What's New in the LabVIEW 8.5 PDA Module

The LabVIEW 8.5 PDA Module contains many new features and scheduled bug fixes. Below is a subset of new features and bug fixes in the latest version. For a complete list, see the LabVIEW PDA Help and the LabVIEW 8.5 PDA Module readme.

Reading and Writing Front Panel Data Using Data Binding

You can use data binding to read or write front panel data for network-published shared variables. You can use data binding with any front panel control or indicator that the PDA Module supports. This new features simplifies the process of sending data to be displayed on the front panel by removing the need for any programming; front panel objects are connected directly to the network-published shared variables, and send and receive data to those variables without any instructions on the block diagram.

In the screenshots below, a chart named Data has been configured to read a waveform value from network-published shared variable. Once configured through the Properties menu for the chart, no wires are needed to bring data into the chart on the block diagram.

 

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Inline C Node Support

You can use the Inline C Node to add inline C code to the block diagram. The Inline C Node is similar to the LabVIEW Formula Node with additional support and functionality for low-level programming and header files without the overhead of a function call. You can use the Inline C Node for short blocks of code that you cannot easily implement in graphical VIs.  

The Inline C Node supports any C code, including assembly directives and #defines, that syntactically is between the curly braces in a C file. Syntax checking for an Inline C Node occurs at edit time, and red dots on the left bar of the Inline C Node indicate errors. Some errors, such as undefined functions or variables, cannot be detected until the generated C code for the VI is compiled. If errors occur, the build stops and you receive an error.

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Boolean Mechanical Action

The PDA Module now supports the six types of mechanical action for Boolean controls, which include Switch when pressed, Switch when released, Switch until released, Latch when pressed, Latch when released, and Latch until released.

Scroll Bar Control

The PDA Module now supports scroll bar controls, which include vertical and horizontal scroll bars that you can add to any front panel control or indicator with scrollable data. The scroll bar control simplifies the process of navigating a large control or indicator. You can add associate a scroll bar control with a front panel control or indicator using a Property Node.

Run Application VI

You can use the Run Application VI to run a specified PDA application. This VI allows you to easily call an application on the PDA, either through a user command or hard-coded logic, without having to use a DLL call or the Inline C Node.

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XML Functions

The PDA Module now includes the Escape XML, Flatten To XML, Read From XML File, Unescape XML, Unflatten From XML, and Write to XML File VIs and functions. You can use these VIs and functions to manipulate LabVIEW data in XML format.

Blinking Boolean Controls and Indicators

Due to popular demand, the PDA Module now supports blinking for all Boolean controls and indicators except system controls. By using a Property Node with the Blinking property enabled, you can configure a Boolean to blink as a means to display important warnings to an operator.

Text Justification For Controls and Indicators

You now can set the justification of text and underline text for buttons; enumerated type controls; and string, time stamp, and numeric controls and indicators.

Bug Fixes

The following items are the IDs and titles of a subset of issues fixed between the LabVIEW 8.2.1 PDA Module and the LabVIEW 8.5 PDA Module. If you have a CAR ID, you can search this list to validate that the issue has been fixed. This is not an exhaustive list of issues fixed in the current version of PDA Module. More information on workarounds for other issues can be found in the LabVIEW 8.5 PDA Module readme file.

 

ID	Fixed Issue
453A9C90	Format Into String does not work with commas
48AEN6XX	Array of Strings input to Fract/Exp String To Number function truncated to U8
46CA61GF	STOP doesn't allow executable to build
48Q4HCVR	Executable hangs
48AEG1C5	Waveform Measurement VIs throw build-time error "missing VI or C file"
41IF8RX1	Errors when unbundling global cluster by name
46I38U91	Incorrect characters of String property
47KE9UX1	Semaphores need work
498931J0	Scan Value function fails to convert numeric string to specified data type
4AAGC269	CtrRef not recognized
410CDBSQ	I16 cast or indicator problem
437FK2KQ	Application build error if top-level is in a library
45216SX2	Issues with DAQmx task constants and arrays
4779PV9M	Array indexing inconsistent behaviour
4A2H6DX6	Seconds to Date/Time function gives incorrect hour output
4526Q3LL	Dial control needle tracks incorrectly
3LH9O71R	Decoration draws incorrectly when behind tab control
3FB8MM1R	Text justification on buttons is not supported
452AC9OZ	Scale for thermometer controls does not correspond to the level correctly
3QGDTR67	Justification and underline style support
4AHCKB69	Array of Boolean controls crashes
48N7HSJ6	In application, waveform graph on tab control is lost
47MCR7X1	Event timeout not being fired
48G91IYU	Top Row property for Listbox returns bad data
48G94LYU	Ring control returns bad data when programmatically setting the Strings[] property
493BB82A	Chart shows through tab control when writing to BG Color property
49FGQVGF	Background color only limited to text
447GK1X1	commdlg.dll missing from popular PDAs
42CA2GSQ	Changed behavior in LV PDA 8.2 - Initialize PDA Button.vi

 

More Information on the LabVIEW PDA Module

For more information on the LabVIEW PDA Module, visit the LabVIEW PDA Module web portal.

Learn how to use the LabVIEW PDA Module to develop a handheld measurement system.

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