LabVIEW Graphical Programming Environment Research Articles

Automated system for determining parameters of a solar cell model

An automated system is developed, which allows measuring the light and dark current-voltage characteristics (CVC) of a solar cell (SC). It consists of a STM32 based control unit, a digital-to-analog converter, a voltage-current transformation circuit, a current and voltage sensor and a laptop with a LabVIEW graphical programming environment. The digital voltage value from STM32 is transmitted to the AD5624R DAC via the SPI interface. AD5624R is a 12 bit DAC with built-in reference voltage 2,5 V. In this configuration, the accuracy of the voltage control is 1,2 mV and the accuracy of the current setting is 40 μA. INA226 sensor was used to measure the voltage on the sample and the current flowing through it. The current is measured as the voltage drop across the shunt resistor, which is connected to the corresponding sensor inputs, using the built-in 16-bit ADC. A shunt resistor with a resistance of 0.1 Ohm is used, which allows measuring the current up to 800 mA with a resolution of 25 μA. The readings of the sensor were calibrated using the precision voltmeter B7-46. Measurement and data processing is carried out with a virtual device created in the LabVIEW environment. As a microcontroller, the SM32F401RE Nucleo development board was used. This unit provides control of the DAC, the current sensor INA226, connection of the circuit for measuring light or dark CVC, as well as recording and storing the data received from sensors in the computer. By measuring the light and dark current-voltage characteristics it is possible to obtain an approximate solar cell model, the parameters of which depend on the illumination and temperature. Solar cell light CVC is used to determine the photocurrent. By its value at a certain temperature and luminosity, it’s possible to define the photocurrent at different temperatures and luminosity levels. The saturation current and the parameter α of the solar cell are calculated using the dark CVC. With the obtained data, a model of a solar cell is defined, which can be further used to determine the maximum power point at different levels of illumination and temperature. With information about the maximum power point, it is possible to calculate the optimal resistance value for the solar cell and to provide the corresponding control signal to the voltage converter. An approach for calculating the parameters of the SC model from its CVC is described and used to determine the MPP (maximum power point) of the solar cell module. The difference with the experimental data was 6.6%. In further research, the study of methods for calculating the parameters of the SC, which could provide a more accurate model, will be continued.

Automation of measurements permittivity of materials by the capacitor method

The article discusses an example of the automation of the process of measuring the dielectric constant of materials by the capacitor method using the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and the Agilent E4980A precision LCR meter. A description of the hardwaresoftware complex is presented, as well as the measurement results.

OPERABILITY TEST STAND FOR LOW-FREQUENCY INERTIAL MODULES

Over time, the mechanical, electrical, and electronic parameters of any sensitive element of inertial sensors is change. For example, there are irreversible changes in the resistance of the sensor coils, which needed to generate a signal. There is a decrease in the magnetic field of the permanent magnets, or a change in the rigidity of the elastic elements. Changing the characteristics of the sensors also occurs after their repair, maintenance and configuration. This predetermines the need to check their technical conditions and metrological control, and more generally, to check the operability of the sensitive element and the sensor as a whole.A review of the works showed that in modern studies of the technical condition of buildings, engineering structures, great attention is paid to the processing of the information received from sensitive elements, however, it is indicated that sensor must comply with its passport characteristics. Since establishing the operability of the device, by obtaining a signal and its ratio to a predetermined disturbance value, does not require compliance with such stringent requirements, although it is carried out on the same test benches for calibration, the actual task is to develop operability test stand for low-frequency inertial modules.The article demonstrated the creation of a operability test stand of inertial sensing elements with an amplitude of oscillation up to10 mmand a frequency range up to 10 Hz. Accelerometers, velocimeters and seismic receivers designed to determine the technical condition of buildings and engineering structures can be such sensitive elements. The developed stand consists of a universal device for the excitation of damped oscillations, which allows you to check the performance of sensitive elements with horizontal and vertical axes of sensitivity, has the ability to place several sensors with a maximum weight of20 kg. The study should be carried out at different frequencies of vibration exposure. The frequency change of the vibration perturbation is carried out by installing additional mass.To obtain information from analog sensors, a survey channel was created based on the m-DAQ14 data acquisition chip, and software developed in the NI LabVIEW graphical programming environment. The software is designed to visualize and save the received information on a solid-state drive or a PC hard disk, with the possibility of further processing and analysis. To test inertial sensing elements, a technique was developed that allows you to make a decision of operability sensor.Such an approach made it possible to quickly establish the operability of sensitive elements and to draw primary conclusions about their ability to use at a controlled object.

