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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. LabVIEW History 1986 - Premiered on a Macintosh
It mainly automated electronic instruments – oscilloscopes, multimeters, etc
Ported to MS Windows
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
Robolab was introduced by LEGO & Tufts Univ
Ported to run on a LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT
2008/9 – LabVIEW FTC and FRC

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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 which is not the latest version
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

13. 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!”