sample LabVIEW program/coding to record rat wheel revolutions using N1-USB-6501

[lizzibeth83]

Hello and thank you in advance for any help.

I'd like to start a voluntary exercise experiment using rats. 

They will be provided a running wheel that has a mounted magnet on the wheel which passes by a fixed magnet that is then connected to a N1-USB-6501 box that sends this information to the computer and the revolutions can be recorded. I don't have any experience writing such programs. I was told that it's not very complicated, but it's proving impossible as i don't have coding experience. 

Any one out there has written such a program for this purpose using this DAQ and LabVIEW?

Thanks!!!! 

[iCan'tBerrPuns]

Hello lizzibeth83,

Before I can recommend anything specific, I would like to get a better idea of what your system is like, and what exactly you need assistance with.

Are you counting the number of rotations that occur based on some sort of measurable interaction between the stationary and rotating magnets? Is there any sort of transducer that will send a voltage to your DAQ device each time the magnets pass each other?

I know that you are just trying to set the system up in general, but are there any specific problems that you have encountered while trying to set it up?

[lizzibeth83]

Thanks a bunch for responding. I've contacted national instruments asking for specifics regarding using this device to record wheel rotations, not enough information. The Wheels are fitted with:

• Make: Hamlin - M
• Model #: 59135-020
• 10 Watts Max
• 240 VAC- 0.5A
• Supply Current: 500mA
• Description: Magnetic Sensor for Actuator 

or similar from mini-mitters. 

I don't know if i'll need a separate device that first collects the data before sending it to this DAQ. 

The person who adviced me to purchase this for the purpose of wheel running recording said it would be sufficient, but he couldn't help me with the software part. 

THANKS again!

Ellie

[iCan'tBerrPuns]

Hello lizzibeth83,

Assuming that the transducer you are using sends a voltage to your USB-6501, there should not be any need for you to use another device to collect your data, because the DAQ device is capable of doing so.

There are a couple of resources that I believe could help you create a program within LabVIEW that will accomplish what you want it to. The first step is to learn how to create a DAQmx task within LabVIEW. A DAQmx task is essentially information that configures how you would like your DAQ device to acquire data. I have provided a link to a tutorial that will assist you in creating a DAQmx task.

Creating a Task in NI-DAQmx and Using it in LabVIEW

https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA03q000000x15ZCAQ&l=en-US

The next resource is one that explains the different DAQmx functions within LabVIEW that you can use to configure your task.

Learn 10 Functions in NI-DAQmx and Handle 80 Percent of Your Data Acquisition Applications

https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/06/learn-10-functions-in-ni-daqmx-and-handl...

Does the transducer output digital or analog signals? Intuitively, it seems like it would output an analog signal. The type of output you receive from your transducer will determine what kind of DAQmx task you will need to configure.

Look over this information and let me know if you have any other specific questions about how to set up your DAQmx task!

[lizzibeth83]

I am still trying to figure your last message out. I truly appreciate the input. I will leave this thread as "unresolved" so I may still be able to communicate with you as I get closer to an actual solution. 

Thanks a million!

Ellie

[iCan'tBerrPuns]

Hello lizzibeth83,

What exactly is unclear in my last message? I would be happy to explain things in more detail. If you could ask some specific questions about what you are having issues with, then I could give you more explicit answers to help you along.

Thanks!