB X Series DAQ now offers.

Figure 2. USB X Series devices with mass termination help you easily connect to a test fixture or a daughter board with custom signal conditioning and connectivity.

For OEM applications, the latest USB X Series devices feature a board-only package designed to be embedded into a larger system. These OEM boards provide connectivity through mass-terminated insulation-displacement connectors and are cost optimized for volume applications. The USB X Series devices with mass termination can connect to a daughter board or breakout box via a shielded cable. This option is ideal for applications requiring custom, external signal conditioning and connectivity and a rugged, shielded DAQ device.
To view specifications, pricing, and demo videos, visit ni.com/xseries/usb.

Figure 1. The latest USB X Series devices for OEM applications feature a board-only package designed to be embedded into a larger measurement or control system.

Device USB-6341 USB-6343 USB-6351 USB-6353 USB-6361 USB-6363 Devices With Simultaneous Sampling USB-6356 (32 MS) USB-6356 (64 MS) USB-6366 (32 MS) USB-6366 (64 MS)

Analog Input/Analog Output/Digital I/O 16/2/24 32/4/48 16/2/24 32/4/48 16/2/24 32/4/48 8/2/24 8/2/24 8/2/24 8/2/24

Sampling Rate (kS/s) 500 500 1250 1250 2000 2000 1250 per ch 1250 per ch 2000 per ch 2000 per ch

Screw Terminal

OEM

Mass Termination

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Product In-Depth

Log Data to the Cloud in Minutes

Client Applications
Desktop Apps

Distributed Measurement Systems

CompactRIO

Web-Based UIs

NI Technical Data Cloud

NI Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)

Mobile Apps

Other (PXI, PC, and More)

Most engineers are comfortable with the idea of purchasing computing as a product, such as the procurement of a laptop or server machine. But with the advent of cloud computing, data storage, software, and computational resources are being delivered and used more as services. Referred to as the cloud, this shared-network computing infrastructure can be accessed via standard Internet technologies. It offers the benefit of elastic, on-demand computing services that are metered by use. In other words, instead of working with IT to allocate the time and budget necessary to obtain, set up, and maintain the capital investment of a server resource,

you can use the cloud to quickly increase (or decrease) the use of computing resources in an agile fashion and only pay for what you use. With the NI Technical Data Cloud, you can aggregate, store, and share data from any measurement system connected to the Internet. Through its easy-to-use NI LabVIEW software API, you can begin logging data in a matter of minutes.
To learn more about the NI Technical Data Cloud or participate in the early access release, visit ni.com/tdc.

Use Your Mobile Device for DAQ

With the new NI cDAQ-9191 Data Display app, you can wirelessly take voltage measurements from the NI cDAQ-9191 chassis and the NI 9215 C Series module using your iOS or Android device. First download the firmware upgrade from NI Labs (ni.com/labs) and then download the app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play. For more information, visit ni.com/newsletter/9191tablet.

Solid-State RF Switches for Production Test

The 6.6 GHz NI PXI-2543 and NIPXIe-2543 solid-state, dual 4x1 RF multiplexers offer extended service life, fast switching speeds, and repeatable RF paths for production test applications. PXI trigger lines permit synchronization with other RF instruments and optimize switching time between measurements. To view other NI RF and wireless test products and solutions, visit ni.com/rf.

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Product In-Depth

SC Express Adds High-Density RTD Module to PXI Platform

The NI PXIe-4357 is a 20-channel resistance temperature detector (RTD) measurement module that integrates 24-bit delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with antialiasing and lowpass filters. The module offers sampling rates up to 100 S/s per channel with upto 0.09 C typical measurement accuracy. RTDs are often used for their increased accuracy over thermocouples; both the filtering and state-of-the-art ADCs ensure you get the best measurement possible. A front mount terminal block provides screw terminal connectivity for 2-, 3-, or 4-wire RTDs. The NI-DAQmx device driver software included with the module gives you the flexibility of per-channel software-programmable configurations and automatically scales measured data into engineering units. The signal conditioning circuitry on the NI PXIe-4357 is optimized for PT100 RTDs but can also measure resistors between 0 and 400 . You can easily expand your channel count by adding more NIPXIe-4357 modules to the chassis, and you can acquire and manage all temperature channels in the system with a single NI-DAQmx task. For mixedmeasurement applications, you can synchronize the NIPXIe-4357 with other SC Express modules to measure microphone arrays, integrated

You can synchronize the new NI PXIe-4357 module with other SC Express modules to take multiple types of measurements.

electronic piezoelectric accelerometers, bridge-based sensors, fiber Bragg grating sensors, and isolated voltage inputs in a single PXI system or across multiple chassis.
To learn more about the NI PXIe-4357, visit ni.com/newsletter/scexpress.

High-Performance Imaging for Automated Test

Camera Link, the highest bandwidth imaging standard, provides high throughput and low latency, which makes the NI PXIe-1435 frame grabber ideal for line-scan image sensors. You can use these sensors for the surface inspection of large areas, including finding aesthetic and functional defects in solar panels and dead pixels in flat panel displays. The frame grabber also works well in many industrial applications like fault analysis using a stop trigger to record images before and after an event on the factory floor. And its effective in medical device applications such as analyzing intricacies in movement and recording stimulus response in objects from heart valves to eye corneas. You can program the frame grabber with the NI Vision Development Module, a comprehensive library of imaging functions for programmers, or NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (AI) software, an easy-to-use, stand-alone package for fast development and simple maintenance. NI also provides a variety of compatible area-scan and line-scan cameras from leading manufacturer Basler for use with the NI PXIe-1435.
To view specifications, visit ni.com/newsletter/framegrabber.

The NI PXIe-1435 frame grabber acquires up to 850 MB/s, provides Power over Camera Link compatibility, and offers onboard I/O for triggering and synchronization, making it ideal for the surface inspection of large areas.

As one of the worlds highest throughput PXI frame grabbers, the NI PXIe-1435 enhances mixed-signal capabilities for high-end test systems. By combining high-throughput imaging with the benefits of off-the-shelf PXI measurement hardware, National Instruments offers full softwaredefined solutions for demanding automated test applications in industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, and semiconductor.

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Product In-Depth

NI-USRP 1.1 Driver Enhances Software Defined Radio Research Capabilities

The latest NI-USRP driver features MIMO support that simplifies multichannel prototyping by helping you easily synchronize multiple USRP radios.

The NI-USRP driver helps researchers, educators, and engineers rapidly prototype software defined radio (SDR) systems with unprecedented speed and at low cost. With the latest software driver update, NI-USRP 1.1, the NIUSRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) platform addresses a wider range of advanced applications, particularly those requiring MIMO and wide bandwidth. Featuring enhanced MIMO support and up to twice the bandwidth capabilities, the NI USRP platform helps you prototype an extensible MIMO radio, record and play back up to 40 MHz of spectrum, and monitor up to 40 MHz of spectrum continuously. The improved MIMO support also simplifies multichannel prototyping by making it easy to synchronize multiple USRP radios. You can build a phase-coherent 2x2 MIMO system by connecting two NI USRP devices with a single MIMO Data and Synchronization Cable. Larger MIMO configurations can be built by sharing a common, externally generated 10 MHz clock and pulse-per-second (PPS) signals between multiple NIUSRP radios using the external REF IN and PPS ports. You can also prototype a MIMO physical layer in NILabVIEW software and take advantage of the real-time, parallel execution paradigm integral to graphical system design with live signals streaming to and from the NI USRP radios.

NI USRP now offers a new wideband spectrum monitoring mode. By reducing the number of bits per sample from 16 to 8, NI USRP devices can transmit twice the amount of spectrum across the same Gigabit Ethernet link, which effectively increases the maximum bandwidth to 40MHz. This helps applications that can trade dynamic range for wider bandwidth, such as spectral occupancy in cognitive radio research. You can build a low-cost record and playback system by connecting the NI USRP to a standard PC to record up to 20MHz of spectrum in 16-bit mode or 40 MHz of spectrum in 8-bit mode, depending on hard drive throughput, available hard drive space, and DRAM configuration. RF/communications system design engineers can use LabVIEW and the NI USRP platform to get up and running fast, rapidly prototype and validate algorithms, and compare simulated data with real results and live RF signals. Because LabVIEW works seamlessly with PXI Express RF test instruments, you can build complete workbenches, from design to prototype to test, using a single software design and development flow.
To download the NI-USRP 1.1 driver, visit ni.com/usrp.

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Product In-Depth

New Wireless Monitoring Devices Add Features to the NI WSN Platform

The new NI WSN-3214 strain/bridge completion node adds waveform acquisition capabilities to the wireless sensor network (WSN) platform and delivers the ideal device for wireless structural health monitoring of bridges, buildings, and equipment. The node features four analog channels that support quarter-, half-, and full-bridge completion, as well as two digital I/O channels for event detection and programmatic control. With the NI LabVIEW WSN Module, you can process and analyze strain data on the node to determine or predict the presence of fault conditions. You can then choose to transmit the entire waveform or only meaningful, analyzed data to reduce the amount of wirelessly transmitted data. Reducing the amount of wirelessly transmitted data prolongs the battery-operated lifetime of the WSN measurement nodes. Additionally, the new programmable NI WSN-3230 (one-port RS232) and NI WSN-3231 (one-port RS485) serial nodes can wirelessly control and interface with serial-based instruments, sensors, and control boards. Using the LabVIEW WSN Module, you can embed query and parse algorithms directly on the WSN nodes to create an autonomous, programmable interface to a variety of serial devices. These nodes also feature two digital I/O channels for event detection and programmatic control.
To view more features on the latest WSN devices, visit ni.com/wsn/whatsnew.

The latest wireless monitoring devices are ideal for wireless structural health monitoring of bridges, buildings, and equipment and seamlessly integrate with existing NI CompactRIO systems.

Power Quality Measurements Right Out of the Box

The ELCOM Power Quality Analyzer is a modular instrument you can use to measure and analyze electrical power network parameters and quality according to international standards. Designed by domain experts in the energy field, built by NI Alliance Partner ELCOM and based on NI LabVIEW system design software and NI CompactRIO hardware, this analyzer provides significant time savings if you need to measure power quality. It is well-known throughout the industry and was recognized by Control Engineering as one of its products of the year in 2007. Prebuilt functions in the ELCOM Power Quality Analyzer include a fast Fourier transform analyzer, vector analyzer, power flow monitor, flickermeter, voltage monitor, and half-period RMS monitor. The analyzer is also fully compliant with the IEC 61000-4-30 standard, class A. This instrument incorporates touch screen capabilities so you can easily navigate between the various instrument functions. Data presentation capabilities include detailed graphical views of different quantities and user-defined views with selected quantities and display styles.

The data presentation capabilities of the ELCOM Power Quality Analyzer include detailed graphical views like this line graph showing multiple phases.

Download the analyzer from the LabVIEW Tools Network at ni.com/labviewtools and start a free trial.

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Partner Network

Alliance Partner Spotlight: ImagingLab Gains Industry Credibility and Momentum

Ignazio Piacentini, CEO of ImagingLab, has taken his company from a local Italian business to an internationally recognized authority in machine vision and robotics. ImagingLab, an NI Alliance Partner founded in 2004, uses NI LabVIEW software to develop tightly integrated 2D and 3D vision and robotics systems. Faced with the challenge of increasing his customer base and industry credibility, Piacentini decided to add the ImagingLab Robotics Library for DENSO to the LabVIEW Tools Network NIs online destination for LabVIEW toolkits and third-party add-ons. To ensure quality, NI certifies all products in the LabVIEW Tools Network as Compatible with LabVIEW and provides free evaluations. The Robotics Library for DENSO is one such product certified as a high-quality, fieldtested add-on. With this enhanced credibility, global exposure, and the results provided by The ImagingLab Robotics Library features easy-to-use graphical functions for commanding and controlling DENSO, KUKA, and Mitsubishi robotics directly from LabVIEW. the LabVIEW Tools Network, ImagingLab has increased sales, identified additional consulting opportunities, and engaged with global robotics manufacturers. to support other big name robotics brands. As he puts it, ImagingLab Building on this momentum, Piacentini is now focusing on continuous is small and cant expect to solve all problems worldwide, but if we can involvement in the robotics community by participating in industry events reach those other groups with our tools, we can have a larger impact. and investing in new robotics libraries. He has already added robotics libraries for KUKA and Mitsubishi and plans to release additional libraries To learn how to feature your add-on, visit ni.com/labviewtools.

Register for Alliance Day 2012

Registration is now open for Alliance Day 2012. NI Alliance Partners from around the globe can attend this annual event on August 6, in Austin, Texas, to expand their business acumen and technical knowledge of NI products. Additionally, Alliance Partners have the opportunity to learn valuable industry and application information and network with the NI sales organization to strengthen existing relationships and identify new collaboration opportunities. Register by May 31 to take advantage of early bird pricing. Learn more about the event and register today at ni.com/niweek/alliance_day.

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Developers View

Be More Confident in Your CompactRIO Designs

Spend less time developing by using common architectures and best practices.
The LabVIEW RIO platform helps you efficiently design, prototype, and deploy embedded control and monitoring systems. To help you maximize your investment and shorten your development time, National Instruments has assembled a recommended set of common software architectures and best practices in the NI LabVIEW for CompactRIO Developers Guide. The guide has been updated to incorporate the latest design techniques for development with the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA modules. If youre a developer designing your first CompactRIO or NI Single-Board RIO application, you can find basic starting points in the guide. If youre more experienced, you can learn new ways to optimize code and improve performance and reliability. The guide is an effective development reference that can help you make design trade-offs. It also includes downloadable LabVIEW code to illustrate certain concepts. However, for more detailed LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA instruction, see instructor-led NI training courses. Heres a quick look at the sections featured in the guide. Introduction and Basic Software Architectures Designing an embedded CompactRIO or NI Single-Board RIO application from a blank slate can be intimidating. In this section, learn how you can save time by translating your application requirements into a data communication diagram before diving into LabVIEW. A diagram highlights three components that are fundamental to your software architecture: processes or loops, data communication paths, and the hardware targets that your processes execute on. Learn how to create a data communication diagram from scratch or start with a common NI-recommended diagram, such as the control and monitoring diagram shown in Figure 1. Section 1: Designing a LabVIEW Real-Time Application A LabVIEW application that runs on a real-time operating system (RTOS) should be designed differently than a LabVIEW application that runs on a Windows OS. Section 1 examines the key differences between designing an application for Windows OS versus an RTOS. For example, as a developer, you should understand how the RTOS handles a task implemented within a Timed Loop structure, how to deal with the memory limitations of an embedded system, and how to handle data communication between deterministic and nondeterministic processes. Section 2: Best Practices for Network Communication The majority of embedded CompactRIO and NI Single-Board RIO systems require some type of user interface, whether its a LabVIEW application running on a desktop PC or a web browser. With a large number of networking libraries in LabVIEW, knowing when to use one mechanism over another can be difficult. This section offers recommendations on which mechanism to use based on your system requirements and type of data transfer. It also introduces several third-party libraries, which can help you address some niche use cases.

Figure 1. Start your design with a common architecture for a CompactRIO or an NI Single-Board RIO control and monitoring application.

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Host PCs

Deployed Embedded Systems

Figure 2. The new developers guide contains updated best practices for implementing network-based communication.

Section 3: Customizing Hardware Through LabVIEW FPGA NI provides many tips and tricks to optimize LabVIEW FPGA code for size and speed. This section features a brief introduction to the LabVIEW FPGA Module for new users and then thoroughly examines code optimization and best practices for designing modular LabVIEW FPGA VIs. It also dives into more advanced topics such as the timing and synchronization of NI C Series I/O modules. Section 4: Interfacing to NI or Third-Party Hardware This section covers the methods and best practices you can use to interface your LabVIEW application for CompactRIO with additional NI hardware, including NI chassis for expanding your C Series I/O modules and NI touch panel devices for creating an industrial display. This section also includes best practices for interfacing with third-party hardware such as industrial networked devices like programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and serial-based devices.

Section 5: Deploying and Replicating Systems When youve completed and tested your LabVIEW application for CompactRIO, you might need to deploy it to one or more systems. This section discusses best practices for deploying CompactRIO systems on a larger scale through imaging, in addition to IP protection and techniques for porting a CompactRIO application to NI Single-Board RIO.
Meghan Kerry meghan.kerry@ni.com Meghan Kerry is a product marketing manager at National Instruments for LabVIEW Real-Time and FPGA. Her focus is software architectures and best practices for designing control and monitoring applications with NI CompactRIO and NI Single-Board RIO. To download the complete NI LabVIEW for CompactRIO Developers Guide, visit ni.com/compactriodevguide.

Enhance Your Skills by Learning From LabVIEW Experts

The virtual LabVIEW conferences are unique training opportunities if you are using LabVIEW and looking for time-saving tips and expert development techniques. The conferences include an introduction to LabVIEW and measurements, LabVIEW Developer Days, and an introduction to LabVIEW and RIO hardware. With keynote presentations from the Father of LabVIEW, Jeff Kodosky, and other LabVIEW experts, youll be learning from the best. Register today by visiting the following sites: LabVIEW Developer Days: ni.com/landing/devdays.htm Virtual Introduction to LabVIEW and RIO Hardware: ni.com/landing/rio.htm Introduction to LabVIEW and Measurements Webcast Series: ni.com/landing/measurements_webcast.htm

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Case Study

Taking Mobile Phone Coverage to Rural Areas With a Green, Off-Grid Energy Solution
THE CHALLENGE
Developing a green, off-grid energy solution to power mobile phone stations in rural Africa.

THE SOLUTION
Using NI CompactRIO hardware and NI LabVIEW software to monitor ammonia cracking to deliver regulated DC electrical power that produces only clean water and nitrogen as by-products.

According to a United Nations report, mobile phone adoption in Africa rose over 500 percent between 2003 and 2008 and is expected to continue rising exponentially. However, a mobile phone is of little use without adequate signal coverage, which requires a sizeable electricity supply. Unfortunately, the current energy grid in Africa is anything but reliable and rural areas suffer the worst conditions. Diesel generators are one solution, but they require regular maintenance, produce environmentally harmful by-products, and are prime targets for theft. The Diverse Energy PowerCube system replaces diesel generators with fuel cell technology that converts ammonia to electricity with zero local carbon emissions. To turn ammonia into electricity, we had to tap ammonia from a bulk supply, reform the ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, separate the hydrogen from the mixed gas stream, and pass the pure hydrogen stream to a fuel cell. In the PowerCube, CompactRIO controls and monitors the entire process. We initially developed the PowerCube using NI Compact FieldPoint, but when we saw that CompactRIO can incorporate faster processing as well as global control and communication, we changed platforms. The CompactRIO platform also features an accessible field-programmable gate array (FPGA) built directly into the backplane of the chassis. Using LabVIEW, we programmed the FPGA to enhance the functionality of the standard I/O, including the production of custom PWM and sine output signals. By embedding this functionality in the FPGA, we offloaded processing from the controller and reduced the amount of custom hardware necessary. Due to the inherent scalability of LabVIEW, we reused as much as 80percent of our code when moving from Compact FieldPoint to CompactRIO, saving a significant amount of development time and cost. We spent eight

Diverse Energys PowerCube replaces diesel generators with fuel cell technology that converts industrial gas to electricity with zero local carbon emissions.

months developing and testing the first PowerCube but only two weeks transferring it to the CompactRIO platform. We currently have five PowerCubes running in Africa, with an additional five in the UK that are ready to ship. LabVIEW and CompactRIO are perfect for development and field trial use. The ability to easily monitor real-time data and rapidly apply code modifications is an obvious benefit when developing new systems.
ni.com/casestudies

The LabVIEW programming deployment. If graphicalundertaken theenvironment helps with rapid development and we had same programming challenges in a text-based

language, we wouldnt be anywhere near where we are now in the development cycle.

Dr. Mike Rendall, Diverse Energy

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Using LabVIEW and DAQ to Monitor a Hybrid Energy System

THE CHALLENGE
Detecting when we need the energy supply from a grid by monitoring a hybrid energy system that generates renewable energy from solar, hydro, and wind sources. With Malaysias abundant sunlight, high annual rainfall, and strong winds during monsoon season, we can generate renewable energy from a combination of solar, hydro, and wind sources. We created a monitoring system for a photovoltaic, hydro, and wind (PVHW) hybrid system using NI LabVIEW system design software and NI DAQ hardware. The system simultaneously monitors solar, hydro, and wind energy harvesting; controls battery charging and discharging; and uses electrical energy from a grid depending on demand. We constructed a model to test the monitoring program and used the NI USB-6008 DAQ device to generate and acquire electrical energy. The system design consists of a solar panel, a hydro turbine, a wind turbine, a rectifier for AC to DC conversion, a USB-6008, a laptop running LabVIEW, a controller board with single-pole double-throw (SPDT) relays, LEDs as indicators, a 12 V sealed-lead acid rechargeable battery, a battery charger representing a grid, a power inverter, a light bulb symbolizing load, and a beeper representing an alarm. The solar panel generates DC voltage and the hydro and wind turbines generate AC voltage. After we rectified and filtered the turbine output to convert AC to DC, we used the USB-6008 device to acquire all of the voltages. A battery normally discharges within a specific range depending on the manufacturer and battery type. For the simulation in this project, the virtual battery discharges between 70 percent and 100 percent, and can be discharged down to 30 percent during a power outage situation to prioritize the electrical energy supply to the consumer. To maintain a minimum charge of 70 percent, the system uses electrical energy from the grid to charge the battery when the renewable energy generated is not sufficient to maintain a

THE SOLUTION
Using LabVIEW and DAQ hardware to monitor a hybrid system and control the battery charge with renewable energy using a minimum supply from a grid. battery charge above 70 percent. It terminates only if the renewable energy generated is sufficient to charge the battery, the battery is fully charged, or the grid is not available due to a power outage. Monitoring a PVHW hybrid system using LabVIEW provides an easy solution for simultaneously harvesting three types of renewable energy as well as charging and discharging the battery. With precise grid supply control, we minimize our use of energy from the grid to the lowest possible value, which makes the process extremely economical. In addition, we prioritize the consumers need during power outages by allowing the battery to further discharge. The system is also very user friendly. LabVIEW proved an excellent choice for this application.
ni.com/casestudies

A team from UCSI Malaysia uses the NI USB-6008 DAQ device to generate and acquire electrical energy in a model of a hybrid energy system.

Monitoring a PVHW hybrid system using LabVIEW an easy simultaneously harvesting three types of renewableprovidesas well assolution forand energy charging discharging the battery within a certain range.

Tan Ying Hua, UCSI Malaysia

888 279 9833

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Events and Training

NIWeek 2012 Early Bird Registration Ends May 31

3,000 engineers and scientists across a spectrum of industries, from automotive to telecommunications to robotics to energy, to learn new technology for developing software-defined systems for measurement and control. This event delivers technical education and networking with over 250 interactive and hands-on sessions taught by NI R&D and guest lecturers; six targeted industry summits; over 150 exhibitions on the latest advancements in design, research, and test; and keynote presentations from technology thought leaders. NIWeek 2012 is August 69 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Join us to learn how you can accelerate productivity, innovation, and discovery with NI. Register today to take advantage of these special discounts: Early bird registrationregister by Jeff Kodosky presents his thoughts for the next 25 years of LabVIEW on the keynote stage at NIWeek 2011. May 31 for the best price Are you looking for the ultimate learning environment to explore the Volume discountregister four attendees for the price of three latest technologies in test and measurement? Do you like interactive Academic discountsreceive significant discounts if you are a technical presentations or hands-on workshops? If you answered yes to full-time faculty member or graduate student those questions, then NIWeek is for you. Discounted prices on NI training and product certification exams This August, National Instruments is hosting NIWeek, the annual global conference on graphical system design. NIWeek unites more than To register and learn more about NIWeek 2012, visit ni.com/niweek.
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Build Your Own Embedded System

