National Instruments' LabVIEW 8.6 graphical programming software

SIMPLIFIED PROGRAMMING TOOLS

LabVIEW 8.6, the latest version of the graphical system design software platform for control, test and embedded system development allows engineers to design advanced control systems using programmable automation controllers (PAC) based on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). These PACs can reduce machine wear, increase system throughput and consume less power in applications ranging from machine control to integration of complex measurements for optimized production. LabVIEW 8.6 also introduces additional control logic tools by providing function blocks based on IEC 61131-3, a standard programmable logic controller (PLCs). These real-time safe function blocks provide familiar functions to programmers who have used other industrial controllers and can publish automatically their parameters to HMIs over the network. Additionally, to help engineers debug their systems, LabVIEW 8.6 introduces an Ethernet-based maintenance tool that allows I/O forcing and displays current CPU and memory status as well as current I/O values and status.