pulse train generation without general purpose counters

[NJin]

Hello,

I am attempting to generate a continuous square wave using Labview, but I do not want to use the hardware counters because I am using them to measure pulse widths on two other signals. I have tried using analog pulse generation VIs, but they slow down my program way too much. The signal I need to produce will be used to control a motion sensor, and has to be less than 100Hz, with a 90%+ duty cycle. Is there another way to produce a pulse train, or is it possible to use one counter to do two things at once?

Thanks in advance,
Nick

[Luke_Schreier]

Nick,

Have you tried using the Benchtop Function Generator that comes with newer versions of LabVIEW? This program demonstrates a better method of analog output than the AO Wavform Generation vi because it only calls the Config and Start vi's once, while repeating the Write until the user changes the front panel. This also allows you to set the duty cycle and frequency from the front panel, similar to a regular function generator.

It can be found in the LabVIEW 6.1 shipping examples under Hardware I/O >> DAQ >> Solutions >> Software Created Instruments. Hope this helps!

Luke Schreier
National Instruments

[NJin]

Thanks very much for your help, modifying the VI you mentioned it seems to be working for me.