Long Island Software Workshop Dec 13, 2008 Robert.berger@ni.com LabVIEW for FRC Long Island Software Workshop Dec 13, 2008 Robert.berger@ni.com

Agenda Intro to the New Control System LabVIEW Basics little LabVIEW History What else LabVIEW might be able to do for you Resources Hands On Instruction LabVIEW Project Window WPI Robotics Libraries for LabVIEW

What is LabVIEW? It is a tool used by scientists and engineers to measure and automate the universe around us It is a graphical programming environment programming – it is a programming language and you won’t be an expert in a day or two graphical – you draw your code environment – it is more than measurement and automation, it has analysis and user interface capabilities created for scientists and engineers

Virtual Instruments (VI) LabVIEW = Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering Workbench Programs are called VIs (vee-eyes), they have: Front Panel Block Diagram

VI / Car Analogy – Front Panel The Front Panel is like the driver’s cockpit Controls or Inputs to the car Ignition Key, Shifter, Gas Pedal, Brake, etc. Indicators or Outputs Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel Gauge, etc. Connects to the engine compartment

VI / Car Analogy – Block Diagram The Block Diagram is like the engine compartment Functional Blocks Engine, alternator, battery, sensors, control modules, etc. Wires, Tubes and Hoses Connects everything together Connects to driver’s cockpit

LabVIEW History 1986 - Premiered on a Macintosh It mainly automated electronic instruments – oscilloscopes, multimeters, etc 1992 - Ported to MS Windows 1997 - Ported to a Real Time OS Used by several Universities and Companies in various robotics competitions VA Tech started using it in 2003 – They finished in 3rd place at the Urban Grand Challenge – late 2007 1999 - Robolab was introduced by LEGO & Tufts Univ 2006 - Ported to run on a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2008/9 – LabVIEW FTC and FRC

Other LabVIEW uses Students Teachers Students Projects with LEGO NXT You’ll see it in many collegiate engineering & science programs Create NXT-G blocks for your favorite FLL or FTC team* Teachers Project Lead the Way The Infinity Project Works with your Vernier Sensors * You’ll need LabVIEW Version 7.1

Other LabVIEW uses Mentors from Industry Instrument Control – GPIB, Etc Industrial Automation – PLCs, HMI, SCADA Machine Vision Motion Control Program FPGAs Embedded Targets – ADI Blackfin, ARM 7 Algorithm Engineering

Early Virginia Tech (TORC) successes using LabVIEW in Autonomous System Projects Results of IGVC Competition 1996 –- Did not place 1997 –- 5th place 1998 –- Did not place 1999 –- 7th place 2000 –- 1st place 2001 –- 2nd place 2002 –- Did not place Introduction of LabVIEW 2003 -– 1st Place Virginia Tech results for AUVS-Sponsored International Ground Vehicle Competition starting in 1996 under Prof. Charlie Reinholtz. Many of these student members are now employed at TORC, a startup company out of VT. 2004 –- 1st Place 2005 –- 1st Place 2006 –- 1st Place 2007 –- 1st Place http://www.igvc.org/

Resources Books Websites LabVIEW for Everyone – Travis & Kring Learning with LabVIEW – Robert Bishop LabVIEW for LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT - Michael Gasperi Websites ni.com/first

Logistics LabVIEW for FRC 2 DVDs ship with the Kit You don’t need to load both Disk 1 = LabVIEW Disk 2 = Windriver C++ Version 8.5.1 which is not the latest version http://www.usfirst.org/frccontrolsystem LabVIEW FRC software update - VERY IMPORTANT Control System Manual H/W and S/W Documentation If you don’t have your kit – use LabVIEW Evaluation Copy

Hands On Instructions At first, please do what I do… don’t stray Listen Carefully… “left-click” vs. “right-click” “click & release” vs. “click & hold” Raise your hand … shout “Help!”