1

2

Virtual Instrumentation

Technologies for Hands-on

Learning in Resource-constrained Environments

3

Our Mission for Success

• LabVIEW for Lego MindstormsNXT

• X-Box 360 Testing

• Shiner Brewery Automation

• Cancer research

• Chunnel Compact Vision Systems

• Cerebral Palsy testing

• Quadriplegic assistance

• Snell Memorial Foundation

• Optimedica

We create innovative, computer-based

products that improve everyday life

4

• Over 4800 employees

• More than 1,000 products

• 600 Alliance Partners

• More than 40 international

branches

• Corporate headquarters in

Austin, TX

National Instruments

Dr. James Truchard

5

NI Headquarters

6

Trends in Engineering Education

• Integrate theory with more hands-on experiences

• Collaborative, project-based learning

• Design, design, design

• Creativity and innovation

7

Key Challenges for Educators in Electronics Education

• Limited time & budget for course revamps

• Making engineering concepts interesting

• Transition from theory to reality

• Keeping up-to-date with industry tools

8

Challenges for Students

• Predicting circuit behavior

• Understanding effects of

components on circuit

• Breadboard wiring mistakes

• Easily taking measurements

• Comparing simulations to

measurements

9

NI Engineering Education Platform

e.g. Electronics Education Platform

National Instruments tools address challenges engineering education

10

NI Multisim 10.1

NI Multisim

Unified environment for

teaching circuit theory and

design through capture and

simulation

• NI ELVIS II instruments inside Multisim

• Interactive mixed-mode simulation

• 20 SPICE analyses

• 22 measurement instruments

• MCU simulation support

11

NI ELVIS IINational Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite

NI ELVIS II

Educational design and prototyping

platform for teaching circuit circuits

design, control, instrumentation,

telecommunications, and

embedded/MCU experiments

• 12 integrated virtual instruments

• Hi-speed USB plug-and-play

• customizable with LabVIEW graphical system design environment

• Complete integration with Multisim 10.1 for circuits and electronics

• Partner plug-in boards and curricula

12

NI ELVIS II | Software Specifications

• Ready to use instruments

• Custom instruments

17

Teaching| Circuits

Step 1: Capture, Simulate and

improve a design in NI Multisim

Step 2. Build circuit and measure

Real-world signals with NI ELVIS

Step 3. Compare Simulated

vs. Real Measurment Data

Compare

Recognize and Learn

18

NI LabVIEWNI LabVIEW Graphical System Design Environment

NI LabVIEW

Graphical programming software for

interface with measurement and

control hardware, analyze data, share

results, and distribute systems.

• Graphical development environment

• Tight integration with a wide range of measurement hardware

• Rapid user interface development for displaying live data

• Extensive signal processing, analysis, and math functionality

• Source code control integration and code complexity metrics

19

Building an Ecosystem with Partners

Control Design Telecommunications Embedded Design FPGA

6 Control Plants for NI

ELVIS

Analog and Digital

Communications

Regenerative Energy

Modular project board

with Freescale

Processors

Programmable FPGA

with Prototyping ARea

ECE, ME, BME, Aero ECE ECE, ME, BME EE, BME, ME, Aero,

Physics, PLTW

20

NI ELVIS II | Embedded

• Integrated HCS12(x)/HCS08 USB pod

• Applicable Modules HCS08 (1)

HCS12/HCS12x/DSP (4)

Coldfire processors (2)

RF Transceiver (1)

21

NI ELVIS II | Embedded

Digital Circuit development

platform based on the Xilinx

Spartan 3E FPGA

• Measurement and FPGA programming

capability

• Programmable with LabVIEW FPGA

• FPGA Breadboard Area

• NI ELVIS Breadboard Area

22

NI ELVIS II | Controls

• Multiple plants QNET-010 DC Motor Control Trainer

QNET-011 Rotary Inverted Pendulum Trainer

QNET-012 Heat, Ventilation and Control Trainer

QNET Vertical Take-off and Landing Trainer

QNET Mechatronic Sensors Trainer

• Includes VIs specific to these plans

Courseware for plants

23

NI ELVIS II | Communication

• DATEx - Telecommunications Trainer

• FOTEx - Fibre Optics Telecommunications Trainer

• HELEx – Solar Cell and Hydrogen Fuel Cell

LabVIEW Soft Front Panels

Based on Block Diagram modeling

Courseware Included

24

Case Study: Instrumentation Course Project

Instrumentation Course Project

Design and Simulation

PCB Layout

FabricationBoard

AssemblyTest and

Verification

25

Engineering Education

Basics Circuits Biomedical Mechatronics Design Projects Others

26

NI Electronics Education Platform Demo

27

NI ELVIS IIMultidisciplinary Teaching & Engineering Platform

ni.com/nielvis