National Instruments VirtualBench Getting Started
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. National Instruments Manuals
  4. Test Equipment
  5. VirtualBench
  6. Getting started
National Instruments VirtualBench Getting Started

National Instruments VirtualBench Getting Started

Hide thumbs Also See for VirtualBench:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

sales@artisantg.com
artisantg.com
(217) 352-9330 |
|
Click HERE
Find the National Instruments VirtualBench at our website:

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the VirtualBench and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for National Instruments VirtualBench

Summary of Contents for National Instruments VirtualBench

  • Page 1 (217) 352-9330 | Click HERE Find the National Instruments VirtualBench at our website:...
  • Page 2 Getting Started with VirtualBench Getting Started with VirtualBench January 2000 Edition Part Number 321518E-01...
  • Page 3 Sweden 08 587 895 00, Switzerland 056 200 51 51, Taiwan 02 2528 7227, United Kingdom 01635 523545 For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the documentation, send e-mail to techpubs@ni.com © Copyright 1997, 2000 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Page 4 Any action against National Instruments must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control.
  • Page 5 Conventions The following conventions appear in this manual: » The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    Front Panel Features ......................3-1 Acquiring and Measuring Signals..................3-3 Chapter 4 VirtualBench-Logger Launching VirtualBench-Logger ...................4-1 Front Panel Features ......................4-2 Acquiring Data.......................4-3 Chapter 5 VirtualBench-FG Launching VirtualBench-FG ..................5-1 Front Panel Features ......................5-1 Generating a Waveform....................5-2 © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...
  • Page 7 Contents Chapter 6 VirtualBench-DMM Launching VirtualBench-DMM ..................6-1 Front Panel Features ...................... 6-1 Measuring a Signal ......................6-3 Chapter 7 VirtualBench-Power Supply Launching VirtualBench-Power Supply................ 7-1 Front Panel Features ...................... 7-1 Turning on the Power Supply..................7-3 Chapter 8 VirtualBench-Switch Launching VirtualBench-Switch ...................
  • Page 8 Figure 5-2. VirtualBench-FG Settings Dialog Box..........5-3 Figure 6-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-DMM ............6-1 Figure 6-2. General Tab of VirtualBench-DMM Settings Dialog Box ....6-3 Figure 6-3. Current and Resistance Tab of VirtualBench-DMM Settings Dialog Box ....................6-4 Figure 6-4. Temperature Tab of VirtualBench-DMM Settings Dialog Box....6-6 Figure 7-1.
  • Page 9 Front Panel of VirtualBench-Device Calibrator ........10-1 Figure 11-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Counter........... 11-1 Figure 11-2. General Tab of VirtualBench-Counter Settings Dialog Box....11-3 Figure 11-3. Encoder Tab of VirtualBench-Counter Settings Dialog Box ....11-6 Figure 11-4. Time/Samples Tab of VirtualBench-Counter Settings Dialog Box ....................

  • Page 10: Welcome To Virtualbench

    It also includes a description of the front panel of each instrument. This chapter lists the minimum system requirements for VirtualBench, explains how to install VirtualBench, and tells you what the setup program installs. Minimum System Requirements To run VirtualBench, you must have the following: •...

  • Page 11: Installing Virtualbench

    Wait several seconds. On most computers, the AutoRun utility on the CD automatically launches the VirtualBench Installation CD dialog box. If the VirtualBench Installation CD dialog box does not appear, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Run and type in the input box, where is your CD-ROM drive.

  • Page 12: Installing On A Network

    Contact National Instruments for licensing information if you plan to run VirtualBench on a network. Connecting Signals to Your Data Acquisition Device Refer to the user manual for your National Instruments DAQ device for instructions on connecting signals to your device. © National Instruments Corporation...

  • Page 13: Virtualbench-Scope

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Scope (oscilloscope) front panel features and how to acquire data with the oscilloscope. Launching VirtualBench-Scope To launch VirtualBench-Scope, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-Scope. Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-Scope front panel, shown in Figure 2-1.

