For applications in which you mustunderstand how an object reacts to shock and vibration, accelerometers are acommon solution. Active accelerometershave a built-in amplifier for greater outputvoltage and a better quality signal. TheSCC-ICP01 accelerometer input module isa single-channel module offering all the

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

DAQ

13

National Instruments has expanded its line of high-speed digital products to include the NI 6534 on the PCI platform. The NI 6534device offers faster transfer rates and greatertransfer reliability, as well as six availablehandshaking modes and change detection. Youcan easily integrate the NI 6534 device withother components, such as digitizers, sources,and counter/timers, to develop completemeasurement systems. The NI 6534 is built onthe same architecture as the NI 6533,providing a seamless upgrade path for currentNI 6533 users.

Onboard Memory Delivers Faster,More Reliable Transfer RatesThe NI 6534 device features thirty-two 5 V/TTL digital input/output lines. You cangroup these lines together in software for 8, 16,or 32-bit transfers. The NI 6534 devicefeatures two independent data paths (groups)with 32 MB of onboard memory available pergroup. When using this onboard memory, theNI 6534 device transfers data across the

computer bus less frequently, decreasing theload on the bus and achieving faster transferrates. Because the computer bus is not used asfrequently, other bus activity is less disruptiveto your digital I/O data transfer. This increasein transfer speed and reliability with the NI 6534 delivers a sustainable transfer rate ofup to 80 MB/s in continuous pattern I/O.

Use Handshaking Modes toCommunicate with Peripheral DevicesWhen using handshaking I/O, the NI 6534communicates with an external devicethrough control lines to ensure both devicesare ready for transfer. With the NI 6534device, you can choose one of six availablemodes to perform reliable handshaking withyour peripheral device. The NI 6534 cantransfer data at 80 MB/s maximum using theburst mode handshaking protocol.

Change Detection Avoids PollingIn digital monitoring applications, such asrelay or valve monitoring, you can improve

efficiency by monitoring digital lines andacquiring data when one of those lineschanges state. Change detection is ideal forthese applications. By only acquiring datawhen one of the lines changes state, youavoid continuous polling and decrease theload on the computer bus. When one ofthe digital lines changes state, the NI 6534device latches data and outputs a pulse on one of its control lines, so you cansynchronize the acquisition with otheroperations. With the NI 6534, you canperform pattern I/O, handshaking I/O, andchange detection on the same device. Fortransfer rates up to 80 MB/s, the NI 6534provides a reliable solution for your digitalI/O applications.1

For more information on the NI 6534 family,visit ni.com/info and enter newsletter.

New High-Speed Digital Device Delivers Reliable Transfer Rates

ni.com/daq

SCC Modules Offer You Vibration and Temperature SolutionsIf you require a low-channel count orportable front-end signal conditioning systemfor use with National Instruments E Seriesdata acquisition devices, the SCC platformmeasures a variety of I/O types, includingvibration and temperature. The SCC Series isan easy-to-use signal conditioning system forapplications requiring multiple signal/sensortypes and connectivity options. You select themeasurement type and connectivity optionsin a SCC system on a per-channel basis. NI recently introduced two new SCCmodules for resistive temperature detectors(RTDs) and active accelerometers.

RTDs are a popular temperature-sensing device because of their stability andaccuracy over a wide temperature range.The SCC-RTD01 is a dual-channel RTDinput module designed for 2, 3, or 4-wireplatinum RTDs and has a built-in 1 mAexcitation source for powering the RTDs.In addition, the SCC-RTD01 has a fixedgain of 25 and a 30 Hz lowpass filter forhigher accuracy.

features necessary for shock and vibrationmeasurements. The SCC-ICP01 has abuilt-in 4 mA current source to poweractive accelerometers and provides a 19 kHz lowpass anti-aliasing filter.

Adding SCC technology to yourmeasurement system is easy. You canconfigure and test SCC systems in minuteswith Measurement & Automation ExplorerSoftware. System development is identical tocreating a system with a DAQ device alone.

SCC modules offer signal conditioning fora variety of inputs, including thermocouples,strain gauges, filtering, analog inputs requiringisolation, high voltage inputs, current inputs,and optically isolated digital I/O.1

For more information on SCC, visitni.com/info and enter newsletter.

ni.com/sigcon

SCC Series, Signal Conditioning Platform forMultiple Sensor Types

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

Test

For years, replacing instruments in your systemrequired you to modify your test programs.The primary problem was the instrumentdrivers, which were not standard and differedgreatly depending on the underlying hardware.Over the last two years in the InstrumentationNewsletter, we have reported on the IVIFoundation and its goal of defining a standardinstrument programming model forinstrument interchangeability. All the IVIspecifications are nearing completion andmany IVI drivers are now available.

The State of the IVI SpecificationsThe IVI Foundation defines common APIsfor classes of instruments such as functiongenerators or DMMs. The originalspecifications released in 1998 also includedoscilloscopes, DC power supplies, andswitches. In early 2000, the foundationreleased Version 2.0 of these five classspecifications based on user and instrumentvendor feedback, resulting in more robust andstable specifications.

