LabVIEW Instrumentation

Course Description

EET2214C — LabVIEW Instrumentation is a combined lecture and laboratory course (indicated by the C suffix under Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System) within the Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) program. The course introduces students to the LabVIEW graphical programming environment developed by National Instruments (NI) and its application to virtual instrumentation, data acquisition, and electronic measurement systems. Students develop hands-on skills building Virtual Instruments (VIs) using LabVIEW's dataflow programming model, and apply those skills to acquire, analyze, display, and log real-world electronic signals using NI DAQ hardware. This course prepares students for careers in test and measurement, industrial automation, and instrumentation engineering technology.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Create, edit, run, and debug Virtual Instruments (VIs) using the LabVIEW front panel and block diagram environments.
• Apply dataflow programming principles, including wiring, data types, and execution order, to build functional LabVIEW applications.
• Implement LabVIEW programming structures — While Loops, For Loops, Case Structures, and Sequence Structures — to control program execution.
• Use arrays, clusters, and strings to manage and manipulate data within LabVIEW applications.
• Design and implement SubVIs to create modular, reusable code components.
• Configure and program NI data acquisition (DAQ) hardware using the NI-DAQmx driver to acquire and generate analog and digital signals.
• Perform instrument control via standard communication protocols (GPIB, Serial/RS-232, USB, VISA) to interface with laboratory instruments such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, and signal generators.
• Acquire, analyze, and present measurement data using LabVIEW's built-in graphical display tools, including waveform charts, waveform graphs, and XY graphs.
• Read from and write to files (measurement files, spreadsheet files, text files) for data logging and reporting.
• Apply basic error handling strategies and debugging techniques within LabVIEW applications.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also demonstrate ability to:

• Apply signal processing algorithms (filtering, FFT/spectral analysis) within LabVIEW to analyze acquired waveforms.
• Develop state machine and event-driven design patterns for advanced application architectures.
• Interface LabVIEW with embedded hardware platforms such as NI myDAQ or NI myRIO for real-time measurement and control.
• Construct automated test and measurement sequences applicable to production or quality-assurance environments.
• Demonstrate readiness for the Certified Associate LabVIEW Developer (CLAD) examination.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Introduction to LabVIEW and Virtual Instrumentation
   • LabVIEW programming environment overview (front panel, block diagram, controls palette, functions palette)
   • Concept of Virtual Instruments (VIs) and the dataflow programming model
   • Creating, saving, and running a VI; toolbar controls
2. LabVIEW Data Types and Wiring
   • Numeric, Boolean, string, and enum data types
   • Wire types and broken wire debugging
   • Coercion dots and type conversion
3. Programming Structures
   • While Loop and For Loop; loop tunnels and shift registers
   • Case Structure; Sequence Structure
   • Passing data between loop iterations
4. Arrays and Clusters
   • Creating and manipulating one- and two-dimensional arrays
   • Cluster data types; bundling and unbundling
   • Plotting data with waveform charts and graphs
5. SubVI Development and Modular Programming
   • Creating SubVIs from existing VIs; connector panes and icons
   • Code reuse and documentation best practices
6. File Input/Output
   • Writing to and reading from measurement (.lvm), spreadsheet, and text files
   • Data logging strategies for instrumentation applications
7. Data Acquisition (DAQ) Fundamentals
   • DAQ system architecture: sensors, signal conditioning, DAQ hardware, software
   • Analog input/output and digital input/output concepts
   • Hardware selection: resolution, sample rate, range
   • Grounding and wiring configurations; signal measurement accuracy
   • NI-DAQmx driver; DAQ Assistant Express VI
   • Finite and continuous acquisition; hardware/software timing and triggering
8. Instrument Control
   • VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) and instrument communication
   • Serial (RS-232), GPIB (IEEE-488), USB, and Ethernet communication protocols
   • Controlling laboratory instruments (oscilloscopes, function generators, DMMs) from LabVIEW
9. Graphical Data Presentation and Analysis
   • Waveform charts vs. waveform graphs vs. XY graphs
   • Scaling, legends, cursors, and digital displays
   • Basic statistical and spectral measurements using Express VIs
10. Debugging and Error Handling
    • Execution highlighting, probes, and breakpoints
    • Error clusters, error wiring, and error handler VIs

Optional Topics

• Signal Processing in LabVIEW — FFT, spectral analysis, digital filtering (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass), and noise reduction techniques
• Advanced Design Patterns — State machine architecture, event-driven programming, producer/consumer loops
• Embedded Platforms — NI myDAQ or NI myRIO integration; real-time measurement and control application development
• Report Generation — Creating HTML or Microsoft Word reports from LabVIEW measurement data
• CLAD Exam Preparation — Review of NI certification objectives, sample exam questions, and timed practice assessments
• LabVIEW and External Languages — Calling MATLAB scripts, Python nodes, or DLLs from within a LabVIEW application

Resources & Tools

• Software: National Instruments LabVIEW (current academic version); NI-DAQmx driver; NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI MAX)
• Hardware: NI USB-6001, NI USB-6008, or equivalent multifunction DAQ device; NI myDAQ (optional); GPIB or USB-connected lab instruments (oscilloscope, function generator, DMM)
• Textbook (typical): LabVIEW for Engineers (Ronald W. Larsen) or NI courseware/curriculum materials
• NI Online Resources: NI Learning Center (ni.com/learn); NI Community forums; NI Example Finder (built into LabVIEW)
• Certification Reference: NI Certified Associate LabVIEW Developer (CLAD) exam preparation materials

Career Pathways

Successful completion of EET2214C supports entry into or advancement within the following career areas:

• Test and Measurement Technician/Engineer — Designing and operating automated test equipment (ATE) in electronics manufacturing and R&D environments
• Instrumentation & Control Technician — Configuring and maintaining process monitoring and control systems in manufacturing, utilities, and energy sectors
• Automation Technician/Engineer — Programming and troubleshooting data acquisition systems in industrial automation settings
• Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) — Interfacing with medical measurement and monitoring equipment
• Research Laboratory Technician — Supporting scientific data collection, logging, and analysis in university or government research labs

This course contributes toward the Associate in Science (A.S.) in Electronic Engineering Technology and related technical certificates at Florida colleges. Credits may transfer within the Florida SCNS system to bachelor's programs in Engineering Technology.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course provides substantial foundational preparation for the National Instruments Certified Associate LabVIEW Developer (CLAD) examination — an industry-recognized credential that validates proficiency in LabVIEW programming, data acquisition, and instrument control. Students who complete this course and wish to pursue certification should review the official NI CLAD exam objectives and practice with the NI Learning Center resources. Some institutions offering this course arrange for students to take the CLAD exam at reduced or no additional cost.

Lab Safety and Equipment

Hands-on laboratory sessions involve the use of electrical test equipment and NI DAQ hardware interfaced with live circuits. Students must follow all lab safety protocols established by the department, including proper handling of electronic components, adherence to voltage limits for DAQ devices, and correct grounding procedures to avoid measurement errors and equipment damage.