  • Page 14: Figure 2-1. Front Panel Of Virtualbench-Scope

    Timebase Trigger Settings Group Main Control Bar Zoom Controls Figure 2-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Scope The front panel of VirtualBench-Scope has the following features: • Channel Selector—Selects a waveform for display on the graphics display. • Channel Settings – Channel—Selects the active channel.
  • Page 15 Zoom In—Zooms in on display data. Each zoom increases the view by a factor of two. – Zoom Out—Zooms out to full X scale. Refer to the VirtualBench-Scope Online Reference for more information about the Note front panel items. © National Instruments Corporation...

  • Page 16: Acquiring Data

    Chapter 2 VirtualBench-Scope Acquiring Data When you launch VirtualBench-Scope, it operates in continuous run mode. Complete the following steps to start acquiring signals with VirtualBench-Scope: If you are using a DAQ device, connect a signal to the Channel 0 input of your device.

  • Page 17: Figure 2-2. General Tab Of Virtualbench-Scope Settings Dialog Box

    Figure 2-2. General Tab of VirtualBench-Scope Settings Dialog Box Click OK to use these settings. Note When you launch VirtualBench-Scope, it automatically uses the settings of your previous VirtualBench-Scope session. Enable the button for the connected channel in the Channel Selector group.

  • Page 18: Virtualbench-Dsa

    VirtualBench-DSA This chapter explains the front panel features of the VirtualBench dynamic signal analyzer (DSA) and how to acquire and measure signals. Launching VirtualBench-DSA To launch VirtualBench-DSA, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-DSA. Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-DSA front panel, shown in Figure 3-1.

  • Page 19: Figure 3-1. Front Panel Of Virtualbench-Dsa

    Pause—Pauses the acquisition. Pausing does not clear the averaging buffers. • Measurement Displays—Displays measurements, reference waveforms, and markers for marker measurements. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-DSA Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. Getting Started with VirtualBench www.ni.com...

  • Page 20: Acquiring And Measuring Signals

    Figure 3-2. Input Tab of DSA Input Settings Dialog Box Select the device you want to use for the data acquisition. The Device list displays only devices you have configured successfully in the Measurement & Automation Explorer. © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...

  • Page 21: Figure 3-3. Triggering Tab Of Dsa Input Settings Dialog Box

    Set the Trigger Type to none. This setting puts the acquisition in free-run mode. Click OK. Select Edit»Frequency Settings on the front panel. Select the Span tab in the Frequency Settings dialog box, shown in Figure 3-4. Getting Started with VirtualBench www.ni.com...

  • Page 22: Figure 3-4. Span Tab Of Dsa Frequency Settings Dialog Box

    Waveform Type pop-up menu. Choose Log Magnitude in the Scale pop-up menu. Click the Single button. VirtualBench-DSA displays a single frame of data. If no data is visible, click the Autoscale Y-axis button (the button that contains a “Y” and up/down arrows) in the display control. Check your signal connections if data still does not appear.

  • Page 23: Virtualbench-Logger

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Logger front panel features and how to acquire data with the logger. Launching VirtualBench-Logger To launch VirtualBench-Logger, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-Logger. © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...

  • Page 24: Front Panel Features

    Chapter 4 VirtualBench-Logger Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-Logger front panel, shown in Figure 4-1. Strip Chart Legend Channel Y Axis Status Display Control Select Select Control Display Acquire Data Controls Figure 4-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Logger The front panel of VirtualBench-Logger has the following features: •...

  • Page 25: Acquiring Data

    Pause—Temporarily stops the flow of data to the strip chart and log file when enabled. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Logger Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. Acquiring Data Complete these steps to start acquiring data with VirtualBench-Logger: Connect several known voltage signals to the input channels of your DAQ device.

  • Page 26: Figure 4-2. Logger Settings Dialog Box

    Note The options on the Logger Settings dialog box vary slightly if you use an NI 435x Series board. Refer to the VirtualBench-Logger Online Reference for more information. Set the Start Channel and End Channel controls appropriately for the channels that you connected signals to in Step 1.

  • Page 27: Figure 4-3. File Configuration Dialog Box

    Browse button. Select Enable Logging and Begin Logging on Start. Click OK. Note If you have not previously specified a log file, VirtualBench-Logger automatically displays a Save as dialog box. Figure 4-3. File Configuration Dialog Box Click the Timing Config button.