In addition to these class specifications, theIVI Foundation is defining two underlyingarchitectures for instrument drivers – one

based on ANSI-C and the other on MicrosoftCOM technology. These specifications definethe overall system architecture and thecapabilities common to all IVI drivers. Thespecifications also define a mechanism forconfiguring an IVI system and a method forachieving interoperability between driversfrom different vendors. The IVI Foundation iscurrently refining both of these specificationsfor completion later this year.

IVI-Compliant Products from NINational Instruments has been heavilyinvolved in the IVI Foundation since itsformation. Consequently, all our IVI driversand products comply with Version 2.0 of theclass specifications. You can download IVIinstrument-specific drivers for more than

150 instrument models from ni.com/idnetWith features such as simulation, state-caching,and multithreading, IVI instrument-specificdrivers can greatly improve productivity.

If you want to take advantage ofinstrument interchangeability, you can alsodownload our newly available basic IVIclass drivers. You can build interchangeableprograms with these drivers, but the driversprovide no additional features. For moreadvanced features, you can purchase ourIVI Driver Toolset for LabVIEW and

Measurement Studio fromthe online store. Thistoolset contains a versionof the IVI class driversthat has advancedsimulation and debuggingfeatures and provides softfront panels for all five

instrument classes currently defined.

Ensuring Backward CompatibilityThe IVI drivers currently available from NI are compatible with the new class APIspecifications. Although these drivers are based on the original C architecturespecifications, programs that you developusing these drivers do not have to bemodified when the new architecturespecifications are complete. This is possiblebecause our IVI drivers use the NI IVIEngine, a library of tools and functionsused for IVI driver development.

The NI IVI Engine provides services thatrelieve our IVI drivers from most of the implementation features, such assimulation and state-caching, and internal

driver features such as session and errorhandling. When the new architecturespecifications are completed, we plan toupdate the NI IVI Engine to take changesinto account. Because the engine is only usedinternally by drivers and not directly in userprograms, we do not expect your programs to be affected. To update a system, youdownload and install the new IVI Enginefrom NI, and your programs continue towork without any modifications.

Using IVI in National InstrumentsDevelopment EnvironmentsYou can use IVI drivers from NI in allpopular test development environments.Although the IVI Foundation is only definingspecifications based on C and COMarchitectures, drivers from ni.com haveinterfaces native to their environment. We provide our current C-based drivers asdynamic link libraries (DLLs) for use inenvironments such as Microsoft Visual Basicand Visual C++. We also add LabVIEW VIsand Measurement Studio LabWindows/CVIfunction panel (fp) files that call into thedriver DLLs for use in these environments.Providing drivers with an environment nativeinterface is crucial for their correct andproductive use in program development.Following this same principal, we can providefuture IVI drivers with interfaces for otherpopular development environments.

Where Do You Go from Here?To begin using or developing IVI drivers, visitthe NI Developer Zone™ at ni.com/zoneThere you can find our full library of drivers,technical and application notes, and exampleprograms available for download. As the IVIspecifications continue to evolve, NI toolsand drivers follow to ensure you continuedsuccess in using IVI.1

For more information, check IVI brochureon the reply card or visit ni.com/info andenter newsletter.

IVI Specifications Near Completion

14

ni.com/idnet

With features such as simulation, state-caching, and multithreading, IVI instrument-specific drivers cangreatly improve productivity.

NI IVI drivers are compatible with the newclass API specifications.

The new PXI-8211 Ethernet module andPXI-8212 combination Ethernet/GPIBmodule expand the instrument control andnetwork connectivity options for PXI.

With PXI-8211, a high-performance 10/100 Mb/sEthernet controller, you can create tightly integratedinstrumentationsolutions by using the high-performancecapabilities of PXI and the widespreadavailability of Ethernet.The PXI-8211 Ethernetinterface works with all Windows 32-bitoperating systems(Windows 2000/NT/Me/9x),as well as NationalInstruments real-time PXIembedded controllers.

The PXI-8212 adds aGPIB Controller to thePXI-8211 and creates a

one-slot Ethernet and GPIB combinationController, bringing together the NI high-performance GPIB Controller with a10/100 Mb/s Ethernet Controller. The

New Ethernet and Instrument Control Options Expand PXI

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

PXI

15

ni.com/pxi

The new National Instruments PXI-8170 RT850 MHz controller delivers betterperformance for real-time applications,such as higher loop rates and faster signalprocessing – up to 350 percent. Similar tothe PXI-8156B RT, the PXI-8170 RT runsa real-time operating system on a dedicatedprocessor and quickly integrates withexisting NI hardware and software. Basedon the PXI/CompactPCI specifications, the PXI-8170 RT includes an 850 MHz IntelPentium III processor, 6 GB hard drive,floppy drive, and serial port. The controllerpackage also includes the PXI-8211 board,which has an Ethernet port.

