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NI vector signal transceivers combine a vector signal generator, vector signal analyzer, and user-programmable FPGA into one device. NI VECTOR SIGNAL TRANSCEIVERS NI Authorized Distributor and System Integration Partner Home > Products > Vector Signal Transceivers Vector Signal Transceivers Vector Signal Transceivers combine a vector signal generator, vector signal analyzer, and user-programmable FPGA into one device. Use these products for RF and wireless applications such as cellular device testing and RFIC characterization. STAND-ALONE OR COMPUTER-BASED DEVICES Platform modules integrate with modular hardware platforms that allow you to combine different types of modules in a custom system that leverages shared platform features. NI offers three hardware platforms—CompactDAQ , CompactRIO , and PXI —though all platforms may not be represented in this category. PXI Vector Signal Transceiver Combines a vector signal generator and vector signal analyzer with FPGA-based, real-time signal processing and control. Feature Highlights: Platform: PXI Bus: PXI Express

Events ||NI Test Forum - Phoenix| NI Test Forum - Phoenix NI Test Forum - Phoenix May 15, 2025 Phoenix, AZ As engineering demands evolve, testing needs to be faster, more accurate, and adaptable to complex workflows. This forum provides an in-depth look at how NI’s latest solutions in hardware and software can streamline and optimize testing processes across various application areas. Attendees will explore advanced validation techniques that reduce development time, boost throughput, and improve data reliability—all critical for meeting today’s stringent testing requirements. Come join us for any portion of the day and engage with sessions that align with your interests to make the most of your time. Join industry experts for hands-on and technical sessions on test automation, real-time data acquisition, and system flexibility. Explore NI platforms like PXI, CompactDAQ, and mioDAQ, through live demos. Learn about the latest Aerospace and Defense advancements, including rack-based ATE and RF solutions for SatCom, radar, and electronic warfare. Gain insights into scalable test systems that handle growing datasets, deliver fast results, and drive efficiency across your organization. Space is limited to this complimentary event. Make sure to register early to secure your spot! https://events.ni.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x1476692d99#:~:text=This%20forum%20provides%20an%20in,processes%20across%20various%20application%20areas.

Data Acquisition Products Download DAQ, Industrial PXI Download DAQ, PXI, Simultaneous DAQ, PXI, High Performance DAQ, PXI, Value DAQ, Desktop PCI DAQ, USB Download DAQ, USB, Multifunction DAQ, USB, High Speed Compact DAQ (cDAQ) Family Download Compact DAQ (cDAQ) Chassis Compact DAQ (cDAQ) Controller Real-Time & Embedded CompactRIO (cRIO) Family CompactRIO (cRIO) Chassis CompactRIO (cRIO) Modules Download Single-Board RIO Download sbRIO Main Boards sbRIO I/O Modules sbRIO Accessories Download PXI Platform Download PXI Chassis PXI Controllers PXI Modules Download PXI Data Aqcuisition Download PXI, DAQ, Simultaneous PXI, DAQ, High Performance PXI, DAQ, Value PXI Oscilloscopes PXI Digital Multimeters Industrial Instrumentation Download Digital Multimeters (DMM's) Download PXI Digital Multimeters Oscilloscopes & Digitizers Download Oscilloscopes, USB Oscilloscopes, PXI Oscilloscopes, Desktop PCI Oscilloscope Accessories Digitizer, PXI, High Performance Digitizer, PXI, Value Not yet used

Project Case Study Industrial Flow Batteries Use Circaflex to Help Support the Power Grid Sep 22, 2023 92a1e0ae-4d4a-434b-9c05-467e5be17248 92a1e0ae-4d4a-434b-9c05-467e5be17248 Home > Case Studies > Energy storage devices The Challenge A designer and manufacturer of complex flow batteries approached us with the need for a system to control and monitor the function of their long-term energy storage devices. The Solution Using our embedded control system Circaflex paired with the NI Single-Board RIO we designed a system for the control and monitoring of flow battery cells in their proprietary energy storage devices. The Story and The Cyth Process Industrial flow batteries are batteries created to help support the power grid. They do so by charging and storing energy from the grid at high densities and then discharging energy later when needed. In doing so, these devices stabilize the electrical grid by providing power when production cannot meet demands. Zinc bromide diagram System architecture diagram of a zinc bromide flow battery. (Credit: flowbatteryforum.com) The customer, a producer of zinc-bromide flow batteries, approached us with the need for a system to control and monitor the function of their long-term energy storage devices. Zinc-bromide batteries are rechargeable and use a reaction between zinc metal, bromine, and an aqueous solution to produce an electric current. The liquid electrolyte presents an alternative to lithium-ion batteries that is less prone to overheating and/or fire. Each of these Zinc-bromide reactions is contained in a compact battery cell that requires an electronic controller. This is where the NI Single-Board RIO paired with our Circaflex control board excelled. The customer required a set of control boards that could handle high voltages, condition signals, and support high-speed communication. Using our Circaflex design framework were able to design this in a pair of boards tailored to the specific needs of their application enabling us to create a proof of concept within weeks. Flow battery energy management system diagram. Our engineering team began by developing a Battery Control Board (BCB) that controlled and individually communicated with each of the 16 flow cells that made up the unit’s battery. Through wired connections, our board effectively monitored each of the cell’s voltages, currents, performance, health, and temperatures. Since each of the customer’s energy storage units contained two of these large battery packs, a System Control Board (SCB) was required. This board continuously directed the unit’s BCBs to one of three modes: charging, idle, or discharging. Likewise, the SCB gives reports to a user interface on the system’s overall health status which operators use during maintenance and repair. The flow battery unit’s Battery Control Board (BCB). Overcoming the Obstacles The largest obstacle our team faced in the design of the flow battery’s control boards, was designing the board-to-board communication without an electrical connection between them. Normally when data is sent or received on any circuit board, an electrical connection is a requirement. The customer’s boards presented two hurdles in this area as no two components on the board could have any electrical connection, and the boards couldn’t have any electrical connection between each other as well. This was due to the high-voltage nature of the customer’s system. Each of the system’s zinc bromide batteries totaled 480V and if they weren’t isolated the voltage would short the boards and hence the entire system. Our team designed signal isolation into the battery control board so that each of the battery cell’s channels were isolated. This required an “air gap”, (additional space on the PCB) between channels. Likewise, for communication between the boards, our engineers found fiber-optic connectors to be the best solution. To enable communication between the SCB and BCB control boards, and between the BCB and battery cells, our engineers used Modbus TCP/IP communication protocols facilitated by a fiber optic design network. In doing so, our team was able to finalize the system of control boards needed to fulfill the high-speed communication requirements of the flow battery and was able to prepare the device for deployment. Industrial flow battery featuring Circaflex Delivering the Outcome Our engineering team designed a system of two boards to control and monitor zinc-bromide battery cells located in our customer’s energy storage device. The pairing of a battery control board and a system control board was the solution that best enabled high-speed communication, monitoring, and control of all the battery cells located in the customer’s unit. The Circaflex platform enabled our team to fast-track the design and development of our customizable circuit boards. If there was any ability that our board’s base design didn’t support, such as fiberoptic communication, we were able to add it using a custom module and connector. This allowed us to deliver a proof of concept within weeks and have the final boards ready for deployment within three months. We were able to help the customer accelerate the path to market of their industrial flow batteries while helping deliver a high-quality design that fit well within their project needs and deployment budget. Technical Specifications Battery Control Board 16 x Battery Voltage Analog In Channels, -5V to +15V 20 x SPDT Relays, 250 VAC,30 VDC, 8A 1 x Industrial Digital Out, 24V, 20 kHz PWM 2 x Industrial Digital In, 24V 1 x Fiber Optic, Transmit and Receive, 820 nm, ST 1 x GIGE 1 x CAN 1 x RS232 Serial Comm 1 x RS485 Serial Comm 1 x 24V Power Input 2 x O – 24mA Analog Current Output 3 x Thermistor Input 3 x 4 – 20mA Analog Current Input System Control Board 1 x RS232 Serial Comm 1 x RS485 Serial Comm 5 x SPST Relays, 250 VAC,30 VDC, 8A 2 x Industrial Digital Output 5 x Isolated Industrial Digital In, 24V, 20 kHz PWM 2 x Industrial Digital Input 2 x Industrial Digital Out, 24V, 20 kHz PWM – used for Pulse Width Modulation 1 x Thermistor Input 1 x Fiber Optic, Transmit and Receive, 820 nm, ST 4 x Analog Out 3 x Industrial Analog Industrial Differential 3 x Industrial Analog Single Ended Citation: What Is a Flow Battery? – the International Flow Battery Forum . flowbatteryforum.com/what-is-a-flow-battery. Accessed 14 Oct. 2022. Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study An Overview of the PXI Platform Mar 30, 2025 c4fd5333-1bd4-404e-b99a-71b3da9f50c0 c4fd5333-1bd4-404e-b99a-71b3da9f50c0 Home > Case Studies > Powered by software, PXI is a rugged PC-based platform for measurement and automation systems. PXI combines PCI electrical-bus features with the modular, Eurocard packaging of CompactPCI and then adds specialized synchronization buses and key software features. PXI is both a high-performance and low-cost deployment platform for applications such as manufacturing test, military and aerospace, machine monitoring, automotive, and industrial test. Developed in 1997 and launched in 1998, PXI is an open industry standard governed by the PXI Systems Alliance (PXISA), a group of more than 70 companies chartered to promote the PXI standard, ensure interoperability, and maintain the PXI specification across its mechanical, electrical, and software architectures. Figure 1: The PXISA defines requirements to ensure interoperability between vendors, and leaves flexibility for vendor-defined functionality. PXI systems are composed of three main hardware components: chassis, controller, and peripheral modules. The hardware systems are driven by software, often with individual portions of LabVIEW, C/C++, .NET, or Python code being organized by test management software (for example, TestStand). Figure 2: A PXI system includes a chassis, controller, instrumentation, and software. PXI Platform Chassis The PXI Chasses is the backbone of a PXI system and compares to the mechanical enclosure and motherboard of a desktop PC. It provides power, cooling, and a communication bus to the system, and supports multiple instrumentation modules within the same enclosure. PXI uses commercial PC-based PCI and PCI Express bus technology while combining rugged CompactPCI modular packaging, as well as key timing and synchronization features. Chassis range in size from four to 18 slots to fit the needs of any application, whether its intentions are to be a portable, a benchtop, a rack-mount, or an embedded system. Figure 3: NI PXI chassis vary in size from four to 18 slots. PCI and PCI Express Communication The PCI bus gained adoption as a mainstream computer bus in the mid-1990s as a parallel bus with a theoretical maximum of 132 MB/s shared bandwidth. PCI Express was introduced in 2003 as an improvement to the PCI standard. The new standard replaced the shared bus used for PCI with a shared switch, which gives each device its own direct access to the bus. Unlike PCI, which divides bandwidth between all devices on the bus, PCI Express provides each device with its own dedicated data pipeline. Data is sent serially in packets through pairs of transmit-and-receive signals called lanes, which enable 250 MB/s theoretical bandwidth per direction, per lane for PCI Express 1.0. Since the introduction of PCI Express, the standard has continued to evolve to allow faster data rates while maintaining backward compatibility. PCI Express 2.0 doubles the per-lane theoretical bandwidth to 500 MB/s per direction, and PCI Express 3.0 doubles this again to 1 GB/s per direction, per lane. Multiple lanes can also be grouped together into x2 (“by two”), x4, x8, x12, and x16 lane widths to further increase bandwidth capabilities. Figure 4: PCI Express provides a high data throughput and low communication latency bus, ideal for test and measurement applications. Equivalently, the PXI Express standard evolved from the PXI standard to incorporate the PCI Express bus. This increased bandwidth allows PXI Express to meet even more application needs like high-speed digitizer data streaming to disk, highspeed digital protocol analysis, and large-channel-count DAQ systems for structural and acoustic test. Because the PXI Express backplane integrates PCI Express while still preserving compatibility with PXI modules, users benefit from increased bandwidth while maintaining backward compatibility with legacy PXI systems. PXI Express specifies PXI Express hybrid slots to deliver signals for both PCI and PCI Express. With PCI Express electrical lines connecting the system slot controller to the hybrid slots of the backplane, PXI Express provides a high-bandwidth path from the controller to backplane slots. Using a PCI Express-to-PCI bridge, PXI Express provides PCI signaling to all PXI and PXI Express slots to ensure compatibility with hybrid-compatible PXI modules on the backplane. In doing so, these PXI Express hybrid slots provide backward compatibility that is not available with desktop PC card-edge connectors, in which a single slot cannot support both PCI and PCI Express signaling. Timing and Synchronization One of the key advantages of a PXI system is the integrated timing and synchronization . A PXI chassis incorporates a dedicated 10 MHz system reference clock, PXI trigger bus, star trigger bus, and slot-to-slot local bus to address the need for advanced timing and synchronization. These timing signals are dedicated signals in addition to the communication architecture. The 10 MHz clock within the chassis can be exported or replaced with a higher stability reference. This allows the sharing of the 10 MHz reference clock between multiple chassis and other instruments that can accept a 10 MHz reference. By sharing this 10 MHz reference, higher sample rate clocks can phase-lock loop (PLL) to the stable reference, improving the sample alignment of multiple PXI instruments. In addition to the reference clock, PXI provides eight transistor-transistor logic (TTL) lines as a trigger bus. This allows any module in the system to set a trigger that can be seen from any other module. Finally, the local bus provides a means to establish dedicated communication between adjacent modules. Building on PXI capabilities, PXI Express also provides a 100 MHz differential system clock, differential signaling, and differential star triggers. By using differential clocking and synchronization, PXI Express systems benefit from increased noise immunity for instrumentation clocks and the ability to transmit at higher-frequency rates. PXI Express chassis provide these more advanced timing and synchronization capabilities in addition to all the standard PXI timing and synchronization signaling. Figure 5: The timing and synchronization capabilities of PXI and PXI Express chassis provide the best-in-class integration of instrumentation and I/O modules. In addition to the signal-based methods of synchronizing PXI and PXI Express, these systems can also leverage synchronization methods using absolute time. A variety of sources including GPS, IEEE 1588, or IRIG can provide absolute time with the use of an additional timing module. These protocols transmit time information in a packet so systems can correlate their time. PXI systems have been deployed over large distances without sharing physical clocks or triggers. Instead, they rely on sources such as GPS to synchronize their measurements. Power and Cooling The I/O and instrumentation modules that populate a PXI chassis vary in their amount of required power. NI PXI Express chassis provide at least 38.25 W of power and cooling to every peripheral slot; some chassis push slot cooling capacity even further and can provide 58 W or 82 W of cooling to a single slot. This extra power and cooling make advanced capabilities of high-performance modules, such as digitizers, high-speed digital I/O, and RF modules, possible in applications that may require continuous acquisition or high-speed testing. Chassis vary in total power, so it is always a best practice to perform a system-level power budget when configuring a new system. Figure 6: The PXIe-1085 24 GB/s chassis includes high-performance, field-replaceable fans. Controller As defined by the PXI Hardware Specification, all PXI chassis contain a system controller slot located in the leftmost slot of the chassis (slot 1). Controller options include remote control modules that allow PXI system control from a desktop, workstation, server, or laptop computer as well as high-performance embedded controllers with either a Microsoft OS (Windows 7/10) or a real-time OS (LabVIEW Real-Time). PXI Embedded Controllers PXI embedded controllers eliminate the need for an external PC and provide a high-performance, yet compact in-chassis embedded computer solution for your PXI or PXI Express measurement system. These embedded controllers have extended temperature, shock, and vibration specifications and come with an extensive feature list such as the latest integrated CPUs, hard drive, memory, Ethernet, video, serial, USB, and other peripherals. By providing these peripherals on the controller’s front panel, overall system cost is minimized because you don’t need to purchase individual PXI or PXI Express cards to gain similar functionality. The controller comes pre-configured with LabVIEW Real-Time or Microsoft Windows and all the device drivers pre-installed. NI’s embedded controllers also have managed life cycles and offer vendor support to ensure test system longevity and compatibility with the PXI ecosystem. PXI embedded controllers are typically built using standard PC components in a small PXI package. Performance benchmarking done by NI R&D also ensures the development of controllers that are optimized for test and measurement applications to guarantee that code and algorithms run faster. For example, the PXIe-8880 has a 2.3 GHz eight-core Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3 processor (3.4 GHz maximum in single-core, Turbo Boost mode), up to 24 GB of DDR4 RAM, solid-state drive, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, SMB trigger, and standard PC peripherals like two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, DisplayPort, and GPIB. When NI releases a new PXI embedded controller, it offers the controller shortly after major computer manufacturers like Dell or HP release computers featuring the same high-performance embedded mobile processor. Because NI has been in the business of releasing PXI embedded controllers for more than 15 years, the company has developed a close working relationship with key processor manufacturers such as Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). For example, NI is an associate member of the Intel Embedded Alliance, which offers access to the latest Intel product roadmaps and samples. Figure 7: The PXIe-8880 embedded controller, featuring the eight-core Intel Xeon E5 processor, is ideal for high-performance, high-throughput, and computationally intensive test and measurement applications. In addition to computing performance, I/O bandwidth plays a critical role in designing instrumentation systems. As modern test and measurement systems become more complex, there is a growing need to exchange more and more data between the instruments and the system controller. With the introduction of PCI Express and PXI Express, NI embedded controllers have met this need and now deliver up to 24 GB/s of system bandwidth to the PXI Express chassis backplane. Figure 8: NI has continued to deliver the latest and most powerful processing technology to the PXI platform for the last 20 years. Rack-Mount Controllers To provide an alternative computing and control option, NI offers external 1U rack-mount controllers. They feature high-performance multicore processors for intensive computation and multiple removable hard drives for high data storage capacity and high-speed streaming to disk. These controllers are designed to be used with MXI-Express and MXI-4 remote controllers for interfacing to PXI or PXI Express chassis. In this configuration, the PXI/PXI Express devices in the PXI system appear as local PCI/PCI Express devices in the rack-mount controller. Figure 9: Rack-mount controllers with MXI-Express or MXI-4 remote controllers can be used to control PXI or PXI Express chassis. PC Control of PXI Through MXI-Express technology , PXI Remote Control Modules provide a simple, transparent connection between a host machine, like a desktop PC, and the PXI chassis and instruments. During start-up, the computer recognizes all peripheral modules in the PXI system as PCI boards, allowing further interaction with these devices through the controller. PC control of PXI consists of a PCI/PCI Express board in your computer and a PXI/PXI Express module in slot one of your PXI system, connected by a copper or fiber-optic cable. Copper cables offer higher data throughput capability, but are generally shorter (1 to 10 meters), while fiber-optic cables are available in much longer options (up to 100 meters), but may have lower data throughput capability. Most PCs are immediately compatible with PXI remote control solutions. Furthermore, compatibility with MXI-Express devices is extended to even more PCs through NI's MXI-Express Bios Compatibility Software . Laptop Control of PXI You can equivalently control a PXI Express system from a laptop computer using the PXIe-8301 remote control module from National Instruments. Laptop control of PXI Express consists of a PXI Express module in slot one of your chassis and a Thunderbolt 3™ cable connected to your laptop. Figure 11: The PXIe-8301 remote control module is ideal for ultra-portable applications. Multichassis Configurations Multichassis configurations allow two or more PXI chassis to be managed by a single master controller. As a unified system, multiple chassis can take advantage of benefits such as cross-chassis synchronization, separation of instrument types to optimize data throughput, and peer-to-peer transfers between instruments in separate chassis. The most common method of forming a multichassis system is through daisy chaining. A daisy-chain topology consists of one or more slave (downstream) chassis connected in series to a master (upstream) chassis that is controlled through a PC or PXI embedded controller. When using a daisy-chain topology, each slave chassis is visible to and controllable by the host machine. Figure 12: A PXIe-8364 host interface module is placed in a peripheral slot of the master chassis containing an embedded controller. While the above solution requires an additional module in a peripheral slot for daisy chaining, some PXI Remote Control Modules contain built-in daisy-chaining capability through the inclusion of two ports—one for an upstream connection and one for a downstream connection. Figure 13: A desktop PC with a PCIe-8375 is connected to a master PXI Express chassis through a PXIe-8375 remote control module. Some host interface cards contain two downstream ports, allowing for a star topology. Rather than connecting two slave chassis in series (daisy chain), the star topology connects two slave chassis in parallel, allowing each chassis to communicate directly to the host rather than through an intermediary chassis. Figure 14: The PCIe-8362 host interface card contains two MXI-Express connections, allowing two PXI Express chassis to be controlled through a desktop PC using a star topology. Peripheral Modules NI offers more than 600 PXI modules. Because PXI is an open industry standard, nearly 1,500 products are available from more than 70 different instrument vendors. In addition, since PXI is directly compatible with CompactPCI, you can use any 3U CompactPCI module in a PXI system as well. A common misconception regarding the small PXI footprint is that this space savings comes at the cost of performance. It is important to understand that the PXI platform can offer this space savings not by lowering performance but by modularizing the system. Every traditional boxed instrument requires a separate processing circuitry system, display, and physical interface. For PXI-based instrumentation systems, these functions are designated to specific components shared among multiple instruments. A PXI embedded controller acts like a central processing and control hub for all the different instruments in the PXI chassis. It also provides a human interface through its connectivity to external peripherals such as a video monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Figure 15: NI offers over 600 different PXI modules. Software running on the embedded controller interacts with the different PXI instruments to define the actual functionality of the test system. With these standard functions designated to an embedded controller that offers state-of-the-art performance, PXI instruments need to contain only the actual instrumentation circuitry, which provides effective performance in a small footprint. Software The development and operation of a Windows-based PXI or PXI Express system is no different from that of a standard Windows-based PC. Therefore, you do not have to rewrite existing application software or learn new programming techniques when moving between PC and PXI-based systems. Using PXI, you can reduce your development time and quickly automate your instruments by using G in LabVIEW, an intuitive graphical programming language that is the industry standard for test, or NI LabWindows™/CVI for C development. You can also use other programming languages such as those that are part of Visual Studio .NET, Visual Basic, Python, and C/C++. In addition, PXI controllers can run applications developed with test management software such as TestStand. Test management software includes not only a test executive, but also a fully featured test architecture that provides you the flexibility to customize behavior to meet specific needs like sequencing, branching/looping, report generation, and database integration. Test management software along with PXI modular instrumentation provides an integrated solution that can both simplify test development and reduce maintenance for long-term success. As an alternative to Windows-based systems, you can use a real-time software architecture for time-critical applications requiring deterministic loop rates and headless operation (no keyboard, mouse, or monitor). Real-time OSs help you prioritize tasks so that the most critical task always takes control of the processor, reducing jitter. You can simplify the development of real-time systems by using real-time versions of industry-standard development environments such as the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabWindows/CVI Real-Time modules. Engineers building dynamic or hardware-in-the-loop PXI test systems can use real-time testing software such as VeriStand to further reduce development time. Figure 16: TestStand manages a PXI system’s test code regardless of the programming language used.

