Learn LABVIEW-INSTRUMENT-MODULES with Real Code Examples

Instrument modules simplify instrument automation using graphical LabVIEW VIs.

They abstract low-level commands (SCPI, Modbus, custom protocols) into drag-and-drop nodes.

Support high-precision measurements, device control, data logging, and test sequencing.

NI provides thousands of certified drivers for instruments from Keysight, Tektronix, Fluke, Rohde & Schwarz, and others.

Widely used in research labs, automated testing, production test benches, and real-time monitoring systems.

Instrument I/O (VISA/GPIB/USB/LAN/Serial)

Driver library VIs for measurement and control

High-frequency DAQ synchronization

Error handling and status monitoring

Instrument automation templates and examples

VISA sessions for communication

SCPI commands

Instrument driver hierarchy (Initialize/Configure/Measure/Close)

Hardware timing & synchronization

Error clusters for debugging

Top-level VI for system orchestration

Driver VIs grouped by instrument function

VISA configuration files

Data logging (TDMS/CSV)

UI panels for control and visualization

Install instrument driver

Drop Initialize VI and open session

Configure measurement/control VIs

Read/Write loop for continuous monitoring

Close session and handle errors

Beginner: reading voltage from a DMM

Intermediate: automating oscilloscope FFT acquisition

Advanced: multi-instrument synchronized sweep

Expert: PXI/PXIe real-time DAQ at high throughput

Architect: full-scale automated test equipment (ATE) suite

LabVIEW drivers vs Python PyVISA - graphical vs code-based

LabVIEW PXI vs SCPI bench instruments

LabVIEW TestStand vs custom test sequencers

VISA vs raw socket communication

Instrument drivers vs IVI class-compliant drivers

1986 - Initial LabVIEW release

1990s - GPIB and Serial driver expansion

2000s - PXI and DAQmx integration

2010s - IVI class-based drivers

2020s - NI Package Manager modern driver delivery

VISA - Virtual Instrument Software Architecture

SCPI - Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments

PXI - PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation

DAQmx - NI data acquisition framework

LXI - LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation