PURSUE Project PP-105-01S

PURSUE Project PP-105-01S

Enhancement of the EECE Introductory Laboratories Through LabVIEW Data

Acquisition System

Presented by Michael J. Elyea

Introduction

• EECE lab needs modernization

• LabVIEW as the centerpiece of upgrade

• Investigate LabVIEW in industry and schools

• Define equipment needs

• Propose options for lab upgrade

What is LabVIEW?

• Flexible software which allows:– Control/Data acquisition of remote instruments– Creation of virtual instrumentation– Test sequencing– Process control– Becoming the industry standard

LabVIEW in Industry

• Some industries segments using LabVIEW– Defense aerospace– Semiconductor manufacturing– Biomedical

• Common uses– Research and development– Production testing– Chemical analysis

LabVIEW in Industry

• Sample of those using LabVIEW– CTS Wireless Components– Honeywell– Intel– Los Alamos National Laboratory– Motorola– Philips– Sandia National Laboratory

LabVIEW in Education

• Now common in engineering programs– Mechanical engineering

• Beam deflection• Vibration analysis

– Electrical engineering• Introductory programming labs• Component characterization• Circuit response• Process control

LabVIEW in Education

• Sample of schools using LabVIEW– Duke University– University of Minnesota– University of Pennsylvania– University of Sydney– University of Toronto– Tufts University– University of New Mexico

EECE Laboratory Today

• Tektronix test stations– Six stations for EECE 206; six for EECE 327– All equipment 10-15 years old– Limited ability to control via computer– Equipment no longer supported by

manufacturer

Current Laboratory Equipment

Equipment GPIB Interface?

LabVIEW controllable?

Manufacturer Supported?

Current Value

Units in Lab

Tektronix 2252 Digital Oscilloscope Yes Yes No NA 6

Tektronix 2246 Analog Oscilloscope

No No No NA 6

Tektronix PG508 50MHz Pulse Generator

No No No NA 6

Tektronix DC504 Counter/timer No No No NA 12Tektronix DM501A Multimeter No No No NA 12Tektronix FG501A 2MHz Function Generator

No No No NA 12

Tektronix PS503A Dual Power Supply

No No No NA 12

Gateway E3000 PC, Windows NT Software

NA NA NA NA 12

Recent Upgrade by SIPI

• Needed modern equipment for electronics program

• Gained feedback from local industry

• Required physical instruments

• LabVIEW integrated into upgrade

Laboratory Equipment Needs

• New test stations– Hardware

• Test equipment controllable via local or PC

• High quality

• Common to industry

– Software• LabVIEW implementation

• Instrument drivers

Options

= $525

Qty. Equipment Features Unit Cost

1 Tektronix 2252 4 Channel, 100MHz Digital Oscilloscope GPIB Interface

$0

1 National Instruments LabVIEW

6i software

Control/ Data acquisition

$150

1 National Instruments Legacy

card

GPIB Interface edge Card for PC

$350

1 National Instruments instrument

Driver for 2252 oscilloscope1

Individual instrument control, virtual control panel

$0

1 GPIB Cable Instrument Interconnection

$25

Options

= $1225

Qty. Equipment Features Unit

Cost 1 Tektronix 2252 4 Channel, 100MHz

Digital Oscilloscope GPIB Interface

$0

1 National Instruments LabVIEW

6i software

Control/ Data acquisition

$150

1 National Instruments 6035 card Digital/Analog I/O Card 16 single-ended inputs 8 differential inputs 2 counter/timers 4 Digital I/0 lines

$700

1 National Instruments Legacy

card

GPIB Interface edge Card for PC

$350

1 National Instruments instrument

Driver for 2252 oscilloscope

Individual instrument control, virtual control panel

$0

1 GPIB Cable Instrument Interconnection

$25

Options

Qty. Equipment Features Unit

Cost 1 National Instruments 5102 2 Channel, 15MHz

Digital Oscilloscope Card mounted

Note 3

1 National Instruments 4060 Digit Digital Multimeter Card mounted

Note 3

1 National Instruments Dual DC Power Supply 0 – 30VDC

$900

1 National Instruments 5401 Function Generator 20MHz Card mounted

Note 3

1 National Instruments 6035 card2 Digital/Analog I/O Card 16 single-ended inputs 8 differential inputs 2 counter/timers 4 Digital I/0 lines

$700

1 National Instruments LabVIEW

6i software

Control/ Data acquisition

Note 3

4 National Instruments instrument

Drivers

Individual instrument control, virtual control panel

$0

4 GPIB Cables Instrument Interconnection

$25

= $4125

Options

Qty. Equipment Features Unit

Cost 1 Agilent 54600B 2 Channel, 100MHz

Digital Oscilloscope GPIB Interface

$2900

1 Agilent 54621A 2 Channel, 60MHz Digital Oscilloscope GPIB Interface

$2200

1 Agilent 34401A 6.5 Digit Digital Multimeter GPIB Interface

$900

1 Agilent 3632A Dual DC Power Supply 0 – 30VDC GPIB Interface

$900

1 Agilent 33120A Function Generator 20MHz GPIB Interface

$1600

1 National Instruments PCI card2 GPIB Interface edge Card for PC

$445

1 National Instruments 6035 card Digital/Analog I/O Card 16 single-ended inputs 8 differential inputs 2 counter/timers 4 Digital I/0 lines

$700

1 National Instruments LabVIEW

6i software

Control/ Data acquisition

$150

4 National Instruments instrument

Drivers

Individual instrument control, virtual control panel

$0

4 GPIB Cables Instrument Interconnection

$100

= $6995/$7695

Observations

• Internal PC instrumentation good but lacks hands-on control

• Less costly than adding external equipment

• Same functionality as more costly option

• Instrumentation limited by PC bus slots

Observations

• Purchase of new physical equipment expensive

• With physical equipment, students get hands-on and LabVIEW experience

• Security issues with physical equipment

Recommendations

• If budget allows, purchase physical instrumentation and LabVIEW package

• Consider both types of stations to save money:– PC instrumentation option– Physical instrumentation

Conclusion

• EECE lab must be upgraded

• LabVIEW is pervasive in industry and academia

• LabVIEW provides a flexible platform for electronics testing

• Several viable upgrade options exist

• Options can be combined for cost savings

Acknowlegements

• Eric Boysen – NM LabVIEW Users Group

• Dr. John Panitz – UNM Physics Department

• Dean Pershall – SIPI

• National Instruments - Technical Sales

• Tektronix – Technical Support Group

• Countless others who endured my questions