Project Case Study Continental Automotive Reduces the Cost of Automotive Sensor Test Systems Mar 26, 2024 dc5c52cb-2df9-462d-915e-ef3a6417ad75 dc5c52cb-2df9-462d-915e-ef3a6417ad75 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Ing. Alejandro Sarabia, Continental Automotive Edited by Cyth Systems Automotive Sensor Test Systems The Challenge Designing and developing an automated test system for automotive sensors that is easy to maintain and minimizes hardware costs. The Solution Using NI LabVIEW system design software and PXI modular instrumentation to build a custom end-of-line test system in a short time that has the capacity to increase the number of products that can be simultaneously tested. The reliability of variable reluctance (VR) speed sensors is critical. These sensors must be able to operate in the hardest conditions and be highly compatible with all parts of the system. They need to be resistant to external factors such as temperature, humidity, dirt, and some chemicals. Additionally, the sensors must give reliable information without the results being affected by electromagnetic fields and the vicinity of other sensors. Left: The system was replicated to create two parallel testing environments. Right: The graphical user interface shows the values for resistance, inductance, and voltage, as well as the pass/fail values. Application Description For this project, we needed to design a complete test system for all the different electrical and mechanical aspects, ranging from the creation of the feeler gauge to the programming of the software that verifies the different speed sensors. The system carries out the following two main tests on the VR sensor: Measurement of the nominal resistance and inductance of the coil, including checking that the values for the resistance and the inductance of the sensor’s coil are within normal working parameters. Measurement of the induced voltage. We can use the NI PXI-6515 module to control the servomotor of a cogwheel that simulates a tire rotation. The rotation excites the sensor’s coil to generate a voltage signal. We can use the NI PXI-4072 digital multimeter (DMM) and the NI LabVIEW Advanced Signal Processing Toolkit to measure and analyze the signal to obtain its shape, amplitude, and phase angle. We can also use a signal from the servomotor to transmit the data from the DMM and to measure the induced voltage, always on the same wheel cogs. We used this measurement method for each VR sensor, otherwise, we would have different voltage measurements for each pin and the potential cost of the R&R analysis would increase by 100 percent. One of the benefits of using the NI PXI-4072 DMM together with the NI PXI-2503 digital I/O module was that we could carry out multiple measurements such as resistance, inductance, and voltage using a single instrument. This provided significant cost savings. Also, using the NI PXI-6515 digital I/O card meant we could directly control the servomotor and the feeling gauge’s rotation without the need for additional hardware, which resulted in additional savings over using a programmable logic controller just for this task. Finally, implementing the tester in the PXI industrial platform led to a small and modular system. Therefore, we could fit all the testing equipment for the digital signals, analog measurements, and commutation, as well as the equipment for processing and mathematical analysis, in a small rack, which reduced the size of the testing cabinet. Original Authors: Ing. Alejandro Sarabia, Continental Automotive Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Data Acquisition Products Download DAQ, Industrial PXI Download DAQ, PXI, Simultaneous DAQ, PXI, High Performance DAQ, PXI, Value DAQ, Desktop PCI DAQ, USB Download DAQ, USB, Multifunction DAQ, USB, High Speed Compact DAQ (cDAQ) Family Download Compact DAQ (cDAQ) Chassis Compact DAQ (cDAQ) Controller Real-Time & Embedded CompactRIO (cRIO) Family CompactRIO (cRIO) Chassis CompactRIO (cRIO) Modules Download Single-Board RIO Download sbRIO Main Boards sbRIO I/O Modules sbRIO Accessories Download PXI Platform Download PXI Chassis PXI Controllers PXI Modules Download PXI Data Aqcuisition Download PXI, DAQ, Simultaneous PXI, DAQ, High Performance PXI, DAQ, Value PXI Oscilloscopes PXI Digital Multimeters Industrial Instrumentation Download Digital Multimeters (DMM's) Download PXI Digital Multimeters Oscilloscopes & Digitizers Download Oscilloscopes, USB Oscilloscopes, PXI Oscilloscopes, Desktop PCI Oscilloscope Accessories Digitizer, PXI, High Performance Digitizer, PXI, Value Not yet used

Project Case Study Testing Clutch Drive Plate Production with NI Hardware & LabVIEW Mar 27, 2024 e1908796-9c14-40fd-a42f-ed1d83c3ce26 e1908796-9c14-40fd-a42f-ed1d83c3ce26 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Paul Riley, Computer Controlled Solutions Limited Edited by Cyth Systems Clutch Drive Plate Testing The Challenge Creating an end-of-line test system to provide a traceable quality standard of clutch drive plates for supplying original equipment (OE) parts to the automotive industry. The Solution Using LabVIEW software and NI hardware, including the NI CompactRIO expansion chassis and associated modules, to configure and implement a test system that delivers accuracy, repeatability, high throughput, and reliability in the production environment. The drive plate component of a typical clutch transmits torque from the engine to the driveshaft. The component consists of a friction plate bound to a central spline with springs of varying stiffness. The springs absorb torsional vibration, which provides a solution for driveline noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) problems. NI CompactRIO 9063 Chassis cTo ensure this component works as specified, technicians have to test each one by rotating the central spline relative to the fixed friction plate and analyzing the spring rate and hysteresis characteristics to very fine tolerances. System Hardware Overview We based the system on a high-torque jig (800 Nm) and a low-torque jig (50 Nm) placed on each side of a floor-standing cabinet. Each jig uses a pneumatic actuator to clamp the drive plate, combined with a servo motor that provides a controlled angular deflection. We used a torque cell and encoder to acquire the hysteresis data. The central cabinet contains the following control and acquisition electronics: Intel dual-core Pentium 3.2 GHz processor NI 7811R field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device NI CompactRIO expansion chassis NI quad-core strain gage module NI 32-channel digital outputs (sourcing) NI 32-channel digital inputs (sinking) Baldor drives The jigs contain the following hardware: Baldor brushless servo motor Alpha 220:1 gearboxes Pneumatic actuators to clamp the parts Applied Measurements torque cells We needed to use hardware based on CompactRIO so we could develop a highly accurate machine within our budget. This gave us 24-bit resolution in the acquisition of the torque cell readings plus noise-free digital acquisition and angle control to a resolution of 0.0004 degrees. Software Design We wrote the complete software using NI LabVIEW software algorithms and the LabVIEW FPGA Module. Because the software was for a piece of production equipment, we included multiple features in our design. For example, with minimal operator computer use, the operator can simply load the part and press the start button after powering the system. Also, because our system uses encoders and does not require angle calibration, we built torque calibration into the software and hardware so we can check the torque readings against third-party load cells and displays. Then we can send these units for annual laboratory calibration. With simple test accumulation, the supervisor can create or edit a test, thereby providing a library of tests for all drive plate variations. Also, we saved all of the resultant data in the well-structured and searchable NI DIAdem Technical Data Management Streaming (TDMS) format. This facilitates up to 800 tests per file per day with high-speed search capabilities using the XML-based parameter headers. In addition, we designed the run screen to include historic traces of any measured parameter. This gives the operator/supervisor the ability to spot potential trends in the change of any result for predictive fault detection. We can also acquire data using FPGA hardware, which enables the acquisition of data against angle rather than time, providing a noise-free, ultrahigh resolution of data capture with no wasted data. Using LabVIEW and Associated Hardware for Efficient Development Several LabVIEW features were key in the smooth development cycle of this machine. With the LabVIEW 8.0 project environment, we can contain all PC code, subroutines, and input/output information in one place. We can also put all FPGA-related code, project documentation, data sheets, and specifications in one environment, making future servicing and maintenance easier. Also, the CompactRIO digital input and output modules saved a complete level of intermediate wiring. Normally we convert the computer signals to/from 24 V for operating various solenoids and reading inputs via an intermediate rail of clip-on solid-state relays. Because we used CompactRIO 24 V-rated modules, we eliminated all of this wiring. Using the CompactRIO strain gage module, we achieved a direct connection from the torque cells to the acquisition hardware, thus reducing wiring and minimizing noise. In the software, it provided simple calibration of the transducer with self-checking offset corrections down to a resolution of 100 fV. With the FPGA architecture, we acquired data from each rig independently. This is normally difficult to achieve in a PC-based architecture and usually results in the extra expense of a second PC or a slower synchronous throughput of parts. Furthermore, we used the FPGA for firmware high-speed trip monitoring. The FPGA monitors torque levels at a very high rate and directly cuts power if a level above 95 percent is reached. This saves on external analog hardware and has absolute deterministic response not achievable on a PC. Original Authors: Paul Riley, Computer Controlled Solutions Limited Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study CompactRIO Monitors the Main Gearbox of a Bucket-Wheel Excavator Mar 27, 2024 c903bc98-a90f-4abe-ad42-fd7a41a4d9ef c903bc98-a90f-4abe-ad42-fd7a41a4d9ef Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Pawel Pawlik - AGH University of Science and Technology Dariusz Dabrowski - AGH University of Science and Technology Edited by Cyth Systems Bucket-Wheel Excavator The Challenge Monitoring the planetary gearbox of a bucket-wheel excavator power transmission system to proactively predict parts failures before they occur. The Solution Using NI CompactRIO hardware and LabVIEW software to develop a rugged condition monitoring system to track multiple gearbox parameters using high-speed analog and digital I/O. The Story//Process Machine condition monitoring in mines is economically critical. The costs of unplanned downtimes can quickly cripple a mine’s revenue due to the reduction in production and costs of repairs. Machine condition monitoring systems help minimize down time by predicting failures before they happen. In the Konin opencast mine (Poland), we developed a machine condition monitoring system for the bevel planetary gearbox, which is part of the power transmission system of the bucket-wheel excavator KWK-1500s (see Figure 1). Figure 1. Bucket Wheel of KWK-1500s Excavator. System Hardware Due to demanding industrial and environmental conditions the machine condition monitoring system had to be resistant to shock, vibration, and temperature. It also needed to ensure failure-free operation with the guarantee of diagnostics tasks. Due to these requirements, we chose the NI cRIO-9022 controller and NI cRIO-9114 chassis for our system. To being, we used the NI CompactRIO and the NI 9234 C Series modules to acquire vibration signals. Accelerometers we installed on the gearbox casing measured the signals. The CompactRIO controller facilitated communication with the programmable logic controller via Modbus TCP/IP protocol. As a result, the user could read excavator operation conditions such as oil temperature, oil pressure, power, and rotational speed remotely from controller registers. The CompactRIO device was connected to the industrial panel computer IPPC-6192A by TCP/IP protocol. The system used a touch panel computer for data logging, results presentation, and communication with PC computers that had access privileges. Figure 2. Left: A conveyor in an open-cast coal mine. Right: I/O vibration data points located along the frame of the excavator. System Software Using LabVIEW, we configured the FPGA to perform parallel data acquisition. Afterward, the system sent data to the real-time controller via a first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory buffer, which was configured in the DMA mode. The main application ran on the real-time controller as a multithreaded structure. The structure featured four basic threads: acquisition, ACQ programmable logic controller (PLC), analysis, and communication with the panel PC. The system listed the threads from the highest priority to the lowest. With the multithreaded structure, we could add functionality to the system, such as acquisition analysis or communication, without interfering with the existing program code. Figure 3: Left: Window of data analysis. Right: The software structure on the real-time controller. In the structure, the communication with the PC panel thread was the master thread because it sent commands to the other threads and was responsible for communication with the panel PC. The industrial panel computer used Secure Digital (SD) disks for data storage where the raw signals and all calculated estimates were archived. The system used Technical Data Management Streaming (TDMS) binary files for data logging and acquisition parameters storage. The touch panel PC connected to the mine’s internet remotely for data transmission from the excavator to the PCs. Users with privileges could remotely control system parameters. Diagnostic Signal Analysis The planetary bevel KPB 190-214 transmission gear (nominal power 630 kW, transmission ratio 190 and input shaft rotation 990 rpm) is especially designed for drive systems of bucket-wheel excavators in open-pit mining. The gearbox is divided into four parts from a diagnostics point of view: input shaft, bevel gear, first planetary gear stage, and second planetary gear stage. Figure 3 shows the front panel of the PC application. Rugged, Flexible System Overall, we developed a machine condition monitoring system for the bevel planetary gearbox on the bucket-wheel excavator KWK-1500s located in the Konin opencast mine (Poland). By using NI CompactRIO hardware, we were able to build a rugged system capable of withstanding harsh industrial conditions (vibration) and environmental conditions (weather). We remotely controlled the system parameters and observation of registered data via the mine’s internet by VPN connection. Using LabVIEW’s software architecture, we were able to capture continuous data logging, develop new diagnostics procedures, after verification of new algorithms, incorporate them into the system. References 1 National Instruments, NI LabVIEW for CompactRIO Developer’s Guide, 2012 2 http://www.flsmidth.com , 19.09.2012 Author Information Pawel Pawlik - AGH University of Science and Technology Dariusz Dabrowski - AGH University of Science and Technology Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study Siemens Uses cRIO, LabVIEW to Determine Root Cause of High-Voltage Transients Mar 26, 2024 3b3e5e86-40a1-4a93-bb01-579f47db41cb 3b3e5e86-40a1-4a93-bb01-579f47db41cb Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Ryan Parkinson, Siemens Edited by Cyth Systems Determining Root Cause of High-Voltage Transients Using Ni cRIO. The Challenge Determining the source of electrical high-voltage transients to prevent light-rail car failure. The Solution Combining the benefits of the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and processor in NI CompactRIO hardware to create a rugged, semipermanent monitoring system that records multiple data formats and rates, synchronizes the data, and performs real-time analysis to remotely monitor sensors in an industrial environment for extended durations. Governing subsystem interactions is a fundamental challenge for system integrators. Despite defining exhaustive I/O limits, sometimes failures occur and it is not clear which subsystem interaction generated the destructive element. It is difficult to request subsystem vendor's resources to troubleshoot a problem that did not clearly originate from their equipment, and testing each system in isolation may not account for all interactions. In these cases, the system integrator may be best positioned to monitor the relevant parts of the overall system, isolate the problem source, and assign the appropriate resources to resolve the issue. The Siemens Rail Systems Division recently successfully performed this system integrator's task. Over the past three years, one of our customers faced a recurring issue with our SD160 light-rail transit vehicles. Denver RTD, a bus and light-rail service operating in Denver, Colorado, has 170 Siemens vehicles in operation. These vehicles receive power from an overhead catenary system (OCS), which in turn receives power from RTD's power distribution network. The auxiliary power supplies (APS) on board each vehicle receive power from the OCS and condition it for use by most of the other onboard vehicle subsystems. This APS had a high failure rate, which caused a critical failure for the vehicle. The failure log reported a high-voltage transient on the power input to the APS, which led the vendor to believe that either Denver RTD or the onboard propulsion subsystem (which provides power to the APS during electro-dynamic braking) were providing power outside the acceptable transient limit. However, both RTD and the propulsion unit supplier confirmed that their systems should not generate such a transient. Each light-rail vehicle failure was extremely expensive and time-consuming for Siemens and our supplier, and the failures caused operating delays for our customer. We needed to monitor the situation, establish the root cause, and find a solution as quickly as possible. Preliminary Diagnostic Efforts Initially, engineers at RTD verified OCS voltage levels met specifications. Subsequently, engineers from the APS vendor confirmed voltage transients that could contribute to the equipment failures, although when inducing these transients through various test routines, the APS always performed as designed. This testing required removing the vehicle from passenger service so personnel could monitor portable scopes. This method was inconclusive because high-voltage transients don’t occur very frequently and it is unlikely that a rare, damaging transient would occur during a short test period. It became clear that more comprehensive testing on vehicles in transit was needed to accurately characterize actual operating conditions. The APS vendor built its own remote data logger to permanently install on an SD160 vehicle. It could obtain snapshots of system-level voltage data, but the data was insufficient to understand the surrounding environment and what was causing the transients. These approaches helped us realize that we needed to see the complete picture to diagnose the issue. We decided to build on these earlier efforts and design a rugged, remote system to monitor the trains for long periods of time to find and correct the problem. System Definition We needed a highly flexible, yet powerful monitoring system to accommodate the variety of sensors and communication protocols from the different subsystems. We defined the following requirements: Continuous multichannel voltage sampling at >10,000 Hz to monitor six inputs for high-voltage transients At least three different configurable sampling rates to optimize each signal class data rate and minimize storage requirements A serial input using standard protocols to interface with the GPS antenna and provide location information for events Real-time calculations to provide output responses to interact with the sensors Pre- and posttrigger (event) data recording without saving nontrigger data to optimize analysis and minimize storage needs Large storage capacity Video management Automatically synchronize all inputs regardless of data rate or format Automatic downloads for extended operation with minimal personnel interactions Vibration and temperature operating ranges acceptable for installation on a rail vehicle Small footprint for installation in an electrical compartment Left: Permanent CompactRIO Installation, Right: High-Voltage Transducers and Fuse Installation Programming With LabVIEW We programmed our system exclusively with NI LabVIEW system design software, using the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA modules. We programmed the FPGA to acquire high voltages, currents, and vehicle diagnostics. We programmed the processor to acquire GPS locations and vehicle speeds, to perform daily housekeeping, and to perform postprocessing which allowed us to erase nontrigger data and minimize storage requirements since we were recording about 1 GB of data every 30 minutes. With automated postprocessing, we stored only about 5 GB per day. NI has a great database of prewritten code. Plugging in GPS software modules and general templates for the FPGA and processor software layout saved us a significant amount of time. After attending LabVIEW Core 1 and Core 2 classes in San Diego, we progressed from first-time users to advanced programmers in only a few months. Due to the intuitive nature of LabVIEW and previous programming experience, we completed and tested the software in less than six months. Benefits of CompactRIO FPGA and Processor Perhaps the greatest benefit of CompactRIO is the FPGA/processor combination. Because the FPGA is reconfigurable, the achievable data rates and sampling accuracy are comparable to most state-of-the-art scopes. We can perform real-time calculations and outputs with no processor delays. Once the data is timestamped and buffered, the processor advantages come into play. Software engineers can take advantage of the full breadth of the processor’s flexibility to achieve extended and remote FPGA operation and manage large data sets. The buffered data can be retrieved and written to a USB drive, making its storage capabilities comparable to a laptop. The GPS signal is monitored and recorded. Scripts are run to postprocess, erase nontrigger data, and prepare the data for analysis. Daily tasks are performed and automated FTP uploads to a server can be executed each evening. Rugged and Reconfigurable The CompactRIO exceeded all our environmental requirements. It handles a temperature range of -40 °C to 80 °C, so we mounted the unit externally in an electrical compartment. Its small footprint and excellent vibration/shock resistance allowed for easy, semipermanent installation. CompactRIO is highly customizable. We knew we needed to conduct multiple phases of investigation, and the ability to reconfigure the system to hone in on potential problem areas was a significant benefit. After performing preliminary voltage analysis, we discovered that it would be beneficial to monitor two current signals. Adding these two signals was a very simple task. Using a CompactRIO with swappable input modules, we could monitor almost any conceivable input. Original Authors: Ryan Parkinson, Siemens Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

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Project Case Study Machine Vision System Inspects Medical Guide Wire Electrode for Surgical Safety System Jan 14, 2024 fb9715c8-f39b-4530-8809-a9012ba48460 fb9715c8-f39b-4530-8809-a9012ba48460 Home > Case Studies > Machine Vision System Enables the Inspection of FDA-Approved Medical Guide Wire The Challenge A global medical device manufacturer came to us with the need for a system to automate the inspection of a surgical guidewire. The Solution Using Neural Vision and a machine vision system, we ran the customer’s surgical guidewire through an in-depth inspection process that improved their quality control while increasing throughput and decreasing test times. The Story The customer’s surgical guidewire is a finely wound coil .3 mm in width used to remove clots in arteries and veins. If the wire has any sharp edges or imperfections, it can lodge itself in the patient’s tissue and cause severe damage. Our customer reached out to us for assistance in developing a new machine vision inspection process for their product, including a custom software application including an operator interface (OE) for use and configuration. Two Cognex 5MP cameras with two Edmund Optics telecentric lenses attached. The client provided a mechanical system that rotated the guidewire. Our engineering team paired a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) with the existing mechanical system to send triggers for the vision system (two Cognex 5MP cameras with two Edmund Optics telecentric lenses attached) to capture images. Using LabVIEW, we then created a graphical user interface for receiving the captured images and saving them for post-processing. After initial image collection begins, Neural Vision begins analysis through the power of deep learning. It does this by identifying similarities and differences in key characteristics of each image at the pixel level and by learning to make subjective observations over a multitude of images. The software can determine the coil’s length and inspect the shape of the coil’s tip to ensure that it was properly cut, formed, and soldered. The user interface shows a “pass/fail” result for three test cases: - Guidewire segment is the correct length - Proper soldering - Precision scoring of the tip Initial Prototype. After the creation of the graphical user interface, the second project phase was to expand and refine Neural Vision’s defect inspection. In the project’s first phase, there was a false reject percentage of 13%. This meant that 13% of the time, the operator identified the part as a pass while Neural Vision determined it a failure. An important goal our team recognized was to reduce the false reject percentage to under 10%. To accomplish this, we categorized the tip defects rather than giving them all a blanket “bad” label during the inspection. In specifying the tip defects, we tailored the image results to a more consistent accuracy. Our engineers were able to create ten different defect categories with their own individual thresholds. This reduced the frequency of false rejects to 6%. Overcoming the Obstacles The largest obstacle our team faced was determining how to accurately tag the differences in characteristics between images for Neural Vision’s success. It was important to decide how to best analyze the results of the guidewire’s tip, and this problem could only be solved through collaboration with the client. Tagging the images the inspection system collects is the most crucial step in Neural Vision’s development process. This is because Neural Vision software is “programmed” by a user tagging images as “good” or “bad” which pixel-by-pixel builds an accurate model. This requires strong attention to detail as one is often looking for small defects on a high-definition image. If an acceptable image is accidentally tagged as containing a defect, the Neural Vision model can become confused as the data it is being fed is not consistent. The operator who is tagging images must be specific and consistent, over hundreds of images. Each tagged image improves the model’s ability to identify product defects. Graphical user interface. Delivering the Outcome In collaboration with our client, we designed and deployed a vision inspection system that consistently identified good vs. defective wires while reducing the percentage of false rejects. We were able to educate the client on the complete extent of their vision inspection system and Neural Vision’s ability to characterize wire defects. Automating our client’s inspection process saved them significant time and money and improved their quality control process to meet medical standards. Technical Specifications • 2 x GigE, 5MP, 24fps, CMOS, Sony IMX264 2/3", Monochrome Cameras • 2 x 65mm WD Compact Telecentric Len • 1 x 52mm Telecentric Backlight Illuminator • 1 x Blue, 0.315" LED Spot Light • Cyth’s Neural Vision Software • LabVIEW 2017 (64-bit)

