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Overview — LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module (2018–2021)
Common use cases
- Academic control courses: modeling, analysis, and lab exercises with DAQ hardware.
- Industrial controller prototyping: design in LabVIEW, validate in simulation, deploy to NI RT targets.
- Research: testing advanced controllers (LQR, observer-based) and robustness studies.
- HIL testing for automotive and aerospace control systems.
3.1 Simulation Loop Structures
The heart of the module is the Simulation Loop. Unlike a standard While Loop, a Simulation Loop includes:
- Timing source: Continuous (ODE solvers: Runge-Kutta, Euler, etc.) or discrete (fixed tick).
- External I/O nodes: Directly read/write DAQmx or RT FIFO data without breaking determinism.
- Event-triggered subsystems: Initiate simulation branches when a digital input changes.
3.2. Solver and Simulation Enhancements (2021)
| Feature | 2018 | 2021 |
|---------|------|------|
| Variable-step solvers | Limited (ode45, ode23) | Expanded (ode15s for stiff systems, ode113) |
| Event handling | Manual via discrete logic | Built-in zero-crossing detection |
| Simulation performance | Single-threaded by default | Parallel simulation support for Monte Carlo runs |
| Model linearization | Requires Linearization VI | Trim & Linearize App (interactive GUI) |
3.2 Model Interface Toolkit (MIT) and Co-simulation
- 2018: MIT supports FMU (FMI 1.0/2.0) import/export. Limited to co-simulation mode only.
- 2021: Supports model exchange mode, allowing LabVIEW to act as a solver for FMUs. Includes Simulink XML import (via
.slx -> .xml conversion) for linearized plant models.
Example workflow (2021):
Design plant in Simulink → export as FMU (model exchange) → import to LabVIEW CD&SM → design controller graphically → deploy to cRIO.
4. Core Workflow Example – PID Design & Simulation
Notable differences and updates (2018 → 2021)
- Improved Simulink interoperability and import/export workflows across versions, enabling smoother model exchange.
- Enhanced support for discrete-time and sampled-data design reflecting real-world controller deployment.
- Better integration with NI real-time targets and deployment workflows for RCP/HIL across 2018–2021.
- Incremental GUI and usability updates: easier plotting, analysis panes, and example libraries (varied by minor version).
3.2 Control Design VIs (CD Palette)
The CD prefix VIs offer over 200 functions, including:
- Model Conversion:
CD Convert Continuous to Discrete (Tustin, ZOH, Matched pole-zero).
- Frequency Response:
CD Bode, CD Nichols, CD Nyquist (interactive plots with cursor tracking).
- Controller Synthesis:
CD Pole Placement (Ackermann’s method), CD LQG Design (combined estimator/controller).
- Model Reduction:
CD Balanced Truncation (reduce 30th-order model to 6th-order while maintaining DC gain).
3. Module Comparison: 2018 vs 2021