  • Page 28: Figure 4-4. Timing Configuration Dialog Box

    Figure 4-4. Timing Configuration Dialog Box Click OK in the Logger Settings dialog box to return to the front panel. Refer to the VirtualBench-Logger Online Reference for more information about Note configuring VirtualBench-Logger for your specific application. Select the channels you want to display on the strip chart using the channel select control.

  • Page 29: Virtualbench-Fg

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench function generator (FG) front panel features and how to generate a waveform. Launching VirtualBench-FG To launch VirtualBench-FG, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-FG. Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-FG front panel, as shown in Figure 5-1.

  • Page 30: Generating A Waveform

    Step—Steps through the frequency list. The Step button appears only with 54xx devices. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-FG Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. Generating a Waveform Complete the following steps to configure VirtualBench-FG to generate a waveform: Configure the output.

  • Page 31: Figure 5-2. Virtualbench-Fg Settings Dialog Box

    Click On. VirtualBench-FG continuously generates an analog waveform at the output pin. Click On again to stop the waveform generation. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-FG Online Reference for more information about configuring VirtualBench-FG for your specific application. © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...

  • Page 32: Virtualbench-Dmm

    VirtualBench-DMM This chapter explains the VirtualBench digital multimeter (DMM) and how to measure a signal with the DMM. Launching VirtualBench-DMM To launch VirtualBench-DMM, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-DMM. Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-DMM front panel, shown in Figure 6-1.
  • Page 33 1 mW. – %—Displays the current value as a percentage of a reference. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-DMM Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. Getting Started with VirtualBench www.ni.com...

  • Page 34: Measuring A Signal

    Select Edit»Settings on the front panel. Select the General tab, shown in Figure 6-2. Figure 6-2. General Tab of VirtualBench-DMM Settings Dialog Box Select the instrument you want to use. VirtualBench-DMM hides the SCXI Module list when no SCXI modules are configured for the selected device.

  • Page 35: Figure 6-3. Current And Resistance Tab Of Virtualbench-Dmm Settings Dialog Box

    Connect your current signal to the same terminals. Select Edit»Settings on the front panel. Select the Current and Resistance tab, shown in Figure 6-3. Figure 6-3. Current and Resistance Tab of VirtualBench-DMM Settings Dialog Box Getting Started with VirtualBench www.ni.com...
  • Page 36 Click the Current AC or Current DC button in the Function selector, depending on which type of voltage you connected. Click Run. VirtualBench-DMM continuously acquires and displays current measurements in the display window. If the DMM display shows +CLIP or –CLIP, confirm the input signal does not exceed the range of your DAQ device or IVI instrument and the input signal does not exceed the selected range.

  • Page 37: Figure 6-4. Temperature Tab Of Virtualbench-Dmm Settings Dialog Box

    Select Edit»Settings on the front panel. Select the Temperature tab, shown in Figure 6-4. Figure 6-4. Temperature Tab of VirtualBench-DMM Settings Dialog Box Select the type of sensor from the Temperature Sensor list you connected to the channel specified in Step 1a.
  • Page 38 Click the Diode button in the Function selector. Click Run. Click Run again to stop the measurement. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-DMM Online Reference for more information about configuring VirtualBench-DMM for your specific application. © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...

  • Page 39: Virtualbench-Power Supply

    VirtualBench-Power Supply This chapter explains the front panel features of the VirtualBench-Power Supply and how to turn on VirtualBench-Power Supply. Launching VirtualBench-Power Supply To launch VirtualBench-Power Supply, use the Start button in the Windows task bar to select Programs»VirtualBench» VirtualBench-Power Supply.

  • Page 40: Figure 7-1. Front Panel Of Virtualbench-Power Supply

    On/Off Button Button Figure 7-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Power Supply The front panel of VirtualBench-Power Supply has the following features: • Graphics Display—Shows real-time voltage and current measurements if your instrument supports these measurements. If your device does not support these measurements, the display shows your current settings.