Certified LabVIEW Architect (CLA) The Certified LabVIEW Architect (CLA) is the final step in the three-part LabVIEW certification process. The exam verifies the user’s ability to build a sensible VI hierarchy and project plan for delivering an application that fulfills a set of high-level requirements. Certified Architects provide technical leadership, helping ensure the developers on their team follow best practices and become more competent and efficient developers. 1 Review the Requirements 2 Prepare for the Exam 3 Schedule an Exam 4 Share your Success 5 Recertify Review the Requirements Step 1. The Certified LabVIEW Architect (CLA) certification is the highest level of LabVIEW certification that is valid for 4 years. Recertification is required to maintain credentials. Benefits include the use of the professional certification badge logo and related digital credentials. NI recommends that you have 36 months or more experience of developing medium to large applications and that you have mastered the content in the Software Engineering for Test Applications Training Courses. Exam Details Prerequisite: An active Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) certification Format: VI and application architecture development Duration: 4 hours Location: Online Prepare for the Exam Step 2. Preparing for Your Exam CTA Exam Topics TestStand Advanced Architecture Series Step 3. Schedule the Exam Once you have completed your exam preparation and have met all prerequisite requirements, you are ready to schedule your exam. For in-person exam registration, please email us at solutions@cyth.com Share your success Step 4. 1. When you complete the CLA exam, your exam will be graded by engineers at NI. 2. You will be advised if you passed or failed. -If you passed you will receive a notification email with your digital credential. -If you have not received your notification email within 3 days of receiving the notification that you passed the assessment, email services@ni.com 3. To share your badge, please follow these instructions: a. Log into your account at Credly b. Click on the profile icon at the top right-hand corner of the page and go to “Badge Management” c. Click on the badge you are looking to share d. Scroll down and click “Share” e. You will be brought to the “Share Badge” screen where you can find different tabs directing you to connect your social media accounts and share your badge Recertify Step 5. Certified professionals can recertify using one of two methods: -Recertification exam -Recertification by points Recertification Interval 4 Years Recertification Exam Details Format: Multiple Choice Duration: 1 hour Location: Online Prepare: CLA-R Exam Preparation Resources Recertification by Points -By participating and completing approved activities, certified professionals can earn and accumulate points redeemable toward recertification. For information on recertifying with points. Enroll

Project Case Study Load and Torque Testing of Cargo Drive Trains Using CompactRIO Mar 27, 2024 9466c09d-8d4e-48c6-9a68-117360b99c9e 9466c09d-8d4e-48c6-9a68-117360b99c9e Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Paul Riley, Computer Controlled Solutions Limited Edited by Cyth Systems Testing the drive trains of shipping container loading cranes using CompactRIO. The Challenge Overland and maritime transport of shipping containers using railways and cargo vessels is the most fuel-efficient shipping method relative we have today. To load railcars and cargo vessels requires colossal drive trains capable of safely moving shipping containers several tons in weight. To ensure the success of these drive trains, we needed to create an equally colossal test rig capable of safely applying hundreds of kilonewtons of torque and move a 25-ton positioning platform with submillimeter accuracy. The Solution Creating a data acquisition and control system using LabVIEW and CompactRIO for deterministic control so that one can safely handle and test a 30-ton drive train with high accuracy. We used the CompactRIO platform, with its user-reconfigurable FPGA and real-time deterministic operating system, to develop a solution that would not have been possible using existing programmable logic controllers (PLC). Left: Hydraulic load and torque testing rig, Right: Container cranes (also known as gantry cranes) contain drive trains tested using CompactRIO. Finding the Best Electronic Solution Maritime transport is crucial to the world’s economy. With 90 percent of the world’s trade shipped by sea, it is the most cost-effective way to move bulk cargo across the globe. Ocean freight services also have a smaller carbon footprint than air freight. Efficiency continues to improve with the newer, larger generation of container ships exceeding 400 m in length and weighing up to 200,000 tons. Moving these giants requires a power plant the size of a three-story office building to drive gearing and propellers of huge proportions. To ensure this drive train succeeds, we needed a colossal test rig. With a rig of these proportions and vast power capabilities, we needed an approachable development platform that keeps all aspects of control, acquisition, and safety in one system. Normally, when a rig like this is designed, there is a logger from one supplier, multiple PID control systems from another, and logic handling from yet another. The downside with this approach is that it can end up separating responsibilities and skills across suppliers with each expecting to work on their own specialty as there is no commonality between the tools. Integrating the individual components can be complicated and costly, in both time and budget. Identifying the root cause of problems can take time as everyone oversees only their specific area of specialty. Many different vendors are used, which limits scalability due to the time spent on integration when any single component changes. This makes future proofing a design challenging. We chose LabVIEW and CompactRIO as they have simple integration and expandability. Because they are part of the same platform, everyone can be familiar with every part of the system. This makes fault finding significantly easier. Scalability becomes straightforward too as CompactRIO features an expandable chassis for new I/O and sensible programming in LabVIEW makes adding new features a quick process. Left: Electronics Control Cabinet, Right: NI-9038 & NI-9063 cRIO Controllers Why CompactRIO? We use CompactRIO and its I/O because the platform is: Modular—Off-the-shelf hardware is available quickly and worldwide. Parallel—All logic is efficiently coded in FPGA firmware with a 25ns response. FPGA use is a key decision; it means all the critical control and acquisition is handled at the same time instead of using microprocessors that must execute all logic in a series where one process can hang all the others. A Single Development Environment—The whole project is self-contained in a LabVIEW project file, so no third-party add-ons can upset maintenance in future years. Expandable—The modular nature and rack mounting of the CompactRIO product means we can easily expand the system in the future. Here, we used three CompactRIO systems all synchronized and handling hundreds of I/O with a high-bandwidth acquisition of data. Moving 25 Tons and Applying Large Load The test rig has a 25-ton platform that supports the 30-ton drive train. We raise and lower this with submillimeter accuracy to engage splines and then apply up to 400 kN of tensile or compressive load. We also accurately apply 300 kNm of torque to the unit whilst it is rotating at constant speed. Considering the average sports car can produce 0.5 kNm of force, we were dealing with considerable torque. We applied the load using two large actuators precisely synchronized and able to swap between a displacement and load control mode. We based our solution on custom-written closed-loop control code on the FPGA. Based on standard PID control loops, the CompactRIO platform helped us design more complex algorithms to account for precise dual control of load and displacement. For accurate and noise-free measurement, we used digital devices wherever possible wired directly to the FPGA. We measured the torque frequency signal and absolute encoder data, which results in total calibration accuracy, 100 percent linearity, and high-speed measurement for critical feedback channels. Flexible Software Design Criteria: How DIAdem and TDMS Are Essential As this was a new machine for testing units at the end of production, we still faced questions about how to apply the high loads and torques, rather than just simply testing, analyzing, and reporting. Our engineers needed ultimate flexibility in using this rig for research, quality testing, and production test processes. The solution was to design the software with a clear status ribbon along the main screen. This ribbon clearly indicated the full range of loading, installing, and testing the unit in such a way that the operator could step forward and backward at any time along the process. If required, the operator could then go once through a whole test process or skip parts or perform retests at will. The issue with this approach is: how do you acquire all this data in a tidy format, in one file, and analyze it with any popular package when you don’t know what data you will collect and in what order until runtime? This is where saving in a Technical Data Management Streaming (TDMS) format helps. We open a new file when the unit under test is loaded and can then save separate data blocks at will, with full calibration information, varying channel count, and frequency as required. Data is grouped by type so that if an engineer performs a retest, the new data can be logically stored next to the data of the first test. This data is in a compact, single file that can easily be loaded into Excel, DIAdem, The MathWorks, Inc. MATLAB® software, and more with very clear metadata for analysis and reporting. Fast Fault Detection Detecting a transducer fault quickly is critical with a test rig of this power and size. Writing algorithms in LabVIEW on the FPGA allowed us to constantly monitor all critical transducers. Any failure instantly puts the rig into a controlled and safe shutdown procedure and clearly indicates the nature of the fault and its location to the operator for quick repair. Original Authors: Paul Riley, Computer Controlled Solutions Limited Edited by Cyth Systems

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At Cyth Systems we empower Life Science innovators to rapidly design, prototype, and test advanced systems, bringing life-saving technologies to market faster. Product Engineering & Test Solutions for Life Sciences Explore Our Life Sciences Portfolio As an experienced machine builder and test equipment provider, we help Life Science innovators design systems, develop prototypes and software, and test products so that they can deliver their life-saving technologies sooner. Scientific & Medical Instrumentation Evolve your ideas to lab-ready products. Whether you're developing next-generation diagnostic platforms, analytical instruments, or specialized research equipment, our solutions expedite time-to-productization while meeting demanding technical and regulatory requirements. Learn More Bioprocess & Therapeutics Optimize bioprocess IP and equipment development with a ready-to-use, customizable platform capable of supporting your entire development cycle, from upstream process design to downstream recipe refinement. Learn More Manufacturing Automation & Test Maximize production efficiency, product quality, while minimizing cost of ownership. From automation tooling to test fixtures, we help you scale operations while maintaining the precision required in regulated enviroments. Learn More Solutions for Life Sciences Bioprocess Reference Design Explore our ready-to-use, customizable platform for developing lab and industrial bioprocess applications, built for sensor integration, control automation, and data capture. Learn More Battery Test & Simulation BatteryFlex is a platform for evaluation and characterization of a wide range of battery cells and modules for applications where quality and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. Learn More PCBA Functional Test Platform Our automated PCBA functional test platform provides instrumentation, fixturing, and software that can be customized to your test requirements. Learn More Related Case Studies Bioprocess Biotech startup accelerates funding with scalable reference design for control and automation. Learn More Microfluidics Biopharmaceutical machine builder exceeds production yield and quality metrics using Cyth and NI platform technology. Learn More Interested in designing with us? Enter to win a free consultation and proof of concept build First Name Last Name Email How can we help you? [attributer-channel] [attributer-channeldrilldown1] [attributer-channeldrilldown2] [attributer-landingpage] [attributer-channeldrilldown3] [attributer-landingpagegroup] Get Started Join the NI Technology Accelerator Program (NI TAP) Accelerate your innovation journey with the NI Technology Accelerator Program (NI TAP). NI TAP offers access to discounted hardware and software, and expert support to help you bring your products to market faster. Apply

Functional testing involves applying operational power to a PCBA to ensure it performs its designated functions. This type requires custom-built test equipment. PCBACheck™ Bed of Nails Fixture Industrial Reference Design Our AUTOMATED PCBA TEST Equipment Reference Design is 90% Standardized and 10% Custom. Home > Services > Automated Test Systems > PCBACheck PCBA Functional Test Solution Businesses depend on Cyth Systems' expertise in functional test fixtures. Functional testing involves applying full operational power to a printed circuit board (PCBA) to ensure it performs its designated functions. This type of test often requires custom-built test equipment and fixtures. Cyth Systems provides support for all types of functional test strategies. Starter PXI Instruments Customize PXI Devices as Needed Pre-Designed Bed-of-Nails Customize Probes Locations Pre-Designed Interposer Board Customize Probes & Other Circuitry Software Environment Customize Sequences & Measurement Instruments Drivers Customize Measurements Top Bed of Nails Fixture Solution. Bed-of-Nails Functional Tester Preconfigured Database Preconfigured PXI System Budget & Schedule Preconfigured Test Cart Preconfigured Reports Automate complex tasks faster Speak to Engineer Perform complex and rapid tasks and measurements that are impossible for human manual tests. Test multiple boards simultaneously, even share time-expensive equipment. Conduct Stress or Life Testing of boards by repeating tests hundreds or thousands of times. Bed-of-Nails Functional Tester Bed of Nails Functional Tester Predesigned fixture ready for custom modifications for any board: Customize width & depth Customize Pin Placement Customize front and rear panel Customize Interposer Board Speak to Engineer Preconfigured PXI System Preconfigured PXI System Standard PXI Modules suits 90% of applications needs as-is: Power Supply Oscilloscope Digital Multimeter Configurable Switch Matrix Add additional modules, signals, and inputs as needed to expand your application. Speak to Engineer Preconfigured Test Cart Preconfigured Test Cart Standardized Test Cart serves most applications as-is without modification! Internal Rack Mounting Customizable worksurface Bar Code Scanner or Badge Reader Power Systems included Customization not required, but... fully customizable if necessary Speak to Engineer Preconfigured Database Preconfigured Database Standardized database Schema serves 90% of most applications as-is without modification: Speak to Engineer Store any test results, pass fail results Store images, waveforms, raw data Customization not required, but... Fully customizable if necessary Preconfigured Reports Preconfigured Reports Preconfigured Reports suits most applications as-is with CUSTOMIZATION INCLUDED Most common report fields already setup Fully customizable graphics and layout Fully customize graphs, tables, images Export to PDF already included Premade Excel or Word Templates you can customize and modify Speak to Engineer Budget & Schedule Budget & Schedule Preconfigured Budget for all included features: Most projects within 10% of standard budget and schedule Automatically adjusts for project size and features Budget INCLUDES customizations Speak to Engineer We know the ins and outs of PCB's Power supply voltage levels (VCC, VDD, etc.). Clock signals (system clock, peripheral clocks). Analog input signals (e.g., sensor inputs). Digital control signals (e.g., reset, enable signals). Serial communication inputs (UART, SPI, I2C). External trigger inputs. User interface inputs (buttons, switches). PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals. Temperature sensor inputs. Voltage reference inputs. Digital output signals (data lines, control lines). Analog input signals (ADC inputs). Analog output signals (DAC outputs). LED indicators. Display outputs (LCD, OLED, LED display segments). Relay control outputs. Voltage regulator outputs. Power-on indicator outputs. Current sense inputs/outputs. Power-up sequence testing. Power-down sequence testing. Voltage tolerance testing. Clock frequency and accuracy testing. Data integrity testing (checksum, CRC). Communication protocol testing (UART, SPI, I2C). Uploading Firmware or other files. Overvoltage protection testing. Undervoltage lockout testing. Logic functionality testing (gate-level/functional logic). Memory read/write testing (RAM, Flash). Sensor calibration and accuracy testing. ADC/DAC functionality and accuracy testing. Motor control functionality testing. Audio output quality testing. Display content and pixel testing. Communication protocol testing. Button/switch functionality testing. Temperature sensor accuracy testing. All these I/O's and much more. Speak to Engineer Prototype Form Why Cyth? Cyth Systems has over two decades of providing the technology and expertise you need to be successful on Automation, Measurement, and Controls projects. Our engineers will work alongside your team to design the system to meet your specifications. We develop your solutions with reduced risk, cost, and schedule. Need PCBA testing help or advice? First Name Last Name Email How can we help? [attributer-channel] [attributer-channeldrilldown1] [attributer-channeldrilldown2] [attributer-channeldrilldown3] [attributer-landingpage] [attributer-landingpagegroup] Let's talk PCBA Solutions Menu

Certified LabVIEW Embedded Developer (CLED) A Certified LabVIEW Embedded Systems Developer (CLED) demonstrates proficiency and expertise in designing, developing, debugging, and deploying reliable mission-critical embedded control and monitoring applications based on CompactRIO, Single-Board RIO, and/or R Series hardware. A CLED efficiently uses the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA modules in accordance with best practices and software engineering principles to design modular, scalable, and maintainable embedded systems. 1 Review the Requirements 2 Prepare for the Exam 3 Schedule an Exam 4 Share your Success 5 Recertify Review the Requirements Step 1. The Certified LabVIEW Embedded Systems Developer (CLED) certification demonstrates the ability to develop and deploy reliable embedded control and monitoring applications. This certification requires passing the exam in two parts: first the multiple-choice CLED-1 and then the performance based CLED-2. This certification that is valid for 5 years. Recertification is required to maintain credentials. Benefits include the use of the professional certification badge logo and related digital credentials. NI recommends that you have 18 to 24 months of experience in developing medium- to large-scale LabVIEW control and monitoring applications with CompactRIO, Single-Board RIO, and/or R Series hardware or that you have mastered the content in the Developing Embedded Applications using CompactRIO and LabVIEW FPGA and Developing Embedded Applications Using CompactRIO and LabVIEW Real-Time Training Courses. Exam Details Prerequisite: CLED-1: Active Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) or Certified LabVIEW Architect (CLA) certification CLED-2: Passing grade on CLED-1 exam. Format: CLED-1: Multiple choice CLED-2: Application development using Single-Board RIO hardware Duration: CLED-1: 1 hour CLED-2: 5 hours Location: CLED-1: Online CLED-2: Onsite only (At your location with minimum 5 or more attendees) Prepare for the Exam Step 2. Preparing for Your Exam CTA Exam Topics TestStand Advanced Architecture Series Step 3. Schedule the Exam Once you have completed your exam preparation and have met all prerequisite requirements, you are ready to schedule your exam. For in-person exam registration, please email us at solutions@cyth.com Share your success Step 4. 1. When you complete the CLED-1 exam, you will be advised if you passed or failed. -If you passed, and after any flags have been reviewed by our certification team, you'll receive a notification email that includes information on how to schedule the CLED-2 exam. This email may come within a few minutes of passing, but it can take 24 hours. -If you have not received your notification email within 3 days of passing the assessment, email services@ni.com 2. When you complete the CLED-2 exam, your exam will be graded by engineers at NI. Once the grading process is complete, you will be advised if you passed or failed. -If you passed you will receive a notification email with your digital credential. -If you have not received your notification email within 3 days of receiving the notification that you passed the assessment, email services@ni.com To share your badge, please follow these instructions: a. Log into your account at Credly b. Click on the profile icon at the top right-hand corner of the page and go to “Badge Management” c. Click on the badge you are looking to share d. Scroll down and click “Share” e. You will be brought to the “Share Badge” screen where you can find different tabs directing you to connect your social media accounts and share your badge Recertify Step 5. Certified professionals can recertify using one of two methods: -Recertification exam -Recertification by points Recertification Interval -5 Years Recertification Exam Details Format: -CLED-1: Multiple choice -CLED-2: Application development using Single-Board RIO hardware Duration: -CLED-1: 1 hour -CLED-2: 5 hours Location: -CLED-1: Online -CLED-2: Onsite only (At your location with minimum 5 or more attendees) Recertification by Points By participating and completing approved activities, certified professionals can earn and accumulate points redeemable toward recertification. For information on recertifying with points. Enroll

NI Authorized Distributor. If you need genuine human support for your order, there are two flexible ordering options: submit your quote request and shop online Shop / Store NI Online Ordering Options Three Flexible ORDERING OPTIONS to suit your needs. Submit order documents or build a Shopping Cart. Review the options below and choose the method that is right for you. Get genuine HUMAN support for your order if you need. If you have any questions, or need support, we're here to help. Send us a message, or use the Chat feature to speak to us LIVE (M-F 8AM-5PM PST) Option 1 - Submit your Quote Request or Purchase Order Send a Purchase Order or Request For Quote in any format - PDF, Word Document, Excel, even a screenshot or a Text. We'll process your quote or order and confirm by email. First Name Last Name Company Email How can we help? Upload your order Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) [attributer-channel] [attributer-channeldrilldown1] [attributer-channeldrilldown2] [attributer-channeldrilldown3] Submit [attributer-landingpage] [attributer-landingpagegroup] Option 2 - Build a Cart, Shop Online * Browse our Online Store * Use the Search Bar to find parts * Build Cart and Print Quote * Checkout and Purchase Browse Store Option 3 - Enter Part Numbers directly into the cart As you enter part numbers, you will build your own quote and see confirmation as the cart populates - - COMING SOON - - Part Number SKU Quantity Add to Cart Added: Qty 1 - 777012-05 - PXI-5422 PXI Waveform Generator, 80 MHz, 16 bits, 200 MS/s, 1 Channels, 512 MB