The 850 MHz Intel Pentium IIIprocessor features the “slot 1” packagingstyle to deliver maximum performance.When compared to the performance of thePXI-8156B RT, the loop rates achievedwith the PXI-8170 RT were often three tofour times better.

Ready-to-Run Controller Reduces Set-Up TimeThe PXI-8170 RT controller is preinstalledwith LabVIEW Real-Time and the NI-DAQ embedded software engine toreduce set-up time. You connect thecontroller to a development computer viathe Ethernet port on the PXI-8211. Afterestablishing a proper IP address for the RT Series PXI controller, you can begindeveloping real-time applications.

The PXI-8170 RT controller workswith the current version of LabVIEW Real-Time 5.1.2 and existing PXI products.You can write LabVIEW code on a Windows-based computer and then download it to a PXI-8170 RT system to develop real-timeapplications by simply using a pull-downmenu. With the PXI platform, you can buildcustom real-time solutions with a variety ofPXI plug-in boards. In an eight-slot PXIchassis, the PXI-8170 RT with the

New PXI-8170 RT Delivers Better Real-Time Performance

ni.com/realtime

New PXI-8211 and PXI-8212 modules expand instrument control andnetwork connectivity options.

PXI-8211 can control up to six other PXI DAQ modules. But with other PXItechnologies, such as MXI™-3 and thePXI/SCXI combo chassis, you can expandpast the limitation of one chassis.1

For more information on the PXI-8170 RT,visit ni.com/info and enter newsletter.

GPIB Controller is the TNT4882 ASICincluded in our high-performance GPIBinterfaces, such as the PXI-GPIB. ThePXI-8212 can sustain data transfer rates above1.5 Mbytes/s using the IEEE 488.1 3-wirehandshake and can implement the high-speed HS488™ GPIB protocol for datatransfers up to 8 Mbytes/s.

The PXI-8212 includes NI-488.2 and NI-VISA API software for Windows2000/NT/Me/9x. The operating systemrecognizes the one-slot interface as twoseparate entities. Any programs previouslywritten for any NI GPIB interface rununmodified on the PXI-8212 interface,preserving software investments. With thePXI-8212, you can save slots in yoursystem while maintaining the highperformance of individual components.1

To download the PXI-8211 and PXI-8212 datasheets, visit ni.com/info and enter newsletter.

Higher PID Loop Rates with PXI-8170 RT

Perf

orm

ance

Impr

ovem

ent (

%)

450

400

350

300

250

200

Simple PID Loop Rates[PXI-8170/850 RT vs. PXI-8156B/333 RT]

Number of Simultaneous Loops

1 2 4 8

PXI has already made a significant impacton manufacturing test by reducing testtime, development time, size, and cost forhundreds of test systems. Now with thePXI-1006 18-slot chassis, you can moreeasily apply these benefits to larger, moresophisticated systems.

The PXI-1006 incorporates an 18-slotPXI backplane, a 600 W power supply, and powerful cooling into a rugged chassis. With PXI-1006, you can integrate up to 17 PXI/CompactPCI instruments ordevices into a compact rack-mountable,tightly synchronized system.

PXI combines CompactPCI withWindows operating systems and integratedtiming and triggering. Rugged, modularpackaging with CompactPCI makes PXI a good choice for industrial systems thatrequire better reliability and moreperformance than desktop PCs. PXImodular instrumentation simplifies andspeeds the development of sophisticatedsystems with built-in timing and triggering

and some of the industry’s best software integration tools.Because PXI is an open standard used by more than 60 companies and completelycompatible with CompactPCI,test engineers can choose fromhundreds of available modulesto solve their applications.Whether synchronizing a largenumber of PXI instruments,switching a large number ofchannels, or both, the PXI-1006makes it possible without sacrificing system performance, test speed, or budget.

Two PXI-to-PXI bridges extend both the PCIbus and the integrated PXI timingand triggering signals to 18 slots. It is now possible to take advantage of the tightsynchronization of the star trigger bus across14 instruments. Use the built-in 10 MHzclock to achieve synchronization across all 17 peripherals, or use the autosensing featureof the PXI-1006 to achieve even higher levels

of synchronization. Use the PXI-1006 to takefull advantage of PXI instrumentation toreduce test time, reduce time-to-market, andimprove test flexibility.1

For more information on the PXI-1006, visitni.com/info and enter newsletter. For moreinformation about the PXI open standard, visitthe PXI Systems Alliance at pxisa.org

18-Slot PXI Chassis Expands Applications for PXI in Manufacturing Test

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

PXI

16

Whether your PC-based measurement and automation application requirescommunication with stand-alone serialinstruments, controllers, or subsystems suchas the National Instruments FieldPointdistributed system, serial interface productsgive you the flexibility to complete yoursystem by integrating serial communicationinto your application. Our PXI-8420/1616-port RS-232 solution for PXI /CompactPCIcompliments our existing serial interfacesolutions. With the addition of this interfaceboard, NI now has a complete line of 2, 4, 8,and 16-port serial solutions for RS-232 on thePXI/CompactPCI platform.

