I joined this challenge for two reasons. First, I wanted to see if I could learn to use LabVIEW. Second, I wanted to see if I could build a project using LabVIEW. For most of you, those would be reasonable objectives. For me, they are a major challenge in themselves as my disability has left me suffering from severe ADD issues.
I used to design and build very expensive testing facilities for the USAF and have followed the development of LabVIEW since it was first begun many years ago. I was able to work my way through the LabVIEW tutorials without too many issues. My many decades of building PowerPoint slides allowed me to follow each tutorial and successfully use LabVIEW to accomplish the objectives. LabVIEW capabilities exceeded my expectations and I wish that something like it was available back when I worked with testing systems. Then I reached the last module where you interface the RPI PICO to LabVIEW. I tried to follow the work of Jan Cumps and Shabaz to set up the PICO to work with LabVIEW. I was able to set up the PICO with the file they provided, but then my brain went dead. The instructions were very plain, but my brain would just not comprehend the next steps to actually interact with the PICO. I do not have any experience with using Visual Studio, and with my ADD issues, learning a new environment for programming the PICO was just not an option.
Before this challenge, I had successfully integrated the PICO with the Arduino interface and successfully test the sensor available with the PICO Bricks kit I had purchased earlier this year. I just could not figure out how to use the Arduino environment and the LabVIEW software. I looked through the other LabVIEW tutorials and found one where you could interface an Arduino with LabVIEW. So, I searched through my stash until I found my Arduino board. Then my ADD kicked in again and I could not find the critical tutorial that installed the LabVIEW interface on the Arduino. I tried to search through the LabVIEW website, but to no avail.
Then I received the notice that the blog was due, so here are my results.
I did find I could use LabVIEW and it was every bit as good as I had hoped it would be for analyzing data.
I was not able to get either the PICO or my Arduino to interface with LabVIEW. I will continue to search for a way to get either of these devices up and running. I also found a USB port on my bench meter, so I will try to see if it will interface to LabVIEW so I can build my project in the future.
I want to thank element14 and LabVIEW for selecting me for this challenge.
DAB
