National Instruments - Tools for Creating Custom Data Management Applications in LabVIEW

The toolkit further enhances LabVIEW by adding an Internet-like search functionality that indexes and stores the properties of time-based measurement files, making the process of finding data of interest more efficient than the traditional approach of loading all files into memory and manually scanning the results. The toolkit can also be combined with NI DataFinder Server Edition to extend the same search technology to servers so large groups or departments can easily share or analyse their data.

As more high-speed measurement devices, including RF instruments, digitisers and data acquisition, are integrated into test systems, engineers and scientists face larger amounts of data than ever before. When analysing data, they traditionally must cull through millions of data points to find the results they need, which can be a timely and tedious process. The typical solution was to purchase high-cost data management packages or hire a database consultant to manage these mass amounts of data.

With the LabVIEW DataFinder Toolkit, engineers and scientists can create custom, deployable data management applications using NI DataFinder, an off-the-shelf data index that stores metadata and properties stored in test files. Engineers and scientists can then search NI DataFinder using NI DIAdem software for interactive, offline post-processing or with their own custom applications built using the LabVIEW DataFinder Toolkit. The toolkit can be used to perform simple keyword searches or advanced parametric searches such as finding channel data that exceeds a limit on a particular day or using a particular sensor. Using DataPlugin technology, the toolkit is compatible with any file format and works natively with Technical Data Management (TDM) and Technical Data Management Streaming (TDMS) files. With a low price and quick turnaround on results, the LabVIEW DataFinder Toolkit is a more cost-efficient alternative to other data management solutions.

“RF manufacturing applications are very data intensive, and we needed a fast and cost-efficient solution for analysing and finding the results from within our Spartan Quality Management System,” said Jim West, Senior Software Engineer at Summitek Instruments. “Using the NI LabVIEW Data Finder Toolkit, we were able to easily find the results we needed as well as uncover valuable statistical trends.”

To provide data management functionality to large groups, the toolkit can be combined with NI DataFinder Server Edition software, which is loaded onto a server to index files for faster search. The ability to perform quick searches on data stored on servers makes the toolkit ideal for teams that are working on projects simultaneously or remotely.