Course Outline

Instructor:
Andrew L. McDonough
201-767-7935
email: mcdonoan@shu.edu

Text:
McDonough, A.L. (2001). LabVIEW: Data Acquisition & Analysis for the Movement Sciences. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall

Description:

This course will introduce students to the use of the LabVIEW computer programming language for the collection, manipulation and processing of data collected from instruments which measure various aspects of human movement. Examples of instruments include electromyographs (EMG), electrogoniometers and dynamometers (e.g., Biodex). Students will learn to do basic programming with LabVIEW and learn to use programs (virtual instruments - VIs) written by the instructor and others. Students will use LabVIEW on the Windows XP or VISTA operating systems.

Objectives:

At the completion of this course students will:

  1. Understand basic LabVIEW programming skills by writing data collection and processing VIs by wiring program icons and successfully running the programs.
  2. Understand basic debugging procedures.
  3. Run LabVIEW VIs written by the instructor and others to collect, manipulate (e.g.,rectify and integrate and EMG signal) and store data.
  4. Connect various measuring devices (hardware) to computers running LabVIEW.
  5. Collect and store data using LabVIEW VIs written by students.
  6. Transfer LabVIEW data to and from spreadsheets for further analysis (e.g., statistics, graphing).
Grading:

Grades will be based on review of several assignments. Students will be given problems to be solved by writing LabVIEW VIs and subVIs to collect and analyze data. Grading criteria will be provided in class.

Study Method:

References & Resources:

Bitter, R., Mohiuddin, T. and Nawrocki, M. (2001). LabVIEW Advanced Programming Techniques. New York: CRC Press.

Essick, J. (1999). Advancede LabVIEW Labs. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Johnson, G.W. (1994). LabVIEW Graphical Programming: Practical Applications in Instrumentation and Control. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.

Travis, J. (2000). Internet Applications in LabVIEW. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR.

Wells, L.K and Travis, J. (1997). LabVIEW for Everyone: Graphical Programming Made Easier. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

LabVIEW reference manuals:

"LabVIEW Videotape Tutorial"

Software:
National Instruments Corp Web Site: LabVIEW 8 Student Edition

Web Sites:
National Instruments Corp.: www.ni.com

Index of LabVIEW VIs by David A. Moore

Below is an example of a LabVIEW VI called TORQUE1.vi. This VI is used to measure various torque parameters during isokinetic contractions of the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings performed on a Biodex II dynamometer. The front panel is the user end of the VI which may contain controls, arrays of data and graphs. Elements that are installed on the front panel will be represented as icons on the back panel. Front panel elements are easily modifiable to meet the needs of the user. Note in this case there are two graphs. The top graph is a torque curve which demonstrates a complete set of extension and flexion cycles of quadriceps for 12 seconds. The bottom graph is a rectified torque curve of the same signal. This VI also will permit the analysis of any knee extension or flexion parameter (e.g., peak torque, impulse, time-to-peak torque, etc.) by inserting start and finish parameters on the front panel and running the VI again.

The block diagram is the actual "program." Note that individual icons representing various programming functions are "wired" together to establish a logical flow of information.

Front Panel

Block Diagram





LabVIEW logo © from National Instruments Corporation with permission