This is a tutorial to get any user started with the example LabVIEW VI’s available for the Analog Discovery 2; with an understanding of the functions used in the examples, users will be able to program custom instruments and analyses with LabVIEW and their Analog Discovery 2. In this tutorial, installation instructions will be given for all the required software, and then an overview of the available examples will be outlined, with 2 of the example VI’s demonstrated in more detail. Please note that the this time, the LabVIEW functions only work for LabVIEW in Windows.
In this tutorial, LabVIEW 2015 and WaveForms 2015 are used.
WaveForms is free to use and requires no activation. In order to use the LabVIEW examples demonstrated in this document, WaveForms 3.1.4 or later must be installed.
The WaveForms functions for LabVIEW along with example VI’s can be downloaded as a package on the LabVIEW Tools Network or attached to this tutorial (link).
The WaveForms application is required on the computer before the functions in the package can be used. This package only works with LabVIEW in Windows.
An examination of the above example VI’s with an Analog Discovery 2 and some prototyped circuits will offer an overview of how the WaveForms functions can be used to build custom instruments. The setup and use of the Digital I/O and Frequency Sweep VI’s are detailed below.
To use the DigilentWF functions and example VI’s, a supported device must be connected to the PC. In this case, an Analog Discovery 2 can be connected to a PC with a USB cord. Once the device is connected, the WaveForms 2015 application will identify it when executed.
Beware that the entire string listed in the Serial Number field is used to identify the device, including “SN:” at the beginning of the numbers.
Once the device identification is obtained, the WaveForms application should be closed to avoid conflicting commands to the device.
In the VI front panel, enter a device name or serial number to specify a device. If the Device field is left blank, the VI will use the first device found. If an Analog Discovery 2 is the only device connected to the PC, leaving the Device field blank will let the VI function properly.
With the digital I/O pins connected as above, set the input and output fields as illustrated, and click “Run Continuously” on the front panel. Adjust the slider to see the digital input signal change correspondingly.
With the waveform generator and oscilloscope pins connected as above, set frequency sweep parameters as desired, and click “Run” on the front panel to see the frequency of the waveform vary as specified.