Computer Technology for the Sciences

ReadTemp.vi This vi reads a temperature sensor plugged in to channel 1 of the sensorDAQ. If no sensorDAQ is connected, a window with a manual control will pop up, allowing the temperature sensor to be simulated.

XYGraph.vi implements an x-y graph that remembers previous points and always displays the front panel. R theta to xy is the subvi that we made in class that converts polar coordinates to xy (Cartesian) coordinates.

Here is an example vi that sends a single command to the commandserver running on the NXT. Here is a simple vi that can serve as the start of your robot vi.

Here is a link to the sensordaq drivers and the installation instructions if you want to run any of the experiment vis on your own computer. You will also need to install DAQmx 8.6 (or later) from the NI website.

Homework #1 Bishop E2.2, E2.4, E2.5, P2.3, P2.6, D2.2

Homework #2 Bishop E4.5, P4.2, D4.3

Homework #3 Bishop E5.5, E5.6, P5.3, D5.2

Homework #4 Bishop E6.4, E6.8, P6.2, P6.3, P6.6, D6.2 (use a case structure), D6.3

Homework #5 Bishop E7.5, E7.7, P7.5 (use ReadTemp.vi above), P7.7, D7.1, D7.2

Homework #6 Bishop E10.1, D10.2, and the following:

C1. Write a "temperature logger" vi that reads the temperature (using ReadTemp.vi) and outputs the time (in seconds since the vi started) and temperature to a file every 10 seconds. Each data point should be on a separate line, and the time and temperature should be separated by a "tab" character. When the vi is started, the current time and date should be written to the file. The file name should be entered in a file dialog box only once when the vi is started. Load the file into Microsoft Excel and use Excel to plot the temperature versus time.

C2. Write a vi that parses a "command" string that has a text command followed by three integer numbers. The numbers and command may be separated by any number of spaces, but the command will contain no spaces. The command string should be input on a front-panel control. Show the command and the three numbers using indicators on the front panel. For example, a command might be "Move 5 3 1"

C3. Write a vi that scrambles a text message by adding a number between 1 and 10 to the ASCII value of each character. The original text message should be in all CAPITAL letters. The vi should have a "encode/decode" switch on the front panel to select if the text string should be either encoded or decoded.

Homework #7 Bishop E8.3, D8.3, and the following:

C4 Write a vi that displays a graph showing a red triangle inside a blue circle. The vertices of the triangle should be on the circle.

C5 Write a vi that displays a rotating polygon with N sides. Create a control for the rotation rate and the size of the polygon.

C6. Write a vi that reads the temperature and time data generated in c1 above and displays it on a graph.

Homework #8 C7. Draw a state diagram for a combination lock finite state machine. The combination lock should have an "acknowledge" input and four "number" inputs (1-4). The lock should have an "unlock" output that should assert when the correct combination is entered and turn off when "acknowledge" is pressed. The lock should have a 4-digit combination of 3-2-1-4. Any numbers can precede the correct combination (for example, 4-5-3-2-1-4 should unlock the lock, but 4-5-3-2-1-1 should not.

C8. Implement the combination lock above in Labview.

Projects

Project 1: Using the provided "command server" and lego bluetooth communication vis, write a labview program that will send your lego robot along a path. You will need to implement commands to turn left or right and go forward and backward. The forward and backward commands should accept distances in inches, and the left and right commands should accept angles in degrees. Your labview program should have a means of calibrating the robot so that you can obtain the most accurate results. On the last day of class, a course will be specified and we will have a "robot contest". The robot that completes the course and is closest to the proper end position will win the contest.

Project 2 : Using the reaction timer apparatus and the interface vis provided above, conduct an experiment on human reaction time. The apparatus is capable of generating an audio or visual stimulus (or both), and varying the properties of the stimulus. Once the apparatus is configured, it is commanded to "start" the test, and when the subject pushes the button on the apparatus the test is complete and the reaction time can be read. There are two main types of experiments you can perform. One type of experiment could measure the effects of a controlled parameter that can be varied continuously over a range. For example, you may wish to explore the dependence of reaction time on the frequency of the sound used as the "stimulus". The other type of experiment could test different external conditions. For example, you may wish to determine if a person's reaction time improves after the person has exercised for a certain amount of time. For both types of experiments, be sure to take enough samples to properly analyze your data. Write a labview vi that controls the experiment and saves the data to a file. Your data should be analyzed in Excel.

Presentation: Create a powerpoint presentation for a 10 minute talk about your reaction time results. The presentation should begin with an outline and an introduction, and the data should be presented in graphical form. The results should then be presented, and the presentation should end with a brief conclusion.

Paper: Using this example as a guide, prepare a paper about your reaction time experiment. Be sure to include any relevant data tables, illustrations and graphs. Also be sure to format your paper to duplicate the "scientific journal" format used in the example handout.