Laboratory management software

National Instruments has released LabVIEW version 8.6, the latest edition of the graphical system design software platform for control, test and embedded system development.

LabVIEW 8.6 features tools to help engineers and scientists take advantage of the benefits of multicore processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and wireless communication.

The system provides users with a single platform to increase test and control system throughput with multicore processors, reduce the development time of high-performance FPGA-based advanced control and embedded prototyping applications and more easily create distributed measurement systems for remote data acquisition.

With multicore-optimised features, the software allows users to develop applications to test wireless devices up to four times faster than the previous version, while control system engineers can execute simulation models in parallel up to five times faster than the previous version. Engineers can use the LabVIEW FPGA Module and FPGA-based commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, such as NI CompactRIO, to customise measurement and control systems for increased performance in applications such as semiconductor validation and advanced machine control.

LabVIEW 8.6 now offers simulation, IP development and integration features, including the new fast Fourier transform (FFT) IP core to offload spectral analysis functions. This improves the performance in applications such as machine condition monitoring and RF tests.

The flexibility of the graphical programming and the ubiquity of the Wi-Fi network infrastructure allows the software to incorporate wireless connectivity into new or existing PC-based measurement and control systems. Users can develop remote user interfaces for their applications using standard web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript and Flash.