Download MATLAB connection to hardware presentation/demonstration

MATLAB Connection to Hardware
Presentation/Demonstration
Overview:
This demonstration will show how a MATLAB file can read data from a National
Instruments USB-6008 DAQ board. The general steps of coding will be
covered. This demonstration will then show how MATLAB can easily read data
from other devices commonly used in a laboratory. The M-files that successfully
connect to a Minolta CR300 colorimeter and a Tektronix digital storage
oscilloscope will then be opened. Comparisons will be made between the coding
in all M-files that connect to the devices. Demonstrations of outputting/inputting
data will then be made for each device. The practical applications of each piece
of hardware will also be covered.
The comparison of the three m-files that speak to various hardware systems will
stress the similarities of a hardware interactivity session within MATLAB. The
goal will be to raise awareness that students can have general connectivity for
many other applications and hardware.
National Instruments USB-6008 DAQ Board
Tektronix TDS 2022B Oscilloscope
Minolta CR300 Colorimeter
National Instruments USB-6008 DAQ Board
National Instruments Corporation, www.zone.ni.com
Setup:
- The DAQ board CD must initially be installed. Follow the directions to
set up the driver. A folder will be created on your computer that includes
the program “Measurement and Automation”. This is the DAQ Board’s
main program.
Procedure:
- Students should already have the device and CD installed on their
personal computers, so they should be familiar with its appearance.
Follow the steps in the Pressure Lab and create a connection to a
pressure sensor. Do not go into exact detail as to where specific wires are
connecting, because the students will be building this connection in the
Pressure Lab. The main understanding is the channel (a0) being used on
the DAQ board, and how MATLAB is able to communicate specifically with
this channel.
- Show students the M-file. Instructor should not go into full detail about
each step, but rather explain in “English terms” what MATLAB is doing.
Comparisons will later be made to the other hardware.
Practical applications:
- Give a brief description on the pressure sensor and how it can record
depth measurements in areas not easily attained. The Pressure Lab can
be discussed.
- Other applications: Discuss the multiple channels and Input/Output
lines. This allows for simultaneous sampling and acquisition. Discuss
audio and vibration analysis. Discuss monitoring the flow in a stream or
irrigation system. Can detect / eliminate the noise factor.
Tektronix TDS 2022B Oscilloscope
Tektronix Inc, www.tek.com
Setup:
- Use the oscilloscope’s GPIB cable to make a connection between the
device and computer. With this being a newer piece of hardware, simply
connect the oscilloscope to the laptop, and Windows should recognize it.
Download Tektronix_tds2022.mdd from MATLAB Central File Exchange
(http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/5132). Place the file
on the laptop’s MATLAB folder.
- Launch TMTOOL. Under the “Tools” menu, select “Scan for all
hardware”. The device should appear listed under the USB.
- Have the provided M-file saved in the laptop’s MATLAB folder.
Procedure:
Simply connect the oscilloscope to the laptop and run the M-file. Explain the
basic controls on the device, and show how minor alterations can be made.
Practical Applications:
- The oscilloscope can output any signal voltage measurements. MATLAB
will be useful to set allotted time frames for the measurements and to save
the oscilloscope’s data. Changes over time can be observed.
- Not only can the oscilloscope show the wave shape, but also the distortion
and frequency of the signal.
- Examples of use: troubleshooting malfunctioning electronic equipment,
finding the timing of a pulse, check newly designed circuitry, etc.
Minolta CR300 Colorimeter
Konica Minolta, www.konicaminolta.com
Setup:
- The colorimeter has an RS232C output. If the demonstration laptop
does not have an RS232C input, a RS232-USB converter cord is
required. Be sure to download the USB converter
Procedure:
- Explain the purpose of the equipment: A colorimeter is used for
measuring the absorbance of particular wavelengths of light by a specific
solution. The measurements can output different types of information, but
the most commonly used are the L*, a*, b* values. The “L” value
measures brightness (black to white). The “a” value measures color from
green to red, and the “b” value measures color from yellow to blue. Since
MATLAB recognizes color information in terms of rgb values, the MATLAB
coding converts and outputs the values back as Lab values (for
convenience). This helps with research and statistical analysis, which is
most often performed with Lab values.
- Show students how the coding is different, but actually the same general
steps are being followed to connect and retrieve information from the
equipment.
- The program is currently written to output a graph with the color of the
data taken. Use paint strips and allow the students to practice testing
samples and calling the data into MATLAB. Students can also test their
articles of clothing.
Practical applications:
-
Qualitative analysis is essential in a lot of research fields. For
example, the quality of a food sample needs to be tracked as it
becomes altered in some way. A colorimeter is useful in helping find
-
the optimal cooking conditions for a variety of products. For example,
the color of a piece of shrimp can be tracked as it is cooked.
Other applications: detection of substances in solutions, aid in
determining concentration of a solute, dental applications (observing
color of teeth), detection of quality in paint