DASYLab 2022

DASYLab 2022
Data Acquisition, Controlling, andMonitoring

Sept 2021
324212E-01

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DASYLab 2022

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About This Manual
Use this manual to learn how to run measurements and how to display
measurement data with DASYLab.
Chapter 1 explains how to select a module for each function. You connect
the modules in the worksheet and configure each module for yourmeasurement. Each exercise contains diagrams that illustrate the steps
involved.
Chapter 2 explains how worksheets are organized and how to configure
modules. Use black boxes to create sub-worksheets, to integrate partial
solutions, and to increase the number of possible modules in theworksheet.
Chapter 3 explains how to use the display window and the input
instruments. In the layout you can create display screens andmeasurement records.
Chapter 4 explains standard drivers and DLL drivers of the installedmeasurement hardware. Use DASYLab supported interfaces to accessexternal devices and programs.
Chapter 5 explains actions that execute module-related functions eventdriven, and variables and strings that transport information.
Chapter 6 explains the Script module with which you create a modulewith the functions and settings you need for your task.
Chapter 7 explains the characteristic values of data flow in DASYLab:
Sampling rate and block size.
The appendix introduces the module groups and provides tips and tricks
for creating worksheets.

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DASYLab 2022

Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:<>Angle brackets indicate a key you press to perform a function, forexample, <Ctrl> for the control key.

»The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box
options to a goal. File » Page Format instructs you to open themenu item File and to select Page Format.
This icon denotes a tip, which alerts you to advisory information.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important
information.

bold

Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in thesoftware, such as menu items and dialog box options.

italicItalic text denotes emphasis, new terms, a cross reference, or an
introduction to a key concept.

mono-space You enter text or letters in this type with the keyboard, forexample, formulas or code extracts. This font is also used
for the names of drives, paths, folders, programs, subprograms, sub-routines, device names, functions,operations, commands, variables, control elements,
events, methods, filenames, filename extensions as well
as for comments extracted from the code.
mono-space Bold

Bold text in this font denotes the messages andresponses that the computer automatically outputs
to the screen.Related Documentation
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DASYLab 2022
For more information on DASYLab, refer to the following documentation:• DASYLab Help, which you open by selecting Help » Contents, or bypressing <F1>.
The DASYLab help offers dialog box help for each module and for eachfunction. If you select Help » Examples, you can load example
worksheets. The examples demonstrate worksheets of varying
complexity.
• DASYLab Extension Toolkit
Use the Extension Toolkit to create your own DASYLab modules. The
Extension Toolkit contains the description of DASYLab interfaces and theprogram code of some DASYLab modules. If you work with the Extension
Toolkit, you need C-programming and Windows programming skills.
The shipped data medium or download comprises the documentationand example files. However several additional files are missing. You
cannot create your own extensions with these files and therefore you
also need the DASYLab Extension Toolkit.

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DASYLab 2022

Contents
Chapter 1

Getting Started with DASYLab ................................................................ 1-1
Creating a Simple Worksheet ................................................................................ 1-2
Calculating Online ................................................................................................. 1-6
Inserting Digital Instruments .................................................................................. 1-8
Saving Measurement Data .................................................................................. 1-10
Saving Worksheets ............................................................................................. 1-11

Chapter 2

Defining Measurements ......................................................................... 2-1
Creating Worksheets ............................................................................................. 2-1
Configuring Modules.............................................................................................. 2-4
Creating Partial Solutions in Black Boxes .............................................................. 2-6

Chapter 3

Visualizing Measurements...................................................................... 3-1
Display Windows and Input Instruments ................................................................ 3-1
Selecting Display Modules..................................................................................... 3-3
Selecting Input Modules ........................................................................................ 3-9
Creating Layouts ................................................................................................. 3-10

Chapter 4

Hardware Setup ...................................................................................... 4-1
The Configurator ................................................................................................... 4-1
DLL Driver ............................................................................................................. 4-2
Default Driver ........................................................................................................ 4-3
Interfaces .............................................................................................................. 4-4

Chapter 5

Controlling Measurements ..................................................................... 5-1
Triggering over Control Inputs ............................................................................... 5-1
Controlling with Actions ......................................................................................... 5-2
Control Sequencer ................................................................................................ 5-3
Global Strings and Variables ................................................................................. 5-5

Chapter 6

Programming Your Own ......................................................................... 6-1
Using the Script Module ........................................................................................ 6-1
Programming a Script ............................................................................................ 6-2© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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Exporting a Script Module...................................................................................... 6-4

Chapter 7

Configuring the Data Flow ...................................................................... 7-1
Optimizing Processing Time .................................................................................. 7-3
Significant Digits .................................................................................................... 7-3

Appendix A

Module Groups ....................................................................................... A-1
The Input/Output Modules Group ..........................................................................A-1
The Trigger Functions Modules Group...................................................................A-2
The Mathematics Modules Group ..........................................................................A-3
The Statistics Modules Group ................................................................................A-3
The Signal Analysis Modules Group ......................................................................A-4
The Control Modules Group ..................................................................................A-5
The Display Modules Group ..................................................................................A-6
The Files Modules Group ......................................................................................A-6
The Data Reduction Modules Group......................................................................A-7
The Network Modules Group .................................................................................A-7
The Special Modules Group ..................................................................................A-8
The Add-On Modules Group..................................................................................A-8

Appendix B

Tips and Tricks ......................................................................................... B-1
Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................B-2

Index

Index ........................................................................................................... 1

Contents - ii

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1Creating Worksheets

Getting Started withDASYLabWith DASYLab you can complete measurement, control, and simulation
tasks interactively on your screen. Select a module for each function andposition the module in the worksheet. The task determines how youconnect and configure the modules. To acquire data, DASYLab supports
many standard measurement and control boards and various interfaces
in order to communicate with external devices.
DASYLab has a number of measurement, control, and analysis modules:• Analog and digital inputs and outputs• Trigger functions• Mathematics and statistics functions• FFT and digital filters
Use the respective modules to create logical switches, and open andclosed loop controllers, or use the sequence generator to create exact,
time- dependent controls with complex control signals. You can save themeasurement data for later off-line analysis in different file formats.
The diagram, Chart Recorder, the Y/t Chart, and the X/Y Chart display
your measurement data as curves. The Diagram and the Digital Meter
display your data in numeric form. Freely scalable analog instruments,
bar displays, and Status Displays help with process controls and test
controls.
Tip Appendix A, The Module Groups, lists all available modules.
The Configurator section of chapter 4, Hardware Setup, describes
the configuration of your installation.

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Creating a Simple Worksheet
When DASYLab starts, the DASYLab worksheet window opens with themenu bar at the top of the window, the function bar underneath, andthe browser on the left side of the window.
Complete the following steps to create a worksheet with a data source
and a display module:
1.

Click the Modules tab in the browser.
a. Click the Plussign next to the Control module group.

b. Select the Generator module and drag and drop the module
into the worksheet.
Specify the generator type in the dialog box that opens:
Figure 1-1. Generator Selection Dialog Box

c. Click OK to confirm the default setting. DASYLab inserts thegenerator into the worksheet.
Use the generator module to create a hardware-independent worksheetthat you can use on every computer with a DASYLab installation. You
replace the Generator module later with the module of the installed
hardware, for example, the analog input of the NI-DAQmx driver.
2.

1-2

Double-click the Generator module to open the dialog box. The
first channel outputs a rectangular waveform signal.
a.

Click the Plus button next to the channel bar to activate asecond signal.

b.

If you click the button of channel 1, the channel outputs asine waveform signal.

c.

Click OK. DASYLab adds a second output to the generator.
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Creating Worksheets3.

Click the Plus signbrowser.

next to the module group Display in thea.

Select the Chart Recorder module and drag and drop themodule into the worksheet.

b.

Double-click the Chart Recorder module to open the dialog
box.

c.

Click the Plus button next to the channel bar toactivate a second input.

d.

Click OK. DASYLab adds another input to the Chart Recorder.
If you use display modules such as the Chart Recordermodule, DASYLab creates an additional display window
which appears minimized at the bottom of the screen.

You must connect the modules with data channels to let the data flow.
4.

To do so, click and hold the Chart Recorder module and drag thedisplay module to the Generator module until the Chart Recorder
inputs touch the generator outputs.
When you release the mouse button, DASYLab automaticallyconnects the modules.

5.

Click Start on the function bar to start a measurement.

If you start a measurement and you want to see the display, you must
open the display window.
6.

Click Restore All Windows on the function bar. The Chart Recorderdisplay window opens and you can view the signals that theGenerator module generates, similar to Figure 1-2.

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Figure 1-2. Displaying Generated Signals

7.

Right-click the Chart Recorder display window workspace tochange the display during the measurement.
a.

Select Display » Window » Colors and Lines from thecontext menu.

b.

Click Drawing area in the Display elements list.

c.

Click the Color button and select light yellow as new color forthe drawing area.

d.

Click OK.

Figure 1-3 shows the colors and lines dialog box.
Figure 1-3. Color and Line Display of a Display Window

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Creating Worksheetse.
8.

Click OK. The drawing area of the Y/t Chart display windowchanges to the new color.

Click Stop on the function bar to stop the measurement.
Tip You also can press <F5> to start the measurement,<Ctrl-F6> to pause the measurement, and <Ctrl-F5> to stop themeasurement.

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Calculating Online
Complete the following steps to run calculations with the FormulaInterpreter during the measurement.
1.

Click the Plus signin the browser.

next to the module group Mathematicsa.

Select the Formula Interpreter module and drag and drop
the module into the worksheet.

b.

Double-click the Formula Interpreter module to open the
dialog box.

c.

Click the Plus sign under Input channels to create asecond channel input.

Note Do not click the Plus button next to the channel bar. That
creates a second channel output.

2.

Click the input field Formula and enter the following formula:IN(0)-IN(1)The formula subtracts the values of the second input channel fromthe values of the first input channel. Figure 1-4 shows the dialog boxof the Formula Interpreter:
Figure 1-4. Online Calculation with the Formula Interpreter

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Creating Worksheets
You also can use the buttons underneath the input field to enter terms
and operators. DASYLab inserts the selected terms into the formula at
the cursor position.
3.

Click OK. DASYLab adds a second input to the Formula Interpreter.

For the online calculation, the Formula Interpreter must receive thegenerator signals from two inputs and must output the results to the Y/t
Chart.
4.

Click the top data channel that connects the Generator and the Y/t
Chart. The mouse pointer now changes shape to a hand holding a
plug.
a.

Drag this plug to Input 0 of the Formula Interpreter.

b.

When the color of the Formula Interpreter input terminalchanges color, click Input 0 to connect the top data channel to
the Formula Interpreter.

5.

Repeat these steps to connect the bottom data channel to Input 1of the Formula Interpreter.

6.

Double-click the Y/t Chart module to open the dialog box.
a.

7.

Click the Plus button next to the channel bar to create a third
input.

Click Output 0 of the Formula Interpreter and connect this output
to Input 2 of the Y/t Chart.
Tip To delete a data channel, right-click the data channel twicewith the right mouse button (not a double click).

