Customer SolutionsDeveloping a Multipurpose Laser-Based Monitoring System Using NI LabVIEW and DAQ
Author(s):M. Eltoukhy, Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami; S. Asfour, Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami
Industry:University/Education
Product:Data Acquisition, LabVIEW
The Challenge:Developing an integrated data acquisition system and a multipurpose laser-based monitoring system.
The Solution:Using National Instruments LabVIEW software, data acquisition (DAQ) hardware, and hardware made in house to build the required data acquisition system.
Creating a Flexible Monitoring System We developed a very flexible laser-based system for both supervised and unsupervised monitoring purposes. We created this data acquisition system using LabVIEW 7.1 software for graphical programming and data acquisition as well as hardware components we developed in house. The monitoring system is composed of the following:
We created the sensor with different electronic components and programmed it using LabVIEW so it sensed only the laser beam and was not affected by the ambient light. We used this sensor to detect the laser beam and detect and record the instances when the laser beam was interrupted at any position while monitoring subjects of interest. Conducting Supervised and Unsupervised Monitoring We can use our system for supervised monitoring sessions, which require the presence of a user on site to react to the system’s feedback. We also can use the monitoring system for unsupervised sessions, during which the SMTP-based system can instantaneously send an e-mail to the user in charge of the monitoring process, the owner of the monitored property or shop floor, or a third party through the Internet. This e-mail contains a summary of the monitoring session and an attachment including the collected data. The monitoring system also can send an instantaneous e-mail to alert the user in charge if the condition (event) the user previously specified took place. It can send e-mails when the territory is attacked or send the status of the monitored objects at any rate we specify. We can use the system to monitor spaces up to 200 yards. With National Instruments DAQ and LabVIEW, we designed the entire system using a laptop (that we can interchange with a Pocket PC), laser transmitter, sensor, and set of mirrors to control and monitor any system. The system converts the signal obtained from the sensor we made in house into voltage and efficiently transfers it to the connector block using shielded wiring. This secures data transfer between the sensor and the NI DAQCard-6036E (for PCMCIA) in the laptop. Then the system instantaneously converts the data into current values and saves them in Microsoft Excel format for further analysis. Using this system, we can save the data continuously for any period of time or recall it at any time. We achieved high sampling rates using this system, which we can adapt to any other monitoring application. The main advantage of this system, which makes it adaptable for almost any system, is its high flexibility. The size of the sensor, which is a few millimeters, helps increase the flexibility of the system, and we can operate the sensor with a watch battery or a simple AA battery. Another advantage of this monitoring system is that the surrounding light intensity does not affect it; it only detects and senses the laser beams, which makes it reliable in any environment. We can use the monitoring system for:
Using LabVIEW and DAQ to Save Time and Money We developed a cost-effective, stand-alone, and flexible multipurpose, laser-based monitoring system. We achieved high programming efficiency, high performance, and cost savings by using National Instruments DAQ hardware and LabVIEW software to build the monitoring system. We now can monitor, control, and log data for any system using simple components instead of spending possibly thousands of dollars on more expensive and complicated monitoring systems. We also can save time on installing, downloading, and analyzing data, which we can complete instantaneously with our system. Additionally, we established high reliability and universality. For more information, please contact: Shihab Asfour, Ph.D. |
