Posted to News on 25th Apr 2008, 14:58
First LabVIEW embedded module for ARM microcontrollers
National Instruments and ARM are launching the NI LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers, an extension of the LabVIEW graphical system design platform that directly targets the ARM 7, ARM 9 and Cortex-M3 microcontroller families. The module is the first product in an ongoing collaboration between the companies that combines the ease of use of LabVIEW with the performance of ARM microcontrollers. ARM is one of the leading providers of 32-bit embedded reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, with more than 75 per cent of the market share and more than 10billion ARM core-based devices shipped to date. Using the new module, embedded applications can be created in LabVIEW and deployed to more than 260 microcontrollers created from microprocessor IP licensed by ARM and manufactured by semiconductor companies including Analog Devices, Atmel, Luminary Micro, NXP, Freescale Semiconductor, Intel and Texas Instruments.
Dr James Truchard, National Instruments President, CEO and Co-founder, says: "National Instruments is excited to extend the power and ease of use of the LabVIEW graphical system design platform to even more embedded designers who are developing applications for ARM microcontrollers. With the addition of the LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers, we are expanding our embedded design platform offerings to give engineers and scientists a variety of out-of-the-box solutions for designing, prototyping and deploying their embedded applications quickly."
Microcontrollers are cost-effective for embedded systems and suitable for control and interrupt-driven applications that require a real-time response to stimuli. ARM microcontrollers are deployed in a wide range of applications, from popular consumer goods such as the Garmin Nuvi portable navigation device to industrial and medical applications such as the BIAC portable muscle stimulator.
Graphical programming and desktop simulation
The LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers features LabVIEW drivers that make it possible for domain experts to program graphically all components of the ARM microcontroller including the analogue and digital I/O. The module also features desktop simulation capabilities so that programs developed for an ARM microcontroller can be run on a desktop PC without any additional hardware. The desktop simulation can be used with NI Multisim, the interactive SPICE simulation and circuit analysis software, to simulate the entire signal design chain for a truly comprehensive embedded system design simulation environment.
Reinhard Keil, Director of MCU Tools at ARM, says: "The intuitive, graphical design capabilities of LabVIEW make it an ideal platform for developers with limited C/C++ programming experience who need to develop applications around ARM processor-based microcontrollers. Additionally, for the more experienced developer, it provides a faster and more streamlined approach to programming."
Other new features of the LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers include a project wizard that automates configuration and overall setup to help establish projects quickly as well as an interrupt manager that simplifies interrupt-driven programming by setting up LabVIEW code to run when specific hardware interrupts occur. In addition to the software, National Instruments offers a development kit that includes a choice of an MCB2370 evaluation board with an ARM 7 family-based NXP processor or a Stellaris LM3S8962 with a Cortex-M3 processor-based Luminary micro processor.
For more information about the LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers including webcasts, data sheets and an evaluation kit, visit sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/209852. Alternatively, use the form on this page to request a callback or more information.
National Instruments Corporation (UK) Ltd
Measurement House, Newbury Business Park
London Road
RG14 2PZ
UNITED KINGDOM
+44 (0)1635 523545
