LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Setup Procedure

 
by   Sammy_K on 
05-04-2011 08:28 AM
 - edited on 01-30-2017 09:45 AM by   Sammy_K
Setting up the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino is a six step process that you
will only need to complete once.  Please follow the instructions below to start
creating applications with the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino.
(For a brief overview of the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino see Michaels
post here).
1. Install LabVIEW

 If you purchased the LabVIEW and Arduino bundle from Sparkfun.com

you can install LabVIEW  from the included DVD.
 If you do not own a copy of LabVIEW you can download and install the
30 day evaluation version here.

2. Install the NI-VISA drivers.

 Windows Download.
 Linux Download.
 Mac Download.

3. Install JKI VI Package Manager (VIPM) Community Edition (Free).

 All Operating Systems.

4. Install the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino as described in KB 5L38JQYG

5. Connect your Arduino to your PC as described in KB 5INA7UYG
6. Load the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Firmware onto your Arduino as
described in KB 5LPAQIYG
     (We are working to fix the above document.  The firmware can be found in
<LabVIEW>\vi.lib\LabVIEW Interface for Arduino\Firmware\LVIFA_Base . 
Use the arduino IDE to deploy this firmware to your Arduino.)

You are now ready to use the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino.  Click here to
see some examples to help get you started.
How Do I Connect An Arduino Uno to My PC?

Primary Software: 
Primary Software Version: 1.0
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A

Problem: 
I want to use the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Uno.  How do I connect my Arduino Uno to my PC?

Solution: 
Complete the following steps to connect your Arduino Uno to your PC for use with the LabVIEW Interface
for Arduino:

1. Download the latest version of the Arduino IDE for your operating system from the following
link: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software . Please note that if you will be using the LabVIEW
Interface for Arduino toolkit that the last supported IDE version for the toolkit is 1.0.5.

2. Extract the downloaded files to C:\Program Files.

3. Attach the Arduino Uno to the PC using a USB cable.

4. Windows will attempt to install drivers for the Arduino but will not be able to find the correct
drivers. To confirm if the driver was installed or not, open the Windows Device Manager. In
Windows 7, this can be done on clicking on Start, selecting Control Panel, and selecting Device
Manager. 
5. Right click the Arduino Uno and select Properties. Click the Driver tab on the Arduino Uno
properties window, then click Update Driver...

6. Choose Browse my computer for driver software.

7. Browse to C:\Program Files\Arduino-xxxx\drivers.

8. Click Next.

9. Click Close.
 10. The Arduino Uno should now be listed under Ports(COM&LPT) in the Windows Device Manager.

If you are using Linux, please complete the steps on the following webpage: External Link: Installing
Arduino on Linux.

Related Links: 
KnowledgeBase 5LPAQIYG: How Do I Load the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Firmware onto My
Arduino Uno?
External Link: Arduino - Homepage
External Link: Arduino - Software
External Link: Installing Arduino on Linux

Archived: How Do I Load the LabVIEW Interface for

Arduino Firmware onto My Arduino Uno?
This document has been archived and is no longer updated by National Instruments

Primary Software: 
Primary Software Version: 1.0
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A

Problem: 
I want to use the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Uno.  How do I load the Arduino firmware onto my
Arduino Uno?
 Solution:

Please note! LIFA has been replaced with LINX. It is highly recommended to move to LINX as there will
be no further development for LIFA.

Following instructions are archived and last testing was done using Arduino 1.0.5. software.

Connect the Arduino Uno to your PC as described in KnowledgeBase 5INA7UYG: How do I Connect an
Arduino Uno to my PC?.
.

 Install the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino toolkit as described in KnowledgeBase 5L38JQYG: How do I
Install the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Toolkit Using VIPM?.

 Open the Arduino IDE by browsing to the folder that you extracted in step 1 and double clicking
arduino.exe

 The Arduino IDE will open.  Click File»Open and browse to LIFA_Base.ino found in C:\Program
Files\National Instruments\LabVIEW 201x\vi.lib\LabVIEW Interface for Arduino\
Firmware\LIFA_Base
 Note: Older versions of the LIFA toolkit use the LVIFA_Base.pde file which would be found in the same
location as above.

Choose the Arduino board type by clicking Tools»Board»Arduino Uno Overview

The Arduino, is a programmable micro controller board that has

several analog inputs and digital IO lines. The Arduino language is text based
and is used to create embedded programs which you download to the board.
The Arduino’s claim to fame, is that all of the hardware and software is open
source. You can build your own Arduino board from published designs, or
purchase one of the ready-made boards. The Arduino has a USB interface used
for programming the device and reading data from it.
There are quite a few daughter boards on the market that you can plug onto
the arduino. These are nicknamed: shields. For example, there’s an Ethernet
interface, Xbee wireless, Bluetooth module, Motor control module, Can-Bus
interface, GPS Receiver, Video output and hundreds of others.