8.

Start a measurement.

The Y/t Chart display window now shows three curves: the sine
signal, the rectangular signal, and the calculated signal.

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DASYLab 2022
Figure 1-5. Displaying Generated and Calculated Signals

9.

Stop the measurement after some time.

Inserting Digital Instruments
Complete the following steps to include a digital instrument in theworksheet.
1. Click the Plus sign next to the module group Display, in thebrowser.
a.

Select the Digital Meter module and drag and drop themodule into the worksheet.

b.

Double-click the Digital Meter module to open the dialog
box.

c.

Click the Plus button next to the channel bar twice to create
two additional inputs.

d.

Click OK. DASYLab creates three inputs in the Digital Meter
module.

2. Double-click the Y/t Chart module to open the dialog box.
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Creating Worksheetsa.

Click the Copy inputs check box.

b.

Click OK.

DASYLab creates three outputs in the Y/t Chart module which
output the incoming data unchanged.
3. Drag the Digital Meter module to the Y/t Chart module until thechart outputs touch the digital inputs.
When you release the mouse button, DASYLab automaticallyconnects the two modules with three data channels.
4. Click Restore All Windows on the function bar to open both display
windows.
5. Arrange the two display windows as shown in figure 1-6.
6. Start a measurement.
Figure 1-6. Displaying Numeric Data in the Digital Meter

7.

Stop

the measurement after some time.

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Saving Measurement Data
Complete the following steps to save the measurement data in a file.
1.

2.

Click the Plus sign next to the module group Files in the browser.
a.

Select the Write Data module and drag and drop themodule into the worksheet.

b.

Double-click the Write Data module to open the dialog box.

c.

Click the Plus button next to the channel bar twice, tocreate two additional inputs.

d.

Click File and enter MyData.ddf as the file name.

e.

Click Save to close the file dialog box.

Double-click the Digital Meter module to open the dialog box.
a.

Click the Copy inputs check box.

b.

Click OK. DASYLab creates three outputs in the Digital Meter
module.

3.

Drag the Write Data module next to the Digital Meter module until
the Digital Meter outputs touch the inputs of the Write Data
module.

4.

Start a measurement.

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Creating Worksheets
Figure 1-7. The Worksheet Displays and Saves Data

5.

Stop

the measurement after some time.

Note You can examine the contents of every data channel
during a measurement. If you click a data channel, DASYLab,shows various parameters of this data channel in the FIFO list such as the
sampling rate, the block size, and the current value. In the FIFO graph
DASYlab displays the data flow of this data channel as a curve in the of
the information block.

Because in the shown example blocksize is 1 there is no curve and min
and max values are the same!

Saving Worksheets
Complete the following steps to save the worksheet and all the settings:
1. Click

Save on the function bar.

2. Enter MyWorksheet as the filename.

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DASYLab 2022
DASYLab saves the worksheet with the name MyWorksheet.dsb
in the DASYLab default folder which you specify under Options »Default Folders. DASYLab automatically adds the filename
extension .dsb. The DASYLab window title bar now shows the
new file name.

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Defining Measurements

Defining Measurements

2

Use a worksheet to describe measurement, control, and display tasks.
Select a module for each function and connect the modules according to
the task. Double-click a module to configure the module. DASYLabtransports data in blocks from module to module. DASYLab does not
output a new data block until the current data block is completely filledwith data. The data flow in the worksheet goes from left to right.

Creating Worksheets
When you start DASYLab, the DASYLab worksheet window opens asshown in Figure 2-1. You drag modules from the browser, drop themodules in the workspace, and connect the modules according to thetask. You open measurement settings and start the measurement fromthe function bar. During the measurement, the info block displays the data
flow of the data channel you click and the state of the internal buffer.
Figure 2-1. The Worksheet Window with Browser and Info Block© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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DASYLab 2022
The data flow starts on the left with a data source such as the input
modules of the installed hardware, the generator, or the input
instruments. Scaling modules and evaluation modules follow. On the right,
the data flows into data sinks such as the display modules and the filemodules for saving data.
For example, if you want to acquire data from the installed plugin board
from NI, select the data source Inputs/Outputs » NI-DAQmx » Analog
Input on the Modules tab of the browser and drag and drop the module
into the worksheet. Select Display » Chart Recorder and drag and drop
the module to the right of the Analog Input. To connect the twomodules, drag the Chart Recorder against the Analog Input until theChart Recorder inputs touch the outputs of the analog input. When you
release the mouse button, DASYLab automatically connects the modules.
Click Start on the function bar and double-click the title bar at thebottom of the screen to open the Chart Recorder.
If you want to color and label sections of the worksheet, you can insert
documentation frames into the worksheet. Documentation frames arepermanently visible in the background of the worksheet. They do not
influence the worksheet behavior. Right-click the workspace and selectCreate Documentation Frame from the context menu. The cursor changes
its appearance to a cross with a sheet of paper. Click and drag open aframe in the workspace. Double-click the documentation frame to enter
comments and to change the background color. If you want to create
another documentation frame, select Create Documentation Framefrom the context menu. To finish editing the documentation frame,
disable Edit Documentation Frame in the context menu.

Inserting and Connecting Modules
You can move one or several selected modules in the worksheet in orderto place each module at an appropriate position in the worksheet. If theconnecting data channels have nodes, you must first move the modules
individually and then move the nodes. Avoid long connections. Use thesetting Copy inputs in the display and other data sink modules totransfer data unchanged to subsequent modules.
Activate the grid display in Options » Global Setup to make it easier toarrange the modules. The grid interval determines the minimum distance
between neighboring modules and should be greater than 16 points. You
can change the background color and the grid color in the context menu
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Defining Measurementsof the worksheet.
If you want to delete a module, select the module and press <Del>. If you
want to copy a selected module from the worksheet, including thesettings, click Copy on the function bar and then Paste.
To replace a module with a different module – such as a generator with ahardware input – right-click the Generator and select Replace Modulefrom the context menu. DASYLab lists all available data sources that you
can use to replace the generator. For example, select Inputs/Outputs\NI-DAQmx\Analog Input for an NI-DAQmx Analog Input. The moduleconnections and the module name remain the same after the
replacement.
You can connect modules semi-automatically or manually. If you want toconnect several data channels simultaneously, use the semi-automaticconnection method. To do so, move the module inputs to the outputs of
the neighbor module on the left. DASYLab connects the data channel
terminals that are exactly opposite each other. You also can use thismethod if the number of inputs of the module receiving data is not thesame as the number of outputs of the modules providing data, or if you do
not want to connect all inputs. You can connect other modules to theremaining free connections.
Use the manual connection method if you want to branch adata channel. To do so, click a data channel. The cursor
changes its appearance to a hand with a plug symbol. Movethis plug, for example, to the input of a scaling module toconvert the acquired raw data. If you connect modules manually, thedirection of the new data channel is important: You connect a module
input with another module output, or you branch a data channel to amodule output, or you connect a module input with a data channel.
Every data channel can have up to 15 nodes.
If you clicked the input or the output of a module without wanting toestablish a connection, you can chancel the action by clicking anywherein the worksheet.
If you want to delete a data channel right-click the data channel twice.
With the first click the data channel changes its color and with thesecond click DASYLab deletes the data channel. To delete all the module
data channels, right-click the module and select Delete Input
Connections or Delete Output Connections.
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DASYLab does not permit open inputs, and in DAP boxes DASYLab does
not permit open outputs or open inputs. The Read Variable module
ensures that the worksheet always meets this requirement before themeasurement starts. For example, if you have a module with the same
number of inputs and outputs and you do not want to use one of the
inputs in the worksheet, you can read the data for this input from avariable.

Using the Browser and the Module Bars
The Modules tab on the browser on the left side of the screen provides
all modules that you installed with DASYLab and the selected drivers. The
modules are arranged thematically in a tree structure – for example,
inputs and outputs with the hardware and interface modules, trigger
functions, mathematics, and display instruments.
The Navigator tab of the browser lists all the modules that theworksheet contains. The navigator lists the modules in the order in which
you inserted the modules into the worksheet. In order to find and toselect a module in a complex worksheet, select the module on the
Navigator tab and select Go to Module from the context menu. DASYLab
selects the module and displays it in the center of the worksheet. To
configure a module, select Open Dialog Box from the context menu.
If you select View » Module Bar, you can display a module bar with themost frequently used modules. DASYLab displays the module bar on theleft side of the screen. Double-click the module symbol to insert themodule automatically in the workspace.
You can specify which modules to include on the module bar. Right-click a
module bar button and select New to open the selection dialog box.
Scroll through the list of available modules, select a module, and click OK
to confirm your selection. The button in the module bar now displays the
symbol of the new module. You can combine various task-related modulebars which you load according to the measurement task. Select Edit »Module Bar to save the current module bar, to load a module bar, or tocreate a new module bar.

Configuring Modules
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Defining Measurements
module might only have inputs or only outputs. Modules that generate or
acquire data have only outputs. Modules that process data have inputs
and outputs. Modules that display, save, or output data to the hardware
by default have only inputs.
You can change the number of terminals in the module dialog box
which opens when you double-click the module. For example,
double- click the generator module to open the module dialog box andspecify that the generator generates three signals. Figure 2-2 shows thechannel bar. Click the Plus button on the right next to the channel bar to
create additional channels . The channel bar denotes one orange plug
symbol for each channel. Click the Minus button to delete channels. In
most modules you cannot delete the first channel, but in some modules
you cannot delete the first two or three channels.
Figure 2-2. Generator Dialog Box Displays Three Data Channels
on the Channel Bar

For example, to create seven data channels, press <Ctrl> while doubleclicking channel 6. DASYLab creates seven channels. In order to disable
data channels down to the third data channel, right double-click channel
3 while pressing <Ctrl>. DASYLab disables all channels above channel 2.
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To configure a channel, click the orange plug symbol on the channel bar.
The selected channel now denotes a green plug symbol. Use the settings
underneath the channel bar to configure this channel. The channel
configuration comprises the channel name, the unit, and all functionspecific settings. Channel 1 of the generator in Figure 2-2 generates a sine
curve with an amplitude of 4 volts and a frequency of 10 hertz.
If you want to configure several channels in one module in the same way,
you can copy the settings. Press <F8> to copy all the settings of thecurrent channel to the other channels. Press <F7> to copy only theselected setting to other channels.
If you use a certain module configuration regularly, for example, thehardware input Task AD, you can save the module settings as default
settings. Select Default Module Settings from the context menu. If you
insert an analog input of the NI-DAQmx driver into a worksheet, this Task
AD analog input now has the changed settings.
You cannot change the number of hardware inputs and hardware
outputs because the installed driver determines the settings. The module
dialog box shows as many plug symbols as the hardware module has
inputs or outputs. If a hardware device has analog and digital inputs, youmust refer to the description of the driver to find out how the channels
are assigned to the analog inputs and digital inputs.
If a hardware channel is disabled , the channel bar of the hardware
module depicts a blue plug symbol. To activate the channel,
double- click the blue plug symbol with the left mouse button. To disable
an active channel, double-click an orange or a green plug symbol withthe right mouse button.

