Testing Virtual Channels

To use the Virtual Channel Test Panels to view actual readings or to directly control the different channels you have configured, follow these steps:

1. Right-click a channel in the configuration tree and select Test.
2. From here you can select, view, and test the following channel types:

   Analog Input

   Analog Input Chart View

   For analog input channels, the Virtual Channel Test Panels analog input chart view displays the analog input reading with the range minimum and maximum settings, based on the actual hardware settings. The Virtual Channel Test Panels acquires 50 points at the specified sample rate per update. Average Value displays the average reading of the 50 points.

   Analog Input Range View

   For analog input channels, the Virtual Channel Test Panels analog input range view displays the actual values as well as the range and resolution calculated by NI-DAQ. NI-DAQ sets the range on the hardware to the best setting for your hardware, given your desired physical quantity range setting.

   Analog Output

   For analog output channels, you control the analog output level by entering the value in physical units into the Value control of the Virtual Channel Test Panels. You can view the range information for the selected analog output channel in terms of the hardware setting.

   Digital Input

   For digital input channels, the Virtual Channel Test Panels displays the state of all the digital input lines for that channel. The digital input indicator changes depending on the number of lines in the digital channel you have selected. If the channel is configured as digital line input, you view only the one line. If the channel is configured as a digital port, you view each of the lines that make up the port. The lines are shown most-significant bit first. The ports are shown least-significant line first.

   Digital Output

   For digital output channels, you control the digital output displayed in the Virtual Channel Test Panels. The digital output control changes depending on the number of lines in the digital channel you have selected. If the channel is configured as a digital line output, you control only the one line. If the channel is configured as a digital port, you control each of the lines that make up the port. The lines are shown most-significant bit first. The ports are shown least-significant line first.

3. Click Close when you are done.

Note  Neither DAQ devices running in LabVIEW Real-Time nor the PCI-7041 RT Series DAQ device currently support virtual channel testing.