
Chapter 1
Introduction
1-4
©
National Instruments Corporation
Time-Saving Development Tools
Your kit includes the GPIB software for Windows. In addition, you can
order the LabWindows/CVI or LabVIEW software from National
Instruments to speed your application development time and make it
easier to communicate with your instruments.
LabVIEW is an easy-to-use, graphical programming environment you
can use to acquire data from thousands of different instruments,
including IEEE 488.2 devices, VXI devices, serial devices, PLCs, and
plug-in data acquisition boards. After you have acquired raw data, you
can convert it into meaningful results using the powerful data analysis
routines in LabVIEW. LabVIEW also comes with hundreds of
instrument drivers, which dramatically reduce software development
time, because you do not have to spend time programming the low-level
control of each instrument.
LabWindows/CVI is similar to LabVIEW, except that it combines an
interactive, easy-to-use development approach with the programming
power and flexibility of compiled ANSI C code.
The GPIB Analyzer is another optional tool available from National
Instruments that is useful in troubleshooting a variety of IEEE 488
hardware and software problems. With its built-in time-stamping
capability, you can easily determine the throughput and overhead of
your GPIB systems. The GPIB Analyzer software can be used with the
AT-GPIB/TNT+ and PCMCIA-GPIB+ GPIB hardware, which provide
GPIB Analyzer support along with the functionality of a
high-performance GPIB Controller.
For ordering information, or to request free demonstration software,
contact National Instruments.