In addition to this new product, wehave a complete line of serial interfaceboards for both RS-232 and RS-485/422that works with Ethernet, PCI, PCMCIA,PXI/CompactPCI, and AT-based

ni.com/pxi

Now apply benefits of the PXI-1006 18-slot chassis to larger,more sophisticated systems.

16-Port RS-232 PXI/CompactPCI Compliments Serial Solutions Interface

ni.com/serial

computers. Serial port count depends on theplatform of choice. 2,000 V isolated interfacecards are available on certain models.

Windows 2000 Driver ReleasedWe have also released our Windows 2000driver for all plug-in interface boards.Enhanced high-performance drivers are nowavailable for Windows 2000/NT/Me/9xoperating systems with full Windows2000/9x Plug and Play compatibility. All NI serial interfaces are 100 percentcompatible with software packages that use astandard serial driver such as LabVIEW andMeasurements Studio, as well as general-purpose products such as Microsoft VisualBasic, Visual C++, and Excel.1

For more information on RS-232/PXI/CompactPCI,and our serial solutions visit ni.com/infoand enter newsletter.

Serial interface products give you the flexibility tocomplete your system.

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

Software

17

National Instruments Measurement Studioprovides all the tools necessary to createyour automated measurement server. WithDataSocket technology, you can easilymonitor and control your hardware over anetwork, because it provides a publish and

subscribe architecture that reduces thecomplexity of low-level TCP and UDPprogramming. DataSocket architecture also minimizes network traffic anddistributes large quantities of time-criticalinformation quickly.

With Measurement Studio, Visual Basic and Visual C++ tools, you can create front-end ActiveX control clients that youcan embed in Web pages. With MicrosoftInternet Explorer, these measurementapplication clients monitor and control yourback-end measurement server throughinteractive Web pages that you can accessfrom anywhere in the world, without loadingthe measurement software on the clientmachine. Interactive Web pages presentinteresting opportunities, such as eliminatingthe need for distribution and maintenance ofyour application and giving you the ability tocreate Web measurement services.

The Measurement Studio packageincludes the tools necessary to create yourmeasurement or automation server system,from acquiring data to creating userinterface presentation Internet clients. Tocomplete your Web-enabled measurementdevelopment solution, you can now directlyorder Microsoft Visual Studio with yourMeasurement Studio package from theNational Instruments online store.1

For more information on Measurement Studio,visit ni.com/info and enter newsletter.

You often need to view or control applicationsover the Internet. National InstrumentsDataSocket technology makes sharing livemeasurements and controlling measurementsystems across the Internet easy with asimplified publish and subscribe architecture.

With the new DataSocket JavaBean, you can now subscribe to your livemeasurement data in any Java-enabledprogramming environment. You can easily publish measurement data from a

National Instruments New DataSocket™ JavaBean Offers Live Measurement Data to Infinite Locations

Develop Both Remote Measurement Systems and Data Servers with Measurement Studio

ni.com/datasocket

ni.com/mstudio

NI software can monitor and control measurement systems via the Internet.

LabVIEW or Measurement Studio-createdtest, measurement, or automation applicationto any Java-enabled operating system. You canalso create Web pages that control your livemeasurement system using the DataSocketJavaBean with any Java-compatible browser,including Netscape Navigator and MicrosoftInternet Explorer.

With this new data-sharing technology,you can create a single Java Web page that monitors and controls your live

measurements or automation systemanywhere and on any platform.1

For more information on DataSocket, visitni.com/ info and enter newsletter.

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com18

data on the network statically anddynamically. This course teaches how topublish static data through Web pagesand e-mail. You publish dynamicallywhen you share it with other applicationsacross the network during run-time. Bythe end of this course, you learn how topublish data from your application usingboth techniques so other computers onthe network can view or receive the data.

VI Server provides a powerful way toload, launch, and control LabVIEW VIsthat are not local. So an application on one computer can control a LabVIEWapplication on another computerconnected to the network. This powerfulconcept is the final topic covered in theLabVIEW Networked Measurementscourse. This two-day course saves valuabletime learning how your application canleverage the network.1

New Two-Day LabVIEW Networked Measurements

Software

ni.com/instruments

National Instruments Dynamic SignalAnalyzers “Zoom In” on Spectral DetailsThe Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is a classof algorithms that examines the spectrum orfrequency-domain information associatedwith a signal. The Zoom FFT is well suitedto the examination of spectral details in aband-limited section of the spectrum and is a feature of the National Instruments NI-45xx Series dynamic signal analyzer(DSA) plug-in instruments for the PCI bus.

The practical difference between the Zoomand non-Zoom FFT is in the frequency spanof their results. With a standard FFT, theusable frequency span ranges from DC (0 Hz)to the Nyquist frequency, which is half thesampling rate of the original time-domainsignal. With a Zoom FFT, your frequencyspan must reside between DC and theNyquist frequency, but you can “zoom in” on a particular frequency span of interest.