The Build Your Own Embedded System hands-on workshop at NIWeek 2012 focuses on extending your NI LabVIEW software skills into FPGA-based embedded design using the LabVIEW RIO platform. At the workshop, you can learn how to use the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA modules to develop and deploy a complete embedded system and take it home after the conference. The full-day workshop is August 6. Register for the Build Your Own Embedded System workshop at ni.com/niweek.

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Q2 2012

On the Web

Where Do You Find Embedded System Design Resources?

NI has a one-stop shop for you.
If you need tools that can help you prototype and deploy embedded control and monitoring systems faster, National Instruments has a variety of resources you can download today. Are you planning to create an embedded control and monitoring system? Get instant access to application-specific resources like webcasts, e-kits, white papers, and tutorials for areas such as energy, electrical power, condition monitoring, machine control, transportation, and robotics. Trying to decide between custom and off-the-shelf solutions? Access the embedded systems build vs. buy calculator to understand the financial benefits and trade-offs between buying off-the-shelf tools from NI versus building a custom solution with traditional design tools. Using the calculator, you can explore different factors like time to market, manpower, and financial investments. Interested in learning about NI embedded control and monitoring solutions that are in use today? Browse case studies and user solutions that document specific deployments, including the challenges tackled with NI reconfigurable I/O (RIO) hardware and NI LabVIEW system design software.
Get started today at ni.com/embeddedsystems.

Explore benefits, download resources, and learn about hardware platforms at ni.com/embeddedsystems.

Seen and Heard at DESIGN West

The combined Twitter forces of @NIglobal, @LabVIEW, and @NIWeek have more than 8,000 followers and the activity at the recent DESIGN West trade show got people talking. @intel_jim: Congrats to National Instruments co-founders Dr. James Truchard & Jeff Kodosky, ACE Award for lifetime achievement. @EngineeringTV: NIs Dr. James Truchard talks about the way forward at DESIGN West 2012 @NIglobal #DesignWest @InnovationGeneration: Managed to do in a Mindstorms robot while at DESIGN West...ended up chatting with the Lego folks #STEM #designwest To follow all the NI buzz, look for us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Newsletter Information and Resources

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To view past issues of Instrumentation Newsletter, update your subscription preferences, or subscribe to the semimonthly NI email newsletter, NI News, visit ni.com/newsletter. For inquiries, requests for permission, or changes of address, email the managing editor at newsletter@ni.com.

Buy online at ni.com/products.

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Technology Outlook

The Latest Trends in Embedded Design

National Instruments recently released the 2012 Embedded Systems Outlook, which includes a letter from Dr. James Truchard, NI president, CEO, and cofounder, that shares his vision for NI in the embedded market. Additionally, this report describes five of the most pressing challenges that design teams face while building embedded control and monitoring systems. Through its work with more than 30,000 companies and leading technology providers such as Analog Devices, Intel, and Xilinx, NI created this outlook to address challenges within the embedded market and help customers, including engineers, designers, and managers, make educated technical and business decisions. Industry collaborations like this foster an ecosystem of customers and

partners to ensure that NI embedded systems use the latest and greatest technologies. The Embedded Systems Outlook examines five trends: 1. Embedded PlatformsIntegrated platforms combine Address Servic hardware components and a software framework for embedded system development. 2. Reconfigurable ComputingAn increasing number of advanced control and monitoring designs use programmable logic. 3. Mobile Devices and the CloudDesign teams can take advantage of the proliferation of mobile and cloud technology within embedded systems. 4. Innovating With Smaller TeamsSmaller design teams create a more efficient way for companies to innovate. 5. Future Proofing Through SoftwareEver-changing system requirements are demanding new approaches to upgrade systems over time.
To download the 2012 Embedded Systems Outlook, visit ni.com/eso.

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