| Virtual Instrument is an instrument structure which can through software platform such as LabVIEW to simulate a panel of a real instrument and its corresponding feature on the computer screen. The Virtual Instrument allows us to use the mouse or keyboard to realize data display, storage, analysis and processing like operating a real instrument. Virtual instrument is the future directions for development in test instruments system.The feature of Virtual Instrument such as exploitability , scalability and customize allows us to cost less money in systems development and maintenance with less time than in the past and to develop more powerful, quality and more reliable products and systems. Due to signal generator is an essential common electronic measuring instrument in teaching, production and scientific research, this project arms to design and develop a virtual signal generator system based on LabVIEW.First, this paper introduces the development background of the virtual signal generator, and analyzes the software structure and hardware structure of a virtual instrument system, and also describes the design procedure of a virtual instrument system. Above that, it takes EE1640C series signal generator as an example to analyze the signal generator's structure and working principle. Secondly, this paper introduces the work involved in project: 1) a virtual multi-function signal generator was designed by LabVIEW. This Virtual Instrument not only achieved the main function of EE1640C instrument, but also extended its waveform generation mode. 2) A Data Acquisition card based on USB Serial Communication was designed to output the virtual signal to external devices.The test result shows that, the virtual signal generator based on LabVIEW and USB interface can run properly. It can meet the requirements of general electronic measuring system on general signal generator. If further improvement in hardware and software were made on the entire system, it can achieve more different measurement functions. |
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