Using Instruments API With NI ELVIS III in LabVIEW

Updated Jun 28, 2024

Environment

Hardware

  • NI ELVIS III

Software

  • LabVIEW
  • LabVIEW ELVIS III Toolkit
  • NI ELVISmx Software Suite

Driver

  • NI-ELVISmx

This article outlines the steps to use Instrument API to perform a loopback between NI ELVIS III's built in function generator and oscilloscope.

Before starting this guide, ensure all required software are installed and NI ELVIS III is properly detected in NI MAX. Refer to NI ELVIS III hardware manual for further information.
 

Configure Function Generator and Oscilloscope in NI MAX

1. Expand Device and Interfaces of NI ELVIS III until Network Devices.
2. Locate the built in function generator and oscilloscope. Under Device and Interfaces, the oscilloscope should appear as Digilent USB Device and under Network Devices, the function generator should appear as TCPIP0::K-33509B.....INSTR.
3. Configure a Name in the Settings tab for TCPIP0::K-33509B.....INSTR and Digilent USB Device (Ex: dev,FuncGen,Scope).
NI MAX_NI ELVIS III.png
4. Press Save in NI MAX to save the settings.


Using Instruments API From Academic I/O Palette in LabVIEW

1. Create a LabVIEW code with initialize, configure, action and close task using Instruments API. More information can be found at this link.
2. Use the name configured in NI MAX for function generator and oscilloscope at Device Name terminal of FGEN Initialize VI and Scope Initialize VI function. A loopback between function generator and oscilloscope code should look similar to below.
 
NI MAX_NI ELVIS III_Full Code.png

Upon completing this guide, the LabVIEW code should run without error. The built in function generator should generate the input voltage and the built in oscilloscope should be able to measure the expected voltage. The front panel should look similar to below.
 
NI MAX_NI ELVIS III_Result.png