Overview Of Clusters In Labview

LabVIEW is a graphical programming language used to develop test systems. It provides an easy user interface for effectively testing, monitoring, and controlling systems. With LabVIEW, you can even quickly build automated test systems. 

Clusters and arrays are the two LabVIEW data types. In this article, we explore clusters in LabVIEW in detail.

Table of Contents:

• LabVIEW Clusters
  
  • Types of LabVIEW Clusters
  • Features 
• How do you access cluster data in LabVIEW?
• Conversion between arrays and clusters
• Error Cluster
• Error Handling
• Frequently Asked Questions

LabVIEW Clusters:

In its basic form, a LabVIEW cluster is similar to a record or struct used in text-based programming languages. It combines data elements of mixed types. 

A LabVIEW cluster is the combination of the following.

• Boolean value
• Numeric value
• String

The LabVIEW error cluster is one of the LabVIEW clusters. The figure below depicts the error cluster control and the respective terminal built in the block diagram. The cluster has a status, code, and source, representing a Boolean control, a numeric control, and a string control.

Combining data elements into clusters on the block diagram can remove wire clutter and minimise the number of connector pane terminals. In Labview, there can be a maximum of 28 terminals.

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Types of LabVIEW Clusters

There are two types of LabVIEW clusters as follows:

1. Cluster Control
2. Cluster Indicator

You can use the cluster control to provide inputs to a LabVIEW program, whereas you can use the cluster indicator to display data.

If any Virtual Instrument (VI) front panel has more than two controls and indicators, you must transfer them to another VI, grouping some into a cluster. It would help if you assigned the cluster to a terminal on the connector pane.

The figure below shows individual values passed to the connector pane terminals.

 

 

Features of LabVIEW Clusters

• A cluster is either a control or an indicator; it cannot be a mixture of both.
• A cluster can have mixed data types. In other words, clusters group like or unlike elements together.
• The order of elements in a cluster is highly crucial
• Every cluster element is labelled for easy handling
• The difference between an array and a cluster is that a cluster has a fixed size, whereas an array has a varying size.

Examples

• Clusters group individual wires into a cable in a LabVIEW block diagram, each representing a different cluster element.
• To specify a user’s security code, you must group a string indicating a user’s name and an ID number.

 

 

How do you access cluster data in LabVIEW?

You can access and manipulate cluster data using the LabVIEW functions. Bundle, Unbundle and Bundle by Name are some of the LabVIEW functions.

Let’s have a look at them below.

• LabVIEW Bundle: You can use this function to group individual elements into a cluster.
• LabVIEW Unbundle: You can use this function to split a cluster into its elements. The number of outputs and elements are the same for this function.
• LabVIEW Bundle by Name:  It is yet another LabVIEW function that helps replace one or more cluster elements. This function refers to cluster elements by their name.

First, wire the node with the input cluster. Then, right-click the name terminals to select elements from the menu.

Alternatively, you can use the operating tool. In the connection pane, you can view the default data types for this function.

 

 

Inputs and Outputs:

• Input Cluster — This is the cluster where you can replace elements. Each element must have an owned label.
• Element — You will replace them by name.
• Output Cluster — It is the cluster that has the result value.

Related Article : LabVIEW Interview Questions 

LabVIEW – Conversion between Arrays and Clusters:

LabVIEW has many functions for arrays rather than clusters. Sometimes, you need to change arrays into clusters and clusters into arrays.

First, you can convert a cluster into an array to perform operations using the array functions. After that, you can convert the array into the cluster.

Let’s take a look at how to perform the conversions.

• LabVIEW Cluster to Array conversion:  The cluster-to-array function can convert a cluster into an array. Both the cluster and array must have the same data type.

 

 

• • Step-by-step procedure for conversion: The below step-by-step procedure will help you convert a cluster into an array.
    1. First, add a cluster in the front panel
    2. Add the cluster-to-array function to the block diagram
    3. Make the wiring between the cluster and the cluster-to-array function
    4. Right-click the cluster-to-array function
    5. Select create → indicator from the shortcut menu
    6. It helps to create an array indicator
    7. Now, you can run the VI from the front panel.
    8. You can view the values of the cluster in the array cluster.
  • Example: If you have an array with three numeric values, you can use the array-to-cluster function to create a cluster with three elements. Here, each element of the cluster will hold each numeric value.
• LabVIEW Array to Cluster Conversion: You can use the array-to-cluster function to convert a 1D array element into a cluster of the same data type. You can use this function to display the elements of the same type in a front panel and manipulate the elements on the block diagram by their index values. Know that you cannot manage cluster size automatically. It would help if you double-clicked the function to open the dialogue box where you can set the cluster size. You can also set the number of cluster elements using the dialogue box.
  • Features of the Array-to-Cluster function: 
    1. The default cluster size is nine.
    2. The maximum cluster size that you can set is 256.
    3. This function helps to display elements in the front-panel cluster indicator.
    4. You can manipulate elements on the block diagram using their index values

 

 

• • Step-by-step procedure for conversion
    1. First, add a cluster in the front panel
       Add the array to cluster function in the block diagram
       Next, wire the array with the function
       Right-click the function to select a cluster indicator
       Finally, run the VI from the front panel
       You can see the array values in the cluster indicator.
  • Example: If you have an array with three numeric values, you can use the cluster-to-array function to create a cluster with Boolean, string, and numeric values.

