Graphical Development Tool Adds More Muscle

Introduced as a significant upgrade, LabVIEW 7.1 extends its Express technology to automated instrumentation and real-time applications with additional Express VIs for the company’s modular instruments and NI-DAQmx, advanced debugging and low-level execution timing for its Real-Time Module. With five more Express VIs, users are said to be able to configure complex measurements and acquire data with just a few mouse clicks. The added NI-DAQmx measurement-services software is now available in real-time applications. The software is expected to increase the performance of single-loop PID applications by 30% and simplify hardware-timed loop implementation. Additionally, the revamped PDA Module provides more data acquisition functions, as well as faster multi-channel acquisition and analog and digital triggering. LabVIEW 7.1 also introduces advanced execution timing and graphical debugging for low-level control and visibility of real-time system execution. With the new timed loop, an enhanced while loop in LabVIEW, engineers can specify precise timing of code segments, coordinate multiple time-critical activities and define priority-based loops for creating multirate applications. Price for LabVIEW 7.1 starts at $995. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS, Austin, TX. (888) 280-7645.