Creating Partial Solutions in BlackBoxes
Use black boxes to create sub-worksheets in order to combine partial
solutions in a complex worksheet. At the same time, you increase thenumber of possible modules the worksheet can contain by 255 with each
black box. A worksheet without a black box can contain a maximum of
256 modules. You can insert up to 256 black boxes in one worksheet on
the same worksheet level or in a hierarchy in black boxes. This way you
can arrange partial solutions horizontally and vertically.

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To insert a black box in the worksheet, select Special »Empty Black Box on the Modules tab of the browser and dragand drop the module into the worksheet. Double-click theblack box to open the workspace of the sub-worksheet. The
empty sub-worksheet takes up the entire workspace of the worksheet
screen. You work in a black box in the same way as you work in the main
worksheet: you drag and drop modules from the browser and connect
and configure the modules.
You establish a connection to the main worksheet or to the higherranking black box with import and export modules. You must open a blackbox before you can select the Export/Import module from the Special
modules group on the Modules tab in the browser. If you drag and drop
an export/import module into the black box, DASYLab opens a selection
dialog box. Select Import Data to create inputs to the black box. SelectExport Data to create outputs from the black box.
You can use only one import module and one export module with amaximum of 16 channels each in every black box. The number of
outputs does not depend on the number of inputs. The block length andthe data rate of the inputs and outputs are also independent. If you needmore than 16 inputs and outputs in a black box, add theMultiplexer/Demultiplexer module. Use the multiplexer to combine datafrom different data channels into one data channel and the
demultiplexer to distribute data from one data channel onto several datachannels.
To close a black box, click Close Black Box on the function bar.
You return to either the main worksheet or the higher-ranking
black box.
Black boxes divide complex worksheets into functional sub-worksheets,
which you can export and import as partial solutions into otherworksheets. Before you can export a black box, you must open the blackbox and open the properties dialog box via Edit » Black Box » Black Box
Properties. Enter a name and a unique three-figure code in the ID tag box
to identify the module on the module bar.
To save the open black box, open the Black Box tab of the browser. The
Black Box tab displays all the black boxes stored in the default folder, ina tree view. Right-click this tree structure and select Save Open BlackBox from the context menu. Enter a filename such as MyBlackbox.
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default folder for black boxes under (Windows 10 / Windows 8 /Windows 7 —C:\User\Public\Documents\DASYLab\<Version Number\<Language>\Blackbox .
To insert an already saved black box into a worksheet, select MyBlackbox
on the Black Box tab of the browser and drag and drop the black box
into the worksheet. You can create sub-folders on the Black Box tab withthe context menu in order to sort your black boxes thematically.
The DAP box is a special black box which offers an individualuser interface to the processing functions of the DAP driver.
If the DAP hardware driver from Microstar Laboratories isinstalled on your computer, you can select Inputs/Outputs » DAP » DAP
Box » New on the Modules tab of the browser and drag and drop a DAP
box into the worksheet. You can use one DAP Box in the worksheet foreach installed DAP board.
In DAP boxes you create a worksheet solely with DAP modules. The DAP
board and not the computer processes the functions and data used in the
DAP box. Therefore you cannot use any other DASYLab modules in a DAP
Box. You establish a connection between the DAP board and the computer,that is, between the DAP Box and the DASYLab worksheet via DAP
export/import modules.
You cannot use a DAP box or a black box to nest DAP boxes. Unlike a BlackBox you only can save a DAP box with the worksheet and cannot export it.

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3

Visualizing Measurements

DASYLab offers various modules for visualizing acquired and processedmeasurement data. The Diagram, the Chart Recorder, the Y/t Chart, theX/Y Chart, and the Polar Plot display your measurement data as curves.
The List and the Digital Meter display data in numeric form. Freely
scalable Analog Meter instruments, Bar Graph displays, and Status
Displays help with process controls and test controls.
Use the input instruments Switch, Slider, and Coded Switch to input
values, generate pulses, or trigger actions during a measurement. Display
modules and input modules have windows which you can position freely
on the screen and which you can configure during a measurement.
Use the DASYLab layout window to create the visualization screen. You
position display and input modules in the layout and add text andgraphics. You also can create several layouts to document yourmeasurement. You print out these layouts either manually or event
related during the measurement.
You save the solution, which comprises the worksheet, the display
screen, and the documentation layout, in a file with the filename
extension .dsb. This way you can create solutions for eachmeasurement task on your computer in order to load the solutions onto
the measurement system on site.

Display Windows and Input Instruments
Every display module and every input instrument which you integrate
into the worksheet has its own window which DASYLab initiallyminimizes and displays at the bottom of the screen. When you start ameasurement, the window does not open automatically.
To open all windows simultaneously, click Restore All Windows on
the function bar. To open one individual window, double-click thetitle bar of the window.

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When you finish a measurement, the display windows and the input
instruments are visible in the foreground and cover the worksheet. To edit
the worksheet, click Minimize All Display Windows on the function bar.
DASYLab displays only the title bars at the bottom of the screen. To hide
the windows from the screen completely, click Hide All Display Windows
on the function bar. If you start a measurement now, you must click
Show All Windows to make the display windows and input instruments
visible again.
Before, during, and after a measurement you can move and resize
display windows and input instruments. DASYLab saves the arrangement
and the size of the windows together with the worksheet. In each
worksheet you can save up to eight different arrangements in order todisplay other windows during a measurement or to resize individual
windows. To save the current window arrangement select View » Save
Window Arrangement. For example, enter MyScreen as the name andspecify the position in the selection list of the function bar. To select thissaved window arrangement at a later time, select MyScreen in theselection list. You also can use the key combination <Alt> and the numberof the window arrangement, for example, <Alt–1> for MyScreen. To input
the numbers, use the numbers at the top of your keyboard because
DASYLab distinguishes these from the number pad. To delete the current
arrangement, select View » Delete Current Window Arrangement.
The display windows of the Chart Recorder, the Y/t Chart, the X/Y Chart,
the Polar Plot, and the list have a menu bar and a function bar in order tochange the display during a measurement. You can display all connected
data channels in one axis system or each data channel in a separate axis
system, and you can change the axis scaling. You can zoom, scroll, andmeasure areas in the display, and you can freeze the display and copy it to
the clipboard and print it.
If you connect several data channels to these display instruments, whichdisplay measurement data as curves, the data channels must provide
data of the same type. You only can display continuous, triggered,spectral, or histogram data in a display window. Triggered data has gaps
between the consecutive data blocks. Spectral data are results, forexample, of an FFT and histogram data is the result of a classification. Use
several modules to display different data in a worksheet. The Chart
Recorder and the diagram are exceptions because they can processcontinuous data and triggered data together in one module.
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You configure input instruments, diagrams, analog and Digital Meters,
Status Displays, and bar displays in the module dialog box. For example, if
you want to integrate a rotary switch, select Control » Coded Switch on
the Modules tab of the browser. Click Options in the module dialog box
and select Rotary Switch.

Selecting Display Modules
The following descriptions provide an overview of the functions of thedisplay windows and help you choose the right module for a certain task.

Diagram
Use the Diagram to display data channels as curves in 2D axis systems.
You can use the diagram like the Chart Recorder, which plots the curves
from right to left, or like the Y/t Chart, which plots the curves from left toright, or you can use the diagram like the X/Y Chart, which plots therelationship between channel pairs.
The Diagram cannot only display all data channels in one axis system or
every data channel in a separate axis system, but can also combine
selected data channels in axis systems. DASYLab plots all curves over thesame x-axis so that you can compare the curves with each other. To display
a further channel in an axis system, right-click the axis system and selectAdd Channel from the context menu and then select the data channel,
for example, Temperature. To remove a channel from an axis system,
select Separate Channel from the context menu. The Diagram displays theseparated channel in a new axis system. You also can add and separate
data channels during a measurement. Before you start a measurement,
you can change the heights of the individual axis systems by moving theindividual x-axes in the display window. You scale the axes in the module
dialog box.
To inspect the curve sections in detail and to review already displayedmeasurement values, you must stop the display while the measurement
continues. To do so, right-click the display window and select Freeze.
When you freeze the display, you can move and zoom the curves.
a. Use the mouse wheel to zoom the curves horizontallyb. Press <Ctrl> and use the mouse wheel to zoom the curves verticallyc. Press <Shift> and use the mouse wheel to zoom in both directions
d. Use the left mouse button to move the curves horizontallye. Press <Ctrl> and the left mouse button to move the curves© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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f.
g.
h.
i.

vertically
Press <Shift> and the left mouse button to move the curves in both
directions.
In horizontal direction you zoom and move all curves in all axis
systems because the curves all refer to a mutual x-axis.
In vertical direction you zoom and move curves only in theselected axis system.
Use the buttons on the toolbar to shift the curves in all axis
systems step by step in order to review already acquired data.

In the freeze mode you also can measure the curves. To do so, selectCursor Mode from the context menu of the display window. The diagram
displays two movable cursor lines in all axis systems. In Figure 3-1 thelegend displays the values of the individual curves below the cursor lines.
As soon as the measurement restarts, the cursor lines disappear.
Figure 3-1. Measuring the Curves in the Diagram in Freeze Mode

Chart Recorder
Use the Chart Recorder to display data channels as curves in 2D axis
systems over time. The Chart Recorder plots the curve from right to left
and is suitable for recording slow long-term measurement data that has
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low sampling rates. In the Chart Recorder, you can zoom the curves during
a measurement, like in the Y/t Chart, in order to inspect curve sections indetail. Use the magnifying glass on the toolbar of the display window tozoom in or out of the section repeatedly. DASYLab displays a scroll bar
below the zoomed section with which you can move the section.
In the Chart Recorder you can inspect one curve or all curves for acertain event. You describe an event with a level and the level duration. For
example, DASYLab searches for an event with a level that exceeds 5 volt
for at least 10 seconds. If the event search is successful, a green diodelights up and displays the value. DASYLab zooms the curve section withthe peaks in the display window. If you search during the measurement,
DASYLab freezes the display. Click the buttons in the dialog box to search
for and to display the next peaks. As soon as you close the dialog box forthe event search, the Chart Recorder displays the curve with thespecified sampling rate, however, still zoomed. Click Zoom In to restore
the original display.

Y/t Chart
Use the Y/t Chart to display fast data acquired in kilohertz as curves overtime in 2D axis systems. Unlike the Chart Recorder, the Y/t Chart plots
the curve from left to right. Like the Chart Recorder, the Y/t Chart canrefresh the display continuously or after a specified number of data
blocks. Then the curves can be viewed unchanged for some time on thescreen. In the wiper display, the Y/t Chart plots the curves continuouslywith a vertical line and overwrites the old curves when the wiper has
reached the end of the axis system. The wiper mode provides an overview
over the development of the measurement values.
You also can use the Y/t Chart to display data channels as a 3D waterfall
display or as a 3D color sonogram. You enable and configure the 3D
display in the menu of the display window. If you enable the waterfall
diagram, you must select which connected data channel the Y/t Chart isto display in 3D. The waterfall display shows the last plotted curves forthis data channel in a cascaded display. The curve in the foregroundshows the current data. The z- axis reflects the data history that you cantrack with the measurement time or the block number. Figure 3-2 shows
the last ten results of a Fast Fourier analysis with hidden-line calculationthat deletes all hidden lines.

