Test Insights - Dec 2025 Newsletter
1. What is the main characteristic that distinguishes a LabVIEW Real-Time (RT) target from a standard Windows PC for test applications?
Faster clock speed✅Deterministic execution timing
Lower memory usage
Why it matters: While an RT target may not necessarily have a faster clock or less memory than a modern PC, its defining feature is its deterministic nature. The RT operating system ensures that critical tasks execute reliably and within a specific, predictable time window, which is essential for accurate, high-speed control and timing applications.
2. When debugging a LabVIEW VI, which tool should be used to temporarily inspect the value of a wire without stopping execution?
Execution Highlighting✅Probe Watch Window
Single Stepping
Why it matters: The Probe tool lets you view the data values as they flow through a wire. Unlike Single Stepping (which pauses execution) or Execution Highlighting (which slows down the VI), the Probe Watch Window allows continuous, real-time inspection of data on multiple wires during normal execution.
3. What is the primary benefit of converting repeated code segments into modular SubVIs?
Reduces the final executable size✅Enhances code reuse and simplifies maintenance
Accelerates front panel drawing speed
Why it matters: SubVIs are the core of modular programming in LabVIEW. By encapsulating logic into a SubVI, you create a reusable component. If you need to update that logic, you only modify the single SubVI, and the change automatically propagates to every calling VI, significantly reducing maintenance time and risk.
Smooth Transition from R&D to Production Validation Avoid major failures when moving from R&D to Production Validation (PV) by setting up the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) and Test Executive Framework before DV starts. This prevents R&D code from being tied to specific instruments, making PV migration an evolution, not a costly rewrite. Integrating Test Requirements into Your LabVIEW Project Instead of relying solely on external documents, integrate your test requirements directly into your LabVIEW project structure. Shared Variables in TestStand or Configuration Files in LabVIEW are recommended way to manage key parameters like, limits, and environmental variables. This practice ensures that the running code always reflects the latest test specifications. Scaling Wireless Test
Modern wireless standards like 5G demand high precision and massive test coverage. Our latest article, The Right Tools for the Job: The Role of Test Automation Platforms in Wireless Communication, explores how centralized automation platforms are essential for scaling validation, ensuring repeatability, and integrating seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines to accelerate time-to-market.