  • Page 41: Turning On The Power Supply

    Chapter 7 VirtualBench-Power Supply Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Power Supply Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. Turning on the Power Supply When you launch VirtualBench-Power Supply, it always launches in a power off state. Complete the following steps to configure VirtualBench-Power Supply before using it: Connect a load to one of the output channels of your power supply.

  • Page 42: Figure 7-3. Front Panel With Volts Dc Button Selected

    Click Apply to commit to the change. If a red error button appears in the display window, click the button to display the cause of the error. Adjust the voltage level if necessary. Click Output to enable the power supply. Getting Started with VirtualBench www.ni.com...

  • Page 43: Figure 7-4. Front Panel With Volts Ac Button Selected

    Adjust the settings if necessary. Click Output to enable the power supply. To exit VirtualBench-Power Supply, select File»Exit. VirtualBench-Power Supply saves your current settings for the next session. © National Instruments Corporation...

  • Page 44: Virtualbench-Switch

    VirtualBench-Switch This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Switch front panel features and how to make signal connections. Launching VirtualBench-Switch To launch VirtualBench-Switch, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-Switch. VirtualBench-Switch is for use only with IVI instruments. Note...

  • Page 45: Figure 8-1. Front Panel Of Virtualbench-Switch

    Connection List Status Display Figure 8-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Switch The front panel of VirtualBench-Switch has the following features: • Instrument Selector—Allows you to select the IVI instrument you want to use. • Channel Selection Group—Allows you to choose two channels to connect.

  • Page 46: Making Connections

    Chapter 8 VirtualBench-Switch Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Switch Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. Making Connections Complete these steps to make signal connections: Connect signals to two or more channels on your switch instrument. Select the IVI instrument logical name you want to use. If you have not...

  • Page 47: Virtualbench-Arb And Virtualbench-Waveform Editor

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Arb front panel features, the Waveform Editor front panel features, and how to generate a waveform. Launching VirtualBench-Arb To launch VirtualBench-Arb, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-Arb. Waveform Generator Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-Arb Waveform Generator front panel, as shown in Figure 9-1.

  • Page 48: Generating A Waveform

    VirtualBench-Arb has the following key features: • Waveform Name/Load Waveform Control—Shows the name of the waveform file, if any, for VirtualBench-Arb to generate. Select this control to load a waveform from a file. • Update Rate—Controls the update rate of the waveform. This control...

  • Page 49: Figure 9-2. Channels Tab Of Virtualbench-Arb Settings Dialog Box

    Click the Stop button (the button with a red square) to end signal generation. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Arb Online Reference for more information about configuring VirtualBench-Arb for your specific application. © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...

  • Page 50: Creating A New Waveform

    Select Expression from the component type control. Enter an expression in terms of variable in the f(x)= box. VirtualBench-Arb indicates any error in red, with the character position of the error in parentheses. Enter the range for in the From: and To: input boxes.
  • Page 51 VirtualBench-Arb and VirtualBench-Waveform Editor Click Draw. Notice this changes from View to Component mode so VirtualBench-Arb displays only the current component. Click and drag over the graph using the mouse to create a waveform. Click the Mode button to change the mode to line. This mode allows you to draw straight lines.

  • Page 52: Waveform Editor Front Panel Features

    Parameters Button Button Figure 9-3. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Arb Waveform Editor The Waveform Editor front panel of VirtualBench-Arb has the following features: • View Control—Selects the waveform view to display on the graph. Waveform displays the entire waveform. Segment displays the selected segment.
  • Page 53 A Sketch is a waveform you draw with a mouse. • Component Parameters—Shows the parameters for each component. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Arb Online Reference for more information about the front panel items. © National Instruments Corporation Getting Started with VirtualBench...

  • Page 54: Virtualbench-Device Calibrator

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Device Calibrator front panel features and how to calibrate a DAQ device. Launching VirtualBench-Device Calibrator To launch the VirtualBench-Device Calibrator, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench Cal. Front Panel Features This section explains the front panel features of the VirtualBench-Device Calibrator, as shown in Figure 10-1.

  • Page 55: Calibrating A Daq Device

    Chapter 10 VirtualBench-Device Calibrator The front panel of the VirtualBench-Device Calibrator has the following features: • Device List—Shows all the devices installed in your computer that are self-calibrating and the last calibrated date. The device list displays only devices you have configured successfully in the Measurement &...