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Figure 3-2. Waterfall Display of an Online FFT

The color sonogram, which is similar to the temperature maps of themeteorologists, displays the first data channel that is connected to the
Y/t Chart in a color sonogram. To do so, the Y/t Chart divides the data into
256 classes so that each class covers a specific value area. The Y/t Chart
assigns a color to each class. In Figure 3-3, high values are red and the low
values are blue. The color sonogram plots the color values for each data
block row wise from bottom to top, so that the current color values are at
the bottom and the oldest color values are at the top.
Figure 3-3. A Color Sonogram Displays Data as Colors.
The Bottom Row Displays the Current Data Block.

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X/Y Chart
Use the X/Y Chart to display several data channel pairs as xy-curves or as
vectors in 2D axis systems. To display an oscilloscope with the X/Y Chart,enable the setting Circular grid. Select a high number of data blocks after
which DASYLab refreshes the display, so that DASYLab plots a curve andnot the last data pair as a point.
Every data channel of a channel pair and also the data channel pairs of amodule must always contain the same type of data. You can display
several data channel pairs in one axis system or in separate axis systems.

Use the Polar Plot to display a data channel pair in one polar axis system.
If you select the X/Y coordinates display, DASYLab plots an xy-curve, if
you select Draw source vector, DASYLab plots the vector of the last data
pair. The two data channels must always contain the same type of data.
Label the curve or the top of the vector in regular intervals with thevalues of the third data channel to be connected. Figure 3-4 displays the
sampled surface of a shaft as an xy-coordinate.
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Digital Meter
Use the Digital Meter to display the values of the connected datachannels numerically. By default the Digital Meter displays the current
value.
However, the Digital Meter also can display the mean value, the root
mean square, the minimum, or the maximum of the current data block.
You can add a trend display, which shows whether the last value wasgreater or smaller than the previous value, to the Digital Meter. DASYLabdisplays if the upper limit is exceeded or the lower limit is undershot,with color changes. If several data channels are connected, each datachannel has its own Digital Meter in the display window.

List
Use the List module for the numeric display of data channels in a table.
The table displays one column for each data channel. The first column candisplay the measurement time, the time, or the measurement numbers.
Whereas the Digital Meter always displays the current value, you can lookback at previous measurement values with the scroll bar in the list
module.

Analog Meter
Use the Analog Meter to display the values of the connected datachannels in a gauge display. By default the Analog Meter displays thecurrent value.
However, the Analog Meter also can display the mean value, the root
mean square, the minimum or the maximum of the current data block. If
several data channels are connected, each data channel has its own
Analog Meter in the display window. The scale can comprise a quartercircle or a three-quarter circle like a tachometer. You can highlight theupper or the lower limit range of a scale in color, you can enable thetrend display, and you can select the greatest and the smallest measured
value with a drag indicator.

Bar Graph
Use the Bar Graph to display values of the connected data channels asbars, triangles, thermometers, or as LEDs. By default the Bar Graph starts
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at the smallest value on the scale. For example, if the value range is -10
to +10, you can set the start point to zero at the center of the value
range. Therefore you can see during the measurement whether the bar
is in the positive or in the negative range. If the upper limit is exceededor the lower limit is undershot, DASYLab displays this with color changes
so that, in the LED display, for example, red diodes light up in the upper
limit range and blue diodes light up in the lower limit range.
By default the Bar Graph displays the current value. However, like theDigital Meter or the Analog Meter, the Bar Graph also can display themean value, the root mean square, the minimum, or the maximum of thecurrent data block.

Status Display
Use the Status Display to display states and not values. By default the
Status Display shows two states: OFF, the lamp is red, and ON, the lamp
is green. The threshold value is 1.5. You can increase the number ofstates if you display graphics instead of lamps. To do so, assign a graphic
to every value range. For example, if you have three graphics of a valve,
the Status Display shows a closed valve in the range 0 to 1, a half-open
valve in the range 1 to 2, and an open valve in the range above 2.
You also can use the Status Display as a bit display that converts every
value into 16 bit integer values and displays an LED for each of the 16
bits.

Selecting Input Modules
The following descriptions provide an overview of the functions of the
input instruments and help you choose the right module for a certain
task.

SwitchUse the Switch to output TTL signals manually during a measurement andto enable triggers, actions, or modules that have a control input. A TTL
signal has either the value 0 or 5. The Switch types On/Off Switch andSwitch output a signal with a constant value of 5 until you click the button
again. The Push button outputs the TTL signal only as long as you press thisbutton and the One shot Switch outputs the signal after you click for thelength of a data block. If you enable several data channels in the module,© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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you can create several different switches side by side or on top of eachother.
The switches Start/Stop and Pause/Continue are different from theother switch types. These switches have no outputs because they affectthe whole worksheet. You can use these switches to stop or to pause ameasurement and to restart a measurement. Use these switches, forexample, in the layout to control a measurement in the full-screen mode.

SliderUse the slider to generate varying signals manually with a Scroll bar, a
Slider or a Rotary Switch during a measurement. The value range
specifies the smallest and the greatest value and the resolution specifies
the intervals between the individual values. If you enable several datachannels in the module, you can create several varying sliders side byside or on top of each other. However, you can use only one slider typein a module. Move the slider with the mouse to the value that the
manual slider outputs. Use the slider to change the settings of othermodules during a measurement, for example, the amplitude of thegenerator.

Coded Switch
Use the Coded Switch to manually output one of several values
previously entered during a measurement. Turn the Rotary Switch
stepwise to the value, and DASYLab outputs this value as soon as you
release the rotary switch. If you use the Button Switch, click therespective button and for the List box select the value from a list. You
can create four coded switches side by side or on top of each other.
However, you can only use one switch type in a module. Use the Coded
Switch, for example, to control an actuator with up to 16 positions. You
specify the positions in the Coded Switch and can then accurately
approach each position.

Creating Layouts
Create layouts to visualize and to document your measurements. In alayout you combine display windows with text and graphics to design
visualization screens. You can create multiple customized layouts forvisualization and documentation. The individual layouts can be assigned
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to individual target screens when several monitors are connected. Via
Actions you can change the layouts displayed on the screens or print
measurement logs depending on the event.
To create a layout, click Layout on the function bar. DASYLab createsa new layout in the layout window if you have not yet created alayout.
In the layout window you work with an additional toolbar to place layout
elements in the workspace. Layout elements are graphic links to display
windows and input instruments, texts, logos, frames, and lines. To edit
sections of the layout in more detail, right-click and select Zoom fromthe context menu.
Figure 3-5. Screen Layout with Display Windows and Switches

To create a display window like the Y/t Chart in the layout, click
Link Graphic on the toolbar and drag open the rectangle anywherein the layout. Double-click the empty rectangle and select the Y/t Chartfrom the module drop-down list. When you start a measurement,
DASYLab displays the values in the layout just like in the display windowof the Y/t Chart.

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To insert a logo, click Bitmap on the toolbar and drag open arectangle. Double-click the rectangle and select the logo file.
For each worksheet you can create up to 200 layouts with
Window » New Layout. To delete the layout, select Window » Delete
Layout Page. During a measurement you can use the selection list in thelayout window function bar to change the layout, or you can use eventdriven actions. Refer to Controlling with Actions in Chapter 5,
Controlling Measurements, for more information about actions.
Specify the size of the workspace in the Layout Page Setup dialog box
which you access from the context menu. You can select different paper
sizes for the online documentation as the page size. To display several
layouts on screen in parallel, you can define the target monitors for thescreen display. You also enter a layout name that DASYLab displays in thefunction bar for selection. Select Layout Settings from the context menu
to limit mouse operation to input instruments or to enable the fullscreen mode when a worksheet is loaded.
Press <Ctrl-F> to enable the full-screen mode during the measurement.
DASYLab hides all worksheet elements such as the function bar, the titlebar, the module bar, the browser, and the info block. In full-screen mode
you start a measurement with <F5> and stop the measurement with
<Ctrl>-F5. Press<Ctrl-F> to leave full-screen mode and to return to the layout window.
If you insert an action module in the worksheet and, for example, connect
it to a button, you can trigger an action in the layout with this button. For
example, you can change the layout, save it as a graphic, or print out
specific layouts for specific measurement situations.

Active and Passive Layout Elements
In the layout you position the layout elements in the workspace, specify
the size, and align the layout elements to each other. DASYLabdifferentiates between the active layout elements such as graphic links
and text links, and the passive layout elements such as text, logos,
frames, and lines.
DASYLab inserts the active layout elements as a link in thelayout. You can include every display module and input
module that the worksheet contains in a graphic link. In text links you
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only can include digital instruments to display measurement values
numerically.
You can zoom in on diagrams, Y/t Chart displays, X/Y Chart displays, andChart Recorder displays in the layout during a measurement. Press the<Ctrl> key and drag open the area with the mouse button. You can zoom
multiple times. To undo the last zoom, press the <Ctrl> key and right-click
the zoomed area.
You can operate input instruments such as the Switch or the slider in thelayout, for example, to execute selected functions in the full-screen
mode.
Passive layout elements are layout labels or decorations and are not linked
to the modules in the worksheet. Passive layout elements are graphicalobjects such as lines, circles, ellipse outlines, rectangles, filled ellipses, or
texts. You can use figures in BMP format or WMF format as a backgroundpicture or as a logo. DASYLab creates a reference to the graphic file but
does not integrate the file in the layout. If you copy a worksheet with alayout to a different computer, you must also copy the graphic files into
the respective folder. If you select Options » Default Folders, you canfind the name and the path of the folder Other.
Use the Text line layout element to include simple titles or comments inthe layout. You can rotate a text line, for example, to position the text
vertically next to a display window. Use the layout element Text block tocreate multiline continuous text. Use variables and strings to display thecurrent time, the date, or other system information in the layout.
Elements on a layout page can be aligned manually or automatically
centered horizontally or vertically, brought to the same height or width,aligned to the grid or evenly distributed.

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Hardware Setup

4

DASYLab supports many standard measurement and control boards andvarious interfaces in order to communicate with external devices. When
you install DASYLab, you select the DASYLab driver for yourmeasurement acquisition board.
DASYLab distinguishes between DLL drivers that you can use in aworksheet with other hardware drivers and default drivers that you
cannot use with other hardware drivers. The sound driver is a default
driver. The NI-DAQmx driver is a DLL driver you can combine with otherdrivers in a measurement.
Specify in the configurator the hardware driver for the device you areusing. The configurator displays the first time when the installation iscomplete in order to, for example, request the license number.