Project Case Study PXI Enables the I/O Data Acquisition of an F-35 Aug 29, 2023 9d04b9c3-fa64-4bdf-9977-400a29622ea4 9d04b9c3-fa64-4bdf-9977-400a29622ea4 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Michael Fortenberry, G Systems, Inc. Edited by Cyth Systems PXI enables the I/O data acquisition of an F35 fighter jet. "Through the use of advanced software architecture and NI hardware, G Systems was able to provide Lockheed Martin Aeronautics with a highly configurable, expandable system to meet current and future requirements of the F-35 VSIF." - Michael Fortenberry, G Systems, Inc. The Challenge Developing an integrated system to acquire various types of data including analog, digital, video, and additional data transferred from other systems through reflective memory to be used by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in the F-35 Vehicle Systems Integration Facility (VSIF) to monitor aircraft subsystems integration tests. The Solution Using custom software developed by G Systems along with National Instruments hardware and other third-party tools to create a system that exceeds the initial requirements for the system. Building the System with NI DAQ Boards G Systems, Inc. was contracted by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to construct an F-35 Vehicle Systems Integration Facility (VSIF) to monitor aircraft subsystem integration tests. The VSIF system was distributed across several servers to enable load balancing and achieve the required system performance. The distributed software architecture, which included six major custom applications, provided for the future expansion of the system. We performed analog and digital data acquisition using five PXI chassis populated with a variety of NI data acquisition (DAQ) boards to achieve a system total of 640 analog channels and 480 digital channels. The ability to “mix-and-match” different types of DAQ boards while maintaining time synchronization was important to control the overall hardware costs for the system. The system maintained the time synchronization through the use of an IRIG time signal provided by the VSIF data acquisition or another source within the VSIF lab. The system used this time source to provide the start pulse and 10 MHz clock, which was routed through the PXI-6653 synchronization boards to each PXI chassis. PXIe-1095 The application that acquired the analog and digital data also performed the following operations using an external DC source controlled by GPIB: PXI board verification and internal calibration Signal path calibration This automation of the signal path calibration allowed a system verification to be performed automatically within 20 minutes. In past similar systems, this type of operation could take several hours and required significant operator interaction. The system delivered all data to the user in engineering units (EU) and took into account the calibration values for the A/D, signal conditioning module, transducer, and zero nulling values where appropriate. Derived channels (i.e., channels that are calculated from information contained in other channels, like Watts=Volts*Amps) could also be calculated. Additionally, there was a defined interface to link user-defined external DLLs into the system (without recompiling the software) to create more complex derived channels. System Configuration and Data Display The system stored configuration information for the VSIF data acquisition system in a relational database. We developed a custom graphical user interface used by the system administrator to configure every system aspect. Some of the abilities of this program included: 1. User management: Administrating eight levels of user privileges for the system 2. Hardware inventory Managing available hardware such as PXI boards and transducers Updating calibration information and date for all equipment 3. System configuration Managing current hardware connections Identifying user-defined derived channels 4. Data administration Archiving or exporting data and database to tape or other media Cleaning up unused data in the database 5. Reports Creating several standard reports of system or channel configuration (including historical data on calibration) Providing capability to add new user-defined reports We designed the application to help the system administrators handle the large channel count of the system by providing capabilities such as column sorting and filtering, channel group definitions, multi-record editing, and copy/paste functionality. Through user permissions, any user could use this application to view the system configuration, but only authorized administrators could change values. In addition, we provided several administrator permission levels to give users precise definitions of privileges. Because the VSIF data acquisition system was used by many different groups to test various aircraft subsystems during integration tests, a single static user display was not a good solution. Instead, G Systems created a dynamic user-configurable data display application so any user could create custom views of data with several choices of indicators available. This application supported advanced navigation functions for a user to instantly review data in real-time or recall and view logged data from previous test runs. Users could set triggers and alarms to quickly find data points of interest. The system stored all information for an individual user configuration in the database, and this information could be exported with test data for stand-alone review or playback. This made it possible for a user to take a snapshot of test data (including all calibration and transducer information) from several test runs and use it independently of the main VSIF data acquisition database, which could be useful for offline analysis or a group presentation. The test control/monitoring/playback application provided several modes of operation for a user. The system constantly acquired data and published it in a low-resolution form to six client workstations. As the published data was received, it was continuously buffered on the local client in a 30-minute rolling buffer. From this buffer, a user could look back in time at published or logged data and replay it in real-time, if desired. When the operator chose to log data, the high-resolution data was logged to a file and was later transferred to a central repository. These test runs could be downloaded from the repository to a workstation for a detailed review of the data in the playback mode. Again, the user could play back the data in real-time or navigate through the logged data timeline using several navigation options. The VSIF system controlled and protected all logged data. The system data automatically moved the data from the acquisition servers to a central data storage unit (RAID) when a user started logging a test run. Users could freely review the test data but were prohibited from deleting any test data from the RAID. Both the data display and data analysis export application could directly call up data that existed either on the RAID or in an archived dataset. As a result, relatively unskilled users could easily review previously logged data with minimal VSIF-specific training. A custom application DIAdem data interface (DDI) provided advanced analysis capabilities in the VSIF data acquisition system. DDI leveraged all of the database interface and engineering unit conversion functionality developed for the data display application to feed data directly into DIAdem through an OLE interface. The application was structured so the operator could easily select the test run(s) and channel(s) to export to DIAdem and support the merging of data from several test runs. A Practical, Effective Solution Through the use of advanced software architecture and NI hardware, G Systems was able to provide Lockheed Martin Aeronautics with a highly configurable, expandable system to meet the current and future requirements of the F-35 VSIF. The expandable nature of the NI PXI platform also enabled the expansion of the channel count by 60 percent over the initial system requirements. Original Authors: Michael Fortenberry, G Systems, Inc. Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Biotech, MD device testing, analytical instrumentation, and pharma discovery, we provide highly-flexible & cost-effective solutions that bring new tech to life. INDUSTRIES Life Science Home > Industries > Life Science Bringing your LIFE SCIENCES projects a new level of HEALTH The diversity of the life science field is mirrored in the wide range of applications solved by Cyth Systems. From biotechnology to medical device testing, analytical instrumentation to pharmaceutical discovery, Cyth provides highly flexible and cost effective solutions that help accelerate discovery and bring new technologies to life. LIFE SCIENCE Industry Segments We recognize the differences in your specific industry segments, and we have delivered products and services to all segments of the Life Sciences Industry. Medical Devices Cell & Genetic Research Scientific Instruments Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Scientific Research & Simulation LIFE SCIENCE INDUSTRY Project Examples Our platform for Automation, Test, and Control is a good fit for many types of projects in the Life Science Industry. The following projects were completed and deployed using our products and services. Automated Battery QA Ensures Medical Device Reliability Custom EMF Measurement Solution Doubles End-of-Line Test Throughput Production Capacity up 350% with Automated Dispensing Millisecond Control for Simulating Human Lung Behavior Precision Control System Advances Global Health Machine Vision Inspection of Implantable Electrode Wire to Combat Parkinson's Disease Proton Therapy Cancer Treatment Controlled using NI Single-Board RIO CompactRIO Revolutionizes 3D Printing Custom RFID Tracking System for Biotech Reagent Bottles using LabVIEW Keyence Laser Profilometer Used to Analyze Cutting Edge of Surgical Scalpels Control System for Ocean Remote Explorer using Single-Board RIO and LabVIEW Multi-PCBA Test Solution Delivers Broad Functional Test Coverage for FDA Compliance Human Cardiovascular Simulation Device with Circaflex, Single-Board RIO, and LabVIEW Machine Vision System Inspects Medical Guide Wire Electrode for Surgical Safety System

Events ||Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2025| Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2025 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2025 May 5, 2025 Houston, TX The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2025 is a large, annual event focused on the offshore energy sector, bringing together professionals from around the world to share knowledge and advancements in offshore technologies . It's a platform for discussing and exploring innovations in areas like oil and gas, renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydrogen), and other marine resources. The conference features exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies, a technical program with sessions on various industry topics, and networking opportunities for attendees. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Dates and Location: OTC 2025 will be held from May 5-8, 2025, at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. Purpose: OTC serves as a hub for exchanging ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge related to offshore resources and environmental matters. Key Activities:Exhibitions: Over 1,200 exhibitors will showcase their latest technologies and solutions for the offshore energy sector. Technical Program: A wide range of sessions and panels will address key issues and challenges facing the offshore energy industry, including topics like carbon capture and storage, subsurface approaches, and innovative drilling and completion techniques. Networking: Attendees can connect with industry leaders, experts, and peers to build relationships and gain valuable insights. Focus Areas: The conference covers a broad spectrum of offshore energy topics, including oil and gas, renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydrogen), and other marine resources. Organized by: OTC is a collaboration of 15 non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting the global energy sector according to Tethys.pnnl.gov.

Project Case Study Solar-Powered Car Using CompactRIO & LabVIEW Sep 17, 2024 9e49ac93-bf48-4eb1-85c5-81eea73e7910 9e49ac93-bf48-4eb1-85c5-81eea73e7910 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Alisdair McClymont, Cambridge University Eco Racing Edited by Cyth Systems Solar-powered car The Challenge Using remote data analysis and telemetry to reliably monitor and control the electrical systems of a solar-powered car. The Solution Using NI CompactRIO hardware as the in-car embedded controller to interface with the vehicle controller area network (CAN) bus, to implement the vehicle control algorithm programmed in NI LabVIEW software, and to send and receive data via telemetry radio. Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER), a student team from the university’s engineering department, designs, builds and races solar-powered cars. Our goal is to win the World Solar Challenge, the world’s premier race for solar vehicles. This 3,000 km race across Australia pushes efficiency and reliability to their limits. CUER first entered the race in 2009 with our car called Endeavor, which averaged more than 70 kmph and achieved a top speed of 121 kmph. However, we finished 14th due to reliability problems. This encouraged us to seek an alternative solution built with National Instruments products. Solar Car Electrical Systems The key electrical components of a solar car are simple – a battery, solar array modules, and a motor. A battery management system (BMS) monitors the state of each battery cell. The motor connects to the high-voltage bus through a high-efficiency three-phase inverter (motor controller), and each solar array module connects to the high-voltage bus through a high-efficiency switch-mode converter known as a maximum power point tracker (MPPT). Each of these devices has a CAN interface and outputs information, such as current, voltage, speed, temperature, and error, about the relevant electrical devices. Vehicle Control The motor controller actively controls the vehicle. It can limit both the current drawn from the high-voltage bus and the motor speed. Therefore, the motor controller requires a “desired velocity” and an “allowed current” via CAN. This message is sent by an on-vehicle processor, which monitors the driver inputs and the states of the other electrical systems and decides the values to send to the motor controller. Initially, we used a student-made device to perform this task. Although functional, the device was not reliable and, critically, failed during the 2009 race in Australia. We decided that a more reliable solution was essential for future success. Vehicle Control Using CompactRIO National Instruments, a key sponsor of CUER, provided CompactRIO products for use on solar cars. We used a 2-port, high-speed CAN module to connect to the CAN bus so the cRIO could receive information from the motor controller, BMS, MPPTs and driver inputs. We wrote a LabVIEW program to process this information in real-time and to send control messages to the motor controller and condensed information to the driver display. We used the NI-CAN driver to quickly and easily create a database of all the CAN messages sent out by each device on the network. The program then called on the CAN Frame to Channel Conversion Library to decode and encode messages. This offered a quick, reliable way to process the information on the CAN bus. We wrote the control program in LabVIEW using an object-oriented structure for easier modularization, maintenance, and understanding of the code. We created a class for each device on the bus, including functions to decode and encode messages for that device. We used a state chart to determine the nature of the messages sent to the motor controller. The modes of the car include: “normal” driving mode where the driver’s accelerator controls the current drawn by the motor controller, and “cruise control” mode where the vehicle maintains a constant speed (we use this mode for almost all of the race), and “reversing” or “braking” mode where the motor controller uses regenerative braking to minimize the energy lost. Using LabVIEW state charts, we can easily define the actions carried out in each mode and the requirements to transition between states. Most importantly, it is a reliable way to implement vehicle control. The last thing the team wants is for a driver’s actions to result in a burnt-out motor. A distinct advantage of using LabVIEW is the ease of running several processing loops in parallel. For example, one loop can send control messages to the motor controller at a constant rate and the system immediately processes CAN messages whenever they are received. Telemetry A reliable telemetry system between the car and the chase vehicle, which follows the car throughout the race, is essential. The driver sees a limited display inside the car, so team members in the chase vehicle must monitor in-depth data and look for any faults or suboptimal performance. CompactRIO gave us a simple solution for implementing this system. We connected a telemetry radio to the serial port on the cRIO module and the control program simply sends packaged data via the serial port. A second telemetry radio in the chase vehicle receives this data and it’s processed, again using LabVIEW, on a laptop. The system presents this data so that operators can quickly detect errors or other significant changes in the vehicle state. We also use the telemetry system to send the optimum cruise control speed to the solar car. We calculate the optimum speed using a complex optimization algorithm in LabVIEW, which integrates directly with the weather instruments on board the chase vehicle. Testing To date, using CompactRIO and LabVIEW for vehicle control and telemetry has proven 100 percent reliable. This means we can concentrate on improving the efficiency of the other systems on the car, such as modifying the algorithms run by the MPPTs and the battery voltage. Thanks to National Instruments, we look forward to a much-improved performance in the World Solar Challenge. Original Authors: Alisdair McClymont, Cambridge University Eco Racing Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study HIL Simulator for Testing Wind Turbine Control Systems Mar 27, 2024 a7254fd8-f455-4312-8ee4-d12ba084c801 a7254fd8-f455-4312-8ee4-d12ba084c801 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Morten Pedersen, CIM Industrial Systems A/S Edited by Cyth Systems Off-shore wind turbines. The Challenge Improving the automated testing of frequent software releases of Siemens wind turbine control systems as well as testing and verifying the wind turbine control system components in the development phase. The Solution Creating a new real-time test system for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing of the embedded control software releases of Siemens wind turbine control systems using NI TestStand, the LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA modules, and the NI PXI platform. Testing the Control System Software A wind turbine system consists of several components including the rotor, gear, converter, and transformer used to convert kinetic wind energy to electricity. Wind Turbine Components The control system interfaces with these components through hundreds of I/O signals and multiple communication protocols. The most complex part of the control system is the embedded control software executing the control loops. Because our software developers regularly release a new software version for the controller, we need to test the software to verify that these releases will execute reliably in the wind park’s conditions. With every software release, we perform factory acceptance testing before the software can be used in the field. This new test system gives us the ability to automate this process. Lessons Learned from the Previous System Our previous test system was developed 10 years ago and based on another software environment and PCI data acquisition boards. The test system architecture and performance did not meet our new requirements for test time and scalability. It was difficult to maintain and did not have sufficient automation capabilities for efficient testing. It also lacked automatic test result documentation and test case traceability and did not provide the required remote control capabilities. In addition, the old HIL test environment did not support multicore processing, which prevented us from taking advantage of the computing power of the latest multicore processors. Our Decision for Future Systems After evaluating the available technologies, we selected LabVIEW software and PXI-based real-time and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware to develop our new test solution. We believe this technology gives us the flexibility and expandability to meet our future technical requirements. Also, we have established confidence in the solution with the high level of service and quality of the products from NI. Because we did not have in-depth development expertise for test systems in-house, we contracted the development to CIM Industrial Systems A/S in Denmark. We chose CIM because they had the test engineering capabilities and LabVIEW architects available. A Flexible Real-Time Test System Architecture The new test system simulates the behavior of the real wind turbine components by running simulation models for these components in the LabVIEW Real-Time system to supply simulated signals to the system under test. Left: Siemens Wind Power Test System Architecture. Right: The host computer’s LabVIEW graphical user interface (GUI). The software on the host computer communicates with the LabVIEW Real-Time target in a PXI-1042Q chassis over Ethernet. LabVIEW Real-Time runs simulation software that typically consists of 20 to 25 simulation DLLs executing in parallel. This solution can call user models built with almost any modeling environment such as the NI LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module, The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink® software, or ANSI C code. A typical execution rate of our simulation loop is 24 ms, leaving plenty of processing capacity to meet future expansion needs. FPGA Boards for Custom Wind Turbine Protocols and Sensor Simulations There are a lot of custom communication protocols used in wind turbines because of the lack of existing standards. Using an NI PXI-R Series FPGA-based multifunction RIO module with the LabVIEW FPGA Module, we can quickly interface with and simulate these protocols. In addition to protocol interfacing, we are using the device to simulate magnetic sensors and for accurate three-phase voltage and current simulations. The other FPGA board is connected to an R Series expansion chassis to further increase the system channel count. The ability to design software to run on an FPGA with the same graphical development environment used for real-time control was extremely helpful in increasing our productivity. The Benefits of the New Test System NI technology played a critical role in the improvements to the new Wind Power test system. The openness of the LabVIEW development environment, which allowed us to import third-party simulation models, combined with the tight integration of NI real-time and FPGA-based hardware, enabled us to quickly move from a concept to a functional prototype. LabVIEW’s ability to automatically take advantage of the latest multicore processors helped us maximize system performance, leaving plenty of processing capacity to meet future expansion needs. Finally, the highly customizable front panel enabled us to easily design an intuitive graphical user interface for our end users, The new Siemens Wind Power test system is more modular than the previous generation, making it easy to improve, adapt, and further develop. The system under test can be quickly replaced without any changes in the test system architecture. The remote control capability and simple replication of the system gives us the flexibility to copy the system to other sites as our operations expand. Finally, the simulator provides an environment to effectively verify the new software releases and test special situations in our laboratory. It also gives us a tool to test new technologies and concepts we are working on. Future Plans LabVIEW’s graphical system design allows us to design modular software that can be easily scaled to meet the growing requirements of evolving wind energy technology. In the future, we envision expanding the simulation to multiple LabVIEW Real-Time targets to meet our future testing needs. We are also using NI TestStand to further automate test execution. Original Authors: Morten Pedersen, CIM Industrial Systems A/S Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Digital I/O products acquire and generate digital signals. Characterize circuits, toggle control lines, and more. Customize your solution with NI today. NI Digital I/O Hardware Products NI Authorized Distributor and System Integration Partner Home > Products > Digital I/O Digital I/O Digital I/O products can acquire and generate digital signals and patterns at multiple logic levels. You can characterize circuits, toggle control lines, and meet many other digital application needs. PLATFORM MODULES Platform modules integrate with modular hardware platforms that allow you to combine different types of modules in a custom system that leverages shared platform features. NI offers three hardware platforms—CompactDAQ , CompactRIO , and PXI —though all platforms may not be represented in this category. C Series Digital Module Provides digital input and output capabilities for CompactDAQ or CompactRIO systems. Feature Highlights: Platform: CompactDAQ, CompactRIO C Series Relay Output Module Provides output signals from electromechanical and solid state/FET relays for CompactDAQ or CompactRIO systems. Feature Highlights: Platform: CompactDAQ, CompactRIO PXI Digital I/O Module Provides digital input and output capabilities for PXI systems. Feature Highlights: Platform: PXI Bus: PXI, PXI Express PXI Digital Reconfigurable I/O Module Configures digital lines as inputs, outputs, counters/timers, or custom communication protocols using FPGA-based logic for PXI systems. Feature Highlights: Platform: PXI Bus: PXI, PXI Express STAND-ALONE OR COMPUTER-BASED DEVICES Stand-alone or computer-based devices either integrate with standard desktop and laptop computers or allow you to use them without the need for other modular hardware. Digital I/O Device Provides digital input and output capabilities for computer-based systems. Feature Highlights: Bus: PCI, PCI Express, USB Digital Reconfigurable I/O Device Configures digital lines as inputs, outputs, counters/timers, or custom communication protocols using FPGA-based logic. Feature Highlights: Bus: PCI, PCI Express I²C/SPI Interface Device Connects to and communicates with devices using I²C, SMBus, and SPI protocols. Feature Highlights: Bus: USB

Cyth Systems | Whitepapers | FAQ covering most common questions about NI software upgrades and compatibility with Windows 11. | FAQ: Migrating NI software-based applications to Windows 11 FAQ: Migrating NI software-based applications to Windows 11 Q: What is changing? A: Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. This means that technical assistance, feature updates, and security updates/patches are no longer provided after this date. Q: Which LabVIEW versions are supported on Windows 11? A: LabVIEW 2022 Q3 and newer versions are compatible for development and deployment on Windows 11 64 bit. LabVIEW 2021 SP1 and all prior versions are considered incompatible with Windows 11. Q: Do I need to upgrade LabVIEW before migrating my test system to Windows 11? A: Yes, if your application is built in LabVIEW 2021 SP1 or earlier, you should upgrade to at least LabVIEW 2022 Q3 before moving that system to Windows 11. Older LabVIEW versions might appear to run but can lead to errors or devices not being recognized, which is risky for production systems. Q: What are the minimum NI driver versions required for Windows 11? A: NI publishes a Windows 11 compatibility table listing the “first compatible version” for each driver, including NI-DAQ™mx, NI-VISA, NI-Serial, NI-488.2, NI-XNET, PXI Platform Services, etc. For many core products, Windows 11 support begins with 2022 Q3 releases (e.g. NI-DAQ™mx 2022 Q3, NI-VISA 2022 Q3, NI MAX 2022 Q3, NI Package Manager 2022 Q3). Q: Which NI products or toolkits are not supported on Windows 11? A: Several products are not supported on Windows 11 (as of January 2026), including: NI Measurement Studio NI VirtualBench NI Analog Waveform Editor NI Update Service Some toolkits like the NI Bluetooth and FM/RDS suites. Certain platforms and educational products (e.g. NI ELVISmx, some PXI Instrument Design Libraries, LabVIEW myRIO and roboRIO toolkits, etc.) are also listed as unsupported and cannot be migrated to Windows 11. Note: NI Ultiboard compatibility is listed as un supported on windows 11 in the Windows 11 Compatibility chart, but the NI Circuit Design suite 14.3 Patch 2 Details states that supported for Windows 11 has been added. Q: Can I still run 32 bit LabVIEW and 32 bit drivers on Windows 11? A: Windows 11 is only available as a 64 bit operating system, but 32 bit applications such as LabVIEW 32 bit and many 32 bit drivers are supported when you use versions that are listed as being 32-bit compatible. Q: How do I check if my existing LabVIEW and driver stack is compatible with Windows 11? A: Two main places: LabVIEW and Microsoft Windows Compatibility article NI Product Compatibility for Microsoft Windows 11 article To validate a system, map each software component (LabVIEW version, each toolkit/module version, and every driver) against these tables. Expect the need for upgrade for any software older than the earliest supported versions. Q: What are the main Windows 11 planning considerations for NI-based test systems? A: Software bitness (32-bit vs. 64-bit) The first supported versions for all NI software Knowledge of unsupported products To ensure compatibility with Windows 11 use only compatible and qualified compatible versions of LabVIEW, NI TestStand, NI MAX, NI Package Manager, and all required drivers. Confirm the compatibility of each component via its readme before performing the OS upgrade. Q: What is the recommended NI software baseline for new Windows 11 systems? A: For new designs targeting Windows 11, NI effectively points to the 2022 Q3 or newer ecosystem: LabVIEW 2022 Q3+, NI MAX 2022 Q3, NI Package Manager 2022 Q3, NI Package Builder 2022 Q3, and NI TestStand 2022 Q4 or later. Starting new projects on these or newer releases ensures that development, deployment, and device drivers are all within the officially supported Windows 11 range. Q: How does Windows 11 impact PXI and embedded controller upgrades? A: NI’s PXI Express Controller and Windows 11 Compatibility page explains that only certain controllers have a Windows 11 migration path, and those must also meet Microsoft’s Windows 11 hardware and TPM requirements. To upgrade a supported PXI Express controller, use a Windows 11 IoT Field Upgrade Kit and follow the prescribed upgrade process using the supplied USB flash drive. Q: What if my PXI controller or embedded hardware does not list Windows 11 support? A: NI’s PXI Express Controller and Windows 11 Compatibility page calls out which controller models are supported, partially supported, or not supported at all. If a controller, such as some PXIe 8861 configurations, does not officially support Windows 11, NI’s guidance is to keep it on Windows 10 or update the controller hardware to a newer, supported model. Q: What risks are there if I migrate to Windows 11 without updating NI software? A: NI warns that using LabVIEW or NI software versions not listed as compatible with a given OS can cause errors, missing devices, or situations where Windows cannot find drivers for NI hardware. For production test systems, NI strongly encourages aligning all components to at least their Windows 11 qualified versions to avoid unexpected downtime or hardware detection failures after the OS upgrade. Citations Microsoft. (n.d.). Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025 . Microsoft Support. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-has-ended-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281 National Instruments. (n.d.). NI product compatibility for Microsoft Windows 11 . Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.ni.com/en/shop/software-portfolio/ni-product-compatibility-for-microsoft-windows-11.html National Instruments. (n.d.). Circuit Design Suite 14.3 Patch 2 details . Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/25/circuit-design-suite-14-3-patch-2-details.html National Instruments. (n.d.). PXI Express controller and Windows 11 compatibility . Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/compatibility/25/pxi-express-controller-and-windows-11-compatibility.html

