Software Simplifies Sensor-Network Design And RF Testing

Aug. 26, 2009
TO ALLOW DESIGNERS to more easily take advantage of emerging opportunities, the LabVIEW 2009 test software combines technologies like multicore, field-programmable- gate-array (FPGA) design, wireless platforms, and real-time math. To simplify ...

TO ALLOW DESIGNERS to more easily take advantage of emerging opportunities, the LabVIEW 2009 test software combines technologies like multicore, field-programmable- gate-array (FPGA) design, wireless platforms, and real-time math. To simplify the development challenges of parallel hardware architectures, for example, its virtualization technology makes it possible to run multiple operating systems (OSs) side by side on the same multicore processing hardware. The software also offers compiler improvements and intellectual property (IP) that promise to improve FPGA design. In addition, the latest version of LabVIEW makes it possible to deploy code to wireless sensor networks to help engineers and scientists build smarter industrial measurement and monitoring systems. Using the new LabVIEW Wireless Sensor Network Module Pioneer, engineers and scientists can program individual NI wireless-sensornetwork measurement nodes to extend node battery life, increase acquisition performance, and create custom sensor interfaces. This version also features solutions for testing multiple wireless standards like WLAN, WiMAX, GPS, and MIMO systems on a single hardware platform. With softwaredefined instrumentation using LabVIEW, engineers and scientists can implement the same measurement platform to acquire and analyze any modulation scheme or protocol standard rather than using dedicated box instruments for specific protocols. Finally, LabVIEW 2009 features built-in math libraries that contain more than 1000 functions. LabVIEW 2009 is priced from $1249.

National Instruments Corp., 11500 N. Mopac Expwy., Austin, TX 78759- 3504; (800) 531-5066, FAX: (512) 683-8411, Internet: www.ni.com.

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About the Author

Nancy Friedrich | RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense, Keysight Technologies

Nancy Friedrich is RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense at Keysight Technologies. Nancy Friedrich started a career in engineering media about two decades ago with a stint editing copy and writing news for Electronic Design. A few years later, she began writing full time as technology editor at Wireless Systems Design. In 2005, Nancy was named editor-in-chief of Microwaves & RF, a position she held (along with other positions as group content head) until 2018. Nancy then moved to a position at UBM, where she was editor-in-chief of Design News and content director for tradeshows including DesignCon, ESC, and the Smart Manufacturing shows.

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