Using NI ELVIS III With Python

In this document, we will walk you through the setup, transfer of files, and the use of a Python program on NI ELVIS III.
The NI ELVIS III solution for project-based learning can be programmed with python to help students or educators who are familiar with Python syntax to rapidly acquire measurements using common SSH clients. Attached there are a total of 18 examples included which illustrate the use of the NI ELVIS III helper library, various IO types, and the ability to record data in CSV files. The purpose of these examples is to introduce you to how to setup NI ELVIS to be programmed with Python, and act as a starting point for anyone to leverage Python as needed for acquisition.

Software Setup

Configuring the NI ELVIS III Device

1. Install the NI Measurement Live Support Files
2. Connect the NI ELVIS III to the Internet using the Ethernet Port or Wifi so that the Python libraries can be installed from the Internet.
3. Enable the Secure Shell Server on the NI ELVIS III
   • Open Internet Explorer and visit the NI ELVIS III Configuration website: <IP Address of the NI ELVIS III>/WIF.html

Note: The IP Address can be found on the display of the NI ELVIS III. Press BUTTON 0 until the IP address appears. Enter the IP address from the display.


 

• Navigate to the Home tab at the left of the page if not already there
• Enable the Secure Shell Server (sshd) checkbox in the Startup Settings section.
• Click Save
   

4. Set up Time Configuration on the NI ELVIS III configuration website

• Click on the tab at the left of the page.
• Configure the Date, Current time, and Time Zone to your current local time.

• Click Save
• Restart the device

Installing Prerequisite Python Software for NI ELVIS III

5. Install and open your favorite SSH client. If you do not have one, we recommend External Link: PuTTY

• Configure PuTTY or another client as follows:

• Host Name: <The IP Address found at the top of the NI ELVIS III on the Display.>
• Port: 22
• Connection Type: SSH

6. Click the Open button. Note: Sometimes the SSH client will alert a Potential Security Breach due to a key mismatch. Simply click Yes to proceed the change it detected is expected.

• Username: admin
• Password: <blank> (Just hit enter, there is no password by default)

7. Run the following Commands

opkg update
opkg install python
opkg install python-pip
pip install nifpga
pip install pyvisa

Installing NI ELVIS III Python Examples

1. Open PuTTY, connect to NI ELVIS III as done in the previous step, and install git on the NI ELVIS III by running the following command:

   opkg install git

2. Download the NI ELVIS III Python helper livrary and Python Examples from GitHub by running the following command

   git clone https://github.com/ni/NI-ELVIS-III-Python-Examples.git

NI ELVIS III Python examples can now be found in the /home/admin directory on NI ELVIS III
 

(Option 2) Installing NI ELVIS III Python Examples from a ZIP file

Prefer to download a ZIP of the NI ELVIS III Python examples and move it using SFTP to the NI ELVIS? Follow this link for instructions.

Running the Python Examples

1. Open a PuTTY session to the NI ELVIS III and change the directory to the NI ELVIS III Python examples:

cd /home/admin/NI-ELVIS-III-Python-Examples/

2. Run an example by typing the following command:

python examples/<example_category>/<example_filename>.py

python examples/analog/AI_singleChannel.py 

The examples available for NI ELVIS in Python include:
 

Analog

AI_configurationOptions
AI_multipleChannels
AI_singleChannel
AO_multipleChannels
AO_singleChannel

Bus

Encoder
I2C
SPI
UART

Digital

Button
DIO_multipleChannels
DIO_singleChannel
LED
PWM

Interrupt

AIIRQ (Analog Interrupt)
ButtonIRQ (Button Interrupt)
DIIRQ (Digital Interrupt)
TimerIRQ (Timer Interrupt)