What's New in NI VeriStand 2009
This topic lists some of the major changes between NI Dynamic Testing Software 1.0 and NI VeriStand 2009.
Environment Enhancements
System Explorer Window
NI VeriStand 2009 provides an improved System Explorer window. The NI Dynamic Testing Software 1.0 System Explorer window provided minimal options for configuring a system definition file. In NI VeriStand 2009, the improved System Explorer window provides expanded options for customizing and modifying a system definition file.
The enhanced configuration tree includes options for managing hardware, configuring custom devices and models, defining user channels, and outlining system mappings. You also can define alarms and procedures more intuitively.
Getting Started Window
The NI Dynamic Testing Software 1.0 primary window provided limited options. In NI VeriStand 2009, the Getting Started window includes advanced features and an improved user interface that let you take common actions directly from the window.
Models
Run Models Natively in The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink® Software
You can run your models natively in the Simulink software without compiling a model into a DLL. You only can run an uncompiled model (.mdl) you created using the Simulink software on a computer running the Windows operating system because NI VeriStand requires that a model be compiled into a DLL before it can run on a real-time (RT) target.
I/O Support in Triggered and Enabled Subsystems in Simulink Models
NI VeriStand supports I/O in triggered and/or enabled subsystems in your models developed using the Simulink development environment.
Save and Restore Model Simulation States
You can save the current state of your model running on the execution host. You also can restore a model to a previously saved state. You only can use this feature with model DLLs you have built using The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink software using NI VeriStand 2009.
Framework for Compiling Your Existing Model Code into NI VeriStand-Compatible Model DLLs
You can use the NI VeriStand Model Framework to compile your existing C and C++ model code into model DLLs you can load in NI VeriStand. When you install NI VeriStand, select NI VeriStand xxxx Model Framework, where xxxx is the version of NI VeriStand, from the list of features to install. If you already installed NI VeriStand, you can run the installer again to install just these files. You do not need to reinstall NI VeriStand to install the NI VeriStand Model Framework.
Configuration Page for Models in Simulink
NI VeriStand provides a configuration dialog box in the Simulink software environment that allows you to set certain options in your model DLL, such as:
- Scale fixed-point values
- Retain signal names
- Enable save/restore state
- Debug build
- Compiler optimizations
- Exclude parameters/signals based on a regular expression
- Version information, including company name, file description, internal name, and legal copyright
Support for Customized FPGA Targets
NI VeriStand now supports customized FPGA targets. Using the LabVIEW FPGA Module, you can create custom FPGA configuration files (.fpgaconfig) and bitfiles (.lvbitx).
Inline Custom Devices
NI VeriStand 2009 provides the ability to execute a custom device inline as a part of the VeriStand Engine Primary Control Loop. Use this feature to perform high-speed deterministic I/O with a custom device. This feature enables you to use third-party hardware in a way that is equivalent to the built-in NI-DAQ and NI FGPA functionality.
Licensing
NI VeriStand 2009 offers a variety of licenses for the different ways you can use NI VeriStand in development and deployment applications.
Documentation
NI Dynamic Testing Software 1.0 had limited documentation resources. NI VeriStand 2009 now includes a comprehensive collection of references, procedures, and conceptual documentation to help you get started using the product. To get started using the NI VeriStand Help, refer to the Getting Started with NI VeriStand topic.
Run-Time API Functions
NI VeriStand provides a run-time API that allows you to extend NI VeriStand by creating and controlling tasks on the execution host. NI VeriStand provides the API in the following formats:
- .Net DLL
- LabVIEW VIs
- IronPython script
Remote Viewing of Consoles
NI VeriStand 2009 includes a Console Viewer, a Tools menu item that allows you to remotely view the console output of the execution host.