The Configurator
Use the configurator to configure the DASYLab installation according to
your tasks. You can call the configurator any time from the Windows
start menu, for example, to register the driver for a new hardware, toactivate the evaluation version with a valid license number, or to execute
an upgrade.
The configurator in Figure 4-1 lists all packages available on yourcomputer. The list includes different hardware drivers and field bus
systems. The status indicates whether a package already belongs to the
DASYLab installation and the version number indicates how recent the
package is. Click Enable to use the selected package in DASYLab. ClickDisable to remove the selected package from DASYLab. The package is
not disabled or enabled until you click OK.

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Figure 4-1. Available Packages in the Configurator

You can import packages which you receive from the manufacturers or
which you download from the DASYLab website. Packages contain, forexample, all files for a driver or for a function extension, or special
worksheet collections. You also can update packages because a packagewith a higher version number can replace the earlier package.
The DASYLab developer can also use the configurator to create his own
packets. Use the packet definition where you define files and the actions
you need for the installation of your functions.

DLL Driver
DLL drivers have their own interface and can run parallel with otherhardware drivers. Apart from a few exceptions, the hardware drivers
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Hardware Setup
for all DASYLab supported hardware are DLL drivers. After installation,
the modules for NI hardware are on the Modules tab of the browser
under Inputs/Outputs » NI-DAQmx. Open Measurement » Hardware
Setup » NI-DAQmx to configure the hardware. If you want to configure
individual tasks, open Measurement » Measurement Setup » NIDAQmx » Measurement Setup.
The NI-DAQmx driver accesses a configuration program from the
hardware manufacturer. Before you can install the NI-DAQmx driver, youmust install the Measurement Automation Explorer (MAX). The driver
software is supplied with the measurement hardware.

Default DriverDefault drivers use the DASYLab default driver interface because thesedrivers do not have their own interface. If you install several default
drivers, you only can use one default driver at a time. For example, if you
want to measure with the sound card, select Measurement » Driver
Selection » Sound Card (Figure 4-2). Then you must end and restartDASYLab so that DASYLab stores the driver settings.
Figure 4-2. Default Driver for Sound Cards

Everywhere in DASYLab where you can select a Driver or Hardware, you
now find the settings and the modules of the sound card. The soundcard modules are on the Modules tab of the browser under
Inputs/Outputs » Driver.
Open Measurement » Hardware Setup » Driver to configure thehardware.
Open Measurement » Measurement Setup » Driver to configure themeasurement. To open the help for the default driver open Help »Hardware.
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Interfaces
In DASYLab you also can request data over the DDE, TCP/IP, OPC, ODBC,RS232 and IEEE interface from other programs or external devices.

You can exchange data with other programs that run parallel on thesame computer via the DDE interface (Dynamic Data Exchange). The
modules for these interfaces are on the Modules tab of the browser
under Inputs/ Outputs » DDE. DASYLab can request data as a DDE clientor, as a DDE server, can provide data and execute commands.
If DASYLab acts as a DDE server, you must enter the address in themodule:• Application: Name of the DDE server or of the executing program.
Enter DASYLAB.
• Topic: Data area the client accesses. Enter SetData.
• Name: Module name of the DDE input module.
To establish the communication, the server must start first and then theclient. DASYLab transfers the data in ASCII format.

Exchanging Data over TCP/IP
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol andis the basis for the internet and also the intranet. The data source (server)
can be a DASYLab installation that provides data to a higher-ranking
application (client). The modules for these interfaces are on the Modules
tab of the browser under Inputs/Outputs » ICOM.
The Host IP address specifies the communication partner in the network.
You can enter the IP address as a number, such as 111.100.101.111, oras the name of the client such as the computer name or web address. The
transport protocol, such as WWW, POP3, or FTP, determines the portaddress. DASYLab appends the value of the port address to the IP
address with a colon. For example, if you select WWW, DASYLab displays
the IP address as 111.100.101.111:80.
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Using the OPC-DA Client
Use the OPC interface (OLE for Process Control) to connect DASYLab as aclient with field bus systems and other hardware, provided OPC servers
are available as external drivers. DASYLab receives data from registered
OPC servers only. OPC modules are on the Modules tab of the browser
under Inputs/Outputs » OPC-DA Client. DA stands for Data Access.
During a measurement DASYLab requests data from an OPC server or
outputs data to this OPC server. For DASYLab as the client, it is irrelevant
where the OPC server is located. The following situations are possible:• The server is located on the same computer as the client. In this casethe server is called a local server which runs locally on a computerbut in a different address space than the client application. The
communication between the OPC client and the OPC server runs
slower than with an InProcess server, because Windows must
transfer the data from the server process to the client process.
• The server is located on a remote computer and can be accessed overthe network. This is a remote server. The communication between
the OPC client and the OPC server runs slower because Windows
must transfer the data from the server computer to the clientcomputer over a network.

Reading and Writing ODBC Databases
DASYLab reads and writes data and additional information to ODBC(Open Data Base Connectivity) databases via the ODBC interface.
DASYLab can access every database that is registered as a data source,
via the Windows ODBC administrator. The modules for these interfaces
are on the Modules tab of the browser under Files.
The ODBC modules do not have inputs or outputs because DASYLab uses
variables and strings to exchange data. Actions control the dataexchange event-driven.

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The RS232 Interface
Via the RS232 interface DASYLab receives data and text from externalmeasurement devices or sends data and control commands tomeasurement devices that are connected to the serial interface. The
received character strings can contain measurement values and any text
to which DASYLab assigns strings. The RS232 Input module can receive
measurement values and texts on one data channel or on separate datachannels. The RS232 Output module outputs values or character strings
which the module reads from strings and variable. The modules for theseinterfaces are on the Modules tab of the browser under Inputs/Outputs» RS232.
Use the RS232 monitor to configure an external device. You can send
strings and read in measurement values to see immediately whether thedata contains control characters.

The IEEE-488 Interface
DASYLab receives data from hardware connected to IEEE boards via theIEEE-488 interface or DASYLab outputs data via this hardware. The
modules for these interfaces are on the Modules tab of the browser
under Inputs/Outputs » IEEE 488.
You can operate up to 15 measurement devices on one IEEE board. If you
output data to several devices, you must insert a separate IEEE Output
module for each measurement device and in the worksheet each device
must use a different device number.

The IVI Interface
DASYLab receives data from hardware devices, which support the IVIinterface (Interchangeable Virtual Instrument). The modules IVICounter, IVI DCPower, IVI Digital Multimeter, IVI Switch, and IVI Scopeare on the Modules tab of the browser under Inputs/Outputs » IVI.

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Controlling Measurements

5

Controlling Measurements

The data flow and the sequence of the modules in the worksheet
determine the measurement process. You use triggers, input
instruments, controllers, and actions to control the measurement. You
use actions to execute module- specific functions when an event occurs.
DASYLab executes these actions in the background without data channels,
unlike other control modules. During a measurement you can read in,process, and output characteristic values and text from variables andstrings.
A sequence control is a sequence of worksheets that you link via actions.
You use variables and strings to transfer results from one worksheet to
the next worksheet.

Triggering over Control Inputs
Some modules have a control input with which you cantrigger the module or control a function in the module. The
control input is always at the first position in the connection
bar of a module and displays an X with a yellow background.
In the Relay the signal at the control input determines the output of thedata at the inputs. As long as there is a TTL High signal, the relay outputs
the data. The value 0 corresponds to TTL Low and the value 5
corresponds to TTL High. The threshold between TTL Low and TTL High is
1.5, which means that the relay does not output data as long as thevalue at the control input is smaller than 1.5.
The Differentiation/Integration module does not expect a TTL signal at thecontrol input but evaluates the data signal. You can specify different
conditions for starting and ending mathematical calculations in thismodule. Other modules such as Switch, Signal Router, and Select Values
use the signal at the control input as an index to specify the input or the
output.

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Controlling with Actions
The Action module executes event-related, module-specificfunctions such as resetting mathematical calculations,changing the display screen, or stopping the measurement.
Like a trigger module the action module monitors whether theconnected input channels meet the specified conditions. However, whena condition is met, the action module does not output a TTL signal which
influences the data flow in the worksheet, but activates a modulespecific function which runs in the background. Therefore, the action
module has only inputs but no outputs, unlike trigger modules.
For example, you can use an action to print the Chart Recorder display ofa temperature measurement when the temperature exceeds a certain
value. To do so, select Special » Action on the Modules tab of the browser
and connect the input of the Action module with the monitored datachannel Temperature. Open the dialog box to specify the action. First
select the receiver Recorder, then the module specific action Print, andfinally the trigger event Threshold value exceeded. Enter 50 as theThreshold value. When you start the measurement, DASYLab prints thecurrent recorder display as soon as the temperature exceeds 50°C.
You can monitor up to 16 different data channels with one action module
or one data channel for which you can specify up to 16 different actions.
You can select modules, or individual module channels, or DASYLab as
the receiver if you want to execute actions that affect the entire
worksheet. Many actions require additional information such as thename and the path of the data file to be created.
To open an overview of all actions defined in the worksheet, selectOptions » Overview of Actions. The list contains the names of the action
modules, the actions, the trigger events, and the receivers. You can open
a second list that contains only the actions of one action module via
Options » Action List.

Synchronous and Asynchronous ActionsDASYLab differentiates between synchronous and asynchronous actions.
DASYLab executes synchronous actions at the data block that meets thecondition. To do so, the data block must arrive at the action module andthe module that receives the action synchronously and must have the5-2dasylab.com

Controlling Measurements
same block start time. For example, use synchronous actions to print
visualized data in real-time. The synchronization is like an additional
invisible data channel which uses computing time even when DASYLab is
not executing an action.
DASYLab executes asynchronous actions directly after the condition ismet. An asynchronous action influences the data block processed by the
executing module. This need not be the data block that triggered theaction. Use asynchronous actions when the action is independent of thedata to be processed, for example, connecting and disconnecting
channels to display modules.
DASYLab executes asynchronous actions fast. If DASYLab does not trigger
an action, asynchronous actions do not need extra computing time, except
for the monitoring of the input channels.