Design and implementation of a measurement system for high-speed testing of electromechanical relays

An automatic measurement system has been developed for high-speed testing of the most important magnetic and contact properties for elementary monostable and bistable miniature electromechanical relays. The system design is based on the virtual instrumentation approach, which is a combination of software and hardware. The comprehensive test application was developed using the LabVIEW graphical programming environment, while the used hardware is based on commercial measurement equipment and a custom developed device. The presented measurement methods are based on simultaneous generation and acquisition of analog and digital waveforms with the high-speed data acquisition device. The implemented automatic relay measurement system was validated metrologically and tested successfully with all supported relay types. The results show that the developed system is capable of performing accurate measurements of the coil resistance, contact resistance, time parameters, and operate/release values in less than two seconds.

Automation reinforced concrete structures design models based on the results tomographic ultrasonic

In the article the technique of the automated construction of the model of the surveyed building structure using an ultrasonic tomograph. The authors pay attention to the limitations of functionality of the specialized software of the device and offer a variant of their expansion. Describes the purpose and principle of the tomograph. The process of implementing this task with the help of modern computer programs is considered in detail: the graphical programming environment LabVIEW and the CAD system AutoCAD. The technique for processing tomograms and the resulting graphic files, as well as the principles for constructing a three-dimensional model of an existing design with defects and inclusions detected during inspection, is described. Also, options for expanding the functions of the methodology.

Integrated power supply system for station equipment of rail traffic control

Railway Traffic Control Systems (RTCS) provide a safe, reliable and efficient movement of rolling stock on railway networks. RTCSs are classified as critical process systems. The power supply system is required to provide a high level of power reliability so that a station equipment of an RTCS safely executes the rail traffic process. The article describes typical solutions of power supply of station equipment of RTCSs. Analysis of these solutions led to the development of assumptions and structures for the integrated power supply system of station equipment. Useful tools for the formal modeling of such systems can be Petri Nets. These nets are a graphical and formal tool for modeling, formal analysis, and design of discrete event systems. The basic element of the integrated power system which is described in the article is the Automatic Reserve Switching system (ARS system). The ARS controller Marked Petri Net (ARS controller MPN) that has been developed by the authors is presented here. The net was subject to reduction resulting in an ARS controller hierarchical simplified MPN. The article also presents the practical application of the ARS controller built using the hardware platform and graphical programming environment LabView National Instruments (NI).

Implementation of advanced steganography with higher security using LabVIEW

This paper presents the implementation of a highly secured data hiding technique called Steganography. This technique is applicable for image data type. The goal is to encode the data image within the cover image such that the data image’s existence is concealed. Cover media for image based steganography is image. Steganography deals with encoding data image information in a given image (called cover image) without making any visible changes to it. For advance security face recognition technique is used, so that only authorized person can access the data image. In this system dual security is provide first is encoding of data image in cover image and second is face recognition. LabVIEW graphical programming environment is a tool for realizing the image acquisition and processing. This software has several advantages: simple implementation, modularity, flexibility, attractive user interface and possibility to develop very easy new features. Face recognition and machine vision applications in automatic inspection of various electronic modules can also be implemented using given algorithm.

Using graphical programming for the organization of spectrum analyzers combined type

To create a project of broadband spectrum analyzer combined type in a range of sound frequencies applied the basic principles of graphical programming environment LABVIEW. Frequency channel analyzer are presented in the traditional form of acoustic measurements: a octave, half octave and one-third octave filters. Each frequency channel is assumed to calculate the spectrum by FFT (fast Fourier transform) within the band defined by this channel. The draft provides for a system calibration and adjustment of the analyzer, using the tonal and noise-like calibrating signals and provides the ability to display the results in a linear and logarithmic scale. The Bible. 4, Fig. 1.

