TECHNICAL SEMINAR

VIRTUAL
INSTRUMENTATION

Prepared
By :
INTRODUCTION

A virtual instrumentation system is computer

software that a user would employ to develop a
computerized test and measurement system for
controlling from a computer desktop an external
measurement hardware device and for displaying test
or measurement data collected by the external device
on instrument-like panels on a computer screen.
TRADITIONAL Vs VIRTUAL
 ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL
INSTRUMENTS
 Lower costs of instrumentation
 Portability between various computer platforms
 Easy-to-use graphical user interface
 Graphical representation of program structures
 Code can be compiled to standalone .EXE or .DLL file
 TCP/IP connectivity (Web server integrated into
virtual instrument)
CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF EARLY
COMPUTERISED INSTUMENTATION
THE GENERAL CONCEPTION OF VIRTUAL
INSTRUMENT
FRONT PANEL AND BLOCK DIAGRAM

VIRTUAL LABORATORY
BASIC COMPONENTS OF VI
 Computer and Display
 Software
-Driver level software
- Register Level Software
-High-level tool software
 Interconnect Buses
 Instrument Hardware
INTERCONNECT BUSES

 SERIAL PORT

 GPIB
 PC-BUS
 VXI BUS

A VXI bus system controlled by GPIB

DISTRIBUTED MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
 LAB VIEW
 Lab VIEW is a graphical programming
language that uses icons instead of lines of
text.
 Lab VIEW is an integral part of virtual
instrumentation.
 A virtual instrument consists of an industry
standard computer or workstation equipped
with powerful application software, effective
hardware, and driver software.
 Interfaces of a VI
 Front pane: Serves as the user interface.
 Block diagram: Contains the graphical source code
that defines the functionality of the VI.
 Icon and connector pane: Identifies the VI so that you
can use the VI in another VI. A VI within another VI
is called a sub VI.
 A sub VI corresponds to a subroutine in text-based
programming languages
User Interface of Tank Simulation
Graphical Code of Tank Simulation
 Conclusion
 Virtual instrumentation is fueled by ever-advancing computer
technology and offers you the power to create and define your
own system based on an open framework.
 LabVIEW was designed with scientists and engineers in mind,
providing powerful tools and a familiar development environment
created specifically for the design of virtual instruments.
THANK YOU…