Graphical programming support

Example programs are provided with the relevant Spectrum driver for all the programming software listed below. For very high mega-sample speeds graphical programs are best operated in single-shot mode to capture a series of data then process, this can be done rapidly and concurrently, however for Labview a new generation driver is now available improving continuous data transfer(see below). All software described on this page have good display and processing capabilities, including virtual operator panels for the PC screen. Should you need advice on their choice and capabilities please feel free to contact Dataquest Solutions.

LabVIEW

As this is one of the most widely used programming interfaces within industry and research the Spectrum board driver has been available for a number of years. With the advent of the new M2i range a completely redesigned driver has been released and suitable for version 6.1 onwards. This has been optimized to allow the software to receive data streaming from the board at up to 200Mbytes per second. Arriving data can be processed real-time whilst logging is proceeding due to the new improved data handing within the M2i boards memory. All card features and enhancement options are available as the Spectrun API is directly supported without limitations. A set of custom Vi's are provided with the purchase of this driver option, ready to show the commonly used functions of the Spectrum boards and ready to edit to your programming structure, here are some typical commands that can be accessed and no text programming code is required:-

Board Init: Initialises the PCI board and the driver software and returns the board technical data.
Board Settings: The inputs may be fed from variable controls or constants, the inputs are then converted to integer 16 and 32 bits without the need to calculate manually. An example is provided with the driver to show this.
Board Set: All parameters will be set in a loop and checked.
Board Start: Starts the recording and the data or may be used for the replay data.
Board Stop: Aborts the recording of data.
Board Status:Reads out the board status (board ID and codes for running, ready or error).
Board Read: Reads the data from the board. Data is converted into an array of voltage values.

Example programmes for Spectrum boards, such as that making this oscilloscope panel for the transient capture, are easily modified to the users needs.

DASYlab

DASYlab provides one of the most intuitive programming solutions to date. The point and click placement of modules makes this a popular choice for programmers and non-programmers alike, with applications for displaying and processing produced in just a few minutes. Set up of the hardware functions is easily done from an automatically generated panel,(see image below), so that sample rate, number of channels, triggers, ranges etc are quickly entered. A helpful example program is provided with the driver.

The driver for the Spectrum boards integrates seamlessly with DASYlab versions 5.5 onwards and all All 32 bit Windows platforms are supported. The DASYlab driver uses the standard Spectrum driver as its base, so latest board updates are easily applied. Analogue and digital boards are all supported as are their functions, plus any additional options on the analogue boards such as digital I/O.

Agilent VEE

With its flow chart structure Agilent VEE makes a popular choice for users with a text programming background but requiring a fast, flexible development environment. Its programming structure lends itself well data manipulation and the IF/THEN/ELSE in test sequencing. With the Spectrum board driver the user can take advantage of this and much more, including the wealth of specialist displays. VEE version 5 upwards is supported for operating systems Windows 2000 and XP. Once the driver has been imported to VEE, the following functions are available:-

Init Board:Initialises and checks for the installed PCI board type, and its technical specification (memory, max sampling rate, etc).
Set Board:Here the user can programme the board settings such as gain and trigger options and also the number of boards as multi-board operation is possible. A synchronisation function is available.
Start Board:Acquire data until either Stop Board or Read Data is activated, the latter providing an array of results into the VEE worksheet for analysis.

LabWindows/CVI

LabWindows/CVI is an integrated ANSI C environment which provides the flexibility of a code (generated automatically from placed controls, displays etc) being integrated with user C script. A wide range of analysis and interface tools makes this an ideal tool for users with C coding experience, but who require a fast developers interface for complex testing and measuring systems. The LabWindows/CVI Interface Editor provides an easy way to develop intuitive front panels to reflect the status of your instruments. Writing code is made easier with function panels associated with all board function calls, so providing a graphical dialog showing all the parameters associated with that function. The Spectrum driver interface has been adapted to integrate and take good advantage of this environment. To access the Spectrum driver functions under CVI it is necessary to first load the functions from the driver dll. This dll (spcm_win32_cvi.lib) is included on the standard driver CD shipped with the hardware

Please contact Dataquest Solutions for further details.

ORDER INFORMATION	ORDER CODE
Driver for Labview Version 6.1 or higher. Win 2000,XP,Vista	M2i (board no.)xx-dl
Driver for Dasylab Version 5.5 or higher. Win 2000,XP,Vista	M2i (board no.)xx-hp
Driver for Agilent VEE Version 5.0 or higher. Win 2000,XP,Vista	M2i (board no.)xx-lv
Driver for LabWindows/CVI Version 7.1 or higher. Win 2000,XP,Vista	Included on the Spectrum driver CD free of charge
The software packages listed above should function normally on the 64-bit version of Windows because of a Microsoft "abstraction" layer, but we recommend you check your version will work in this enviroment with your software supplier.

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