  • Page 56: Virtualbench-Counter

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Counter and how to measure a signal with the Counter. Launching VirtualBench-Counter To launch VirtualBench, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench»VirtualBench-Counter. Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-Counter front panel, as shown in Figure 11-1.
  • Page 57 Chapter 11 VirtualBench-Counter The front panel of VirtualBench-Counter has the following features: • Measurement Display—Displays the measurements, including the type and units of the measurement. • Measurement Mode Selector—Selects which measurement mode you want to use, from left to right: –...

  • Page 58: Measuring A Signal

    If the system takes more than one measurement, it displays the average of the measurements. Refer to the VirtualBench-Counter Online Reference for more information about the Note front panel items. Measuring a Signal...
  • Page 59 Windows»Connections on the front panel for the correct pin numbers. Click the Time Between 2 Edges button in the measurement mode selector. VirtualBench-Counter continuously acquires and displays the measurement in the display window. If the counter display shows Timeout, confirm that the amount of time to take the measurement you want is not greater than your measurement time.
  • Page 60 Windows»Connections on the front panel for the correct pin numbers. Click the Phase Difference button in the measurement mode selector. VirtualBench-Counter continuously acquires and displays the measurement in the display window. If the counter display shows Timeout, confirm that the amount of time to take the number of samples you want is not greater than your measurement time.
  • Page 61 Select Settings from the Edit menu on the front panel. Select the Encoder tab, as shown in Figure 11-3. Figure 11-3. Encoder Tab of VirtualBench-Counter Settings Dialog Box Select the Encoder Type. If using a rotary encoder, select the Rotary Encoder Type and the number of Pulses per Revolution.
  • Page 62 Chapter 11 VirtualBench-Counter Select the Time/Samples tab, as shown in Figure 11-4. Figure 11-4. Time/Samples Tab of VirtualBench-Counter Settings Dialog Box Enter the values you want to use for Custom Measurement Time and Custom Number of Samples. If the times you want to measure are greater than 0.8 seconds for DAQ-STC based counters or greater than 53.7 seconds for NI-TIO...
  • Page 63 Refer to the user manual of your DAQ device for more details. Click OK and continue with your measurements. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Counter Online Reference for more information about configuring VirtualBench-Counter for your specific application. Getting Started with VirtualBench 11-8...

  • Page 64: Virtualbench-Logic Analyzer

    This chapter explains the VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer front panel features and how to use it to acquire data. Launching VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer To launch VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer, use the Start button in the Windows taskbar to select Programs»VirtualBench» VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer. Front Panel Features This section explains the features of the VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer front panel, as shown in Figure 12-1.
  • Page 65 Time and Triggering Controls Zoom and Scroll Controls Figure 12-1. Front Panel of VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer. The front panel of VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer has the following features: • Bus Selector—Selects the buses you want to display and the color for each bus. •...
  • Page 66 • Status Display—Displays information such as the sample rate and cursor positions. Refer to the VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer Online Reference for more information Note about the front panel items. © National Instruments Corporation...

  • Page 67: Acquiring Data

    Select Edit»Acquisition Settings on the front panel. Figure 12-2. Settings of VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer. Select the National Instruments device you want to use in the Device ring control, as shown in Figure 12-2. If your device does not appear in the device list, make sure you have properly configured the device using the Measurement &...
  • Page 68 Figure 12-3. Bus Settings of VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer. Enter the bus names and bits you want to select for each bus. Click OK to use the settings. On the front panel of the VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer, click Run to start acquiring data. Note Refer to the VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer Online Reference for more information about configuring VirtualBench-Logic Analyzer for your specific application.

  • Page 69: Technical Support Resources

    Technical Support Resources This appendix describes the comprehensive resources available to you in the Technical Support section of the National Instruments Web site and provides technical support telephone numbers for you to use if you have trouble connecting to our Web site or if you do not have internet access.
  • Page 70 If you have trouble connecting to our Web site, please contact your local National Instruments office or the source from which you purchased your National Instruments product(s) to obtain support. For telephone support in the United States, dial 512 795 8248. For...

Table of Contents