LabVIEW Projects LabVIEW Projects
Here are some of the projects I have used LabVIEW on. You may notice that I don't mention companies or some specifics, this is usually because I have signed non-disclosure aggreements or could possibly be sensitive applications. If you really need more information contact me duffey@ieee.org and I may be able to provide more with permission from users of my applications. This is a small sample of my LabVIEW projects I have also used LabVIEW in several simulation and modeling applications as well as Data Reduction and Analysis.
CELLUAR NETWORK RF ANALYZER
Laptop based system connects to up to 4 HP spectrum analyzers, 2 celluar RF transmitters, and 1 GPS NMEA data stream. The 4 analyzers were GPIB interface, the RF transmitters were 9600 Baud serial, the GPS was 4800 baud serial. Used for FCC validation of a special celluar telephone network. Hardware was PCMCIA GPIB (IOTECH) and a PCMCIA com port expander installed in 90 Mhz Pentium Laptops. The IOTECH card was difficult to work with, I had to use the 16 bit version of LaBVIEW 4.1 / NI VISA to interface to the 16 bit dll of the IOTECH card. This project was one were I was called in to bail out a programmer who got really hung up on the IOTECH card hardware issues. I finalized the whole setup in about 36 hours and the system supported the testing (successfully) the following week.
PHASE NOISE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
Laptop based system using GPIB to connect to an HP5334 counter and a HP3488 matrix switch. The system makes time interval measurements between a reference 1PPS signal and multiple other 1PPS signals. The reference was from a HP5061 Cesium standard or a rubidium standard. The measurements were typically made to 1 nanosecond accuracy. The system was used initially to validate the performance of an L-band timing distribution system, but has since been used for other purposes. Laptops were 486 Toshibas using genuine National Instruments PCMCIA GPIB cards, LabVIEW version 3.1 final system was compiled using the application builder.
SPECTRUM ANALYSIS
I have designed several systems to download Spectrum Analyzer traces via GPIB and perform peak detection / signature analysis / archival. Hewlett Packard Spectrum Analyzers, and Rackmount 486 computers, and Macintosh Powerbooks. Trace download from 2 spectrum analyzers at a rate of 500 msec per capture continuously (on a 486 !).
SPREAD SPECTRUM MODEM INTERFACE
Designed an application to control the operation of a PC based spread spectrum modem (Linux OS) using a UDP network interface. The system is used to perform Two-Way Satellite Time Transfer which is a method for time synchronizing two remote sites via a C-Band or Ku-Band Satellite and a VSAT terminal.
FTP SERVER
A complete implementation of the FTP protocol allows LabVIEW programs to serve up their data to any a single FTP client (one user at a time). Done in the days of LabVIEW version 3.1 before the Internet Toolkit, programmed entirely using native LabVIEW TCP/IP vi's no dll's required.
BATCH PROCESS CONTROL
A system that monitors / controls extremely high temperatures and pressures, utilized in the petroleum industry. System is completely based on National Instruments hardware. Protected by non-disclosure, sorry.
YACHT INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM
Complete glass cockpit for motoryachts in the 50' - 250' range. Monitoring of all vessel systems, Engines, Generators, Fuel, Water, bilge, DC Power, AC power. Touchscreen interface. Interface to Detroit and Caterpillar Electronic Engine data bus (SAE J1587) http://www.rgm-isis.com for more information and some screenshots (ISIS 2000).
AIR CYCLE MACHINE TEST SET
Designed a system to fully instrument an Aircraft Air Cycle Machine Turbine. The final system measure about 10 pressures, 10 temperatures, RPM, Vibration. The system calculated flows, backface coefficients, bearing forces and logged and graphed data in real-time. Laptop based system using IOTECH Daqbook. System was required to run unattended for long periods.
VIDEO INTERFACE TESTER
Designed a system to check a video / audio switch box for the cable TV industry. The system injected known signal levels and provided troubleshooting information to production line technicians. Custom built DAQ hardware using serial I/O and 68HC705 Microcontrollers.