In this course you will explore the fundamentals of data acquisition using sensors, NI data acquisition hardware, and LabVIEW. Data Acquisition Using NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW Training Course Start Date | End Date Duration ENROLL < Back NI Course Overview Data Acquisition Using NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW Data Acquisition Using NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW Course Overview In the Data Acquisition Using NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW Course, you will explore the fundamentals of data acquisition using sensors, NI data acquisition hardware, and LabVIEW. The first part of this class teaches the basics of hardware selection, including resolution and sample rate, and the foundation of sensor connectivity, including grounding and wiring configurations. The second part of this class focuses on using the NI-DAQmx driver to measure, generate, and synchronize data acquisition tasks. You will learn about programming finite and continuous acquisitions, as well as best practices in hardware/software timing, triggering, and logging. In this class, you will get hands-on experience configuring and programming NI data acquisition hardware using NI-DAQmx and LabVIEW. NI Course Objectives Develop integrated, high-performance data acquisition systems that produce accurate measurements Acquire data from sensors, such as thermocouples and strain gages, using NI data acquisition hardware Apply advanced understanding of LabVIEW and the NI-DAQmx API to create applications Eliminate measurement errors due to aliasing and incorrect signal grounding Initiate measurements using hardware and software triggering Acquire and generate single-point and buffered analog waveforms Acquire and generate digital signals Use signal conditioning to improve the quality of acquired signals Synchronize multiple data acquisition operations and devices NI Course Details Duration Instructor-led Classroom: Two (2) days Instructor-led Virtual: Three (3) days, five-and-a-half-hour sessions On-Demand: 4.5 hours (exercises as a supplement) Audience Developers using LabVIEW with NI data acquisition hardware to create data acquisition applications Users familiar with the DAQ Assistant or basic NI-DAQmx code that want to expand their programming capabilities Users new to PC-based data acquisition and signal conditioning Prerequisites LabVIEW Core 1 LabVIEW Core 2 NI Products Used: If you take the course On-Demand: -NI DAQmx 2022 Q3 -LabVIEW 2022 If you take the course in an instructor-led format: -LabVIEW -NI-DAQmx -CompactDAQ Chassis -C Series analog input, analog output, and digital I/O modules Training Materials Virtual instructor-led training includes digital course material that is delivered through the NI Learning Center. NI virtual instructor-led training is delivered through Zoom, and Amazon AppStream/LogMein access is provided to participants to perform the exercises on virtual machines equipped with the latest software. Costs in Credits On-Demand: Included with software subscription and enterprise agreements, or 5 Education Services Credits, or 2 Training Credits Public virtual or classroom course: 20 Education Services Credits or 6 Training Credits Private virtual or classroom: 140 Education Services Credits or 40 Training Credits NI Course Outline LESSON OVERVIEW TOPICS Measuring Analog Input Select and connect to the hardware, configure the DAQmx task appropriately, and validate an analog signal. Simulating the Hardware Selecting the Right Hardware Considering Signal Conditioning Connecting the Signal Validating the Measurement Measuring Current Generating Analog Output Select and connect to the hardware, configure the DAQmx task appropriately, and validate an analog signal. Selecting the Hardware Connecting the Signal Validating the Signal Generating Current Generating and Reading Digital Signal Select and connect to hardware, configure the DAQmx task appropriately, and validate a digital signal. Selecting the Hardware Exploring Signal Conditioning Connecting the Signal Validating the Signal Exploring Counter Signals Choosing a Signal to Explore Choose a specific signal and configure the DAQmx task, including any special signal conditioning needs. Measuring Temperature Measuring Sound, Vibration, and Acceleration (IEPE Measurements) Measuring Strain, Force, and Pressure (Bridge-Based Measurements) Measuring Position with Encoders (Counter Input) Measuring Edges, Frequency, Pulse Width, and Duty Cycle Generating a Pulse Train Programming with the NI-DAQmx API Use NI-DAQmx API in LabVIEW to automate data communication between a DAQ device and a computer. DAQmx Code Structure Overview Reading and Writing Finite Amount of Data Communicating Data Continuously Programming Multiple Channels Examine various methods for multi-channel task creation and their applications. Communicating with Multiple Channels Creating Multidevice Tasks Using Multiple Lines of a DAQmx Code in a Single VI Triggering on a Specific Condition Acquire data on a specific condition and explore how to use hardware sources as triggers. Triggering Overview Types of Hardware Triggers Sources of Hardware Triggers Exploring Advanced Timing and Synchronization Methods Use an appropriate method for synchronizing multiple DAQ tasks. Synchronization Overview Synchronizing a Single Device with a Shared Trigger Identifying Limitations of Shared Trigger Synchronization Synchronizing Multiple Device Synchronizing Specific Hardware Series Logging Measurement Data to Disk Log data to a TDMS file to store and analyze post-acquisition. TDMS File Overview Logging Data with the DAQmx API Organizing the TDMS Data Viewing the TDMS Data Exploring System Considerations Explore additional aspects of building a data acquisition system. Exploring System Considerations for Hardware Determining the Accuracy of a System Exploring Bus and Computer Considerations Where to Start the DAQ Application Enroll

Project Engineer | Project Engineer January 1st, 2026 Jobs Cyth Systems, Inc. Project Engineer 9939 Via Pasar, San Diego, CA, USA Job Summary Reports to: Director of Engineering Exemption Status: Full-time Exempt Location: Onsite Job Description We are looking for a motivated project engineer to join our dynamic engineering team, responsible for tackling a variety of projects. Your main responsibility will be designing and developing custom systems for various applications alongside the broader engineering team and project architect. System assembly and validation will be your critical job function along with an equal degree of programming within LabVIEW to assist in project completion. About Cyth Cyth Systems is an expanding engineering company that works alongside the most impressive and exciting companies in California, the United States, and Europe. Cyth Systems services companies in multiple industries including life sciences, biotech, automotive, energy, semiconductor, technology, and manufacturing. The dynamic nature of our customer base provides our team with an exciting and fulfilling career full of opportunity to develop as an engineering professional. We are a purpose led and performance driven team; and we look forward to your fresh perspective and contribution as we support innovation. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in STEM-related field or equivalent experience. 1+ years of engineering related experience. Experience with high-level programming language, LabVIEW highly preferred. Analytical and problem-solving skills. Self-motivated to excel in assigned responsibilities and team projects. Responsibilities Lead development of embedded, automated test, and vision systems. Support various projects with LabVIEW design and architecture. Collaborate with engineering team to design, assemble, test, and validate projects on both hardware and software fronts. Produce professional documentation related to system design and function. Review LabVIEW code for debugging, error diagnosis, and documentation. Other requirements Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Ability to work in-office full-time in San Diego, CA. Must be able to lift 20-50 pound objects 5-10 times per day. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Job Type: Full-time Salary: $69,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year Benefits: 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Schedule 8 hour shift Ability to commute/relocate: San Diego, CA 92126: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person Submit your resume today Name Phone Email Upload Resume Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Submit [attributer-channel] [attributer-channeldrilldown1] [attributer-channeldrilldown2] [attributer-landingpage] [attributer-landingpagegroup] [attributer-channeldrilldown3]

Cyth Systems | Whitepapers | LabVIEW FPGA Design Patterns | FPGA Serial Interfaces for Standard and Custom Protocols FPGA Serial Interfaces for Standard and Custom Protocols Common Serial Communication Standards Protocol Description Common Use Cases RS-232 Recommended Standard 232 Serial communication between devices, often over a distance traversed by a wire or cable (not a trace). RS-485 Recommended Standard 485 Similar to RS-232 but implemented using balanced transmitters and differential receivers to reject common-mode interference, thereby enabling even longer transmission distances. I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit Short distances, often traces, between integrated circuits (ASICs, FPGAs, HMIs, advanced sensors) designed onto a PCB assembly. Cabled configurations are typical as well. SPI Serial Peripheral Interface Synchronized data transfer between multiple circuits (microcontrollers, memory devices, sensors) on a board. Configurations : 1 writer (master), 1-N readers (slaves) an CAN Controller Area Network Common in industrial, automotive and medical environments with a robust physical layer and differential signaling for better noise immunity. Built-in error checking I2S Inter-IC Sound Used for transmitting digital audio signals between integrated circuits. Requires three or more wires, so hardware setup is more complex than I2C. Custom - Incorporate specialty triggering, timing, buffering, etc. There are many resources that further explore the tradeoffs between serial and parallel data communication as well as the nuances of specific serial protocols. The purpose of this post is to outline how serial protocols can be implemented in NI FPGA hardware and the LabVIEW FPGA design language. FPGA Benefits for Serial Communication While fundamentals concepts of FPGA application development in LabVIEW are covered in this article , it’s worth noting some of the benefits as they relate to digital communication. Device integration : Many FPGA-based test, control, and monitoring systems require integration of tasks with peripheral devices, such as sensors, electrotechnical systems, ICs, etc. These devices provide 1-N interfaces used for device control and data communication. Oftentimes the FPGA acts as part of the central control system through which various devices are integrated into the end application, which is feasible even if different devices have different interfaces. Timing control through clock domains : FPGAs give the developer significant flexibility in controlling timing for communication, data processing, and other tasks. If the overall system timing diagram necessitates communication with different devices at different rates, this can easily be implemented in the FPGA code. Customization : Regardless of tasks, FPGAs enable significant customization at the hardware-level. This could apply to triggering, inline data processing, and data storage, such that performance can be optimized for a given set of FPGA resources. Thus, it becomes critical to have an API to for the digital communications protocols present in your application. While NI provides a SPI and I2C driver which can be used in LabVIEW Real-Time and FPGA applications, your application may have different requirements. Need application support for your FPGA project? We're here to help. Book a free consultation Application Example: SPI Communication Let’s look at how a SPI interface can be configured in LabVIEW FPGA. The following code snippet implements a write/transmit action to a configured SPI port on a digital I/O line available on an NI CompactRIO, Single-board RIO, or R Series card. SPI port configuration and data communication in LabVIEW FPGA The VI code snippet above executes the following steps: Initialize the port by creating a shared memory item on the FPGA. Configure the port, accounting for the number of bits to be transmitted, chip select (CS), and mode Map the digital I/O channels to the SPI diagram. In this example, digital lines 5-8 on the hardware are used for the following SPI signals: Read SPI data from the port. This is an iterative action based on the Single-Cycle Timed Loop configured to execute based on a 40MHz clock Write SPI data to the port. As this subVI is also called in the Single-Cycle Timed Loop, it also executes at 40MHz. The case structure enables data write control based on the previous read action. It implements some basic decision-making logic which can occur in the FPGA clock domain. Signal Acronym Purpose SCLK Serial Clock Specifies the clock signals defined by the leader (master) MISO Master In Slave Out (Leader In Follower Out) Serial data output from the follower (slave) MOSI Master Out Slave In (Leader Out Follower In) Serial data output from the leader (master) CS Chip Select Important when you have multiple followers interfacing with a single master. When the chip select pin on the follower is active, it will be “listening” for communication. When it is inactive, it will be “deaf” This provides flexible control over the communication topology. This VI is implemented in such a way that the FPGA will execute without sharing data up to a host running on a Linux Real-Time controller or a Windows machine. Other communication paradigms can be used to pipe data up to a higher level for additional processing and visibility, though closed loop control will be fastest if wholly implemented on the FPGA. Get LabVIEW FPGA SPI API and support Application Example: I2C State Machine The following code snippets show different states of an I2C interface as implemented in a state machine. State machines are common design patterns which provide the developer with flexibility for implementing functionality and using current conditions and logic to transition between states. In LabVIEW, state machines are typically implemented with a case structure embedded in a while loop, where state logic is passed between successive iterations of the loop using shift registers. For this particular example, the following states are defined in the state machine, each representing a different action (or idleness) of the I2C bus. I2C bus states implemented in a LabVIEW FPGA state machine In the VI block diagram below, the I/O port is defined on the FPGA, again referencing the 40MHz onboard clock as the time base to be derived from. FPGA port definition and I2C "Configure" state After the port is configured, the master can then arm and write data to the line. Given the state machine architecture in place, you could easily add some functionality for data processing on the FPGA or sharing to a host VI. I2C "Arm" state Get LabVIEW FPGA I2C API and support Application Example: Maximizing RS-232 and RS-485 Baud Rates Using LabVIEW FPGA gives access to high-speed transmission rates over 102.4 kbaud as well as the ability to rapidly analyze and deterministically act on communication. The baud rate is the number of symbols transmitted per unit time, often expressed as bits per second (bps). The image below shows the configuration tool for an RS232 interface, accounting for baud rate and assignments for parity, data, and stop bits on a per-port basis. This provides the user with wide flexibility for the various serial-based peripherals they want to communicate with. RS-232 port configuration (baud rate, % error, start bit, data bits, stop bit) The VI snippets below, show a simplified example of how RS-232 communication can be implemented on an FPGA target in LabVIEW. The top-level VI also provides a UI for defining data to be written and showing data which has been read. Commonly, this data would be further synchronized up to a host. RS-232 interface "Write" loop in top-level VI RS-232 interface "Read" loop in top-level VI The top-level FPGA VI calls the FPGA Read Write VI (lower level) which runs in the background. Top-level LabVIEW FPGA VI In the lower level VI, which directly interfaces with the FPGA DIO lines configured as serial ports, there are two loops running in parallel, one handling reading from a FIFO, the other handling writing to a FIFO. The "Write" loop follows these steps: Configure the FPGA I/O items (e.g., DIO0) and set the baud rate Write the start bit (pre-defined) Send data bits via FPGA I/O item (known number of bits) Send parity bit Send stop bit Continue looping... The "Read" loop follows these steps: Wait for the start bit Read data from the FIFO data element (known number of data bits) Read the parity bit Read the stop bit Continue looping... In order for this lower-level VI to run effectively, the FIFO on the FPGA buffering the bit stream must be configured. LabVIEW FPGA provides an elegant configuration tool for configuring this FIFO: LabVIEW FPGA FIFO configuration tool Get APIs and support for developing serial interfaces Serializing and Deserializing Data The sections above show how different types of serial interfaces can be configured on an FPGA using LabVIEW. This section outlines the usefulness of an API that can perform serializing and deserializing actions regardless of which serial interface is being used. Serial communication protocols transfer data through bitstreams (0’s and 1’s). However, it is often not the case that the data to be transferred is already in a bitstream format, meaning the application must convert the numeric data to a bitstream. To make the code more modular and reusable across different protocols and devices, using a serializer/deserializer API can save significant time and troubleshooting effort. The serializer is utilized on the transmit side where an integer is converted to bits, and the deserializer does the reverse – takes a bitstream and converts it into a numeric datatype for more intuitive display and datalogging. Serializer VI prototype with an integer as input and bitstream as output Deserializer VI prototype with a bitstream as an input and an integer as output The following code snippet shows how this FPGA can be called: Serializer and Deserializer for serial interface data transformation Take an input word (in this case, it’s an unsigned 16-bit integer) Serialize the data (integer → bitstream) Deserialize the data (bitstream → integer) Process the generated data array Plot on a waveform graph for testing and troubleshooting Access support for LabVIEW FPGA projects Conclusion FPGAs provide developers significant flexibility and resource access for high-performance control and monitoring applications, which commonly involve interfacing with peripheral systems via serial standards. The intent of this article was to provide context on different serial interfaces and how their protocols can be designed into larger LabVIEW FPGA applications. While there are various toolchains and APIs available, we at Cyth have decades of experience designing and developing LabVIEW FPGA applications and are interested in helping you develop or upgrade your future systems. Book a demo or consultation

Project Case Study Micron-Scale Inspection via Precision Vision & Motion Aug 8, 2025 e4d30d38-4fc3-4a43-89a7-a9d823836b9a e4d30d38-4fc3-4a43-89a7-a9d823836b9a Home > Case Studies > Medical validation company achieved micron-scale visual quality inspection using Cyth's vision and motion solution built on NI sbRIO and Cyth CircaFlex. Project Summary Medical validation company enhanced quality assurance capabilities with a micrometer-scale syringe lubrication inspection system built by Cyth using the NI sbRIO-9651 and Cyth CircaFlex-315. System Features & Components Micrometer-scale positioning accuracy for consistent syringe rotation and imaging alignment Automated inspection workflow integration with existing production systems Outcomes Achieved micrometer-scale precision in lubrication coverage measurement, eliminating variability of validation accuracy. Dramatically reduced inspection time per syringe while improving consistency across production runs Enabled expanded pharmaceutical contracts through enhanced quality assurance capabilities Technology at-a-glance NI sbRIO-9651 System on Module Cyth CircaFlex-315 Applied Motion stepper motors with encoders and integrated drives 20 Megapixel CMOS global shutter camera Custom LED array with RC Series LED strobe controller Telecentric illuminator NI LabVIEW image processing algorithms Emergency Drug Delivery Life-saving medical devices like EpiPens® rely on a silicon lubricant coating in the inner bore of the syringe to ensure precise and reliable deli very of emergency medications during allergi c reactions such as anaphylaxis. Even microscopic variations in syringe lubrication coating can affect delivery accuracy and patient outcomes. The coverage, consistency, and distribution profiles of the silicon-based lubricant coating inside every auto-injector must meet exacting standards and comply with federal regulations. Manual Process, Aging Technology A medical validation company specializing in auto-injector quality control faced critical limitations with their existing syringe lubrication inspection system. Manual processes and limited inspection tools presented risks to existing client relationships due to lack of scalability and aging technology. Inconsistent Performance: Lighting intensity decreased over time, causing measurement variations across production runs. Limited Capability: The system couldn't capture high-resolution images necessary for detecting microscopic lubrication defects. Scalability Constraints: Manual inspection processes couldn't meet increasing production volumes and faster client turnaround requirements. Expanding Throughput Capacity To scalably grow their business by maintaining and steadily expand their customer base, the validation company required a higher throughput, higher performance system that would also help simplify their regulatory compliance activites. Market Expansion: Advanced and scalable validation capabilities would enable the pursuit of larger pharmaceutical contracts previously beyond their capacity. Regulatory Compliance: FDA and international standards demand rigorous inspection processes with documented precision and repeatability to ensure patient safety. They required a technical solution capable of: Precise Inspection: High-resolution 2D imaging with consistent lighting, micrometer-levels of precision, and seamless integration with existing workflows. Automated Measurements and Datalogging: Overall reduction in manual processes to mitigate human error, optimize repeatability and increase mean validation rate Synchronized Motion & Image Acquisition Cyth built the validation solution using the NI sbRIO-9651 and Cyth CircaFlex-315 control hardware with Applied Motion stepper motors to deliver micrometer-scale positioning accuracy to ensure consistent, high-quality imaging. Why Choose NI Embedded Systems? For the validation company, the technical differentiation of the inspection solution was critical to attaining their throughput and quality goals. They required a highly synchronized and precise validation solution to be able to pursue larger customers and Synchronized Precision: Micrometer-scale accuracy and consistent imaging achieved through tight synchronization between stepper motors, dynamic lighting sources, and camera through the real-time capabilities of the NI sbRIO-9651. Cyth's CircaFlex platform enabled direct connectivity to stepper motor control I/O to minimize system jitter and ensure tight coordination of all system components. LabVIEW Real-Time software, running on Linux Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) enabled precise process synchronization between motor rotation, auto-injector illumination and image acquisition Cyth's CircaFlex platform provided all control signals directly to the motors' drives. Stepper motors were programmed to make predefined movements with accuracy on the micrometer scale. Learn more about stepper motor control Advanced Lighting Control: Custom LED strobing algorithm eliminated lighting degradation issues while extending lifespan through optimized pulse-width modulation control. The programmable logic controller integration with CircaFlex enabled synchronization between LED strobing sequences and camera acquisition cycles to ensure consistent illumination profiles and eliminate exposure timing variability. Custom strobing algorithm with optimized pulse-width modulation to ensure consistent syringe illumination and extended LED lifespan through controlled duty cycles and thermal management. CircaFlex provided built-in signal conditioning and hardwired connection to FPGA I/O on the sbRIO-9651 necessary to smoothly and precisely coordinate the system with millisecond-levels of precision Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) configured to strobe LEDs in tandem with camera capture sequences to ensure well-illuminated, detailed images. Automated Image Processing: Real-time image processing algorithms stitched together multiple captures together to create a 2D image that comprehensively represents the profile of the lubrication coating of the auto-injector. 20-Megapixel CMOS global shutter camera with telecentric illuminator for detailed interior imaging Machine Vision Capabilities Hardware, camera, stepper motor, and programmable controls The final solution was contained in a compact, custom enclosure. The overall syringe lubrication inspection process included: Syringe oriented vertically then rotated at a predefined rate using a stepper motor with a built-in drive Illumination of syringe using a strobing array of LEDs Reflected light captured with high-resolution camera to create 2D images of interior lubricant coating High-definition composite images of interior syringe coating stitched together automatically Images analyzed automatically with pass/fail results and data for regulatory compliance needs The resulting high-defintion images enabled the validation company to accurately quantify the quality of syringe lubricant coating. The automated and precise nature of the vision inspection system streamlined regulatory compliance and augmented throughput capacity. Full Compliance, Market Expansion The upgraded system positioned the medical validation company as a leader in auto-injector lubrication inspection technology. The system exceeded their performance expectations and helped accelerate their growth. Precision Measurement: Delivered micrometer-scale lubrication coating measurements, eliminating variability that previously compromised validation results. Improved Compliance: Facilitated quantification of images, data storage and reporting to streamline regulatory compliance activities. Enhanced Throughput Capacity: Process automation dramatically reduced average cycle time per syringe, improving consistency across production runs. Business Growth: Pharmaceutical clients reported significantly improved confidence in validation results, leading to expanded contract opportunities and full regulatory compliance . Let's Talk

News |Long-term benefits of clean energy sources | This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. | Long-term benefits of clean energy sources Long-term benefits of clean energy sources This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Mar 20, 2023 Kim Jennings This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site.