Measuring the Thermal Diffusivity of Multi-Layered Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) by a Periodic Heating Method

The present paper describes ways of increasing the accuracy of measurements of thermophysical properties (namely, thermal diffusivity) of materials. The knowledge of these characteristics is very important for modeling industrial processes, since their high-accuracy determination can reduce wasteful consumption of energy resources while developing novel thermal insulation materials, technologies, as well as methods for building construction. The method proposed herein is based on periodic heating and can be used to improve the measurement accuracy and find the optimal parameters for producing thermal insulation materials. Periodic temperature oscillations were generated by means of the Peltier element. Mathematical and physical models were developed, and the measurement setup was automated using the LabView graphical programming environment. The analysis of possible error sources was performed, and the ways of decreasing error values were suggested. The equipment was experimentally calibrated using a standard material (Plexiglas), and the obtained data proved the appropriateness of the developed mathematical model. Moreover, a number of tests were performed with a nanomaterial, namely, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The proposed method and the experimental measurement setup made it possible to reveal a strong dependence between the thermal diffusivity of the GNPs and the moisture content. This finding will be considered in further studies concerning the above-mentioned nanomaterial.

Performative analysis of an eccentric solar–wind combined system for steady power yield

The solar and wind power generation is stochastic in nature. Consequently, it is difficult to obtain steady power output from these renewable sources. Storage element (mainly battery) used in typical solar/wind hybrid system has also its inherent shortcomings. However, power generation from renewable energy sources like solar and wind is having paramount significance in the context of impending fossil fuel shortage, environmental degradation, remote electricity supply, etc. Hence, an alternate mechanism for hybridization of solar and wind resources to obtain a steady power output could undoubtedly be a great accomplishment in prevailing energy scenario across the world. The present paper analyses the performance of such an eccentric solar–wind hybridized model with spring storage system which is capable of delivering steady power yield despite intermittency of the sources. The likely annual performance of this unusual solar–wind hybridized model is evaluated under a sub-tropical climatic condition in north-east India in terms of various characteristics and effective performance indicators such as energy generation characteristics, effect of storage capacity, efficiency of the generating system, capacity factor of the plant, energy to load ratio, normalized power yield, and plant utilization factor. The considered system in the paper has been designed and simulated in LabVIEW graphical programming environment. It has been found for the given climatic condition that maximum wind energy and solar energy fraction of the plant reaches up to 84% and 16% respectively with annual average efficiency of 24.21% for wind turbine unit and 65.52% for solar thermal unit. To make evident the success of the system, a performative comparison has been drawn with obtained results in the proposed scheme and the testified results in existent solar–wind renewable energy system. The analysis in the study substantiates that performance of the proposed hybridized model is considerably superior to that of conventional and established solar–wind based hybrid technologies.

Development and Study of a Virtual Encephalograph

A scheme of a virtual instrument for registration of encephalographic signals in graphical programming environment LabView is presented. Also, a virtual instrument for detecting oscillations of alpha, beta, and theta rhythms and determination of their parameters was developed. The virtual device for registration of electroencephalographic signals was improved by introducing new scheme elements that define the patient's condition.

A simple timestamping data acquisition system for ToF-ERDA

A new data acquisition system, ToF-DAQ, has been developed for a ToF-ERDA telescope and other ToF-E and ToF–ToF measurement systems. ToF-DAQ combines an analogue electronics front-end to asynchronous time stamped data acquisition by means of a FPGA device. Coincidences are sought solely in software based on the timestamps. Timestamping offers more options for data analysis as coincidence events can be built also in offline analysis. The system utilizes a National Instruments R-series FPGA device and a Windows PC as a host computer. Both the FPGA code and the host software were developed using the National Instruments LabVIEW graphical programming environment. Up to eight NIM ADCs can be handled by a single FPGA. The host computer and the FPGA can process total continuous count rates of over 750,000counts/s with a timestamping resolution of 8.33ns.

Программный комплекс аппаратуры неразрушающего акустического контроля и диагностики технического состояния водных и нефтяных скважин

The software of equipment is described for noninvasive testing of water and oil wells. Software consists of two programs: the first one is used to control equipment, data averaging and saving, the second one is used for data processing including calculation of well integrity performance of the column. The program system is implemented in the graphical programming environment LabVIEW. The results of laboratory and natural tests are presented .

Design and implementation of a three axis digitally controlled traverse system for flow surveys in a drying chamber

The current paper describes the design and development of a pc-controlled three axis traverse system that aims to serve extensive velocity and temperature measurements into the drying chamber of a laboratory scale convective dryer. The traversing gear design has been conducted based on the convective dryers specific experimental requirements and limitations. The fabricated traversing gear uses a trapezoidal lead screw-nut assembly supported by linear ball bearings, coupled with bipolar stepper motors for positioning in three dimensional spaces. A custom drive system solution was selected for achieving accurate motor control, paired with computer software developed using the LabVIEW graphical programming environment. The functionality of the traversing system was experimentally verified by testing mechanical and electronic assemblies, but also by determining the per axis positioning error. Keywords: Fluid Flow Measurement, Digital Control, Motion Control, Displacement Control, Electromechanical Devices.