Control Sequencer
Use the control sequencer as a worksheet test executive. The sequencer
connects worksheets and controls the sequence of worksheets using
actions. For example, use a sequencer to run different tests withdifferent worksheets in one experiment. The first worksheet generates
calibration settings and transfers these settings to the next worksheet.
Then the second worksheet controls the measurement acquisition andsaves the measurement values in a file. Finally the last worksheet
analyzes and displays the measurement values.
To create a sequencer for this test, click Sequencer on the function
bar. DASYLab opens the sequencer program window. Right-click
the Unknown root entry and select New Worksheet from the context
menu. For example, load the Calibration worksheet. Then load theworksheets Measure and Analyze consecutively. Right-click the firstworksheet Calibration and select Set Start Worksheet.
Then create the actions that control the worksheet sequence. Right-click
the Calibration worksheet and select New Action from the context
menu. Select the condition that the value of the variable VAR_101
changes and then select the action Load and start of the
Measurement worksheet. Then create a second similar action whichloads and starts the worksheet Analysis due to a value change of the
VAR_2 variable.
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worksheet. The calibration runs until an action in this worksheet assigns
a new value to the VAR_101 variable. Then DASYLab loads the Measure
worksheet and runs the measurement until the variable VAR_102
receives a new value. DASYLab loads the Analyze worksheet anddisplays the measured values in the open display windows.
The sequencer window shows the worksheets and the actions in a tree
display as in Figure 5-1. Use the context menu to enter comments about
each worksheet that explain the sequence and appear with theworksheet name in the sequencer tree. The worksheet that starts thesequencer is additionally labeled Start. The condition and the function
to execute is specified behind each action.
Figure 5-1. Sequencer for Calibration and Analysis

Move the worksheets in the sequencer window to change the sequence.
Move an action to create a copy of the action. Use the context menu todelete worksheets and actions and to edit actions.
To save the sequence, click Save on the function bar of the sequencer.
DASYLab saves sequences with the filename extension dsq. If you executea sequence on another computer, you must copy the current worksheets
into the folder specified on the target computer under Options » Default »Folders. A DSQ file contains only references to the worksheets.
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Controlling Measurements

Global Strings and VariablesDASYLab provides 999 variables and strings in order to read, to change, andto transfer individual values and text stings during a measurement. For
example, you can read the number of processed values in the Statistical
Values module, you can specify the number of classes in the Histogram
Classification module, or you can specify the file and path and change
them during a measurement in the Write Data module.
You can use a variable or a string for most module settings for which you
usually enter a value or a text. Right-click the input field and selectGlobal Variable or Global String. DASYLab opens the overview where you
select a variable or a string. When you select the first free variable,DASYLab specifies the identifier ${VAR_1}. When you select the first
free string, DASYLab specifies the identifier ${STR_1}. In addition to thefree variables and strings you can use system variables such as themeasurement time ${ELAPSED_TIME}, and system strings such as thecurrent date ${DATE}.
DASYLab offers a selection of variable numbers for module settings thatwrite a value into a variable. Select an index number for the variables tobe used.
Select Options » Global Variables and Strings » Global Variable/String
Overview for an overview of variables and strings. Folders with free andused variables or strings are listed on the left side of the tree display. If
you click a variable, the table on the right lists the definition of thisvariable. If you open the tree on the left further, you find the folder withthe accessing modules and the read and write data channels. If morethan one data channel writes into the same variable, a red folder symbol
warns of write conflicts.
If you want to assign a value manually to a variable during ameasurement, open Options » Global Variables and Strings » Define
Global Variables. To assign a text to a string, open Options » Global
Variables and Strings » Define Global Strings. In these dialog boxes you
also can edit the default configuration of variables and strings before andafter a measurement. For example, you can assign names to variables
and strings, which DASYLab displays instead of the system names. You
can select several variables and strings to assign the same value to thesevariables and strings.
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DASYLab saves the definitions of the variables and strings together withthe worksheet. For other worksheets to use these configurations, selectOptions » Global Variables and Strings » Export Global Variable/String
to export the variables and strings into a file with the filename extension.var. If you want to import the configuration, select Options » Global
Variables and Strings » Import Global Variable/String in the target
worksheet and enter the same VAR file. You cannot edit VAR files
because these files have a binary format.
If you want to transfer only the value of a variable or of a string from one
worksheet to the next, enable the settings Write to INI file whenmeasurement stops or Read from INI file when measurement starts in
the global variable or global strings definition dialog box. When themeasurement stops, DASYLab saves the last value of the variable or of
the string in this INI file in order to read them when a new worksheet
starts. To do so, both worksheets must contain these variables andstrings.

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Programming Your Own Modules

6

Programming Your Own
Modules

In DASYLab, modules are function units. The module is the container inwhich the functions are embedded. The worksheet combines several
modules in order to acquire, scale, analyze, and display data. You
configure the modules to tailor the functions to your application.
The script module enables you to program functions yourself. To do so,
the script module offers the container, which has no functions. You
create the functions with a script which can run in this container. For
example, you can create module inputs and module outputs formeasurement hardware not supported by default. You can program
mathematical functions for a processing module in order to analyze data.
However, you cannot create visualization modules as a script module.

Using the Script Module
The script module is in the Special modules group in thebrowser. If you select the module in the browser and drag it
into the worksheet, the dialog box Predefined Settings
opens. The predefined settings specify the number of inputs and outputs
and their connections. This specifies the tasks for which you want to use
the module. Modules that read data from a file and pass this data on to theworksheet, only need outputs. Modules that receive data from theworksheet and write this data into a file, only need inputs. Modules thatprocess data need inputs and outputs.
After you have specified the predefined settings, DASYLab creates ascript module. DASYLab saves the predefined settings as binary data inthe module, which means you cannot view or change the predefinedsettings. At the same time the script which you want to create must be
based on these predefined settings. For example, you cannot load ascript for an output module into an input module later on.
In the script module you now specify the type of data to be processed.
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Double-click the module and select Channel Properties. In the channel
properties dialog box you specify which data the script module accepts at
its inputs and which data the module outputs. If the module processes
only continuous time data, you do not need to make any settings. If themodule processes spectral data or histogram data, or if the data has gaps
or data blocks that differ in length, you must change the settings. The
channel properties impact all data channels of the module. Like all
DASYLab modules, the script module can contain up to 16 data channels
which you can specify in the script together with the block size and thesampling rate of the data.
DASYLab saves the channel properties as binary data in the script
module. However, you can view and change the channel properties while
you develop your module. As soon as you export the module and include
it in the application, DASYLab closes this access.
Like all DASYLab modules, the script module has a channel bar where you
select the data channels before a measurement. The settings are on two
tabs: Channel for the channel settings and Module for the module
specific settings. The first time you open the module dialog box, you findthe three parameters a, b, and c on the two tabs . These parameters
are placeholders for the settings which you still have to define in thescript.

Programming a Script
You program the functionality of the script module in a script. Click Edit in
the module dialog box to create a script on several tabs. Each tab
represents a specific module function which the module calls at specific
events such as the start of the measurement or opening the module
dialog box. The following overview is a list of the individual module
functions:• info, pvar — These module functions provide variables which specify
the module properties. In info you initialize the variables whichDASYLab saves with the worksheet. In pvar you create temporary
variables which are only available during the measurement.
• DlgInit, DlgEvent, DlgOK, DlgCancel — These module functions
specify the settings in the module dialog box. In DlgInit you specify thesettings for the module and for each channel. In DlgEvent you define
the dependencies between the settings, for example, in order tofirst select the Color and then enable the color selection. In DlgOK
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Programming Your Own Modules
you transfer the values the user entered into the module to thevariables when the user clicks OK. In DlgCancel you reset themodule initializations if the user clicks Cancel.
• SetupFifo — This module function specifies the channel propertiesof the data blocks. In SetupFifo you check whether the module canprocess the incoming data and transfer the properties of the data to
be output to the subsequent modules. If the module has no inputs,
the output channels receive the default values. If the module has no
inputs, DASYLab does not call the SetupFifo.
• ProcessData, ProcessValue — These module functions process thedata. DASYLab calls the main function ProcessData regularly during
the measurement in order to read or process data from ameasurement hardware or to write the data into a file, or to output
data to the measurement hardware. ProcessData can call Process
Value in order to process single values.
• Start, Stop — These module functions refer to the measurement. In
Start you define the measurement preparation and in Stop themeasurement feedback.
• Load, Save — These module functions specify the loading and savingof the module in the worksheet. In Load you prepare the module forthe measurement. In Save you prepare the module for the storage.
• Create, Delete — These module functions specify how the script
module is created and deleted in the worksheet. In Create you
specify the number of inputs and outputs and also the channel
assignment. In Delete you define clean up operations such as closing
files or disconnecting hardware.
You program the individual module functions in the Python programming
language. Python has a simple syntax and a complex command structure.
DASYLab provides special script functions for data handling, channel
definitions, and the settings in the module dialog box. During the
programming process, you test the functionality of your module in theworksheet and save the module with the worksheet.
If you have programming experience, you can also edit the script in an
external editor. In an external editor you can view the complete script anduse the editing functions of the selected editor for programming. Click
Use External Editor in the module dialog box and save the script as a file.
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DASYLab creates a text file with the filename extension .py. In themodule you can no longer edit the script you saved externally. Instead you
must load the script file into the module in order to test the programmed
module functions. If you use the script file in a different script module,
this module must have the same predefined settings and channel
settings as the original script module. You select the external editor in theconfigurator.

Exporting a Script Module
The reason for programming script modules is to have new modules in
DASYLab. Users can select the new modules in the browser andconfigure them after inserting them in the worksheet. If you want toshare a script module with another user, you must export the script withthe programmed script. You then generate a script package from one orseveral exported script modules and register this script package in
DASYLab.
In the first step, you double-click the script module and select Export.
DASYLab opens the export dialog box with the basic settings and theoptional additions. Enter, for example, UserFunction on the Basic
Settings tab as the name for the module and select the module group
Special. Specify the folder in which DASYLab saves all files for the newmodule. On the Additions tab you can assign a help file and a graphics
symbol to the module.
Note Note that entries and filenames are case-sensitive.
Python as well as DASYLab differentiate between names that are
only lower case and those that are also upper case(newmodules<>NewModules).

In the second step, you open Options » Create Script Package and enter
the name of the script package (MyModule), the source folder with theexported script modules, and the destination folder for the script
package. In the destination folder, DASYLab creates a script package withthe filename extension .dly (MyModule.dly). A script package issimilar to a function library.
In the third step, you register the generated script package in DASYLab. An
entry in dasylab.ini in the [Extend] section is sufficient to test
the script package on the test computer. Enter the name of the package
and the filename extension, for example, DLL5=MyModule.dly. If you
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Programming Your Own Modules
Special in the browser. If you insert the module in the worksheet andopen the module dialog box, the properties you programmed in themodule function DlgInit are on the tabs Module and Channel. Only the
buttons OK, Cancel, and Help remain from those of the editable script
module. All functions for editing a script have otherwise disappeared.
Use the configurator to install your own modules on a different
computer. Use the action Slot to generate a package definition for the
new module. This action not only copies the script package
MyModule.dly on the destination computer into the DASYLab folder,but also inserts the required entry into the dasylab.ini at a free
position in the [Extend] section. Finally, create a configurator packagewith the filename extension .dlp. The user then only has to double-click
this configurator package on the destination computer in order to add
the new module to the already installed DASYLab.

