PH 415/515 - COMPUTER INTERFACING AND INSTRUMENTATION

Spring 2023

Course Information

In this course you will learn how to interface a computer with the outside world, both to acquire data (input) and to control equipment (output). We will use LabVIEW as the programming language. There is no required text, but the web site includes a variety of tutorials, manuals and other resources. One of the goals of this course is to learn how to use new tools and to troubleshoot the inevitable errors that arise when using new tools.

Class times: TTh 9:00 - 11:50 in Weniger 300 and 302

• Daily lab work is posted on the course web site: http://physics.oregonstate.edu/~mcintyre/COURSES/ph415/
• Each assignment is a LabVIEW program or virtual instrument (VI). The required VIs are bold faced on the course web site. Use the VI names listed on the syllabus for your own VIs.
• The required VIs must be submitted to Canvas as a single PDF file each week. Work must also be stored on the local computer (so we can check that it runs) and backed up in the cloud.
• Each week's required VIs will be graded out of 20 points possible. Important aspects are completeness, documentation of the program, explanation of concepts, and programming skill. An example of a documented program is here. Include circuit diagrams and/or experimental schematics where appropriate.
• Most of you will work in pairs at one computer. One member of the pair will have the keyboard and will be the driver while the other is the navigator. Put your names on your VI and denote who is the driver and who is the navigator. Switch roles each week. Your participation in both roles will be part of the class participation evaluation.

David McIntyre

Weniger 300/302

MW 2-3

PH 415: Required LabVIEW VIs: 80%, Class Participation 20%.
PH 515: Required LabVIEW VIs: 70%, Class Participation 20%, Term project 10%

A project on a topic of your choosing is required. It should include both input and output. It can be an extension of one of the daily projects or a new idea. We have some surplus equipment that you may use. The project will be presented as a 10-minute talk in the final week of class. A topic should be proposed in writing by May 9. The level of effort expected is approximately equivalent to 1-2 week's classwork.

After successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Write a LabVIEW program to output digital data from the computer to an experiment.
• Write a LabVIEW program to output analog data from the computer to an experiment.
• Write a LabVIEW program to record digital data from an experiment.
• Write a LabVIEW program to record analog data from an experiment.
• Write a LabVIEW program to control an experiment using data recorded by the computer.
• Write a LabVIEW program to control measurement equipment via a USB interface.

• No required text. See resources for optional texts.

Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.