The labview interface for arduino is a vi based API that was written and
distributed by national instruments. The code also includes and arduino
embedded program which must be downloaded to the device. This program
which runs on the Arduino, responds to commands sent on the USB bus from
the LabVIEW program. It then sends back data to the the computer via the
USB.The LabVIEW VIs provided, allow you to read back the analog inputs,
control the digital IO lines and use several other features of the Arduino
hardware.

Step by Step Startup Guide

Here is a step by step process to get up and running with Arduino and
LabVIEW:

1. Purchase an Arduino board and accessories. You can find them at

many locations. Here's the best place to buy:
 Awesome deal – get the Arduino+LabVIEW Bundle for only $55.
 Purchase a USB A-Male to B-Male Cable
 You will also need a 9V 1A Power Adapter
2. Make sure you have LabVIEW 2009 or newer installed. The VIs
that are included in the LIFA are saved in LV 2009, so this is the version of
 LV that you must have to be able to use the LIFA. If you do not have this
version of LabVIEW, you can download a 30day evaluation of it
from ni.com/trylabview
3. Install NI-VISA Drivers. To LabVIEW, the arduino appears as a serial
instrument device. To communicate with serial instruments in LabVIEW,
you need to have the latest version of the NI-VISA driver. You can get the
latest NI-VISA drivers here. Make sure to select the
latest Windows or Mac versions.
4. Install the Arduino IDE and drivers for Windows. You can
download them from the Arduino website here.
 Step-by-step instructions for setting up the Arduino software on
Windows can be foundhere.
 For Mac look here. Mac does not need drivers but you still need the
IDE environment.
5. Install the LIFA. The LIFA is available as a VI package through the
LabVIEW Tools Network. You must first install VIPM. Once VIPM is
installed, click on this link to get and install the LIFA under LabVIEW
2009+.
6. Upload the sketch ‘LIFA_Base.pde' to the Arduino. The LIFA
comes with a sketch program that must be uploaded to the Arduino before
you can use the VIs to communicate with it. You must use the Arduino IDE
software (which you installed in step 4) to do this. I show how to do this in
the video tutorial – above. The sketch is located at:
 C:Program FilesNational InstrumentsLabVIEW 2010vi.libLabVIEW
Interface for ArduinoFirmwareLVIFA_BaseLVIFA_Base.pde
7. Start Playing. For support, join the Arduino LabVIEW community
at ni.com/arduino
Download the Arduino Software (IDE)
Get the latest version from the download page. You can choose between the
Installer (.exe) and the Zip packages. We suggest you use the first one that
installs directly everything you need to use the Arduino Software (IDE),
including the drivers. With the Zip package you need to install the drivers
manually. The Zip file is also useful if you want to create aportable
installation.

When the download finishes, proceed with the installation and please allow
the driver installation process when you get a warning from the operating
system.

Choose the components to install

Choose the installation directory (we suggest to keep the default one)

The process will extract and install all the required files to execute properly
the Arduino Software (IDE)
 Proceed with board specific instructions
When the Arduino Software (IDE) is properly installed you can go back to
the Getting Started Home and choose your board from the list on the right of
the page.

 Choose the COM port by clicking Tools»Serial Port and choosing the COM port that corresponds to your
Arduino Uno.
 You can determine the COM port that corresponds to your Arduino Uno using the device manager by
clicking Start»Control Panel»Device Manager and expanding Ports(LTP & COM).

 Click the Upload button to upload the firmware to the Arduino Uno.

 The Arduino IDE should report Done Uploading when the firmware has been successfully uploaded to
the Arduino.
You are now ready to use the Arduino Uno with the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Uno. The LIFA toolkit
contains a number of examples which can be accessed through the functions palette; this is a great place
to start.

Related Links: 
KnowledgeBase 5INA7UYG: How do I Connect an Arduino Uno to my PC?

KnowledgeBase 5L38JQYG: How do I Install the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Toolkit Using VIPM?

External Link: Arduino Homepage 

NI Community: LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Community
NI Community: LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Setup Procedure 

LabVIEW Hacker: LVH LINX

https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW-Interface-for-Arduino/ct-p/7008?
view=documents

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

https://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Windows

http://vishots.com/getting-started-with-the-labview-interface-for-arduino/

www.labviewhacker.com/doku.php?id=libraries:linx:linx
https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW-Interface-for-Arduino/LabVIEW-
Interface-for-Arduino-Setup-Procedure/ta-p/3521346