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Project Case Study CompactRIO Enables Undergraduate Power Electronics Education Nov 7, 2025 0d40db0b-9017-40f4-9543-c8c31678a570 0d40db0b-9017-40f4-9543-c8c31678a570 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Author: Mats Alaküla, Lund Univerisity Edited by: Cyth Systems Project Summary Lund University integrated the NI CompactRIO into its power electronic lab, teaching students real-time power electronics with research-grade systems. System Features & Components Real-time operating system (RTOS) enabled speed control and PID optimization FPGA-level logic enabled implementation of hysteresis bounds and the simplification of overall system architecture Live data visualization and parameter adjustment enabled through HMI Outcomes Achieved “fast computer” model levels of determinism , enabling real-world levels of system responsiveness Reliable control loop execution delivers continuous live monitoring Equipped undergraduate students with hands-on experience using research-grade control systems Technology at-a-glance Hardware: NI cRIO-9063 chassis NI cRIO-9038 chassis Software: LabVIEW LabVIEW FPGA LabVIEW Real-Time Control Theory in Practice In university electrical engineering labs, students learn how motor drives and power electronics operate. These types of systems require microsecond-level precision to ensure continuous and smooth operation of motors. For educators, it can be a challenge to bridge the gap between theoretical “fast computer” models and real-world control systems that introduce computational delays. At Lund University in Sweden, they needed to address this education gap needed to ensure their students could experience firsthand how control theory performs in a real-world context. Determinism Requirements Professor Mats Alaküla needed to teach students how to control electrical motor drives and power electronics systems with sub-milisecond time constraints. Maintaining currents within safe operating limits require voltage controll within hundreds of microseconds. Their existing MATLAB/Simulink and DSpace technology platform could not keep pace with modern electrical drives requiring increasingly higher frequencies. The Windows-based monitoring system interfered with control, disrupting the simulation of a realistic control system. The majority of students’ time was spent creating workarounds for hardware limitations, not mastering control algorithms themselves. Lund University needed a solution that would prepare their students for the real-world scenarios they would encounter in ther future careers. Hysteresis Control Enabled The university chose to adopt the NI CompactRIO platform, paired with LabVIEW Real-time and FPGA Modules to implement a control architecture that would eliminate computation delays. NI cRIO-9063 & NI cRIO-9038 CompactRIO controllers. System Architecture & Capabilities FPGA-based current control: time-critical electrical current control implemented directly on the FPGA Real-time processing: slower control loops, for ensuring optimal system performance, run on real-time operating system (RTOS), including engine speed trajectory following and continuous PID parameter recalculation Windows OS: live data visualization and datalogging enabled through user interface housed on the Windows OS Integrated resolver signal processing: cRIO I/O availability and measurement speed capabilities eliminated the need for dedicated resolver circuits Hysteresis control capability: FPGA measurement speed enabled direct current control with real-time three-phase current visualization in real-imaginary planes Sub-100 microsecond voltage control: implemented on FPGA and RTOS to maintain current within acceptable intervals required by electrical drives Learn FPGA Programming Fundamentals The responsiveness of the cRIO enabled the implementation of control methods that their previous solution couldn’t support. Direct current control via hysteresis required high determinisim to keep current within precise tolerances. Applied Motion Stepper Motor Drives, controlled and communicated with using NI LabVIEW software. Traditional rotor position measurement requires high-frequency input signals and additional processing circuits. The measurement speed and I/O flexibility of the NI cRIO platform were capable of directly handling resolver signal processing and simplifying the system architecture students interact with. The self-contained nature of the cRIO, paired with its ability to push live updates to host computers eliminated the Windows OS interference problems that previously disrupted control loops. Real-World "Fast Computer" The architecture enabled by the technology platform eliminated the gap between theory and practice for these students, as the solution responds as theoretical “fast computer” models would, making control theory directly applicable to real-world systems. Lund University’s introduction of the NI CompactRIO platform to undergraduate students enabled continuity and best practice sharing with graduate students already using the platform for advanced electrical machine development. The university is now fully capable of preparing their students for their future careers by enabling them to gain hands-on experience with the optimal control strategies driving the pace of development in modern power electronics engineering. Let's Talk Original Author: Mats Alaküla, Lund Univerisity Edited by: Cyth Systems

A off-the-shelf control systems that help engineers develop sophisticated devices & instruments without the risk & cost of custom-designed circuit boards. SOLUTIONS Home > Solutions > Circaflex What is CircaFlex ? Circaflex is a family of off-the-shelf control systems that help engineers develop sophisticated devices and instruments without the risk and cost of custom-designed circuit boards. Using Circaflex, engineers and scientists can develop feature-packed embedded systems from prototyping in just a few weeks, and ready for deployment in just a few months, saving 50-75% of the effort, time, and risk of a custom board! Control PUMPS, MOTORS, PNEUMATICS, and MORE. BUILT-IN CONNECTIVITY to a variety of sensors. PREBUILT CONTROL software and HMI software. EASY to use & POWERFUL control. Why CircaFlex ? Rapid Prototyping & Deployment Control Systems The Circaflex family includes the motherboard, mezzanine boards, and signal conditioning modules to make prototyping easy. Circaflex supports National Instruments Single-Board RIO (sbRIO) and System-on-Module (SOM) systems. Each Circaflex product is designed to support a variety of sensors and devices commonly used in industrial, medical, and biotech device development. Customize your testing needs. “Almost all quality improvement comes via simplification of design, manufacturing, layout, processes, and procedures.” -Tom Peters Ready for prototyping with an array of STANDARD INDUSTRIAL INPUTS & OUTPUTS Customize your testing needs Circaflex series include Circaflex 300 Series (for NI RIO SOM) Circaflex 500 Series (NI Single-Board RIO (sbRIO) Circaflex I/O Modules

We have developed & deployed thousands of Embedded Systems across every industry. Cyth offers powerful tools to deliver success to your Embedded project. SERVICES Embedded Control Systems Home > Services > Embedded Systems EMBEDDED Systems bring your control and monitoring systems TO LIFE An Embedded systems is a computer processor coupled with signal inputs and outputs (I/O) and software, typically used for system control or monitoring applications. With our Embedded Systems you can bring your product ideas to life by integrating components and sensors, including motors, pumps, valves, signal transducers, and much more. With our Embedded Systems you develop and deploy systems that include scientific instruments, biotech devices, factories control modules, and deployable monitoring systems. Our EMBEDDED systems provide a PLATFORM to build on Our Embedded platform consists of the CompactRIO (cRIO) and Single-Board RIO from National Instruments. Running on Intel processors, Xilinx FPGA's, and Linux Real-Time OS, and programmed with LabVIEW ... they come with robust credentials and build a platform for any embedded application with an unlimited range of connected devices and sensors. Packaged Ready-To-Use INDUSTRIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS Industrial-Grade SINGLE-BOARD COMPUTERS EMBEDDED CONTROL SYSTEM Service Areas Industrial Control Systems Embedded Industrial Control subcategories ↑ Process control & automation Equipment control systems Factory control systems Integrated robotics systems Conveyor and material handling Industrial control systems are used to operate and automate industrial processes. They include devices, systems, networks controls that can be found in factories, manufacturing or industrial settings. Industry 4.0 Embedded Control Systems Embedded Controller subcategories ↑ Industrial equipment control An embedded control system provides the control and measurement functions of an industrial or scientific device or instrument. With our Circaflex control platform, we leverage completely customizable off-the-shelf hardware that allows designers to prototype a successful design in a fraction of the time, with less cost and practically no risk. Biotech instrument control system Medical Device internal electronics Scientific instruments Monitoring Systems Embedded Monitoring Systems subcategories ↑ Condition monitoring Industrial monitoring refers to the collection and analysis of measurement data from sensors and devices related to processes, assets, and equipment. Various measurements collected over a long period of time, or at the instant of a particular event, can give you insights to improve productivity and quality. Long-term performance recording Vibration and wear Preventative maintenance Event capture OEM Solutions & Volume Manufacturing Embedded OEM & Manufacturing subcategories ↑ Design for manufacturing Whether you intend to deploy dozens or thousands of systems, our OEM design services team will work with you to accelerate your path to market and ensure you are ready for every step of the process, from design to validation, manufacturing, sustaining engineering, and life cycle management. BOM & Supply chain management Manufacturing & assembly Test and Record-Keeping EMBEDDED CONTROL & MONITORING Case Study Portfolio CompactRIO Enables Automated Circuit Board Testing Millisecond Control for Simulating Human Lung Behavior Precision Control System Advances Global Health Biotech Startup Accelerates Funding with Scalable Reference Design Circaflex & NI Single-Board RIO Power Syringe Lubrication Inspection Demo Double Decker Hybrid Powertrain Monitored Using Circaflex Embedded Controls Real-Time Defects Mapping on Integrated Circuits Using NI PXI & LabVIEW Distributed Generation-Based Smart Grid System Using NI CompactRIO & NI LabVIEW Proton Therapy Cancer Treatment Controlled using NI Single-Board RIO 1 2

The LabVIEW Core 1 Course gives you the chance to explore the LabVIEW environment and interactive analysis, dataflow programming, and common development techniques in a hands-on format. LabVIEW Core 1 Training Course Start Date | End Date Duration ENROLL < Back NI Course Overview In the LabVIEW Core 1 Course, you will explore the LabVIEW environment and interactive analysis, dataflow programming, and common development techniques in a hands-on format. In this course, you will learn how to develop data acquisition, instrument control, data-logging, and measurement analysis applications. At the end of the course, you will be able to create applications using the state machine design pattern to acquire, analyze, process, visualize, and store real-world data. NI Course Objectives Interactively acquire and analyze single-channel and multi-channel data from NI DAQ devices and non-NI instruments Create user interfaces with charts, graphs, and buttons Use programming structures, data types, and the analysis and signal processing algorithms in LabVIEW Debug and troubleshoot applications Log data to file Use best programming practices for code reuse and readability Implement a sequencer using a state machine design pattern NI Course Details Duration: Instructor-led Classroom: Three (3) days Instructor-led Virtual: Five (5) days, five-and-a-half-hour sessions On-Demand: 7.5 hours (exercises as a supplement) Audience: New users and users preparing to develop applications using LabVIEW Users and technical managers evaluating LabVIEW in purchasing decisions Users pursuing the Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer certification Prerequisites: Experience with Microsoft Windows Experience writing algorithms in the form of flowcharts or block diagrams NI Products Used: If you take the course On-Demand: LabVIEW 2021 or later NI-DAQmx 21.0 or later NI-488.2 21.0 or later NI VISA 21.0 or later USB-6212 BNC-2120 If you take the course in an instructor-led format: LabVIEW 2023 or later NI-DAQmx 23.0 or later NI-488.2 23.0 or later NI VISA 23.0 or later USB-6212 BNC-2120 Training Materials Virtual instructor-led training includes digital course material that is delivered through the NI Learning Center. NI virtual instructor-led training is delivered through Zoom, and Amazon AppStream/LogMein access is provided to participants to perform the exercises on virtual machines equipped with the latest software. Cost in Credits On-Demand: Included with software subscription and enterprise agreements, or 5 Education Services Credits, or 2 Training Credits Public virtual or classroom course: 30 Education Services Credits or 9 Training Credits Private virtual or classroom: 210 Education Services Credits or 60 Training Credits NI Course Outline LESSON OVERVIEW TOPICS Introduction to LabVIEW Explore LabVIEW and the common types of LabVIEW applications. Exploring LabVIEW Environment Common Types of Applications Used with LabVIEW First Measurement (NI DAQ Device) Use NI Data Acquisition (DAQ) devices to acquire data into a LabVIEW application. Overview of Hardware Connecting and Testing Your Hardware Data Validation Exploring an Existing Application Explore an existing LabVIEW project and parts of a VI. Exploring a LabVIEW Project Parts of a VI Understanding Dataflow Finding Examples in LabVIEW Creating Your First Application Build a VI that acquires, analyzes, and visualizes data from NI DAQ device as well as from a non-NI instrument. Creating a New Project and a VI Exploring LabVIEW Data Types Building an Acquire-Analyze-Visualize VI (NI DAQ) Building an Acquire-Analyze-Visualize VI (Non-NI Instrument) Exploring LabVIEW Best Practices Use various help and support materials provided by NI, explore resources, tips and tricks for using LabVIEW. Exploring Additional LabVIEW Resources LabVIEW Tips and Tricks Exploring LabVIEW Style Guidelines Debugging and Troubleshooting Explore tools for debugging and troubleshooting a VI. Troubleshooting a Broken VI Debugging Techniques Managing and Displaying Errors Executing Code Repeatedly Using Loops Explore components of LabVIEW loop structures, control the timing of a loop, and use loops to take repeated measurements. Exploring While Loops Exploring For Loops Timing a Loop Using Loops with Hardware APIs Data Feedback in Loops Working with Groups of Data in LabVIEW Work with array and waveform data types, single-channel and N-channel acquisition data. Exploring Data Groups in LabVIEW Working with Single-Channel Acquisition Data Working with N-Channel Acquisition Data Using Arrays Writing and Reading Data to File Explore basic concept of file I/O and how to access and modify file resources in LabVIEW. Writing Data to a Text File Writing Multi-Channel Data to a Text File Creating File and Folder Paths Analyzing Text File Data Comparing File Formats Bundling Mixed Data Types Use LabVIEW to bundle data of different data types and pass data throughout your code using clusters. Exploring Clusters and Their Usage Creating and Accessing Clusters Using Clusters to Plot Data Executing Code Based on a Condition Configure Case structure and execute code based on a condition. Conditional Logic Introduction Creating and Configuring Case Structures Using Conditional Logic Reusing Code Explore the benefits of reusing code and create a subVI with a properly configured connector pane, meaningful icon, documentation, and error handling. Exploring Modularity Working with Icons Configuring the Connector Pane Working with SubVIs Controlling Data Type Changes Propagate data type changes using type definitions. Exploring Type Definitions Creating and Applying Type Definitions Implementing a Sequencer Sequence the tasks in your application by using the State Machine design pattern. Exploring Sequential Programming Exploring State Programming Building State Machines Additional Scalable Design Patterns in LabVIEW First Measurement (Non-NI Instrument) Use LabVIEW to connect to non-NI instruments and validate the results. Instrument Control Overview Communicating with Instruments Types of Instrument Drivers Enroll

Project Case Study Millisecond Control for Simulating Human Lung Behavior Aug 5, 2025 851cd419-6fb6-4ebc-9558-1df8ab6589e7 851cd419-6fb6-4ebc-9558-1df8ab6589e7 Home > Case Studies > Cyth delivers lung simulation tool to MedTech startup, bringing complex mathematical models to life on NI sbRIO with FPGA millisecond control. Project Summary Medical technology startup developed a breakthrough lung simulator using Cyth's CircaFlex platform to achieve human-like respiratory accuracy for healthcare training, eliminating mechanical limitations of existing simulators through software-controlled parameter adjustment. System Features & Components Deterministic, closed-loop control to achieve microsecond-level motor control and millisecond response times for real-time simulation of lung physiology equations Software-controlled lung simulation to enable automated operation and seamless integration with existing heart simulation device to enable comprehensive training scenarios Linear actuator design to accurately simulate inhalation and exhalation volume exchanges with precise physiological feedback Outcomes Achieved human-like respiratory accuracy with nanosecond motor control and millisecond system response times Created simulator that is expected to disrupt the market, offering continuous programmatic parameter control at lower manufacturing costs than mechanical competitors Enabled comprehensive medical training across full spectrum of respiratory diseases and emergency scenarios through integrated cardiovascular-pulmonary system Transitioned manufacturing to Cyth Systems Technology at-a-glance NI sbRIO-9651 System on Module (SOM) Cyth CircaFlex-304 modular control board Cyth CircaFlex Stepper Drive Module LabVIEW Real-Time Module LabVIEW FPGA Module Mass Flowmeter and Controller (FMA-A2321) SICK Displacement Measurement Sensor (OD1-B100C50I14) SCN5 series Dyadic's Mechatronics Cylinder Round Bellow with Cuff Ends Revolutionizing Medical Training Today, you will take approximately 22,000 breaths of air ( Breathing , n.d.). Each one a part of the complex interplay of biological processes that many never need to think about. When it comes to medical emergencies and chronic respiratory issues, medical professionals must make split-second decisions about which life-saving interventions a patient might need. Many times, surgeons face an uphill battle when it comes to learning how to make those decisions. Opportunities to handle unique situations and uncommon issues cannot be properly addressed in medical textbooks or by operating on a cadaver. Furthermore, surgical teams must manage extensive patient profiles filled with complex cases, ones that are nearly impossible to learn during typical training. One medical technology startup recognized that this gap in respiratory training was putting healthcare providers and patients at risk. They set out to revolutionize how medical professionals can prepare for some of these critical moments: Emergency Medicine Training : Preparing doctors for asthma attacks, collapsed lungs, and respiratory failure scenarios Surgical Education : Training anesthesiologists and surgeons on ventilator management during operations Nursing Competency : Ensuring respiratory therapists can recognize and respond to changing patient conditions Medical Device Training : Teaching proper ventilator operation and troubleshooting across different patient scenarios Take me straight to the results Modeling Life-like Human Physiology Traditional lung simulators on the market were mechanical, inflexible devices that failed to adequately prepare medical professionals because they couldn't realistically replicate varying patient profiles and breathing models. The startup recognized their need for an advanced solution partner to help them improve: Training Realism Deficiencies: Existing lung simulators required manual adjustments to change airway resistance, meaning students couldn't experience the seamless, dynamic changes that occur in real patients. Mechanical iris systems and solenoid-based designs created jerky, unrealistic responses that failed to replicate the smooth, continuous characteristics of human respiratory function. Healthcare providers were lacking exposure to the full spectrum of respiratory diseases and emergency scenarios they could encounter. Integration & Complexity Barriers: The MedTech startup had already developed a sophisticated heart simulator, but existing lung simulators were challenging to integrate into a single system for comprehensive cardio-pulmonary medical training. Available solutions were either prohibitively expensive for educational institutions or so mechanically complex that they required extensive maintenance and specialized technical support, limiting their practical deployment in training environments. Designing-In Differentiation Considering the startup's ambitious vision to create the most realistic, responsive lung simulator ever developed, the system had to execute calculations and corresponding physical responses within milliseconds to maintain realistic human breathing patterns, as any delays would immediately break training realism and compromise educational value. Creating a life-like simulation required a system with dynamic range and continuity across the full spectrum of respiratory conditions, including: Continuous adjustment of airway resistance, from healthy breathing to severe disease states Dynamic changes in lung compliance based on simulated conditions like emphysema, collapsed lungs, and asthma attacks Precise parameter control for seamless transition between emergency scenarios Authentic physiological responses that match real patient variability The new lung simulator needed to function both as a standalone training device and as an integrated component with the medtech startup's existing heart simulator to help ensure surgical teams have access to comprehensive training simulations that demonstrate the intricate interactions between cardiovascular and pulmonary systems during medical emergencies. Striking a balance between advanced capability and economic viability was critically important to help encourage market adoption of the lung simulator. The final design had to be manufacturable at a cost point that would make it accessible to medical schools, hospitals, and training centers while maintaining the sophisticated performance characteristics required for effective education. Advanced Control Architecture The startup chose Cyth Systems because of their existing working relationship and proven expertise in solving complex real-time control challenges. Their team's expertise with precision motion control and LabVIEW programming made Cyth uniquely qualified to tackle the demanding requirements of human respiratory simulation. The system had to execute calculations and physical responses within milliseconds to maintain specified breathing patterns, as any delays would immediately break training realism and compromise educational value. The NI sbRIO-9651 was selected as the control platform to integrate into the final solution because it addressed the need for high-accuracy mathematical calculations alongside precise system control. What are the key benefits of NI sbRIO-9651?: 667 MHz dual-core CPU enabled multitasking and parallel processing Zynq-7020 FPGA provided deterministic, real-time system performance Compatibility with LabVIEW FPGA software streamlined FPGA programming because it abstracted away the low-level complexities of Hardware Description Languages (HDLs) Comparing CPU and FPGA-based processing The capabilities of the NI sbRIO-9651 were further expanded by the Cyth CircaFlex-304 . This COTS daughterboard for the NI sbRIO enabled: rapid connectivity to digital TTL lines and analog voltage input channels I/O expansion capability to enable comprehensive lung simulation control and futureproof the product CircaFlex-304 On top of this reliable hardware platform, Cyth designed a software solution that could execute the customer's complex lung function equations in real-time. Incorporated Cyth's proprietary, field-tested real-time software architecture to ensure system reliability and maximize the processing capabilities of the CPU Developed custom FPGA behavior to instantaneously calculate pressure and volume variables, based on the customer's mathematical equations, to control motor speed with life-like accuracy Explore FPGA Programming Precision Motion for Linear Actuation: Cyth developed a linear actuator system using a precision motor paired with a rubber bellows. Inhalation was simulated by actuating the motor expanding the volume of the bellows. Exhalation was simulated by the motor returning to the home position, decreasing the volume of the of the bellows. Integration of SICK displacement measurement sensor ensured all components operated within timing tolerances to continuously demonstrate critical organ interactions during medical emergencies. Software-Controlled Variability: Cyth's solution enabled programmatic control of airway resistance and lung compliance entirely through software, eliminating the need for manual adjustments required by most lung simulation solutions Cyth's custom software control provided smooth, continuous adjustment ranges Mechanical wear and continuous maintenance requirements mitigated by software-enforcement of hardware operating ranges Precision Timing Solutions: Initial testing revealed communication delays that compromised human-like responsiveness, so Cyth's engineers chose to bypass the stepper motor's control board: Spliced directly into TTL lines for step and direction control Replaced the RS232 communication with custom CircaFlex Stepper Drive module Achieved nanosecond-range motor operation and one-millisecond system response delays The NI sbRIO-based design, paired with Cyth's CircaFlex platform, enabled seamless integration with the customer's existing heart simulator. The integration of these two simulators created a comprehensive cardiopulmonary training system capable of demonstrating the critical interactions between these organ systems during medical emergencies. Cyth's LabVIEW FPGA programming expertise, paired with their field-tested control system software architectures, allowed them to create an intuitive solution that medical educators can use to program diverse disease scenarios while maintaining the mathematical precision required for authentic training experiences. Explore Cyth Engineering Capabilities With the integration of the lung and heart simulators into a single system at an optimized price point, the MedTech startup decided to entrust the manufacture of their products to Cyth's Manufacturing Engineering team in San Diego, California. Economically Viable, Technically Superior The medtech startup expects to disrupt the lung simulation market by outperforming their competitors with a solution capable of seamlessly and reliably delivering comprehensive training scenario coverage with realistic physiological responses. The simulator's nanosecond-level motor control and millisecond response times deliver life-like respiratory dynamics to prepare healthcare providers for real-world emergencies. For the MedTech startup, the most differentiated capabilities that the NI sbRIO and Cyth CircaFlex brought to the solution were: FPGA-enabled precision for calculating simulation parameters with continuous adjustment response times Hardware standardization across heart and lung simulators for improving system reliability and simplifying manufacturing processes Flexible hardware and software platforms for ensuring adaptability of system to future requirements The MedTech startup is primed to penetrate their target market of educational institutions with a clear business case: Technically superior simulations deliver high training effectiveness Economically viable price point facilitates capital equipment acquisition The MedTech startup and Cyth continue to collaborate on advancing cardiopulmonary simulation. Their goal of continuous improvement in healthcare training technology ensures that these products will remain at the forefront of medical education industry. Let's Talk Citations Breathing . Breathing | Canadian Lung Association. (n.d.). https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-info/breathing