When considering the Zoom FFT, you should not confuse frequency spanflexibility with frequency resolution. Both the Zoom and Baseband FFT share the samefrequency resolution limitations; the frequencyresolution for either is equal to the inverse of

To find the next LabVIEW NetworkedMeasurements course in your area, visitni.com/custed

LabVIEW Networked Measurements is anew two-day course developed by NationalInstruments that focuses on the basics ofmaking your applications Internet ready.This course teaches you how to take remotemeasurements, share measurement dataacross the network, and remotely controlLabVIEW VIs. This course is intended forLabVIEW users who want to take advantageof Internet technology using the readilyavailable LabVIEW and NI software features.

When you need to take remotemeasurements, you need a basic understandingof how networks are built, how TCP/IP works, and how to set up and establish a live connection to a remote computer. The LabVIEW Networked Measurements course covers these topics specifically from a measurement and automation perspective.

Modern applications may also requireremote data publishing. You can publish

the time duration of the input signal. Abenefit of the Zoom FFT is efficiency. TheNational Instruments NI-45xx Series DSAsapply a destructive type of Zoom FFT, whichruns in real-time on an onboard digital signalprocessor (DSP). With this type of Zoom,the DSP efficiently uses memory by applyingan FFT to a filtered subset of the originaldata. The computation is truly real-timebecause all the computations associated withthe Zoom FFT are completed in less time thanit takes to acquire the data, so the NI DSAinstrument processes every input sample inmeasuring the signal spectrum.1

Zoom FFT capability is one feature of the NI-45xx, a line of PC-based dynamicsignal analyzers. For more informationabout the Zoom FFT and other capabilitiesof these boards, please visit ni.com/info andenter newsletter.

ni.com/custed

LabVIEW 6i Now Available inFrench, German, and Japanese

National Instruments LabVIEW 6i isnow shipping in French, German, andJapanese. With localized versions, youcan take advantage of all the benefits ofthe latest versions of LabVIEW whiledeveloping in the French, German, andJapanese environments.

With LabVIEW 6i built-inInternet capabilities, you can quicklypublish data to the Web and sharedata throughout your enterprise. In addition to the new Internetcapabilities, you can take advantage of new measurement functionality to build measurement applications in fewer steps than in previousLabVIEW versions. With theselocalized versions, you can increaseproductivity with the new Internetand measurement capabilities ofLabVIEW 6i.1

For more information, check LabVIEWBrochure on the reply card or visitni.com/info and enter newsletter.

New course focuses on basics of makingapplications Internet ready.

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

Customer Solutions

19

The Challenge: Developing a low-cost,easy-to-use automated test system forstudying the long-standing behavior ofSCANIA diesel engines.

The Solution: Creating a flexible andsimple test system using NationalInstruments LabVIEW together withFieldPoint hardware for distributed I/O.

SCANIA is one of the world’s leadingmanufacturers of trucks that weigh morethan 16 tons and buses for more than 30 passengers. SCANIA is an internationalspecialist in customized engines for boats,electrical generators, earth-moving machines,and harvesters. We developed a test systemfor SCANIA using National InstrumentsLabVIEW and FieldPoint to optimize speed,control, and ease in testing and training.

Developing a System forMeasurement and ControlOur system controls and measures a varietyof parameters, from the engine tosurrounding functions, such as the fuelsystem, cooling, ventilation in the test

room, thrust, and temperatures. We also include monitoring and calibrationcapability. We developed our program so operators can configure their own tests, without changing the source code.Operators can save this configuration in a file, to use it later.

Rapid Development Using LabVIEWWe used graphical object-oriented programmingas a development model to make the systemsoftware easy to maintain and modify. With this type of programming, the developmentprocess was also easier because we could use thesame terminology used by the customer,SCANIA. First, we simulated the control of theFieldPoint modules in the program to verify thatthe flow and logic of the program wasfunctioning correctly, which saved time during the implementation. For this purpose, we

developed a special LabVIEWapplication for manipulating the I/O signals and to test thefunctionality of the program.

Our development time wasminimal with LabVIEW, taking only three months to develop thesoftware and train operators tofeel comfortable with the systemand use it effectively.

Creating a Multilayer SolutionWe split the system software into severallayers, which simplifies the process ofdeveloping new graphical user interfaces(GUIs). The simulation (SIM) layer contains

the application-specific parts, suchas the engine and cooling system.We called the layer that handles thehardware the abstraction layer(HAL), which is not related toHAL in Windows NT. HALcontains objects such as analog I/O,digital I/O, and thermocouple.

Easy-to-Use Software Tools Ledto SuccessWe began this project withoutprior experience using FieldPointwith LabVIEW, but found ease ofuse thanks to the software tools.

SCANIA is very satisfied and happywith this system because the applicationhas essentially simplified the work for theoperators, who can run the tests withoutextensive experience and training. Also thetime for developing and implementing thesystem was minimal, which made the totalcost of the project reasonably low.1

For more information, contact MichaelGunnarsson, HITest AB, Haga Parkgata21A, 723 36 Västerds, Sweden, tel +46 70 20 89 965, e-mail michael.gunnarsson@hitest.se

ni.com/success

We developed a test system for SCANIA usingNI LabVIEW and FieldPoint.