A new software program for overcurrent relay-fuse characteristic curves for power system protection

This paper presents a program that has been developed to set and plot the characteristics of different types of fuses and relays used in power system protection. It is important to demonstrate the characteristics of such protective devices, so that the coordination between them becomes easier to check. A couple of experimental tests on a power system circuit have been set. A fault has been inserted in the line, a timer and a LabView graphical programming environment has been used to test the delay time between the fault and the tripping of the circuit breaker. Experimental measurements of the power system tested authenticate the software developed and highlight its practicability.

LabVIEW-based control and data acquisition system for cathodoluminescence experiments

Computer automation of cathodoluminescence (CL) experiments using equipment developed in our laboratory is described. The equipment provides various experiments for CL efficiency, CL spectra, and CL time response studies. The automation was realized utilizing the graphical programming environment LabVIEW. The developed application software with procedures for equipment control and data acquisition during various CL experiments is presented. As the measured CL data are distorted by technical limitations of the equipment, such as equipment spectral sensitivity and time response, data correction algorithms were incorporated into the procedures. Some examples of measured data corrections are presented.

Electromagnetic and Acoustic Emission Signals Real-Time Measurement, Processing and Data Evaluation

This paper describes our new improved set-up for EME and AE signals measurement and includes some experimental results. This new measurement system is based on the PXI platform, which is one of the most extended modular platforms for measurement and automation systems. The complex program package in the LabVIEW graphical programming environment was developed for the continual multi-channel EME and AE signals measurement, real time processing and evaluation. It offers the possibility to observe the stressed materials response to applied mechanical load in real time.

Application of a remote image surveillance system in a robotic weapon

As one of the major steps toward a fully intelligent autonomous robotic weapon, we have made progress in three major areas, (1) design of the surveillance system by an AVR microcontroller, (2) implementation of the design mechanism, and (3) performance of the human- machine interface surveillance system via the LabVIEW graphical programming environment, so that the supervisor can control the vehicle with a keyboard or a specially adapted mouse. In order to accomplish all these achievements, there have been major additions and overhauls in both system software codes and system circuit board developments. All these developments, including a new algorithm and hardware implementation, are described in this article. The experimental results have shown the practicality of the AVR microcontroller, the LabVIEW graphical programming environment, and ZigBee wireless technology applied to a robotic weapon.

Setup for the in situ monitoring of the irradiation-induced effects in optical fibers in the ultraviolet-visible optical range

The paper describes a setup for in situ monitoring of the radiation-induced optical absorption and the radiation-induced luminescence, in the UV-visible spectral range (200–800 nm), for large diameter (400μm) optical fibers. Silica and sapphire optical fibers were irradiated, at room temperature, with gamma rays (dose rate of 0.33kGy∕h, total dose of 34.5 kGy) and protons (dose rate of 100Gy∕s, total dose of 1.8 MGy). At several moments, the irradiation was interrupted and the annealing of the radiation-induced optical absorption was observed at room temperature. The setup also makes possible the monitoring of the optical radiation-induced recovery of the optical absorption (the effect of photobleaching), as the optical fiber can be exposed at the same time to both the ionizing radiation (gamma or protons) and to the radiation of a broadband optical source. The optical absorption and radioluminescence were measured with an optical fiber multichannel spectrometer coupled to an optical fiber multiplexer. The equipment control as well as the data collection and processing were performed using the graphical programming environment LabVIEW. The paper includes several graphs illustrating the evolution of the optical absorption and radiation-induced luminescence during gamma and proton irradiation of optical fibers.

A new fast type of Mössbauer spectrometer for the rapid determination of iron-bearing minerals used in the paint industry

A new miniaturised Mossbauer spectrometer has been developed for laboratory and industrial application. Equipped with a YAIO3:Ce crystal fast scintillation detector unit and mini transducer for the energy modulation of gamma rays, the unique mechanical design enhances protection from radiation and prevents disturbance by mechanical vibrations. It can be used with various types of cryostat and furnace. Supported by the LabVIEW graphical programming environment and by the new algorithm for the quantification of iron-components, the spectrometer can be used as a single-purpose instrument for the rapid determination of the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio in ilmenite and Morin transition temperature of hematite. It can also be used to monitor the manufacturing processes for titanium white and copperas red.