11/21/2024 3:03:22 AM	ELEC 180 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ELEC 180	Title:  LABVIEW FOR TECHNICIANS
Full Title:  Lab VIEW for Technicians
Last Reviewed:9/23/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	43.75
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	1.50		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	26.25
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	4.00			Contact Total	70.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  87.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

Students will learn the fundamentals of computerized data acquisition and programmable instrument control using National Instruments LabVIEW graphical programming software, covering topics such as building Virtual Instruments (VIs), using control structures, working with analog and digital signal generators, performing signal processing and analysis, creating charts and graphs, and implementing instrument control and data acquisition, with an introduction to circuit simulation using National Instruments Multisim

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will learn the fundamentals of computerized data acquisition and programmable instrument control using National Instruments LabVIEW graphical programming software, covering topics such as building Virtual Instruments (VIs), using control structures, working with analog and digital signal generators, performing signal processing and analysis, creating charts and graphs, and implementing instrument control and data acquisition, with an introduction to circuit simulation using National Instruments Multisim

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Design and build VIs.

2. Perform signal generation and measurement using LabVIEW data acquisition tools.

3. Identify and correct VI program errors.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. View pre-existing virtual instruments in LabVIEW.

2. Design and build virtual instruments using the LabVIEW environment.

3. Identify and correct virtual instrument program errors.

4. Design and build sub virtual instruments.

5. Design and build virtual instruments that employ conditional and repetitive control structures.

6. Create array controls and indicators.

7. Create and customize waveform charts and graphs.

8. Generate and measure analog and digital signals by using the data acquisition tools in LabVIEW.

9. Create string manipulation functions.

10. Write to and read data from a file.

11. Design and build virtual instrumentation for signal generation and processing.

12. Detect, configure, and control an external instrument using LabVIEW.

13. Simulate electronic circuitry using Multisim.

Topics and Scope

I. LabVIEW Basics

    A. The LabVIEW environment

    B. Opening, loading, and saving virtual instruments

II. Virtual Instruments (VIs)

    A. The front panel

    B. The block diagram

    C. Building a VI

    D. Data flow programming

III. Editing and Debugging Virtual Instruments

    A. Editing techniques

         1. Creating controls and indicators on the block diagram

         2. Selecting, moving, and resizing objects

         3. Selecting and deleting wires

    B. Debugging Techniques

         1. Finding errors

         2. Single stepping through VIs and subVIs

         3. Breakpoint and probes

IV. Sub VI

    A. Editing the icon and connector

    B. Using a VI as a sub VI

    C. Creating a sub VI

V. Structures

    A. The for loop

    B. The while loop

    C. Shift registers and feedback nodes

    D. Case structures

    E. Common problems in wiring structures

VI. Arrays and Clusters

    A. Arrays

    B. Creating arrays with loops

    C. Array functions

    D. Clusters

VII. Charts and Graphs

    A. Waveform charts and graphs

    B. XY graphs

    C. Customizing charts and graphs

VIII. Data Acquisition (DAQ)

    A. Components of a DAQ system

    B. Types of signals

    C. Analog to digital conversions

    D. DAQ hardware configuration

    E. Analog input/output

    F. Digital input/output

IX. String and File Input/Output (I/O)

    A. String conversions

    B. File I/O

    C. Analysis

    D. Signal generation

    E. Signal processing

X. Instrument Control

    A. Components of an instrument control system

    B. Detecting and configuring instruments

    C. Instrument drivers

XI. Multisim Basics

    A. Open and run existing Multisim files

    B. Using the Multisim tools

XII. Laboratory Topics

    A. Using the LabVIEW environment

    B. Programming a simple VI

    C. Editing and debugging techniques

    D. Using a sub VI

    E. Programming control structures

    F. Using arrays and clusters

    G. Using a DAQ system

    H. File input and output

    I.  Controlling an Instrument

Assignments:

Lecture-Related Assignments:

1. Assigned reading (20-35 pages per week)

2. Computer programs and documentation (3 per week)

3. Quizzes (2-4)

4. Final project: Create a VI computer program and associated documents

 

Lab-Related Assignments:

1. Laboratory exercises (6-10)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 30%
Computer programs and documentation
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 30%
Laboratory exercises
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 30 - 60%
Quizzes and final project
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Hands-on Introduction to LabVIEW for Scientists and Engineers. 4th ed. Essick, John. Oxford University Press. 2018. (classic).

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