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Configuring the Data Flow

7

Configuring the Data FlowDASYLab transports data in the worksheet in blocks from module tomodule. DASYLab does not output a data block to the next module until
the current data block is completely filled with data. DASYLabdistinguishes measurement data, which are from the measurement
devices and data sources and which most modules output, spectral data
which are the result of a fast Fourier transform, and histogram data
which contain the count results of a classification. DASYLab outputs atime stamp, the sampling rate, and the block size with every data block.
The size of the data blocks and the sampling rate determine theprocessing speed, which in turn determines the data flow in the block
diagram. The Block size specifies how many values a data block contains.
The Sampling rate specifies how fast DASYLab generates data or requests
the measurement values from the board. The Response time in the block
diagram depends on the ratio between the block size and the samplingrate. Table 7-1 lists the response times for some block sizes and sampling
rates.
Table 7-1. Response Time
Block Size

Sampling rate
(1/Second)

Response time
(Second)

1

1

1

1

1000

1000

1

0,0
01
1000

The response time specifies the period of time in which DASYLab accesses all modules in a worksheet. Depending on the size of the work-sheet
and the computer power, DASYLab cannot undershoot a certain limit.
If, for example, the worksheet comprises 100 modules and the specified
block size to sampling rate ratio is 0.001 s, DASYLab must process 100
modules in 1 millisecond. This leaves each module 10 microseconds toprocess its data. DASYLab aborts the process because the time is too
short.
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Note The smaller the ratio between block size and sampling rateis, the more often the worksheet gets updated. Use a ratio of
0.1 s to 1s.

Click Measurement Setup on the function bar to specify the sampling
rate and the block size. You can specify the sampling rate and the block sizein the measurement settings dialog box or you only specify the sampling
rate and DASYLab specifies the block size as shown in Figure 7-1. If you do nothave hardware installed, DASYLab uses the computer clock as the timer. If
you specify a default driver under Measurement » Select Driver, you can use
the hardware clock. The settings Driver buffer, Analog output, and Digital
output also refer to the default driver.
Figure 7-1. Measurement Settings of the Default Driver

Depending on the installed hardware, DASYLab provides further
timers apart from the system clock and the default driver clock.
Click Time Base Setup on the function bar to view the tabs of the available
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Configuring the Data Flowtimers and to change them. The DASYLab tab contains the system clock
settings. The Driver tab contains the default driver settings. If you install
DLL drivers with individual sampling rates such as NI-CAN or instruNet,
the time base settings dialog box also contains the tabs NI-CAN and
instruNet.

Optimizing Processing Time
The overall operating performance of DASYLab depends on the hardware
resources of the computer, on the data acquisition device, and on thecomplexity of the worksheet. The following section provides tips on how
to increase the DASYLab operating speed.
• Increase the amount of memory (RAM) on your computer. If you
often write into the Windows swap file, your system slows down.
• The more powerful your computer is, the higher the sampling rates
can be.
• Disable unnecessary display functions, such as the grid display in thedisplay windows.
• Enable the fixed time base setting in the Axes menu.
• If you measure with a high sampling rate (for example, to process
high frequencies with an FFT), you preserve DASYLab resources if you
use the Separate module. To do so, insert the Separate module,
which only lets every hundredth data block pass between themodules Analog Input and FFT. DASYLab calculates an FFT for every
hundredth data block, which includes high frequencies due to thehigh sampling rate.
If the measurement does not require an online display, you can first savethe data in a file and later read and evaluate the data off-line.

Significant Digits
The accuracy with which DASYLab process data depends on thetransferred data type. The modules usually work with the 8-byte double
data type. The accuracy of the double data type is altogether 15 places.

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Module Groups

Module Groups
Twelve module groups with related modules contain the DASYLabfunctions. The appendix provides an overview of the available modules
and their functions. The installed DASYLab license determines which
modules are available. Modules that are not part of your license aredimmed in the browser. Refer to your DASYLab vendor to extend yourDASYLab license.

The Input/Output Modules GroupThe input/output modules group contains the hardware modules of theinstalled hardware driver, and the interface modules for communication
with external devices and programs.
For example, if you have installed the NI-DAQmx driver for NI hardware,
the associated modules are in the sub-folder NI DAQmx.
If you have installed the DAP driver for Microstar Laboratories hardware,
the associated modules are in the sub-folder DAP. If you have installed
the sound driver, you can select the sound driver under Measurement »Select Driver and access the associated modules in the sub- folder
Driver.
The interface modules are in sub-folders with respective names. The
subfolder OPC DA Client contains the modules OPC Input and OPC
Output to exchange data with OPC servers, which are registered on the
network or the local computer, via the OPC interface.
The sub-folder DDE contains the modules DDE Input and DDE Output toexchange data and commands with other programs via the DDEinterface.
The sub-folder ICom contains the modules ICom Input and ICom© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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Output to exchange data and text in a network via the TCP/IP interface.
The sub-folder ModBus contains analog modules and digital modules tocommunicate with PLCs via the ModBus protocol.
The sub-folder RS232 contains the modules RS232 Input and RS232
Output to exchange data and text with external measurement devices thatare connected to the serial interface.
The sub-folder IEEE 488 contains the modules IEEE488 Input andIEEE488 Output to exchange data with external measurement
devices connected to IEEE boards.
The sub-folder IVI contains the modules IVI Counter, IVI DCPower, IVI
Digital Multimeter, IVI Switch, and IVI Scope which are based on therespective class specifications of the IVI foundation.

The Trigger Functions ModulesGroup
The trigger functions modules group contains various trigger modules tocontrol the data flow in the worksheet with conditions. When thecondition is met, trigger modules output a TTL signal.
The Pre-/Post-Trigger module continuously monitors whether datachannels exceed limit values whereas the Start/Stop Trigger module
checks when data channels exceed a limit value the first time. The Combi
Trigger module continuously monitors the start condition and then thestop condition of data channels.
The Sample Trigger module continuously monitors the duration of
trigger events, whereas the Trigger on Demand module monitors theincrease or decrease of successive measurement values.
The Relay module outputs the connected data channels when a trigger
input or an action meets the condition. Unlike the other trigger modules,
the module does not output TTL signals.

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Module Groups

The Mathematics Modules GroupThe mathematics modules group contains modules to process datachannels mathematically.
Use the Formula Interpreter to define your own formulas, to calculate
data channels, and to combine several data channels with each other. In
the Arithmetic module, you select predefined functions to calculate one
data channel or to link two channels. The Trigonometry module uses
trigonometric functions for data channels and the Differentiation/
Integration module differentiates or integrates data channels.
To scale data channels you can use various modules: linear scaling,scaling with table of reference points, thermocouple linearization,
PT100/NI100 linearization, and offset adjustment.
The Comparator module compares one channel with a constant or twochannels with each other and outputs a TTL level if the values are similar,
equal, or greater. The Logical Operations module links TTL signals toeach other. The Flip Flop module provides the functionality of various
flip flops (D-Flip Flop, JK-Flip Flop, RS-Flip Flop, and Monoflop).
The Bit Mask module converts measurement values into binary numbers
in order to shift bits or to combine bits and to output the new values. The
Gray Code module uses the gray code to decode the angle encoder
signals.
Use the Slope Limitation module, for example, to cut off peaks in a datachannel caused by outliers. The Reference Curve module calculates atolerance range for data channels and saves the mean values and thevalues of the maximum and minimum curve in a file that the statistics
module Check Reference Curve and the display module Chart Recorderuse.

The Statistics Modules GroupThe statistics modules group contains modules for the statisticalevaluation of data channels.
The Statistical Values module calculates characteristic values for eachdata block, such as the standard deviation, the variance, the mean value,
the minimum value, and the maximum value. To recognize and to output
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which, unlike the Statistical Values module, can determine several
extreme values in one data block.
The Regression module calculates polynomials for approximation curves
for the incoming data. The Counter module counts data and events, suchas extreme values or level crossings, and rising or falling edges. The Sort
Channels module sorts values in data channels in ascending ordescending order. The Select Values module filters out single values
based on their position in the data block.
The Check Reference Curvechecks whether data channels lie withina tolerance range. The Pulse Analysis module evaluates pulse widthmodulated signals statistically.
The Histogram Classification module calculates the single frequencies orcumulative frequencies of the measurement values within specifiedclasses. The Rainflow Classification moduleruns classifications with one
parameter or two parameters. Use the Two Channel Classification
module for two-dimensional counting procedures, for example, to createa diagram of bearing load rotational frequencies.

The Signal Analysis Modules GroupThe signal analysis modules group contains modules for calculating
frequency components of signals or for analyzing the similarity of signals.
The FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) module transfers signals from the time
domain into the frequency domain. You can calculate real FFTs orcomplex FFTs, or you can calculate an inverse FFT to transfer a signal
from the frequency domain into the time domain. The FFT Filter module
filters specific frequency components from the results of an FFT, whereas
the modules FFT Maximum and nHarmonic search for maximum values in
the FFT results. Use the Data Window module to multiply data channels
with non-periodic signals with a window function to prepare the datachannels for an FFT.
The Third/Octave Analysis module adds up the amplitude values of the
FFT in standardized logarithmic frequency intervals in order to determine
the volume in frequency ranges instead of the amplitude of eachindividual frequency.
The Digital Filter module filters data channels with digital IIR filters. The
Correlation module uses the cross correlation to calculate the statisticalsimilarity of two data channels and uses auto-correlation to calculate
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Module Groups
how well a data channel matches a time-shifted version of itself.
The Period Check module uses a specified zero line or reference line tosearch for the first zero crossing of a signal.
The Harmonic Distortion calculates in the frequency range the amplitude
and the phase of the fundamental frequency and up to 48 harmonicfrequencies.
The Electro Technical Characteristics module performs calculations from
two incoming current and voltage data channels for example, the power,
the phase angle, or the input frequencies.
The Polar/Cartesian module converts polar coordinates into cartesian
coordinates and vice versa.
The Resample module converts vibrations at a rotating axis into therotation angle, for example, the vibrations of an engine shaft.

The Control Modules GroupThe control modules group contains modules for generating signals, forcontrolling the data flow in the worksheet, and for executing control
functions.
The Generator module generates various signals such as rectangularsignals, sine signals, or sawtooth signals. The Sequence Generator
module generates time-dependent, analog set points and digital control
commands with a user-defined program. Use the modules Switch, Slider,and Coded Switch to enter data manually during a measurement.
The Time Delay module outputs incoming data channels with a timedelay. The TTL Pulse Generator generates TTL signals time-dependent inorder to control processes. The Stop module terminates themeasurement.
The Latch module outputs the last data value continuously, event-driven,or after a signal at the control input. Use the Collection module to add or
remove several single values of a data channel to a cache, designed as
Stack or Queue. The Signal Router module distributes incoming data
values event-driven onto several outputs.
Use the modules PID Control and Two-Point Control to control processes.
The Write Global Variable module saves the incoming measurement
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strings. The Read Global Variable module outputs values of variables tothe worksheet.
The State Machine module outputs the last data value continuously,
event-driven, or after a signal at the control input. The Signal Routermodule distributes incoming data values event-driven onto several
outputs.

