Labview For Electrical Engineers

[Gladys Anick]

SoI have been in a business/commercial function for sometime now but I have always enjoyed programming in LabVIEW, Python, and JS. I don't have an EE or CS background but I'm considering moving into a software (LV) engineering role. I'm still not sure about this but I would like to hear how a day as a LabVIEW developer looks like and future/jobs/career prospects are for a LV developer.

LabVIEW development is not my full-time job, but most weeks I spend 15+ hours doing some form of LabVIEW / software development. I think part of what keeps life interesting with LabVIEW is that you are often using it to interface with hardware. I have done some fun projects without any hardware (besides the PC running the program), but I would probably get bored if all of my projects were like that. Working with hardware gets you out of your seat and into the lab, and the variety keeps things interesting.

You can work in many different industries and still have your job focus on LabVIEW, so think about what you want to be doing your programming for. Some places specialize in LabVIEW and test systems and then contract out to many different companies. This sounds like it could be interesting, but I've never tried it.

Try to think about what phase of the software you like to work on the most. Do you like planning it out and thinking how different pieces interact? Do you like coding up the guts and getting stuff running? Do you like supporting the users and adding new features? These are all important parts of delivering good software, and you might do all of them or just some of them.

Also try to think what kind of company you want to work on. Smaller companies often have less "rules", so you can get things done faster, but sometimes less direction as well, so you may be unsure what the requirements are or need to make your own requirements. Large companies often have a more rigid way of doing things, but they are usually (not always) in place for a reason. Also, you are more likely to find a mentor who can help you along your LabVIEW journey if you join a team of experienced programmers.

After an extensive hardware R&D background I started using LV 20 years ago. I've been doing both since and the variety makes every day worth going to work for. One day I'm immersed in code, the next I'm debugging hardware drivers, the next I'm developing a UI with an operator, the next hashing out a spec with engineering in a meeting room. Every day I'm the functional lead and project manager. Can't see doing anything else. There's just too much to do that I can do.

What other skills are useful, depend on how you are using LabVIEW. In general I'd say someone good at LabVIEW should have a good understanding of electronics, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science. Of course if you are using LabVIEW just for a general purpose programming language and processing some data, having a knowledge of electrical engineering isn't all that necessary. But in general when I think of a good LabVIEW developer they also have good electrical engineering skills since troubleshooting hardware issues generally means debugging wiring.

Very good questions! First and foremost LabVIEW was designed for engineer to conduct experiments! That "Test" roll is still the largest segment employing LabVIEW developers. Lucky for me I enjoy interacting with engineers and scientists.

Some of the pros are you get to write code that may impact the lives of millions. For instance I was involved once on a project that drove "Positive Train Control Radios" from "Beta" to full scale production. Fairly large project with plenty of challenges. PTC is a reality today because of the automated testing performed in production. What helped me help that team was my experience as an Electronics Technician in the Navy. I KNOW test equipment, electronics theory, and how to troubleshoot a system. In fact, I used to TEACH those skills for the Navy. That system integration skill set can really make or break new product development. Those skills will never go out of demand (although NPD is a financial risk for companies and, in down markets.....that's a con- you might not find much of a market)

Become familiar with the burdens of code development! SCC, Bug tracking, Regression Testing, and requirements tracking! documenting, documenting, documenting! Then there is the difference between functional code and maintainable code, you have to have STYLE! and a style that others can flow with. And, you need to be "Agile" enough to work a "Waterfall". understanding process and their mechanics is a way to ensure success.

I (like Jeff) started out in the Navy. My father had told me while in high school that "When you graduate, you have to get out, get a job or both." The Navy covered the "Both" option. Near the end of boot camp it came time to choose a career route and I was asked "So Ben, what do you want to do?" Having seen what the underwater explosive stuff, I answered, "I want to be a SEAL!". The guy asking smiled and said, "That's nice Ben, but you can do math. You are going to fix computers".

I have friends in lots of different lines of work and I have to say the vast majority are working towards their retirement or to pay for non-work related occupations (holidays, hobbies, sport etc). In the non LabVIEW world there's only 2 of us that categorically state we will not retire and we're both software engineers. I'm really quite defined by making things with 1s and 0s.

For my type of work learn 50% LabVIEW, 20% databases, 20% linux, 10% PLCs would be a pretty useful mix. If you're working for yourself you can add sales, marketing and accounting to the mix too. For LabVIEW my bag is design rather than every technique, framework or methodology.

Main thing is learn about yourself, know if you're happy or not. If not do something about it. You'd be surprised how many people actually forget to have fun like it's something they should be guilty about.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's LabVIEW certificate provides both students and engineers in local and regional industry with an in-depth understanding of the computer interfacing and data acquisition software package LabVIEW. Through LabVIEW, scientists and engineers can accomplish a variety of instrument control, data collection and data processing tasks.

Courses throughout the program will provide you with a working knowledge of electronics, an understanding of the basics of computer interfacing principles, in-depth knowledge of the LabVIEW programming environment, an introduction to robotics and autonomous navigation and an introduction to field-programmable gate arrays, a revolutionary new technology.

The LabVIEW certificate program has also been designed to provide you with the skills and experiences required to pass the first two levels of professional LabVIEW programming certification offered by National Instruments, which is required for many industry positions that involve LabVIEW programming.

Endless learning opportunities. While pursuing your LabVIEW certificate at UWEC you'll benefit from countless learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Join the Society of Physics Students, a national professional association. Take advantage of our outstanding academic facilities, like our materials science and engineering research labs, electronics lab and machine shop. Or secure an internship and put your LabVIEW skills to work before you even graduate.

Coursework within the LabVIEW certificate covers the basics and applications of this widely-adopted graphical programming language. Through your courses, you will gain expertise in the LabVIEW programming environment, acquire a working knowledge of electrical circuits and become familiar with key computer interfacing principles. Additional course topics include advanced programming structures, CompactDAQ hardware, digital signal processing, motor control, encoders, PID process control, RS-232 instrument control, component testing and sensor monitoring.

Introduces engineering-problem-solving techniques, design processes, modeling and analysis ofsimple electrical and computer circuits using MATLAB and LabVIEW software packages.Emphasizes engineering design procedures by incorporating group projects and presentations. Lab access fee of $45 applies.

Introduces the field of Computer Engineering through programming in the MATLAB and LabVIEW languages. Teaches the design of various components of a prototype communication system while learning about the following aspects of MATLAB: scripts and function files, math functions, commands for array construction and manipulation, string expressions, logic operators, control flow, and graphics. No prior knowledge of computer engineering is assumed. Software fee of $10 applies. Lab access fee of $45 for computers applies.

Explores fundamental electric circuit analysis techniques. Develops analysis techniques using Kirchoff's laws, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, superposition, and phasors. Covers transient and steady-state time-domain analysis, and frequency analysis.Lab access fee of $45 for computers applies.

Covers fundamental electric circuit analysis techniques. Develops analysis techniques using Kirchoff's laws, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, superposition, and phasors. Covers transient and steady-state time-domain analysis, and frequency analysis. Software fee of $10 applies. Lab access fee of $45 for computers applies.

Develops linear circuit theory and its application in the analysis and design of RLC active circuits. Covers DC, AC, and transient analysis utilizing node and mesh analysis. Lab access fee of $45 for computers applies.

Laboratory for ECE 2250 develops linear circuit theory and its application in the analysis and design of RLC active circuits. Covers DC, AC, and transient analysis utilizing node and mesh analysis. Introduces the use of CAD tools. Software fee of $10 applies. Lab access fee of $45 for computers applies.

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