LabVIEW Use in
Undergraduate Engineering
Design Course
William J. Foley, Ph.D., P.E.
Clinical Associate Professor
Decision Sciences and
Engineering Systems
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
The Setting
• ENGR 2050 Introduction to Engineering
Design (IED) is a Sophomore / Junior
level first course in engineering design.
• In AY 2001 – 2002, 640 students in 24
sections working as 92 design teams
will complete the course.
• Design experience starts with
researching a new opportunity and
concludes with a prototype.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Course Coverage
• Design is presented as the integration of
knowledge, skills, creativity, collaboration and
hard work to solve problems and meet needs.
• Significant instructional and experiential
component of the course is teamwork skills,
leadership, and ethical behavior.
• Projects (inventions) involve connecting software
with hardware to improve performance and
expand options. MAKE IT SMART.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Design Project Steps
1. Faculty define a target area for study.
2. Students research area and identify or define
an opportunity for improvement.
3. Design done from concept to detail level.
4. Design challenged and tested frequently.
5. Fabricate and assemble a working prototype
for test and exhibition.
6. Post class pursuit includes patents.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
LabVIEW Attraction in Projects
• Dataflow programming approach.
– Supports feedback control systems.
– Data determines execution, a common
control orientation.
– Flow orientation lends itself to graphical
representation of program paralleling early
systems design work.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
LabVIEW Attraction # 2
• Simulation of logic by running the program
using simulated input.
• On screen probing of data flows.
• Simple user interfaces for parameters in
code using dials and switches.
• Virtual control panel shortens development
time substituting for hardware.
• Easy mapping to external data sources.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Uniqueness with LabVIEW
• Students design their own VI application.
• Students design and build their own
“sensors” including signal conditioning and
isolation.
– Example: Velocity measured by measuring time
of travel between points. Math models
developed and assumptions stated.
• Boards are loaned out to student teams.
• LabVIEW used in prototype process control.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
LabVIEW Possible Because ...
• LabVIEW available and accessible to all
students.
• Favorable pricing of data acquisition cards for
laptops allows loan to student design teams.
• Generous and strong support from Scott Rogers
of local NI office during early use phase.
• Two years of student to student support from NI
funded student LabVIEW consultant.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Spring 2000 Project
• Challenge: Improve the instruction and
learning of science by designing and building
a “Science Learning Machine”.
• Machine for classroom use.
• Instruction on science topics fully integrated.
• Entertainment required to foster learning.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Spring 2000 Projects
• Sound wave cancellation.
– Microphone picks up sound waves, displays
signal on screen, and movable microphone to
find cancellation location.
• Gravity powered movement.
– Conversion of potential energy to kinetic
energy.
– Measure and display velocity and acceleration.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Spring 2000 Projects # 2
• Doppler distance measurement.
– Use reflected sound waves to measure
distance.
• Airflow and lift.
– Wind tunnels with airfoils measuring airflow
velocity and lift on airfoil.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Fall 2000 Project
• Challenge: Improve the independence
of impaired persons living in the
community in kitchen activities.
• Design for appeal to all users while
meeting the special needs of the
impaired in their own homes.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Fall 2000 Projects
• Smart refrigerators record contents and
usage recommending a shopping list.
• Cooking appliances that prepare
complete meals without human action
after inserting ingredients.
• Cabinets and storage solutions that
place wanted item within reach.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Spring 2001 Project
• Challenge: Use technology to improve
the physical fitness of the American
public.
• Focus on those most in need of
improvement or those least likely to
participate in physical fitness actions.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Spring 2001 Projects
• Boxing / punching bag that evades the
attack and records punch when hit.
• Body cooling suit with resistance to
movement that makes every action a
physical fitness step but maintains body
cool.
• Exercise machines that measure and
record progress towards fitness goals.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Fall 2001 Project
• Challenge: Find opportunities for
increasing safety in households.
• Apply universal design principles for
broad market appeal.
• Target areas of significant safety
concern.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Fall 2001 Projects
• Smart Medicine cabinets that dispense
on schedule, order refills, and check
medication errors.
• Fire warning, suppression, and isolation
devices.
• Water temperature controls for faucets.
• Person location tracking systems with
warning and alert logic.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001
Future Challenges
• Hardware resources for student teams.
– Students request hardware but supply is
limited. Sharing is the norm and was the
plan but students want their own.
• Meeting LabVIEW consulting demand.
– TAs learned LabVIEW OTJ. Graduation
looms. Demand comes 27 / 7. Debugging
focused on signals from the outside.
William J. Foley Ph.D., P.E.
Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems Rensselaer October 11, 2001