Using An Elevator Display With Multisim Simulations

Overview

Helps students understand circuit concepts more easily by visualizing simulated data using NI LabVIEW virtual instruments inside the NI Multisim circuit learning environment. This example program is part of a series of advance peripherals based on LabVIEW virtual instruments that can be used inside Multisim to teach a wider range of topics.

All instruments are based upon a virtual instrument template found in the Multisim sample folder. You can take this template and with LabVIEW define an instrument which can input complex signals, or visualize simulation data within Multisim.

 

Please Note

SPICE simulation, the language by which Multisim emulates circuit design behavior, does not run in real-time. This means that if a real-world signal is acquired by a LabVIEW instrument it cannot be directly injected into simulation, since the measurements will be running at different rates (real time vs. simulated time).

 

Purpose of this Instrument

This new display of a three level elevator can be combined with all analog, digital or MCU based components in a Multisim schematic and applies to various classes and courses.

 

Installation Instruction

Download the archived file to the desktop. You will find the following files:

 

Type	Name	Application
Multisim Instrument	Elevator_Display.llb	Multisim
Example File	Test Elevator.ms10	Multisim
LabVIEW Project	Elevator.lvproj	LabVIEW
LabVIEW Source Code	Elevator.llb	LabVIEW

 

1. Close NI Multisim if open.
2. Open the attachment elevator_display.zip file.
3. Navigate to C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite X.X\lvinstruments where X.X represents the version of Multisim where you would like to use this LabVIEW instrument.
4. Save the elevator_display.llb file from the zip file to this location.

You will also find another folder in the .zip file that contains the Multisim example file, which you can use to test the display, as well as the LabVIEW project and source code to edit and modify. Please note, you will need to have LabVIEW installed to make edits to the instruments. LabVIEW does not need to be installed if you only intent to use the instrument in Multisim.

 

Instrument Features

The Elevator Display features tip strips for all controls. Hover with your mouse cursor over any of the controls and specific information will be displayed.

• There are two main controls to this Elevator instrument
  • Trigger [V] sets the minimum voltage level that needs to be applied to an input pin to trigger an action, the default value is set to 5V
  • Speed allows the user to adjust the elevator speed
  • Right click on the controls to reinitialize to default value
• Control values will be saved with the circuit
• Various LEDs show when a level has been reached or the elevator is moving
• The elevator returns to the ground floor when the simulation stops

 

How to use the NI LabVIEW Elevator Display:

1. Open the Multisim environment and create your circuit.
2. Add the Elevator Display to your circuit
   1. Access the Elevator Display from the LabVIEW Instrument menu on the toolbar
   2. Drag and drop the Elevator Display on your schematic
   3. Wire the desired input pins
3. Set the Elevator to match your circuit
   1. Double click the Elevator Display instrument symbol to open the interface
   2. Set the Trigger [V] slider control to the expected voltage level
4. Start the simulation by clicking the run simulation button.
5. Trigger [V] and Speed controls can be adjusted while the simulation is running

[+] Enlarge Image

 

Additional Resources

Search ni.com for more LabVIEW based instruments for NI Multisim

Tutorial on "How To Create a LabVIEW Based Instrument For NI Multisim"

Tutorial on "Assure Compatibility of LabVIEW based Instruments across different NI Multisim versions"

 

Requirements

Filename: elevator_display.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: Multisim Base Edition 9.x, LabVIEW Base Development System 8.2
Language(s): LabVIEW

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