The following are terms of this project, which are requirements in consideration of engaging this engineering project, independent of any terms. COMPANY Commercial Terms Home > Company > Commercial Terms Summary 1. Working with Cyth 1.1 Commercial Terms The following are terms of this project, which are requirements in consideration of engaging this engineering project, independent of any terms and conditions of a Sales Order, Purchase Order, or other Agreements. Cyth reserves the right to cancel the project and refund any unused funds if a major discovery is made which invalidates the project budget, features, or schedule. Cyth maintains a security interest and ownership of materials, fruits of labor, intellectual property, and work product that are given to the customer until all items are fully paid for. Any items not paid for remain Cyth owned property, and must be returned on demand. This term expressly supersedes common law, the terms of any Purchase Order, Sales Order, Agreements, Contracts, and Uniform Commercial Code. For the sake of clarity, it is the express intention of Cyth and the customer that all goods and services delivered will be paid for, and those not paid for will be returned on demand. Acceptance Test must be performed by client within 15 days of delivery, unless otherwise noted and approved by Cyth in writing. If Acceptance Test cannot be accommodated within a reasonable time period, the client must make any requested payments with or without the successfully completed acceptance tests. In the case of excessive project delays or if a project is put on hold, additional costs may be incurred for project restart, replacing or retraining personnel, or remembering or re-learning details of the project. Costs will be detailed and budgeted in an Engineering Change Order (ECO). Any samples, products, etc. received may be subject to destructive testing during developing and may be disposed of during/after development unless written instructions are provided with specific handling and return instructions. 1.2 Budget & Schedule Management Even after sincere efforts to carefully review requirements and authoring of the cost sheet and proposal, this document may contain errors or omissions. All budgets, statements, specifications, proposals, and plans are good-faith statements and estimates. Cyth makes no guarantee of the contents of this document, nor the deliverables or performance of the project goals without all necessary support materials and budget required to complete goals. As with any engineering project there are problems to be solved, assumptions to be checked, and some components which have been suggested but not yet verified. Cyth will make every reasonable effort to complete the project in a timely and professional manner and will report progress and budget status to the client on a regular basis. Throughout the project all specifications, design choices, and changes will be recorded in the relevant documents. 1.3 Engineering Change Orders Any change which requires modification of budget, schedule, or performance will require an Engineering Change Order (ECO). An ECO may result not only from specific change requests from a customer, but also from unforeseen issues, invalid assumptions, new discoveries, replacing components, and other changes necessary to meet the project goals. An ECO (or possible ECO’s reported in the Project Status Report) may also be used to track issues that could result in budget or schedule changes. Since some tasks may take extra time, and others may take less, some Potential ECO items may not result in an ECO. Yet if there are too many of these items, eventually an ECO may be used when hours are exhausted or more hours are needed. 1.4 Warranty Limitations In contrast with off-the-shelf commercial products, custom-designed systems and bespoke integrated devices from Cyth Systems carry a specialized warranty. All services and fabricated items provided by Cyth will be of good workmanlike quality and all materials will be in good new working order. However, there is no guarantee that the integrated systems or goods provided by Cyth, even being of workmanlike quality and in new condition, will meet all the customers stated goals and needs; systems or goods provided by Cyth might require additional budget and project work including debug, design, engineering, testing, or iteration in order to meet customer’s goals. However, any goods or services proven not to be of workmanlike quality, or having an avoidable defect, or inexcusable engineering mistake will be replaced or reworked in a manner to be determined in Cyth’s sole discretion. The warranty does not cover cases in which the system passed Acceptance Testing, yet issues arise or are discovered requiring additional design, rework, and reprogramming. No warranty or guarantee expressed or implied, including any warranty as to merchantability or fitness for any purpose, is made other than those expressly set forth above which are made in lieu of all other warranties or guarantees. Cyth Systems shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury, directly or indirectly arising from the use of such equipment or for consequential damages of any nature. 1.5 Component 3rd Party Manufacturers’ Warranty Terms Third-party materials and components carry a warranty provided by the component manufacturer, from the date of purchase, subject to the terms and conditions of those manufacturers. Custom-developed hardware and software components are warrantied to be free from defects in design, materials, and workmanship for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of delivery. This warranty does not extend to any equipment, component or part subjected to abnormal operating conditions, improper or incorrect maintenance, or modification. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, or the lifetime of wear-out components unless the lifetime, wear, or maintenance interval has been expressly called out as a design requirement. Since the system is a custom device, it can be difficult to determine faults in workmanship or materials, therefore the time needed to diagnose and repair a defect may be billable pending a root-cause analysis for each failure or occurrence. For More Information Contact Us Or Browse Store

Project Case Study Machine Vision Inspection of Implantable Electrode Wire to Combat Parkinson's Disease Mar 27, 2024 dab17580-1e60-48a1-b00d-42a6919b2d0f dab17580-1e60-48a1-b00d-42a6919b2d0f Home > Case Studies > Automated machine vision inspection of wire stent. The Challenge A global medical provider came to us with the need for a system to automate the inspection of their i mplantable electrode wire . The Solution Using machine vision algorithms, LabVIEW software, and a custom lighting fixture, we ran the customer’s i mplantable electrode wire through an in-depth inspection process that improved their quality control while increasing throughput and decreasing test times. The Cyth Story Our customer designed an i mplantable electrode in the form of a wire that is used to treat spinal ailments when implanted into a patient’s body. They required a system to run their stent’s length to ensure it met very precise measurement and design specifications. The stent had a 2mm diameter, so we partnered with Keyence to acquire hardware fit for our optical system’s high magnification requirements. Our system’s Field of View (FOV), achieved using a telecentric lens, was 1mm wide by 3mm high by 0.5mm depth-of-field (DOF). This enabled our system’s camera to conduct a vision scan of the stent’s entire length. 1. Linear actuator, 2. Lighting and camera apparatus 3. LabVIEW user interface 4. Keyence vision inspection live feed. System Order of Operations An operator attaches the wire stent vertically into the fixture’s two sets of pneumatic clamps. Once a switch is flipped a tensioner pulley is activated straightening the wire stent. The operator manually shuts the fixtures cabinet (for safety) and begins the system’s vision inspection via the user prompt on the LabVIEW user interface. Once the start button is pressed the system’s camera positions itself at the wire stent’s base. The camera runs an initial algorithm to focus and align the wire stent within its field of view. The live inspection feed then calculates and records the wire stent’s measurements as the camera and lighting apparatus move vertically up the wire stint. This feed is broadcast live to a monitor for the operator to see. LabVIEW machine vision algorithms use artificial intelligence to compare the measured specs to the required measurements given to us by the customer. Once the inspection is complete, the operator enters a serial number, and the system logs the pass/fail data to a local database with exact details on the system’s decision. Close-up of the ring lighting and camera apparatus. Delivering the Outcome Our electrode stent inspection system was built using Keyence control hardware, LabVIEW software, and a custom lighting fixture. Through our engineering team’s integration of hardware and software, we were able to provide a turnkey solution for the automated test of our customer’s product. This improved our customer’s quality control process while increasing throughput and decreasing test times. Technical Specifications 1 x Keyence LED Light Controller 1 x Keyence LED Backlight 1 x Keyence LED Ringlight 2 x Keyence Highspeed Monochrome Camera 2 x Edmund Optics Telecentric Lenses 1 x Electric SMC Linear Actuator 1 x Mechanically Actuated Mini-Switch 2 x Pneumatic Clamps 1 x Tensioner Pully 1 x Custom Cart Encloser 2 x ViewSonic Monitors Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

CompactRIO systems provide processing capabilities, sensor-specific I/O, & software for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), monitoring, & control applications CompactRIO NI Authorized Distributor and System Integration Partner Home > Products > CompactRIO What is CompactRIO? CompactRIO systems provide high-performance processing capabilities, sensor-specific conditioned I/O, and a closely integrated software toolchain that make them ideal for Industrial Internet of Things, monitoring, and control applications. The real-time processor offers reliable, predictable behavior, while the FPGA excels at smaller tasks that require high-speed logic and precise timing. Why Choose CompactRIO? CompactRIO hardware provides an industrial control and monitoring solution using sensor- or protocol-specific, conditioned I/O modules with real-time capabilities. Best for Real-time processing needs Industrial monitoring and control applications Deployed & Rugged Environments CompactRIO Chassis The CompactRIO chassis is the center of the integrated system architecture. It is directly connected to the I/O for high-performance access to the I/O circuitry of each module and timing, triggering, and synchronization. Because each module is connected directly to the FPGA rather than through a bus, you experience almost no control latency for system response compared to other controller architectures. Shop cRIO Chassis CompactRIO Modules I/O modules contain isolation, conversion circuitry, signal conditioning, and built-in connectivity for direct connection to industrial sensors/actuators. By offering a variety of wiring options and integrating the connector junction box into the modules, the CompactRIO system significantly reduces space requirements and field-wiring costs. You can choose from more than 70 NI C Series I/O modules for CompactRIO to connect to almost any sensor or actuator. Shop cRIO cModules Programming CompactRIO with LabVIEW Overcome traditional architecture programming challenges with LabVIEW for writing powerful Real-Time applications and LabVIEW FPGA for writing and compiling FPGA Code. With this combination, you can develop your system faster by programming both the processor and FPGA with a single, intuitive software toolchain. Focus on solving problems, not low-level programming tasks, with integrated user-friendly software that reduces risk, enhances productivity, and eliminates the need to create and maintain I/O drivers, OS configuration, and other middleware. Available CompactRIO models How CompactRIO Compares to a PLC Introduction In the world of industrial automation and control systems, the choice between different hardware platforms can be a critical...

Prototype & productize bioprocess equipment on top of a proven reference design. BioFlex is an integrated reference design for biopharmaceutical machine builders. Bioprocess Control & Automation Solutions Explore Our Life Sciences Portfolio Prototype & productize bioprocess equipment on top of a proven reference design Why Design with BioFlex? Deliver your IP faster: Develop on an 80:20 COTS: custom architecture to focus on your differentiation. Validate process and recipe design: Easily modify parameters, test functionality, and measure yield. Maximize recipe control: Integrate any sensor or subsystem into a deterministic bioprocess. Capture and analyze data: Log directly on the machine or connect to a network for data analysis. SCHEDULE A DEMO BioFlex is an integrated reference design for biopharmaceutical machine builders Intended for Bioreactors Fermenters Incubation tanks Commercial biologics Control system architecture Customizable embedded and Windows UI Chemostats Turbidostats Diagnostic machines Cell analysis instrumentation Conditioned I/O for sensors & subsystems Alarming and datalogging engines Startup assistance & add-on engineering services Download Bioflex Brochure Validate biopharmaceutical equipment functionality and recipe design Supported Functionality Sensors: Temperature, pH, flow, strain, vibration, electrical measurements, etc. Communication protocols: Serial, UART, custom. Data formats: SQLite, .csv, TDMS, custom. Subsystems: Pumps, motors, actuators, valves, etc. User interface: Embedded, Windows. REQUEST A LIVE DEMO Reference Design Composition BioFlex native I/O* Architecture-Supported Customizations Third-party provided* *Specific sensors & subsystems included with add-on services Data Connectivity Entry / Exit Valve Control Pump Control Flowmeter Measurement Temperature Measurement & Control pH Measurement & Control Motor / Actuator Drive (Agitator) Industrialized Housing & Vessel Power Entry & Conditioning Vibration Measurement Embedded UI (HMI) System Controller Request Our Data Sheet Build using industry-standard measurement and control technology NI Software Flexibility from firmware to front-end Recipe editor Customizable firmware Sensor scaling and calibration Control algorithm toolkits Read our most recent Bioprocess Case Study High-quality components manufactured by NI and distributed and integrated by Cyth NI & Cyth Hardware Single-Board RIO | CircaFlex Single-Board RIO (sbRIO) is designed for high-volume and OEM embedded control and analysis applications that require high performance and reliability. NI offers a variety of controllers and I/O modules that you can use to build your system. Ready-to-use control architecture Board range of quality I/O Built-in connectivity Reference configurations available CompactRIO Systems CompactRIO hardware provides an industrial control and monitoring solution using sensor- or protocol-specific, conditioned I/O modules with real-time capabilities. Real-time processing needs Industrial monitoring and control applications Long-term testing in the field We are your one-stop-shop for everything NI NI Distribution NI HW & SW Training NI Integration Do More with CYTH'S ENGINEERING AND DEPLOYMENT SERVICES Donwload BioFlex Brochure Startup assistance - inclluded with BioFlex Software consulting and architexture customization Full system prototyping Value-added manufacturing Post-deployment support - repar, calibration, replacement Would you like to see our demo? First Name Last Name Email How can we help you? [attributer-channel] [attributer-channeldrilldown1] [attributer-channeldrilldown2] [attributer-landingpage] [attributer-channeldrilldown3] [attributer-landingpagegroup] Get Started Join the NI Technology Accelerator Program (NI TAP) Accelerate your innovation journey with the NI Technology Accelerator Program (NI TAP). NI TAP offers access to discounted hardware and software, and expert support to help you bring your products to market faster. Apply

Cyth Systems | Whitepapers | Sensor Fundamentals | Measuring Load Key Sensor Fundamental Guide | Cyth Systems Measuring Load Key Sensor Fundamental Guide | Cyth Systems Measuring Load This guide helps you to understand the fundamentals of load measurements and how different sensor specifications impact load cell performance in your application. After you decide on your sensors, consider the required hardware and software to properly condition, acquire, and visualize load measurements. What are Force and Load? Force is the measure of interaction between two or more bodies and for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Force is also defined as a push or pull on an object. It is a vector quantity with magnitude and direction. Load is a term which refers to the force exerted on a structure or body. The SI unit for force or load is the Newton (N). Load cells directly measure force or weight. These sensors convert mechanical force into electrical signals by measuring deformity produced by the force. An application of these devices is measuring dry materials in a hopper. A measure of the weight through a load cell yields a measure of the quantity of the material in the hopper. Measuring Load The way to measure load is using a load cell and the most commonly used load cell is the strain gage. Generally, you use a beam assembly that has several strain gages mounted in a Wheatstone bridge configuration so that the application of a force causes a strain upon gages actively measuring. These devices are traditionally calibrated for the force to be directly related to the resistance change. More rare pneumatic and hydraulic load cells translate force into pressure measurements. When force is applied to one side of the piston or diaphragm, the amount of pressure (pneumatic or hydraulic) applied to the other side to balance that force is measured. This rest of this white paper focuses on strain gage or bridge-based load cells. The most critical mechanical component of a load cell or strain gage transducer is the structure (spring element). The structure reacts to the applied load and focuses that load into an isolated, uniform strain field where strain gages can be placed for load measurement. The three common load cell structure designs—multiple-bending beam, multiple column, and shear web—form the basic building blocks for all possible load cell profiles and/or configurations. Multiple Bending Beam, Multiple Column, Shear Web Figure 2. Load cell structure designs mount strain gages to measure compression and tension in different ways. [1]. Multiple-bending beam load cells are low capacity (20 to 22K N) and feature a circular spring element that is adaptable to low-profile transducers. It contains four active gages or sets of gages per bridge arm that ensures pairs are subjected to equal and opposite strains of tension and compression. Multiple-column load cells consist of multiple columns for higher capacity (110K to 9M N). This arrangement allows for bridge arms to contain four active strain gages, with two aligned along the principal axis of strain and the other two in the traverse direction to allow for Poisson’s effect. Shear-web load cells have a medium capacity (2K to 1M N) and use a wheel form with radial webs subject to direct shear. The mutliple strain gages per bridge arm are bonded to the sides of the web. Choosing the Right Load Cell Load cells operate according to two modes: a compression mode, during which a weight sits on one or more load cells, and a tension mode, during which a weight hangs directly from one or more load cells. You can design the different load cell structures discussed in the previous section using any of these configurations for compression-only forces, or for both a tension and compression force. Beyond the principal measurement, its recommended to select a load cell primarily based on capacity, accuracy, and physical mounting constraints. One cannot determine expected performance by any one factor. It is critical to pinpoint it through a combination of different sensor parameters and the way you designed the load cell into your system. Refer to the table to compare the range, accuracy, and sensitivity different load cell types. Capacity —Define and set your minimum and maximum capacity requirements. Be sure to select the capacity over the maximum operating load including anything extra before selecting a load cell. The load capacity must be capable of supporting the following: Weight of the weighing structure (dead load) Maximum live load that can be applied (including any static overload) Additional overload arising from external factors such as wind loading or seismic activity Measurement frequency —Load cells are designed for general-purpose use or are fatigue-rated to withstand millions of load cycles with no effect on performance. General-purpose load cells are designed for static frequency load applications. They typically survive up to 1 million cycles depending on the load level and transducer material. Fatigue-rated load cells are typically designed to achieve 50 million to 100 million fully reversed load cycles, depending on the load level and amplitude. Physical and environmental constraints —One key characteristics to consider is how you are integrating the load cell into your system. Identify beforehand any physical restrictions that limit size (ex. width and length) or the way the load cell is mounted. Consider how the system will operate and what the worst-case operating conditions may be—the widest temperature range, the smallest weight change required to be measured, the worst environmental conditions (flood, tempest, seismic activity), and the maximum overload conditions.

TestStand is a test executive software that accelerates system development and deployment for engineers in validation and production. NI TESTSTAND NI Authorized Distributor and System Integration Partner Home > Products > What is TestStand? What Is TestStand? TestStand is a test executive software that accelerates system development and deployment for engineers in validation and production. PRODUCT FEATURES Validation & Production Test Automation TestStand automates, accelerates, and standardizes the overall test process across all of your testers with native functionality for: -Calling and executing tests written in LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, or .NET -Complex tasks, such as parallel testing, sweeping, looping, and synchronization -Creating custom operator interfaces and robust tools for deployment and debugging -Unit tracking, creating automated reports, and storing results to local or network databases WHY TESTSTAND What Can I Do With TestStand? Develop test and deploy to your systems. Standardize and streamline your workflows. Learn how TestStand empowers test engineers to outpace time-to-market restrictions through efficiency: Buying TestStand TestStand Development System is available for purchase as a single subscription or as part of the Test Workflow Pro bundle. For scaling and deploying test to multiple test systems, NI offers perpetual licenses for the Deployment Engine and Debug Deployment Environment. TestStand Development System Recommended for engineers developing test sequences for multiple test systems. -Develop and debug test sequences using an interactive development environment.  -Call test code written in common programming languages. -Create deployable test system installers. Test Workflow Pro Recommended for developers that require test sequencing along with tools for hardware automation and data analysis. Includes TestStand Development System, plus: -LabVIEW for acquiring data from NI and third-party hardware as well as communicating using industry protocols. -DIAdem for searching for, viewing, and analyzing data and creating automated reports. -And more NI software! TestStand Saves Time Leveraging an off-the-shelf test executive lowers the total cost of test and improves developer efficiencies. Users save time in development, can reduce maintenance across testers, and increase throughput with native parallel test logic. 75% Development time saved 67% Reduction in maintenance 97% Increase in productivity with parallel testing

