Audio Precision intros DAQ driver for NI's LabVIEW software

Audio Precision has unveiled its latest driver for National Instruments' LabVIEW software. Developed with a number of signal acquisition applications in mind, the driver claims to streamline and simplify the integration of the APx515 analyser as a robust, high-quality front end to LabVIEW-based measurement environments.

The addition of the APx515 to a LabVIEW environment is achieved via the DAQ driver's collection of virtual instruments (VIs), a function or programme created in LabVIEW, for initialising the hardware and configuring a range of settings, including input and output channels, sample rates, trigger conditions, signal generation and signal acquisition. The driver is based on a low-level C++ measurement library, adheres to National Instruments' standard guidelines for instrument drivers, and has a very small memory footprint. Additionally, it enables control of the APx515 completely independent of the APx500 control software.

Audio Precision APx515 analyser

The APx515 DAQ driver's feature set includes support for the LabVIEW waveform data type, arbitrary waveform generation and waveform acquisition. Additionally, the APx DAQ driver has audio test functionality that makes it unique including sine generator with two independent channels; optional dither for digital signal generation; high- and low-pass input filters; input signal weighting filters; and a range of metres for audio metrics. Provision of these features enables LabVIEW users to easily make industry standard audio measurements while eliminating the need to develop their own analysis routines, stated the company.

In addition to audio test, the LabVIEW DAQ Driver for APx515 opens up a world of possibilities in non-audio signal acquisition. Users can easily integrate the high-quality, robust APx515 analyser front end into any LabVIEW application involving signal generation and analysis from DC to 90kHz. Potential uses include vibration analysis, acoustic intensity, ultrasound, infrasound, analysis of dynamic signals (e.g., force, pressure, strain), power supply quality and more, the company noted.