Developing a Low-Cost Engine Testing System Using LabVIEW and FieldPoint

Development time to develop software and train operatorsto use the system was minimal with LabVIEW.

We began this project withoutprior experience using FieldPointwith LabVIEW, but found ease of use, thanks to the softwaretools included.

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com20

Web Page

my.ni.com

Sign up for MyNI at my.ni.com and createyour personalized page at ni.com™ You cancustomize your MyNI page to display news,business services, and product informationtailored to your preferences. You can alsoconveniently navigate ni.com from onelocation. Based on your geographic location,you can view the names and address of your local NI engineer and the NI eventsscheduled in your area. Additionally, you can display localized news in one of severallanguages including English, German,Italian, French, and Spanish.1

For more information on MyNI, visitni.com/info and enter newsletter.

Create Your Personalized Page at ni.com

New Developer Exchange Provides an Interactive Forum for Scientists and Engineers

Display news, business services, and product information tailored to your needs.

National Instruments announces DeveloperExchange, an interactive forum forscientists and engineers to solve technicalissues. Use Developer Exchange to composea technical question and receive answersfrom a community of engineering mindsthrough this news group. In addition, to save you time Developer Exchangeautomatically searches the archive for all probable answers. You can receive an answer to your question in minutes.

Subscribe to QuestionsThrough Developer Exchange,you can subscribe to questions,keywords, or areas of interest,and receive automaticnotifications when a communitymember posts a related topic oranswer. You can choose toreceive notifications immediatelyor daily or weekly summaries.

Rate the Best ResponsesUse Developer Exchange torate answers communitymembers have posted. On aone to four scale, see how otherengineers value possible

answers. These ratings quickly indicate thequality of each answer in the forum. Experts,who are designated with a red star, can alsorate answers with higher weighting.

Search Questions and AnswersNI Developer Exchange also features asearch engine to explore categories, such asLabVIEW, Measurement Studio, TestStand,and Lookout for answers to your questionsabout NI products. You can browse categories

and subcategories to view and respond toquestions that need answers.

Track ActivityTo track your activity on DeveloperExchange, you have a personalized MyActivity link that includes your profile,statistics, and notifications.

Developer Exchange is part of NI Developer Zone™, a technical resource to help you build measurement andautomation systems with input from anonline community of engineers. This onlinecommunity is a place where scientists andengineers from NI and around the world can share ideas and questions on development tips and techniques for NI products.1

To join an online community of engineersand scientists, visit ni.com/exchange For more information about DeveloperExchange, visit ni.com/info and enter newsletter.

ni.com/exchange

Share ideas and questions on development tips and techniques.

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

With installation services for PXI systems, NI provides you with the option to receive a ready-to-use system with all the individualpieces of your system installed andconfigured. You can now install localizedoperating systems, such as MicrosoftWindows, in English, French, German,Italian, Japanese, or Spanish, on PXIembedded controllers. In addition, you canrequest the embedded controllers preinstalledwith National Instruments award winningsoftware, LabVIEW 6i, in English French,German, or Japanese.With the PXIConfigurator™ at ni.com/pxiconfig, youcan select, configure, and purchase yourPXI system in one online visit.

Engineers and scientists around theworld can quickly build customized

You can now easily configure NI multifunctionDAQ systems using a new, interactive featureof our online catalog. The interactive onlinecatalog offers a better, easier way to select andpurchase these measurement devices fromNational Instruments. The interactive onlinecatalog suggests products based on user inputand then suggests the appropriate cables andaccessories for those products. This new

automated tool helps eliminate orderingmistakes and product compatibility errors.

To take advantage of the online catalogfor multifunction DAQ devices, visitni.com/catalog From the Products andServices menu, select Measurement Hardware,and then select E Series Multifunction DataAcquisition. The online catalog prompts youwith a series of questions regarding preferencesfor operating system, computer bus, number ofchannels, and maximum sampling rate. Theonline catalog then recommends severalappropriate DAQ devices. You can reviewspecifications on each device and select thepreferred product. Next, the catalog suggeststhe preferred accessory and cable solutiondesigned to work with the selected DAQdevice. You have the option of choosing thepreferred configuration or choosing from aseparate list of accessories and cables thatalso work with the selected DAQ device.1

For information on the interactive onlineconfigurator, visit ni.com and enter newsletter.

ni.com/motion

Web Page

ni.com/catalog

Use the new interactive configuration tool in theNI online catalog to select and purchasemultifunction DAQ solutions.

ni.com/pxiconfig

21

Use Interactive Online Configurator for Fast DAQ Product Selection

Save Time Finding Your Motoror Stage Using New MotorAdvisor at ni.com

Deciding which motor or stage to use foryour motion application can be difficult andtime consuming. To help save time and findthe motors and stages you need for yourmotion system, NI offers Motor Advisor atni.com/motion Motor Advisor contains listsof several selected stages, as well as hundredsof stepper and servo motors.