The Display Modules GroupThe display modules group contains modules for displaying
measurement values and results as complete blocks in separate display
windows or in a layout. You also can configure the display window during
the measurement.
The modules Chart Recorder, Y/t Chart, and X/Y Chart display datachannels as curves. During the measurement you can zoom, scroll, andmeasure these curves with cursor lines.
The Diagram module displays data channels as a Chart Recorder, a Y/t
Chart, or as an X/Y Chart. You can group curves in axes systems as you
like, and zoom and measure the curves offline.
The Polar Plot module displays pairs of data channels such as themeasured volume around a dummy head and the corresponding angles
as curves in a polar diagram.
The modules Digital Meter and List display data channels numerically.
Use the bar display of the Bar Graph module and the pointer display of
the Analog Meter to display slow procedures. The Analog Meters, Bar
Graphs, and Status Displays are freely scalable and help visualize
procedural operations on test stands.

The Files Modules GroupThe files modules group contains modules for reading and saving data.
The Write Data module saves data in ASCII, ASCII CSV, DASYLab, DIAdem
DAT, Famos DAT Version 2, NI-TDM/NI-TDM-Streaming Format and IEEE32-Bit file format.
The Read Data module reads ASCII, DASYLab, Flex4, IEEE-32-Bit and NI
TDM/TDMS file formats.
The ODBC Input module reads data from ODBC databases.
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Module Groups
The ODBC Output module writes data into ODBC databases.
The Backup Data module archives already saved data on external
storage media.

The Data Reduction Modules GroupThe data reduction modules group contains modules for reducing large
data quantities to specified characteristic values or data sections.
The modules Average and Block Average reduce data blockwise to meanvalues or to extreme values.
Use the Separate module if the sampling rates are high in order to output
just one value from each data block or to output just one data block after anumber of rejected data blocks. The Cut Out module outputs only aspecific number of the first values in every data block.
The Multiplexer module combines several data channels into one datachannel whereas the Demultiplexer module distributes one data channel
onto several data channels either value-wise or blockwise.
The Signal Switch module changes the data input either time-controlled
or amplitude-controlled in order to only output data of the active datachannel. The Circular Buffer module saves incoming data and outputs
the data event-driven. In contrast the Shift Register module collects thevalues of every data block and then outputs the new data block eventdriven.

The Network Modules GroupThe network modules group contains modules for exchanging data andmessages in networks. If your installation includes the DASYLab net license,
you can use up to 32 network modules in one worksheet.
Multiple DASYLab programs that are installed on different computers in
one network can communicate using the modules Net Input and Net
Output. Use the Message module to create messages or warnings which
you can send via the Message Output module to a Message Input
module in the worksheet on another computer in the network.
The modules DataSocket Import and DataSocket Export exchange
data with OPC servers and NI DataSocket servers.

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The Special Modules GroupThe special modules group contains various modules with special
functions such as black boxes and actions.
Use the Empty Black Box module to create sub-worksheets in order tostructure complex worksheets and to increase the possible number ofmodules in the worksheet. The Black Box module communicates withthe worksheet using the modules Export and Import, which can only be
used with black boxes.
Use the Action module to control event-driven procedures in theworksheet modules and to create sequence controls. Use the Message
module to visualize and to document the defined actions on yourcomputer. You send messages with the E-Mail module.
The Time Base module generates time data or extracts time data fromdata channels and the Signal Adaptation module synchronizes datachannels with different sampling rates to a common time base.
The Script module offers the basis for creating a module with userdefined functions. You program the functions and properties in Python
and register the exported script packages in DASYLab.
Use the Flagbender module to change the channel types and channel
flags passed to the output channels.

The Add-On Modules GroupThe add-on modules group contains modules that were created with the
DASYLab Extension Toolkit. You can purchase the add-on modules andinstall the respective DLLs (Dynamic Link Library), or you can create yourown modules with the Extension Toolkit in order to extend the DASYLabfunctionality.
The Convolution module weights a time function with other timefunctions, for example, to filter the signal. The Weighting module
evaluates data blocks. The Transfer module uses the input signal and theoutput signal to calculate the properties of the interjacent, linear, andtime-invariant transfer system.
The Universal Filter eliminates distorting frequency components withuser- defined digital filters. The Save Universal File module saves data in
the Universal File Format 58.
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Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks
The following tips and tricks are designed to help you create and process
worksheets:• Order the modules on the screen neatly.
• Create short connections between the modules and avoid
superfluous channel branches and channel crossings so that you canfollow the data flow in the worksheet.
• Try to keep all channels that go from one module to the next parallelor bundled.
• Include as many channels as possible in a single display module. A
Status Display module with 16 data channels requires lesscomputing power than 16 individual Status Display modules.
• Label your modules so that others can easily understand thefunctions and tasks of the modules.
• Save the development steps of your worksheets in files withsuccessive names. This allows you to go back to a previous
development step.
• Use black boxes to store tested subsets of the worksheet. This
creates a library of functions that you can re-use in otherworksheets.
• If you work with many black box modules, configure each with adifferent background color. For example, choose darker colors thedeeper the black box lies in the worksheet.

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Troubleshooting
The following section deals with frequently asked questions:

A worksheet is not loaded
I cannot load a worksheet I saved earlier. I am using the same
hardware, but DASYLab reports that this worksheet does not match the
installed hardware.
DASYLab does not save the measurement board settings with theworksheet. If you made changes to your board settings since you last ran
the worksheet, DASYLab cannot recognize or reset the changes. In order
to use the worksheet again, you must restore the hardware settings tomatch the worksheet. For example, switch the board from 8 DIFF to 16
SE and if necessary, reactivate the expansion boards that were active
when you saved the worksheet.

Real time output – yes or no?
I want to connect a Switch module to a digital output. Should I selectthe Output in real time option?
Whether or not you select this option depends on the output modesetting of the digital output module. If the output is set to synchronous,
output in real time must be enabled. If the output is asynchronous,
output in real time can be disabled.
If Output in real time is not active, the data is generated as fast as
possible, usually faster than the synchronous digital output can process
the data. If the switch is toggled, the output first processes all the data
held back before the change can take effect.
If the output is asynchronous, the data is processed as quickly as it isreceived;the data is not held back in the same way.
This tip applies also to any module that generates data (slider, generator,
Switch) and is output to an analog output on the acquisition board.

Maximum worksheet size?
I want to build a complex worksheet and only can insert 256 modules in
the worksheet. How can I insert more modules?
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Tips and Tricks
Use the Black Box module to create one or more sub-worksheets. You
can find a black box under Modules » Special. You can create up to 256
modules in a black box like in the main worksheet. You can insert a blackbox just like any other module. Double-click the black box to open a subworksheet. Use the Import/Export Modules to exchange data with thelevel above.

Only 16 branches on a data channel?
I need to use a channel more than 16 times. How can I create morethan 16 branches?
Use a mathematics module with the NOP function (No Operation).
Connect one of the data channel branches to this module and use theoutputs for 16 more branches.

The display is too slow!
My worksheet takes too long to display the acquired data in thedisplay windows. What can cause that?
The following factors can slow down the display considerably:• Your block size is too big for the sampling rate.
• You configured a separate module in such a way that it ignores alarge number of blocks. You will not see a response until the next
data block passes. The time behavior is the same in block-wise andsample-wise separation.
• The average module is configured to average blockwise and you did
not change the output block size to reflect the data reduction. The
output blocksize also affects a consecutive separate module that
executes a data-reduction blockwise.
• You have specified a very high value for No. of blocks in themodules Histogram or Statistical Values. The module needs a longtime to output the data.
• If the hardware is incorrectly configured, data may not displayed
because the hardware is not acquiring data. Check the hardware
settings, especially the board type, the base address, the IRQ
channel, and possibly the DMA channel.

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Tips and Tricks

Index

A
Action .................................... 5-2
asynchronous ...................5-2
Change Layout ................3-12
synchronous .....................5-2
Analog Meter ........................3-8

B
Bar Graph ..............................3-8
Black Box ...............................2-6
close ..................................2-7
insert ......................... 2-7, 2-8
save ................................... 2-7
block size ...............................7-1

C
calculation.............................1-6
formula .............................1-6
Formula Interpreter .........1-7
Channel bar...........................1-2
Channel properties ...............6-3
Chart Recorder .....................3-4
Coded switch ......................3-10
Configurator..........................4-1
Configuring Modules ............2-4
Control Input
Diff./Integration ...............5-1

Relay ................................. 5-1
Controllingwith Actions ...................... 5-2
with Control Input ............ 5-1
Create layouts .................... 3-10

D
DAP Box ................................ 2-8
Data Channel
Blackbox............................ 2-7
combine ............................ 2-7
create ................................ 2-5
delete ................................ 2-3
disabled ............................ 2-6
data flow ............................... 2-2
Data Flow .............................. 7-1
Data Source .......................... 2-2
Defining Measurements....... 2-1
Diagram ................................ 3-3
digital meter ......................... 3-9
Digital Meter......................... 3-8
displaycolors ................................ 1-4
Digital Meter .................... 1-8
Y/t Chart ........................... 1-4
your measurement........... 1-1
Display Modules ................... 3-3
Display Windows .................. 3-1
Documentation Frame ......... 2-2
create ................................ 2-2
edit .................................... 2-2© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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G

M

Getting Started .....................1-1

Measurement Setup ............. 7-2
moduleinserting ............................ 2-2
ModuleBrowser............................. 2-4
connecting ........................ 2-3
Data Channel .................... 2-3
Go to ................................. 2-4
Navigator .......................... 2-4
replace .............................. 2-3
module bar ........................... 2-4
Module bar
edit .................................... 2-4
Modules Group
Add-On............................. A-8
Control ............................. A-5
Data Reduction ................ A-7
Display ............................. A-6
Files .................................. A-6
Input/Output ................... A-1
Mathematics ................... A-3
Network ........................... A-7
Signal Analysis ................. A-4
Special ....................... 5-2, A-8
Statistics........................... A-3
Trigger .............................. A-2
Multiplexer/Demultiplexer .. 2-7

H
HardwareConfigurator .....................4-1
NI-DAQmx .........................4-3
Setup .................................4-1
Sound Card .......................4-3

I
Input Instruments
Switch, Slider ....................3-1
Interface
DDE.................................... 4-4
ICOM .................................4-4
IEEE488 .............................4-6
IVI ...................................... 4-6
ODBC .................................4-5
OPC.................................... 4-5
RS232 ................................4-6

L
LayoutCreate..............................3-11
Elements .........................3-12
Settings ...........................3-12
Toolbar............................3-11
List ......................................... 3-8

N
numeric data ........................ 1-8

O
Optimizing Processing Time . 7-3

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Tips and Tricks

P

TTL Signals............................. 3-9

Polar Plot...............................3-7
PythonScript ........................ A-8

V
Visualisation ......................... 3-1

S
Sampling rate........................7-1
SavingMeasurement Data ........1-10
Worksheets .....................1-11
Slider ...................................3-10
Status Display .......................3-9
Switch .................................... 3-9

TTime Base
Setup .................................7-2
ToolbarLayout .............................3-11
Troubleshooting .................. B-2

W
worksheetcreate ................................ 1-2
hardware independent .... 1-2
Write data ........................... 1-10

X
X/Y Chart ............................... 3-7

Y
Y/t Chart ................................ 3-5© National Instruments Ireland Resources Limited

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