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DAQmx API
The DAQmx device driver software will install a DAQmx API that is
available in the LabVIEW programming environment. This palette, found in
the Measurement I/O palette, provides the most flexibility and power for
communication with SensorDAQ. Of course, it also means increased
complexity. For most users the SensorDAQ drivers and Express VIs provide
the appropriate flexibility, ease-of-use, and power, and the DAQmx API will
not be used or viewed. However, if you have experience using DAQmx API,
or if you require the low-level flexibility, we have provided some examples
that show how to use DAQmx API with SensorDAQ. They are labeled
Advanced Low Level in the example folders. There are a few differences in
configuring a DAQmx task for the SensorDAQ sensor channels that can be
seen in the examples, such as setting up the channel names of these channels.
DAQ Assistant
The NI-DAQ Assistant is an Express VI wrapper of the NI DAQmx API,
installed with NI-DAQmx device driver software, found with the DAQmx
API in the Measurement I/O palette. The DAQ Assistant supports the screw
terminal channels of SensorDAQ, and is a great way to program these
channels. However, the DAQ Assistant does not support the Sensor
Channels. Use the SensorDAQ Analog Express VI as an alternative Express
VI for configuring the Sensor Channels.
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SensorDAQ User's Manual
NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX)
If you have worked with other National Instruments hardware and LabVIEW
software, you may be familiar with MAX.
MAX is a software application that is installed with NI-DAQmx device
driver software. This application can be used to determine if the SensorDAQ
hardware and NI-DAQmx software have been properly installed. MAX Test
Panels can also be used to test the SensorDAQ channels. However, only the
screw terminal channels will appear in the pull-down list of Channel Names.
The Vernier Sensor Channels will not automatically appear in the list. You
can manually enter the Sensor Channel names and still perform a test. For a
common Vernier Sensor connected to Ch.1, that reads from the 0-5 Volt
sensor line the inputs are as follows:
Channel Name: "Dev1/_sensor0_5V"
Max Input Limit: 5 Volt
Min Input Limit: 0 Volt
Input Configuration: RSE
For a Vernier Sensor that reads from the +-10 Volt sensor line (Voltage
Probe and Microphone) the inputs are as follows:
Channel Name: "Dev1/_sensor0_10V"
Max Input Limit: 10 Volt
Min Input Limit: -10 Volt
Input Configuration: RSE
Resources
The following manuals and resources provide detailed information about
SensorDAQ and LabVIEW.
SensorDAQ Book
Vernier is releasing a book called Hands-On Introduction to LabVIEW with
Vernier SensorDAQ. It is designed to teach the fundamentals of LabVIEW
and provide exercises using SensorDAQ.
Vernier Product Support
Go to www.vernier.com/labview/training
SensorDAQ User's Manual
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