To verify compatibility with other parts of the system, such as the controller or drive,Motor Advisor greatly simplifies the process of locating the right motor or stage by onlylisting those compatible with NI motioncontrol products.

Motor Advisor offers specifications for eachmotor and stage series to help you quicklycompare the different motors and stages. Alongwith stepper and DC servo motors, it alsocontains a number of brushless motor drivescompatible with NI motion controllers for thoseapplications requiring brushless technology.

To help you save time, the list alsoincludes connection diagrams to help youunderstand exactly how to connect your stage to the NI 7344 Series high-performancemotion controllers. Also, for stages that havepower requirements outside the range of NI motor drives, Motor Advisor lists NI-compatible third-party drivers to workwith those stages.1

For more information, check Motion ControlBrochure on the reply card or visit ni.com/infoand enter the code newsletter.

applications by using localized versions of the Windows operating system andLabVIEW 6i software. The availability of a localized operating system for theembedded controllers further upholds thePXI standard as a global platform withworldwide support. With offices in morethan 35 countries, NI is committed tosupporting global standards, such as PXI, andgiving special attention to local needs withour worldwide support in local languages.

NI Now Provides Installation Servicesfor Localized Operating Systems

Search for motor and stages for yoursystem at ni.com/motion

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

Alliance News

22

MicroCraft Corp., a Select Integrator,introduces three powerful SCC switchmodules that extend the functionality ofNational Instruments SCC platform. Ableto provide switching capacity and opticalisolation between the computer and theexternal device, each module is available in a24 V, 2 amp or 48 V, 8 amp configuration.

You can use the dual-function timer I/O module in either of the timer/counterslots in the NI SCC chassis. In the outputmode, these modules can provide pulsewidth modulated control of DC power in numerous applications.

Functioning as an open, single-pole switch,you can use the digital output modules inany of the six SCC digital output slots in

the NI SCC chassis. Other possibleapplications include electronic powersteering, electric braking, and anyapplication that requires switching ofapproximately 400 W of DC power.1

For additional information, contact Shane Trent,MicroCraft, 3209-154 Gresham Lake Rd.,Raleigh, NC 27615, tel (919) 872-2272 x33, fax (919) 872-5822, e-mail sales@microcraftcorp.com, Web microcraftcorp.com

New MicroCraft SCC Modules for High Voltage Applications

With DocFlex from eModular Solutions,you can generate presentation quality reports

from National Instruments TestStandwithout advanced TestStand knowledge.

With DocFlex, you can create and savereport templates to the Template Gallery.With a built-in TestStand data browser, youcan insert data objects directly onto thereport template. Both the template and theactual report are Microsoft Worddocuments that you can import directlyinto master documents or convert toHTML for publishing on the Internet.

DocFlex for TestStand runs on theWindows platform and requires 32 MB RAMand 100 MB of HD.1

To purchase DocFlex or to download a 30-day evaluation version, visitemodularsolutions.comor contact Eimear Costigan, eModular Solutions, The Innovation Centre, National Technological Park, Limerick, Ireland, tel +33 492048770, e-mail Eimear.Costigan@worldonline.fr

Customize Your Reports from TestStand with DocFlex

Generate quality reports with DocFlex. ni.com/alliance

ni.com/alliance

Soliton Automation Introduces New NI-Based SystemGaugeVIEW Automates Gauge CalibrationSoliton Automation, has developedGaugeVIEW, a robust machine visionsoftware that can read any type of gauge.Developed in LabVIEW using IMAQmachine vision technology, GaugeVIEW is used in the automotive industry for theautomated calibration of speedometers andthe inspection of dashboard instrumentclusters. When used with a camera and animage acquisition board such as NationalInstruments PCI-1407 or PCI-1408, anymanufacturer of gauges can use thisgeneral-purpose software for automatedcalibration and inspection application.

GaugeVIEW acquires online images ofthe gauge using a camera and outputs thegauge reading in appropriate engineeringunits. With the user-friendly configurationsteps in GaugeVIEW, in minutes you canconfigure the software to read any type ofgauge. The algorithms built into the softwareautomatically correct for shifts and rotationsin the image during run time. GaugeVIEWcorrectly processes the image even if themeter is imaged upside-down. You can alsoadapt the software for in-vehicle recording ofinstrument cluster gauges.

GaugeVIEW is available as a ready-to-run application or as a toolkit. Soliton also

provides customized solutions to meetspecific user requirements.1

For more information, contact Soliton Automation Pvt. Ltd., Classic Towers, Trichy Rd., Coimbatore 641018 India, tel +91 (422) 302374, fax +91 (422) 302375, Web solitonautomation.com

ni.com/alliance

Switch 48 V and up to 8 amps.

National Instruments ■ (512) 794-0100 ■ ni.com

Alliance News

23

National Instruments Customer Educationand three Alliance Program membersintroduce new LabVIEW classes to teach youhow to more effectively develop advancedLabVIEW applications.

