National Instruments Confidential 1

Proposed Implementation of Arduino LabVIEW Toolkit

By Andy Coulson

3/5/2011

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Introduction

Proposal: Mobile, mesh-networked, Christmas light devices sychronized via LabVIEW driving Arduino

• Stretch goal: synchronized to music via using frequency analysis

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Agenda• Relevant Experience• Concept Background and Evolution• Proposal Details

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Experience• Legacy of Christmas Light Enthusiasm

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Concept Evolution

2005• Began with running Trail of Lights fun run

• Originally a couple strings of incandescent mini lights• Pinned to black sweats• Powered by a UPS lead-acid battery and inverter• (no photographic evidence exists)

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Concept Evolution

2006• Gradual technical Improvements

• LED light strings (much improved battery life)

• More strings

• Addition of sidekick (name withheld)

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Concept Evolution

2007

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Concept Evolution

2008• Cannibalized the controller from

a string of sequenced lights• 8 simple patterns

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Concept Evolution

2009• Switched to NiMH (packs of 8 AA’a)

• Lighter• Swappable• More power charging options (car

charger, can use akalines in a pinch)

• Dedicated Jumpsuit

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Concept Evolution

20092009• Added Autonomous Cape

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Concept Evolution

2009

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Concept Evolution

2010• Added Light Staffs (Staves?)

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Proposal Details• Mesh-networked, Synchronized via LabVIEW driving Arduino

connected to Xbee (Zigbee 802.15.4) modules

Conceptual Schematic

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Proposal Details• LabVIEW , running on a laptop, will be connected to Arduino• Will control Arduino Digital Out pins

• 4 pins will drive locally-connected 4-channel Triac board• Remaining pins will be connected to Xbee module (master node)

• Xbee will configured in “virtual wiring” mode – pins values are passed transparently to slave nodes

• Multiple remote Xbees • 4 channels for Sidekick’s light suit• 2 channels for Autonomous Cape• 2 channels shared by staffs

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Proposal Details

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Proposal Details• Stretch Goal: Synchronized to Christmas Music

• Utilize LabVIEW Sound and Vibration toolkit• Associate Arduino pins with distinct frequency ranges from music input• Bluetooth speakers embedded in one staff could provide audible music

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Conclusion• My depth and breadth of experience results in high

probability of success• Demonstrates applicability of LabVIEW in growing field of

Christmas Light automation• Engages whole new audience of potential future engineers

(1-8 year olds)• Enhances Christmas Cheer