User:Pranav Rathi/Notebook/OT/2013/01/11/Getting started with Arduino

Getting started with Arduino. This page basically discusses the process of installation and usage of Arduino through LabView V9. I used Ardunio mega 2560 with Labview V9 and windows 7, but the process would be similar to all Arduino boards and Labview version. First thing first connect the Arduino to the computer, window is going to look for the driver and fail but that is alright.

Driver installation

Use the link [1] to download the drivers to the computer. Now go to the control panel->system and security-> system-> Device Manager->Port (COM & LPT)->Drivers->update Driver->Browse->find the folder of drivers just downloaded->install and restart the computer. During the process Arduino will not show in ports but as soon as the drivers are installed successfully it will show as Arduino Mega 2560 (com#).

Now to check if the drivers are installed correctly; start Arduino IDE and got to tools->serial ports->com(#) and tools->board->Arduino (board type). To check further upload a simple code to Arduino and see if it works. A variety of codes can be found through this link [2]. Blink LED code is the simplest one because it does not need any external circuit it uses the LED on-board connected to pin13 (see slide 10). If it works then congratulation your Arduino is installed and working.

LabView Arduino Interface and Firmware installation

Before starting make sure that LabView VISA is installed. Labview toolkit for Arduino can be downloaded through this link [3]. You need an account with National Instruments which is free->login->follow the links-> download and install the VIMP->download and install toolkit.

Check if VIMP package manager shows the most current LabView interface for Arduino (see slide 11). VI package manager can be found in C (drive)->program files (x86)->national instruments->VI package manager (see slide 12 and 13). Click on LabView interface; it will show the current version of LabView and all the updates.

Now it's time to upload the LIFA (LabView interface for Arduino) firmware to Arduino. First locate LIFA on the computer C->Program Files (x86)->National Instruments->LabVIEW 2009->vi.lib->LabVIEW Interface for Arduino->firmware->LIFA_base->LIFA_Base.info. The file you are looking for LIFA_Base.info. Now start Arduino IDE clink on file and than open browse to the firmware folder you located and select LIFA-Base.info (see slide 14 and 15). A new IDE window will appear with all the sketch files in LIFA_Base folder, upload them on by one to Arduino. If you do not upload the LIFA_Base.info first, than it will show compile error while uploading other files. If you still see an error than go to Arduino or NI forum for the reference. While uploading the LED on the board will blink and keep blinking during the process.

Once the process is done quit IDE and your board is ready to get controlled by LabView. To check if it is working a simple program is given in slide 16. Connect 3.3V pin to A0in with a wire and run the program if the dial shows the right voltage your Arduino-LabView works.

Useful Links

In case of any errors please try these links:

• How Do I Connect An Arduino Uno To My PC?[4]
• Why Do I Get Error 5005 When Using the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino?[5]
• How Do I Load the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino Firmware Onto My Arduino Uno?[6]
• Arduino+LabVIEW Bundle[7]
• Why Do I Get Error 5002 When Using the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino?[8]
• VISV Getting Started With the LabVIEW Interface for Arduino[9]