Project Case Study Flare Measurement System – with LabVIEW Mar 27, 2024 7181b3c9-8e91-4d96-bdd5-8427bcc5dd7e 7181b3c9-8e91-4d96-bdd5-8427bcc5dd7e Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Marcin Polaszyk, TBG-SOLUTIONS Edited by Cyth Systems Automating Steel Inspection The Challenge We aimed to create an accurate and expandable inspection system for a steel production line. The system needed to provide more efficiency and higher inspection outputs than the current method of human inspection. The Solution We used LabVIEW software and a third-party laser scanner, a linear actuator, and a wheel encoder to create an inspection system capable of continuous 3D surface mapping for accurate inspection of flare defects. The system could also store raw and flare data for future purposes. Introduction Inspecting steel for flaring is an important stage of the steel production cycle. The inability to inspect for flaring increases the probability of the final product failing quality control, which results in the waste of used steel. In the current system, an employee visually inspects a continuous stream of steel strips to identify flares and estimate their dimensions. The employee adjusts a cutting blade to remove the defect. This method can be time-consuming, and prone to human error. The customer required a software and hardware solution to automate the inspection stage and improve this process. System Overview Our system consists of a laser scanner above the production line, which acquires surface measurements of the steel strip passing beneath it. It is situated on a linear actuator so the system can adjust laser positioning and maintain identical measurement dimensions independent of the steel strip width. This makes for a more flexible system. A wheel encoder directly in contact with the production line roller triggers the acquisition, giving measurements at a configured rate and independent of conveyor speed. Left: System on the Production Line , Right: System Overview We used LabVIEW to develop the software running on the operator PC. The software uses various tools, which we explain later in this case study. It receives surface measurements from the laser scanner, buffers them, and performs analysis to determine further operation of the station. All components communicate with the PC through Ethernet. Alternative Solutions Prior to selecting LabVIEW as our software, we considered developing the solution in C as our third-party hardware could support both platforms. TBG Solutions has developed systems in both languages in the past, and we felt LabVIEW offered more benefits. We believed we could develop a better system in a shorter period of time, without sacrificing anything in return. Implementation We designed the software to execute in a set sequence: Data acquisition Analysis Additional parallel processes that act upon the results from the analysis stage Linear actuator control, data display, and data logging Main User Interface The start point of the looped execution sequence is at data acquisition. We implemented the laser using LabVIEW’s built-in tool for third-party DLLs, which streamlined the driver development. The acquisition consisted of 640 points per measurement, giving a 150 mm wide surface map. Next, we buffered the measurements in the analysis stage, where we executed a series of algorithms to examine the measured surface. These involved identifying flares, identifying new steel strips and their deviation in width, and calculating the correct laser position to ensure uniform measurements. The results of these algorithms determined further operation of the parallel processes. We implemented our design using the LabVIEW object-oriented programming (OOP) functionality, which was an ideal tool due to its ability to dynamically dispatch various instances of the same VIs and encapsulate data for each area of the execution sequence. Adding this to the other benefits, the graphical aspect of LabVIEW (Figure 5) delivered the perfect platform for swift and understandable development of a hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This benefitted the development process in two major ways: 1) It accommodated a hardware-free development process as we could easily implement simulation classes, which prevented the development from being on hold when hardware was unavailable. 2) The modular nature of the implementation made the system more expandable as it accommodated for the event of exchanging hardware, analysis, or file types. Another key LabVIEW feature that we used extensively during the development process was custom probing. We could view data in various formats, directly as the programming executed, which aided the development process as it made debugging significantly more straightforward. Operator PC Interface The 3D surface map is the core focus of the interface. The operator can use it to inspect the acquired data under any desired angle with accurate length and height measurements. We implemented the graph using the built-in 3D mesh function in LabVIEW. We found it easy to use, so we could quickly and simply implement the design. Conclusion Using LabVIEW, we produced a professional application that met our objectives. The intuitive front panel components drove a complex UI's quick and easy development that accommodated our underlying functional needs. Furthermore, the built-in tools and communication protocols sped up the process of developing the software infrastructure. This allowed us to focus on more complex system areas, making the whole development more time and cost-efficient. In addition, the previously explained benefits of OOP helped us adapt the solution for future opportunities that could involve the automation of the cutting-off defects. The solution will benefit our client in more than one way as the vast amount of data acquisition will produce quality information available for review. The customer can improve the quality of their steel and become increasingly more competitive in the British steel industry. Overall, LabVIEW has again proven to be a great platform for developing a scalable and flexible solution. TBG Solutions will most certainly continue to use LabVIEW. Original Authors: Marcin Polaszyk, TBG-SOLUTIONS Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study CompactRIO Delivers Impact in PCB Assembly Inspection Mar 27, 2024 79438c50-96b4-4410-b598-0136952b6eee 79438c50-96b4-4410-b598-0136952b6eee Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Alan Smith, Amfax Limited Edited by Cyth Systems Using twin laser-based metrology and NI CompactRIO high-speed data acquistion to accurately inspect PCB assemblies. The Challenge Designing and developing a revolutionary XYZ measurement-based inspection technology to help companies improve the quality of their manufactured PCB assemblies. The Solution Combining the benefits of CompactRIO and FPGA and the user interface qualities of LabVIEW software to develop the world’s most accurate PCB assembly inspection system, enabling OEMs and CEMs to reduce their life-cycle PCB assembly inspection costs. In the PCB manufacturing industry, an accurate and repeatable inspection of PCB assemblies has been a challenge many companies have attempted to overcome. By creating automated test equipment centered around NI CompactRIO hardware we were able to ensure many board aspects such as component placement, solder joints, etc., critical to board reliability and function. AOI systems work by comparing recently acquired images against gold reference images. Any difference between the images results in the system reporting a failure. Many of these failures are not legitimate failures but are flagged by the AOI as potential failures. The local system operator then makes the final decision as to whether the board has failed or not. These potential failures are known as false calls. Left: Main a3Di System User Interface Developed Using LabVIEW , Right: CompactRIO at the Heart of the a3Di Control System . AOI systems work by comparing recently acquired images against gold reference images. Any difference between the images results in the system reporting a failure. Many of these failures are not legitimate failures but are flagged by the AOI as potential failures. The local system operator then makes the final decision as to whether the board has failed or not. These potential failures are known as false calls. The rate of false calls on 2D and 3D AOI systems means that an operator must always be present when the PCB assemblies are inspected. This incurs additional operating costs, and the operator must halt the machine every time a potential fault is identified so that he/she can visually inspect the PCB assembly before deciding of it is a true failure or not. What Makes a3Di Unique? The Amfax a3Di system takes a completely different approach to address these challenges. It uses a twin laser-based metrology technology to take millions of XYZ measurements with accuracies of under 3 microns. The system scans the whole of the PCB assembly being inspected in a few seconds. We can then test these measurements against the original CAD data to identify any problems with solder joints, component location and orientation, foreign objects, or board warpage. As a3Di performs real measurement testing, we do not need an operator as there are zero false calls—either the board passes the test or not. That is the benefit of testing against real 3D measurements instead of relying on a comparative methodology such as AOI. This means that a3Di users save the cost of at least one operator and significantly improve their product throughput as they can continuously test without pausing the machine. One consumer electronics manufacturer in Asia is testing over 18,000 boards per day on one a3Di, a significant improvement on their previous solution. CompactRIO: The Heart of the Machine The a3Di control system manages all aspects of the machine’s operation. We chose a CompactRIO control system for a3Di that includes FPGA and NI-9375 digital I/O hardware. This CompactRIO solution can control all of the following I/O and sensors on the a3Di: • Machine motors • Control switches • Optical position sensors • Inverters • Up and downstream SMEMA (Surface Mount Equipment Manufacturers Association) conveyor control • Light tower • Pneumatics • Operator manual controls for width PCB control • System emergency stop The a3Di was a brand new design for Amfax. As an NI Partner, we immediately considered using CompactRIO. The CompactRIO system has proven to be a dependable, reliable, and cost-effective solution for this high-performance, ground-breaking application. Using CompactRIO as the product management system significantly reduced our development time and helped us get the various autonomous state machines of the multiple product control cells running with far tighter timings than the normal 1 ms tick of most PLCs. LabVIEW: The Obvious Choice for User Ergonomics We decided early in the a3Di product specification phase to use LabVIEW software to not only provide the control code but to control the system from the user interface perspective also. The ability to design product-quality operator interfaces and the flexibility of LabVIEW for creating an engaging user interface environment for the operator makes the software front end of a3Di a unique selling point. We used NI components within the a3Di product so we could deliver a world-class, unique, and well-supported solution to those OEMs and CEMs looking to improve their PCB assembly inspection process and significantly reduce their operational costs. The a3Di is also revolutionizing the way PCB assembly manufacturers compete for business. By using a3Di, these manufacturers have a unique selling proposition to their own customers. They can pass on savings made by using a3Di and guarantee that the boards being manufactured are tested by the most accurate system available. Original Authors: Alan Smith, Amfax Limited Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study A Mobile Platform for Road Inspections Using LabVIEW Apr 1, 2024 a838e7cc-b54a-471e-a20a-ed02c4996461 a838e7cc-b54a-471e-a20a-ed02c4996461 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Willians R. Mertz Villa, HOB Consultores SA. Edited by Cyth Systems Road Inspections supported using LabVIEW software and PXI hardware. The Challenge Improving the process of surveying information to assess the degree of deterioration of the road infrastructure—which is currently performed manually and disrupts traffic during the day, has a high risk of accidents, and yields little (10 km per work crew per day)—and recording the information in formats that are not subject to manipulation and can be verified with consistent results. The Solution Developing a mobile platform with a continuously geo-referenced, real-time video system specifically designed to collect virtual images of the condition of deterioration and maintenance of the pavement and engineering structures (up to 80 km/h) efficiently and securely. Surveying Road Conditions Using the ROAS Equipment Road infrastructure helps local markets develop and provides integration with spatial economic centers to generate positive effects that influence businesses’ and households' production and consumption decisions. The lack of a route affects the standard of living and the productivity of the people in the area. Additionally, road deterioration increases operating costs, travel time, and investment. User satisfaction is reflected in the quality of the pavement. We must know when to intervene and how to measure deterioration, a process subject to methodologies of surveying information that are now performed manually, which makes results inconsistent. Application Description The road analyzer and survey (ROAS) vehicle mobile platform is oriented to technological innovation for the management and maintenance of roads. The ROAS performs automatic measurements of geo-referenced data and provides service survey information to assess service levels and surface conditions of the road using national and international standards such as ASTM Standard D6433-11 from the Roads and Parking Lots Pavement Condition Index Surveys (Figure 1). We developed a data acquisition and pre-processing system, and two software modules to generate specialized reports. Left: Road Inspection Platform Graphical User Interface, Right: Software Module for Inspection and Reporting With Images of the Pavement (MESP) The Data Acquisition and Pre-Processing System This module is composed of data acquisition hardware using the NI PXI Platform and the control module, which we developed using NI LabVIEW software and the NI LabVIEW Real-Time Module (Figure 2). The hardware synchronizes and acquires digital image data of the road and pavement, GPS, turning, and other devices. We synchronized this data with a distance measuring instrument (DMI) through a sensor encoder connected to the vehicle axis wheels. Figure 3 shows the parts of the DAQ system mounted on the mobile platform. Software Modules to Generate Specialized Reports We generate reports based on the type of information collected by the ROAS system. We could perform many inspections and operations with the route images acquired through the route surface evaluation module (MESR), which we developed using LabVIEW (Figure 4), including: Road safety Asset inventory (traffic signs, traffic lights) Current road conditions with simulations of tours through the track at different speeds Measurements of the images, such as lane width and projection GPS We can perform in-cabinet visual inspections of the condition of the paved roads, get a maintenance history, identify the type of failures and determine severity (crocodile cracking or longitudinal and transverse cracks), and perform reporting. We can do all of this through the pavement surface evaluation module (MESP), which we developed using LabVIEW (Figure 5). General Properties of the System The system includes: Data acquisition rates of up to 80 km/h Panoramic digital images of up to 120° of route Digital images of all the pavement in a lane (up to 4 m wide) Virtual measurements on images Virtual tours of tracks at different speeds and geo-positioning Large storage capacity for internal and external information Report generation and data exporting to different file formats such as Excel, Word, KML, (Google Earth, JPG, and AVI Artificial lighting using xenon strobe lights to capture images of the pavement Geo-referenced data (GPS or DGPS) DMI with an error rate less than 0.1 percent Conclusion We developed the appropriate methodology for surveying. Our system provides reliable information and consistent results with a high production rate (200 km/day) and is safe. It works on unpaved, paved, and urban roads during the day or at night. Users can adjust report generation to their own requirements. Data is verifiable, reproducible, and exportable to other platforms. The system has GPS or DGPS information and can import images from Google Maps. It also has improved information quality to input into the pavement management system, provides better and timelier intervention decisions for the road, and can integrate other sensors and/or measurement equipment into the platform. Original Authors: Willians R. Mertz Villa, HOB Consultants SA. Edited by Cyth Systems Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study Automated QR Code Printer & Verifier Enables Inventory Tracking Mar 27, 2024 4c3dce29-d56a-42b2-8133-c87b937a7c0b 4c3dce29-d56a-42b2-8133-c87b937a7c0b Home > Case Studies > Automated QR Code Printing & Verifying System The Challenge A global pharmaceutical manufacturer came to us with the need for a system to automate the printing and scanning of QR codes for their product labels. The Solution Using programmatically controlled commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, a high-definition camera, and vision inspection software we built the customer a turnkey solution for the automated printing and verifying their product QR codes for improved inventory tracking. Right to Left: 1. Label Roll Holder, 2. Thermal Press QR Code Printer, 3. Cognex Barcode Reader & Pneumatic Hole Punch Manifold, 4. The Label Reroller (Retrieves Labels). System Order of Operations A blank label roll is placed on the machine’s right side label holder by an operator(1). The first label is fed into the thermal press printer’s grip manifold (2). The operator begins the system via the user interface. The printer presses a film that adheres to the label under high heat and prints the required QR Code. The printed label passes under the Cognex barcode scan camera (3). This camera verifies each barcode’s print quality. If the quality meets customer criteria it is a pass. If the quality does not meet the criteria, it is a reject. The reject barcodes are punched through by the pneumatic hold punch manifold. After verification, the labels pass to the label holder on the left which rewinds the labels back into a roll (4). The system logs each verified QR Code into a .CSV file which is then communicated to the customer’s internal network via Ethernet. Delivering the Outcome Our automated QR Code printer and verifier has greatly improved our customer’s inventory tracking capabilities. Our system’s rejection capabilities allowed the end-user to decrease the application of inadequate labels, eliminating the need for multiple technicians to remove labels and issue new SKUs prior to shipping. Ultimately resulting in an on-time shipment increase of 7% and thousands saved in excess labor. Technical Specifications 1 x Zebra ZT610 Printer [600dpi, Ethernet] 1 x Thermal Transfer Ribbon 1 x Zero Tension Rewinder Z-CAT-6 (Right Side) 1 x Cognex Fixed Mount Barcode Reader Kit 1 x Cognex M12 Ethernet Cable 1 x Acer Monitor 1 x Fixed Mount Pneumatic Solenoid 1 x Pneumatic Hammer-Driven Small Hole Punch 1 x NPT Manifold 1 x Threaded Track Roller (for Labels) 1 x Thermal Transfer Ribbon Talk to an Expert Cyth Engineer to learn more

Project Case Study Valve Leak Detection in Industrial Oil Pumps Mar 27, 2024 66320821-56d2-4c93-a5da-743b7025f814 66320821-56d2-4c93-a5da-743b7025f814 Home > Case Studies > *As Featured on NI.com Original Authors: Pål Jacob Nessjøen, National Oilwell Varco Norway AS Edited by Cyth Systems Oil & Gas Exploration Mud Pumps The Challenge Reducing human exposure to hazardous environments by developing a system to perform maintenance inspections on industrial mud pumps used in oil and gas exploration. The Solution Deploying an embedded system with NI CompactRIO hardware and NI LabVIEW software, which can easily be retrofitted onto existing pumps, to monitor and analyze mud pump vibrations. As an integral part of onshore and offshore drilling, mud pumps circulate drilling fluids to facilitate drilling oil and natural gas wells. Mud pumps stabilize pressure and support the well during the drilling process and drilling fluids provide friction reduction and a means to remove cuttings. We created a leak detection system for hex pumps. The hex mud pump (see Figure 1) has six pistons, six suction valves, and six discharge valves. The six pistons are driven by a rotating, asymmetric cam. We designed a patented leak detection system based on the NI CompactRIO which monitors the suction and discharge valves of the hex pump using accelerometers. The Case for an Automated Monitoring System Valve leaks in piston pumps are often discovered at a late stage when the leaks are so severe that they induce large discharge pressure fluctuations and create washout damages. When a severe leak is detected, we localize it manually by listening to the fluid modules while the pump is running. It is difficult to uniquely localize a leak and distinguish the difference between a suction and/or discharge valve leak. This is where the necessity of a remote system for detecting and localizing pump leaks came into play. Top Left: Vibration Signals With No Leaks, Top Right: Vibration Signals When D3 Valve Is Leaking, Bottom: Pipeline leak and vibration detection LabVIEW user interface. Valve leaks often develop quickly, so manual detection gives very little time to prepare for exchanging the defective valve(s) after the leak is detected. If the leak source is uncertain, searching for the defective valve(s) can be costly and time-consuming. Discovering the Vibration Method During a vibration monitoring project for hex pumps, we discovered the possibility of detecting leaks using accelerometers. We recorded vibrations at different locations, both on the pump and on the discharge line, along with suction pressure, discharge pressure, and pump speeds for different pump conditions. We used a 20 kHz sampling frequency and recorded 5-second snapshots with intervals of a few minutes. On one occasion, when recording in vibration signatures in real-time we recorded a significant change during a 15-minute period. We soon realized the spot was a growing valve leak. After the initial discovery, we performed more tests to further explore the the observed trends of recorded leak detection. The trace numbers indicate the accelerometer/valve block number. The high intervals of the dashed help curves represent the theoretical suction phases that happen when the suction valves are closed. These curves offer easy interpretation of the vibration signals and are derived from the proximity of the sensor signal (not shown). The low values of the help curves represent the theoretical closing of the discharge valves, which happens when the respective pistons retract. The leak intervals have a lag time shift relative to the theoretical intervals. This time shift is on the order of 25 ms and comes from 1) valve inertia causing delayed valve closing, and 2) fluid compressibility causing a finite piston stroke to compress and decompress the fluid. Left: Hex Pump Closeup. Right: Topology of Hex Pump Leak Detection System. Analyzing the frequency spectra indicated that the leak induces strong, broad-banded noise from 3 kHz up to the Nyquist frequency of 12.5 kHz (half the sampling frequency of 25 kHz). The overall noise level increases by a magnitude of 30 dB. Leak Detection System Based on that encouraging experience, we wanted to include this condition-based maintenance system as a standard feature on all hex pumps. We developed the system as a stand-alone module to add to the existing hex pump control system (see Figure 4). Slightly simplified, it consists of the following components: accelerometers (one per valve block), a proximity sensor picking up pump speed and phase, a discharge pressure sensor, an embedded monitoring system (NI cRIO with NI 9234 acquisition modules for powering the accelerometers and acquiring high-frequency data), signal processing software and alarm logics implemented using LabVIEW software running on the cRIO monitoring system, and an HMI user interface developed in LabVIEW. The data acquisition and signal processing is briefly described by the following steps: Capture high-rate data (25 kHz sample rate) from all sensors during a short time interval covering at least one pump cycle. Bandpass filter the acceleration signals to minimize the influence of ambient pump vibrations. Analyze the timing signal to find pump speed and cam angle. Construct adjusted window functions that selectively pick the filtered acceleration signal in every valve closing phase (adjusted here means narrowed and time lag corrected so that valve closing spikes are excluded). Use these windows to calculate the RMS vibration level for each valve closing phase Normalize the vibration levels through division by the median vibration level. Set a leak alarm if one or more of the normalized vibration levels exceed a specified threshold during a certain time interval. The default sampling frequency of the signals is 25 kHz, but the system can handle higher rates if necessary. The bandpass filter is optional, but experience shows that it improves contrast and detection sensitivity. Signal strength normalization by the median vibration level makes the detection nearly independent of the inherent ambient vibrations, which increase rapidly with increasing pump speed and discharge pressure. The last requirement, that the detected leaks last for a set time, eliminates erratic alarms caused by debris or large particles that can cause temporary seal malfunction. We can remotely verify the leaks detected automatically by signal processing in several ways. First, the operator can view and interpret the vibration signals directly from graphs. Second, the operator can selectively listen to the recorded acceleration signals as audio signals to hear the leak sound. Third, the operator can check to see if the mean discharge pressure is stable or dropping. Lastly, the operator can see if the lowest pressure harmonics are growing. We can use the desktop application shown in Figures 5 and 6 on a terminal to review the LDS and read raw logs and trend files directly from the LDS. This additional feature gives the operator the chance to get a closer view of the vibrations and perform audio playback to the user. Also, we can view the high-rate log of the discharge pressure to reveal a cyclic variation drop. This helps provide a better understanding of what is happening with the valves. Conclusions Based on the field experience of the new leak detection system, we concluded that our leak detection method offers many advantages over current practices, including the following: High sensitivity for early leak detection and localization Remote, continuous, and computer-based pump monitoring Increased safety through less human exposure to hazardous environments Multiple leak detection and localization (in hex pumps) Reduced maintenance time and cost because leaky valve(s) are localized before the valve exchange jobs start Easy to retrofit existing pumps because accelerometers can be attached by glue, magnets, or tape NI’s CompactRIO hardware platform and LabVIEW software platform proved to be fast tools for prototyping our system and gave us an embedded deployment system that we can reliably retrofit to existing pumps. Original Authors: Pål Jacob Nessjøen, National Oilwell Varco Norway AS Edited by Cyth Systems

PXI systems provide modular instruments and other I/O that feature specialized synchronization and key software features for test and measurement applications. PXI Platform NI Authorized Distributor and System Integration Partner Home > Product Categories > PXI Platform What is PXI? NI PXI systems provide high-performance modular instruments and other I/O modules that feature specialized synchronization and key software features for test and measurement applications from device validation to automated production test. NI is the PXI industry leader, with the broadest array of best-in-class products and services on the market. Shop PXI Systems Industry-Standard NI led the creation of the PXI standards body to create an open standard, so you can augment your NI system with specialty modules from up to 60 other vendors. High-Performance NI PXI hardware utilizes the latest technology, incorporating powerful multicore processors, FPGAs, and other technology to increase measurement range and performance. Scalable PXI’s architecture makes it possible to synchronize measurements across multiple modules or multiple chassis, so you can add to your systems as requirements change. Accurate PXI offers some of the highest frequency and accuracy specifications, so you can ensure your test systems deliver the production test results you need. PXI Chassis The chassis—the PXI system backbone—is comparable to a desktop PC’s mechanical enclosure and motherboard. It provides power, cooling, and a communication bus to the system, and supports multiple instrumentation modules within the same enclosure. PXI uses commercial PC-based PCI and PCI Express bus technology while combining rugged CompactPCI modular packaging, as well as key timing and synchronization features. Chassis range in size from four to 18 slots to fit the needs of any application, whether you require a portable, benchtop, rack-mount, or embedded system. Shop PXI Chassis PXI Controller PXI controllers are either integrated or remote. Integrated controllers contain everything you need to run your PXI system without an external PC, while remote controllers let you control your PXI system from desktops, laptops, or server computers. Shop PXI Controller PXI Modules NI offers more than 600 PXI modules that acquire data, trigger and synchronize devices, generate and route signals, and make a variety of measurements ranging from DC to mmWave. Also, the PXI portfolio includes modular instruments—such as oscilloscopes and digital multimeters—that can replace traditional box instruments and with which you can integrate PXI switches in a variety of topologies. Because PXI is an open industry standard, nearly 1,500 products are available from more than 70 different instrument vendors. Shop PXI Modules

NI GPIB, serial, and Ethernet products communicate between your PC and stand-alone or modular instruments. NI GPIB, Serial, and Ethernet NI Authorized Distributor and System Integration Partner Home > Products > GPIB, Serial, and Ethernet GPIB, Serial, and Ethernet GPIB, Serial, and Ethernet products communicate between your PC and stand-alone or modular instruments. You can use the GPIB (IEEE 488), Serial (RS232, RS485, and RS422), or Ethernet interfaces to create instrument control systems. PLATFORM MODULES Platform modules integrate with modular hardware platforms that allow you to combine different types of modules in a custom system that leverages shared platform features. NI offers three hardware platforms—CompactDAQ , CompactRIO , and PXI —though all platforms may not be represented in this category. C Series Serial Interface Module Adds serial ports to CompactRIO systems that allow you to communicate with serial devices. Feature Highlights: Platform: CompactRIO PXI GPIB Instrument Control Module Integrates non-PXI instruments into your PXI system using the GPIB standard. Feature Highlights: Platform: PXI Bus: PXI PXI Serial Interface Module Enables you to communicate with and control external serial hardware from a PXI or PXI Express chassis using asynchronous serial interfaces that support a variety of protocols. Feature Highlights: Platform: PXI Bus: PXI, PXI Express PXI Ethernet Interface Module Enables Ethernet-based communication between PXI hardware and external instruments and devices and supports GigE Vision cameras without power over Ethernet (PoE). Feature Highlights: Platform: PXI Bus: PXI, PXI Express STAND-ALONE OR COMPUTER-BASED DEVICES Stand-alone or computer-based devices either integrate with standard desktop and laptop computers or allow you to use them without the need for other modular hardware. GPIB Instrument Control Device Integrates an instrument into your system using a GPIB interface. Feature Highlights: Bus: Ethernet, ExpressCard, GPIB Device, PC/104, PCI, PCI Express, PMC, USB Serial Interface Device Enables you to communicate with and control external serial hardware using asynchronous serial interfaces that support a variety of protocols. Feature Highlights: Bus: PCI, PCI Express, USB