Course detail

Real-time Systems and LabVIEW

FSI-RSD Acad. year: 2022/2023 Winter semester

The aim of the course is to complete theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of real-time applications, their programming and use in areas such as control or HIL/PHIL simulations. The course also deals with the use of FPGA technology in real-time applications. The main working tool is NI Labview with a focus on more advanced features and functions. The theoretical knowledge presented in the lectures is demonstrated in laboratory exercises on specific examples prepared for NI MyRIO or SbRIO hardware.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

7

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students will acquire or improve their knowledge in field of real-time applications and programming using FPGA technology based on NI LabView, which is now the industry standard in a number of technical applications. The graduate will be able to define the structure of the control tasks and work with the necessary hardware equipment used for RT applications.

Prerequisites

Basic programming principles and problem algorithmization

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. Exercises are focused on practical topics presented in lectures.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The course is evaluated on the base of active participation in exercises, theoretical test and evaluation of project.

Aims

The aim of the course is teach students to program real-time and FPGA systems using the NI LabView software.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance at practical training is obligatory. Unexcused absence is the cause for not awarding the course-unit credit. One absence can be compensated for by attending a seminar with another study group in the same week, or by solving supplemental tasks. Longer absence may be compensated for by solving supplemental tasks according to teacher's requirements.

The study programmes with the given course

Programme N-MET-P: Mechatronics, Master's, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction to real-time systems, their use in mechatronics
2. Introduction to NI LabView programming
3. Real time systems – RTOS, hardware requirements, definition of basic terms
4. Use of Labview in real-time systems I
5. Use of Labview in real-time systems II
6. Introduction to FPGA technology
7. FPGA code generation tools – VHDL / FPGA toolbox in Labview
8. Implementation of FPGA code in NI LabView – basic construction of functional code
9. Working with FPGA – advanced techniques of functional code creation (SCTL, Pipelineing)
10. Using Labview for embeded device development
11. Tools for creation of HIL and PHIL simulators – hardware and software requirements
12. Peripherals of microcontrollers and their use in embedded applications
13. Definition of students team projects, definition of goals and methods of evaluation

Laboratory exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

Corresponds to the content of lectures. The aim of the exercise is to acquaint students with the practical part of the course primarily through the NI LabView system and to apply practical knowledge to the solution of individual team projects. Thematically, the exercise can be divided into blocks:

Fundamentals of Labview programming
Fundamentals of Labview programming, event driven programming
Project oriented programming in Labview, data sharing between platforms
Using LabView for simulations (model conversion between Matlab / Simulink and Labview)
Fundamentals and specifics of Real-Time application programming, tasks priority and variable definitions
Fundamentals and specifics of FPGA programming. Fix – point arithmetic.
FPGA Single cycle time loop, data transfer between FPGA and real time application
FPGA Pipelining
Definition of semester projects, creation of teams and definition of competencies within the teams