LabVIEW Applications DevelopmentDeveloped by Select Integrator ViewpointSystems, the LabVIEW ApplicationsDevelopment class takes you through the detailed steps involved in building acomplete measurement and automationapplication from the initial specificationand design stages to a complete anddeployable application. You can take theLabVIEW Applications Development classif you have completed LabVIEW Basics Iand II or LabVIEW Data Acquisition.

LabVIEW Advanced Application DevelopmentSelect Integrator VI Engineering introducesLabVIEW Advanced ApplicationDevelopment, developed under the VISTAparadigm, a class to help experienced

LabVIEW programmers learnhow to develop architectures forlarge applications. Focusing ondevelopment enhancementconcepts and a variety ofprogramming techniques tosupport architectures for extensibleand maintainable applications,VISTA teaches programmingtechniques such as object-orientedprogramming, documentationtemplates, and state machineconcepts and examples. Formerlyknown as LabVIEW AdvancedProgramming Techniques, the class assumesyou have already taken LabVIEW Basics I andII or LabVIEW Data Acquisition.

LabVIEW Internet ApplicationsIf you need to develop large Internetapplications, the LabVIEW InternetApplications course developed by AllianceProgram member Compuware can help youmaster advanced Web technologies such asCGI scripting, JavaScript, ActiveX, and

HTML. Especially helpful if you plan torun your entire application from the Web,LabVIEW Internet Applications is designedfor students who have already completedthe LabVIEW Basics sequence.1

Visit ni.com/custed to learn more aboutcourse offerings in your area.

Going Beyond the Basics with LabVIEW

ni.com/custed

Learn how to develop advanced LabVIEW applications withnew classes.

Four Alliance Program Members Named to Fastest Growing Company List

Inc. magazine named B&BTechnologies, a Select Integrator,number 201 on the magazine’s annuallist of the 500 fastest-growing privatecompanies in America. To becomeeligible for the Inc. 500, B&BTechnologies needed an increase inannual sales from 1999 to 2000.1

For more information, call B&B Technologiessales department at (505) 345-9499, e-mail sales@bbtechno.com, or Web bbtechno.com

The Pittsburgh Business Timesnamed Data Science Automation(DSA), a Select Integrator, number 17of the 100 fastest growing companiesin Pittsburgh. DSA also ranked as theninth fastest growing technology

company in Pittsburgh. Now in its fourthyear, this year’s Pittsburgh 100 Award is acomprehensive ranking by percentageincrease in sales and employment over athree-year period, 1997-1999.1

For more information, call Karl Szymanskiat (724) 745-8400, e-mail DSA@DSAutomation.com, or Web DSAutomation.com

As published in Forbes Magazine,Deloitte and Touche named ComputerSolutions Integrators & Products(CSI&P) of Woodbury, MN number 221of the 500 fastest growing companies inthe United States. CSI&P also ranked asthe seventh fastest growing technologycompany in Minnesota in the Deloitte andTouche MN Fast 50 awards.1

For more information, call Greg Schaeppiat (952) 926-9940, or e-mail gschaeppi@computersolutions.com, or Web computersolutions.com

The Greater Rochester Chamber ofCommerce named Select IntegratorViewpoint Systems number 73 in the Top100 companies in Rochester, New York.To be considered for the 2000 RochesterTop 100, Viewpoint Systems had to beprivately owned and maintain revenuegrowth over the last three years.1

For more information, call ViewpointSystems at (716) 475-9555, e-mail info@ViewpointUSA.com, or Web viewpointusa.com

In This Issue

Learn more about and register for NIWeek 2001 at ni.com/niweek

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American Physical – Ghent, Belgium Mar 15-16

Telexpo – Sao Paulo, Brazil Mar 20-23

High Technology T&M – Toronto, Canada Mar 28-29

Intertronic – Paris, France Apr 3-6

Endiel – Lisbon, Portugal Apr 3-6

MicroEL 2001 – Milan, Italy Apr 5-7

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Hannover Industrie – Hannover, Germany Apr 23-28

Computer-expo 2001 – Lausanne, Switzerland Apr 24-27

Look for the National Instruments booth at these upcoming trade shows: ni.com/store

Learn about the latest technologies in networkedmeasurement and automation that help you test products faster, reduce development time,shorten time-to-market, and improve the bottomline at NIWeek 2001. Visit ni.com/niweek tolearn about session tracks, registration, and more.

Call for PapersShare your innovative applications ofmeasurement and automation with colleaguesaround the world. We invite you to submit apaper to the NIWeek 2001 Best Applicationsof Measurement and Automation Contest.Share your experience with your colleagues and get a discount on your registration fee. All abstracts are due April 16, 2001. Papers are due May 11, 2001. Download an author’s packet at ni.com/niweek, send an e-mail topaper.contest@ni.com, or fax (512) 683-5759.1

Join NIWeek™ – The Measurement Network August 15-17, 2001

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