labview interface with arm

[thespecialone]

hello, i don't know anything about the interface between the arm microcontroller and labview so i just need to know if i use the ARM with labview it will act as a DAQ  only like for example the arduino or i can make a program on labview and save it on the ARM then using it to control a robot for example without being connected to the pc as if i wrote a program with c language and upload it to a microcontroller?

if both of them can be done can i build a program containing image processing (imaq ,vision development) and save it on the arm microcontroller?

[rolfk]

The only way you could create code in LabVIEW and then download it to the ARM target to be executed there as standalone tool is by using the LabVIEW Embedded Toolkit for ARM add-on. However this is suboptimal in many ways, as that toolkit only supports a few older ARM developer boards out of the box and adding support for a different board is a very non-trivial task. Also it is not exactly a hobby range priced toolkit.

[Peter_L]

Dear thespecialone,

First of all let me welcome you on the NI forums,

LabVIEW Interface for ARM is a powerful tool which actually lets you program the supported microcontrollers in the graphical enviornment of LabVIEW. So the answer for your question is no, it is not the same as it is with the Arduino toolkit (LIFA). With the ARM module you are able to write your code on your PC using LabVIEW and then compile and actually download it to the controller, so it can run without the PC connected. However, you are not able to use all the functions, and the usage of higher level APIs (such as IMAQ) is very limited or unsupported.

Please, if you are interested in the matter, refer to the below links for further information. Please always double check if the module officially supports the chip before using it.

Best regards,

Peter

[thespecialone]

hello, first thanks a lot for your answers ...but i just need to know if there is a certain type of microcontrollers where i can build a program on labview and use some features like IMAQ in it  and then download it on the chip so it can run without the pc connected?

[rolfk]

For this you definitely will have to get an NI hardware device. IMAQ is a very complex software and NI only ported it to a few RT targets. Also most embedded targets would go in their knees if tasked to run IMAQ software.

[thespecialone]

ok ,could you specify the name of the NI hardware device that meets my requirements?

[Peter_L]

Dear thespecialone,

I am sorry to say, but there are no such microcontrollers available which would meet those requirements. There are Real-Time targets and Industrial Controllers which can run IMAQ, but for a microcontroller it is not yet implemented. 
The ARM Module would allow you to port some functionalities to microcontrollers but the IMAQ is not supported.

So once more, to give a detailed answer:
- There are no microcontrollers which you can use the IMAQ with using the ARM Module.

Alternative solution can be the use of a Smart Camera. These devices are compact cameras integrated with powerful processors and resources. They can work stand-alone running a real-time operation system.

Another thing to consider, are the use of Embedded Vision Systems from NI.

Please let me know if you found this information useful, or have any further questions.

Best regards,

Peter

[rolfk]

Peter was so friendly to answer this for me. I had also the Smart Camera and the Embedded Vision System in mind, which are not based on ARM but can do what you want to do. But they are definitely not in a hobby price range, which might or might not be ok for your application.

[CarlosOtiniano]

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@rolfk wrote:

Peter was so friendly to answer this for me. I had also the Smart Camera and the Embedded Vision System in mind, which are not based on ARM but can do what you want to do. But they are definitely not in a hobby price range, which might or might not be ok for your application.

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embed sounds interesting vision algorithms within a microcontroller, but Cortex processors given by national instruments are limited for this process, now that the available hardware MyRIO this is possible?

[ValkoA]

Hi atom!

If I understand correctly, the question is whether you can use Vision on the myRIO. If that is the case, then the aswer is a definite yes. You can connect cameras to the myRIO througt USB, grab images througt IMAQmx, and do processing and analysis vwith the Vision Development module. Here you'll find some more information.

Best regards:

Andrew Valko

NI Hungary