Create a Project in FlexLogger Using Simulated NI-DAQmx Devices in NI MAX

Updated Dec 28, 2023

Environment

Software

  • FlexLogger
  • Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)

Driver

  • NI-DAQmx

This article explains and walks you through how to create a project in FlexLogger and use simulated NI-DAQmx in NI MAX. FlexLogger is an application software that helps you build flexible, scalable data-logging systems with NI data acquisition hardware for quick sensor configuration and data logging of mixed signals to verify electromechanical systems, no programming required. 

Sometimes you will find yourself needing to understand the functionality and test hardware capabilities without the hardware being physically present next to you. In these situations, a simulated device can helps you to replicate and understand the general behavior of the real device. Simulated devices are created using the NI-DAQmx Simulated Device option from the NI Measurement and Automation Explorer ( NI MAX).

Some important considerations while working with simulated devices:
  • Some NI-DAQmx devices cannot be simulated in NI MAX. For these situations, you may try to find a similar device that can be simulated and still be a significant representative of your test.
  • For those devices that can be simulated, there are some specific methods and properties for some devices that are not supported in simulation mode. 

In order to be able to use a simulated device for a project in FlexLogger, first you need to create your NI-DAQmx simulated device in NI MAX. For this, follow the steps below:

1. Confirm you have NI-DAQmx installed. This will automatically install NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX).
  • To use the Simulated Devices features with the NI-DAQmx Runtime, make sure to have NI-DAQmx Runtime with Configuration Support option checked during the installation process.
1. Install NI-DAQmx.jfif
2. Launch NI MAX. 
3. On the left-hand panel of NI MAX, navigate to My System >> Devices and Interfaces and right-click. From the drop-down menu, select Create New...
2. Select Devices and Interfaces in NI MAX.png
4. In the subsequent dialog, select Devices and Interfaces >> Simulated NI-DAQmx Device or Modular Instrument. You can double click the selected option or click Finish on the bottom of the window.
3. Select Simulated NI-DAQmx Device or Modular Instrument.png
5. The Created Simulated NI-DAQmx Device window prompts to select. You can use the Search bar to type your NI-DAQmx device model, or navigate through the list to find the device you need.
  • In this list, you can select a vast number of hardware supported with NI-DAQmx driver. However, not all devices will be available to simulate.
  • If you have Modular Instruments driver installed (eg. NI-DCPower, NI-SWITCH, etc.), you will be able to select those devices to simulate them.
6. Select the device model you need to simulate and click OK.
  • For simulating C Series modules (eg. NI-9201, NI-9205, NI-9234, etc.), you will need to simulate the cDAQ chassis first. In this article, we will create a cDAQ configuration to show the entire configuration process.
4. Select device.png
7. The NI-DAQmx simulated device will now appear in NI MAX under My System >> Devices and Interfaces. Note that the color of the icon of simulated devices under your Devices and Interfaces section in NI MAX is different than the icon for physically connected devices. 
5. Simulated device in NI MAX.png
8. If you don´t need to add a C Series module, you can skip this step. If you need to add C Series modules, right-click your new simulated cDAQ chassis and click Configure Simulated cDAQ Chassis...
6. Configure C Series modules.png
9. In the Simulated cDAQ Chassis Configuration window, you will have the option to choose different modules. The number of available slots are based on the cDAQ chassis model you are configuring.
7. Choose modules.png
After following the above steps mentioned, all the simulated devices should be updated and ready to be used for the purposes that you need. 
 
Notes:
  • It is a best practice to rename your simulated devices to access them easily in software. To rename your devices navigate to each of your simulated devices and right-click. Select Rename from the drop-down menu. 
  • The name will be highlighted for editing. Define the name that will be relevant for your application. 
Once that you have successffully created your simulated NI-DAQmx devices, you now can create a project in FlexLogger and use the simulated devices. In order to perform this, follow the following steps.

1. Confirm you have FlexLogger installed. 
2. Launch FlexLogger.
3. On the left-hand panel of FlexLogger, select File >> New >> Project.
8. Create a project in FlexLogger.png
4. Once you created a new project, there are two possible scenarios, which are shown as follow:
4.1. If the device that you configured in NI MAX does not appear in FlexLogger it is very likely that your device is not supported by FlexLogger. If this is the scenario, you will see te meesage No device(s) detected. For this case, follow these instructions.
4.1.1. Check to make sure your device is plugged in, all cables are functional and properly seated, and at least one module is present in your chassis.
4.1.2. Open NI MAX.
a. Look for your device(s) under Devices and Interfaces.
b. If your device appears under Devices and Interfaces in NI MAX, but not in FlexLogger, your device may not be supported. Refer to the following document for more information:  Supported Hardware.
c. If you are using a wireless or Ethernet cDAQ chassis, you must reserve the chassis in NI MAX. Refer to the following tutorial on ni.com:  Installing and Configuring CompactDAQ Chassis
4.1.3. If your device does not appear in NI MAX, refer to the following NI KnowledgeBase article on ni.com: Why Can't I Find My DAQ Device in MAX? 
4.2. If the device that you configured in NI MAX it is supported by FlexLogger, you will see that you project has been created and your Simulated NI DAQmx device is ready to use and perform tests.
9. NI DAQmx simulated device in FlexLogger.png

After following the above steps mentioned, you will be ready to perform tests in FlexLogger using the simulated devices that you created in NI MAX.
Notes:
  • If you have followed the above steps mentioned and you can not visualize your NI DAQmx simulated devices in FlexLogger, please contact NI Support .
    • Before contacting NI Support, be sure to follow the steps mentioned in the step 4.1 of the FlexLogger section.

Next Steps

Simulated NI-DAQmx devices behave similarly to real ones (with some Limitations and Considerations). You can use Simulated NI-DAQmx Devices to mimic most functionality that physical hardware provides: NI-DAQmx simulated devices allow developers to begin application development and logic without hardware, develop application logic on a machine other than the target system, and evaluate the driver response based on the simulated data.

FlexLogger helps you acquire and log mixed-signal measurements. It simplifies comparison across multiple tests with automatic hardware synchronization, customizable screens, and thorough metadata capture. Use FlexLogger to get the verification or validation test data you need to make a better product and deliver it on time. If you want to get started with FlexLogger, here´s a NI course that we recommend to take.

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