Similarly, you can use the 'Build Cluster Array' function to build an array of clusters. This function bundles each component input into a cluster and assembles all clusters into cluster arrays.

The Index & Build Cluster Array function helps to index a group of arrays and create a cluster array. Note that all array inputs need not be the same type here. The function that generates a cluster array has one element from each input array.

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LabVIEW Error Cluster:

Let’s discuss the labVIEW error cluster in this section in detail.

• Error Cluster Components: A LabVIEW error cluster has the following components.
  1. Status: A Boolean value reports 'True' if an error occurs. Most functions, VIs, and structures that accept Boolean data also recognise this parameter. For instance, you can wire an error cluster to the Stop, Quit LabVIEW, or Select Boolean inputs. If an error occurs, the error cluster passes a True value to the function. 
  2. Code: It is a 32-bit signed integer that identifies errors in numerical values. A non-zero error code triggers a warning rather than a fatal error.
  3. Source: It is a string that indicates where the error occurred. The error cluster controls and indicators can create error I/O in subVIs.
• Checking Errors: Errors are inevitable when you perform any input and output operation. Therefore, you must include error checking in VIs for I/O operations such as data acquisition, file transfer, and communications and provide a mechanism to handle errors.

LabVIEW error clusters expose where errors occur and their causes. 

Checking for errors in VIs helps you identify the following problems:

1. • Initialising communications incorrectly
     When an external device loses power, is broken, or is malfunctioning
     Sending improper data to external devices.

LabVIEW allows you to build VIs and use error-in and error-out clusters for every VI. So you can pass error information easily. 

Alternatively, the source cluster also helps to find the source of errors. If the error-in cluster identifies an error, the VI shows the error through the error-out cluster.

Related Article : Customizing Graphs And Charts In Labview 

LabVIEW Error Handling:

LabVIEW error handling helps you identify, report, and rectify runtime errors, improving the efficiency of LabVIEW programs.

LabVIEW offers many error-handling mechanisms. Let’s see them below.

• VIs in LabVIEW can automatically identify errors and suspend test execution. It will show users the sub VI or function that is the source of the error.
• You can use the data flow model. You can also include an error handler VI at the end of the flow. It helps to determine if the VI ran without errors.
• You can use debugging tools and error handling to identify and manage errors.
• You can develop your own error-handling method in LabVIEW using the dialogue and user interface palette.

Summary:

• LabVIEW allows you to create clusters and bundle and unbundle elements of the clusters.
• Clusters are powerful data types that will enable you to group elements of different types.
• The error cluster is one of the LabVIEW clusters. 
• It consists of three elements: a Boolean status, a numeric code, and an error message.
• Clusters support different data types, providing greater flexibility
• They improve code readability and management
• Cluster order is essential for effective wiring in VIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is LabVIEW?

Ans:  LabVIEW is a graphical programming language for developing test systems using visual objects. It replaces the variables and keywords used in other text-based languages.

2. What is LabVIEW best suited for?

Ans: 

• LabVIEW is the best tool for developing code for automated test systems
• It is used to build systems to test products at the final manufacturing stage.
• It is used to develop systems to validate designs

3. Is LabVIEW easy to learn?

Ans:  Yes, learning LabVIEW is easy. MindMajix offers practical-based LabVIEW training with skilled trainers. MindMajix's comprehensive course curriculum allows beginners and experienced learners to become proficient with LabVIEW.

4. How long will it take to learn LabVIEW?

Ans: MindMajix offers 30-hour industry-specific LabVIEW training with a comprehensive course curriculum. It provides training in two modes: self-paced videos and live instructor-led classes. You can choose the right one based on your preferences.

5. What is a Virtual Instrument (VI) in LabVIEW?

Ans:  A VI in LabVIEW is similar to a function in text-based programming languages. It receives input arguments, works on them, and then releases output arguments. The input arguments are known as controls, and the output arguments are known as the indicators.

Conclusion:

Let’s sum it up! We hope that you fully understand the LabVIEW clusters. You might also have learned about LabVIEW error clusters, how to convert arrays to functions and vice versa using LabVIEW, and more.

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