infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 1 The Infinity VAB TM for INFINITY Tutorial Introduction to Making VAB Applications

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 2 What is VAB for Infinity Software for creating engineering designs Graphical programming: Build software by selecting and connecting blocks together using point-and-click of a mouse Runs on PC and real-time DSP hardware Easy to learn Easy to teach

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 3 Here’s what it looks like… Toolbar Live Video The Block Diagram Is the Software Program… Images Sound Blocks

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 4 Why VAB? It’s visual--no traditional programming skills are required Handles all types of media (sound, images, video, networks) Integrates well with high-powered DSP technology for higher-level courses Incredibly powerful!

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 5 Tutorial Overview The Toolbar Buttons Loading Example Worksheets Creating Your Own Worksheets

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 6 Important Toolbar Buttons VAB for INFINITY Toolbar

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 7 Creating and Saving Worksheets File Commands New Creates a new, blank worksheet Open Allows user to select an existing worksheet Open Examples Allows user to select from example worksheets Save For saving current worksheet

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 8 Selecting Blocks Blocks (or components) are complete software/hardware elements in a VAB block diagram -- the modules that make up all VAB labs Component Selection Select Blocks Brings up block function selector dialog box to allow user to select from available components

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 9 Moving and Connecting Blocks Connection/Mode Selection Setup Mode Default mode, used for selecting and arranging components Connect Allows connections to be made among blocks such that the data output from a given block may be used as input for another block - this is the usual connection mode Conditional Connection To allow connections to be made among blocks such that the data output from a given block may be used to control whether another block is allowed to run Parameter Connection To allow connections to be made among blocks such that the data output from a given block may be used to set a parameter of another block dynamically Delete Used for deleting components

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 10 Running Worksheets Run/Stop Selection Run Starts execution of the system and runs until ‘Stop’ is pressed Stop Used to stop the current execution of the system

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 11 Loading Existing Worksheets Option 1: Use ‘Open’ Toolbar Button File Commands Open Allows user to select an existing worksheet

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 12 Loading Existing Worksheets Option 2: Use ‘Open Examples’ Toolbar Button File Commands Open Examples Allows user to select from example worksheets

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 13 Creating a worksheet: Five Easy Steps 1. Select Blocks 2. Arrange Blocks 3. Connect Blocks 4. Set Block Parameters 5. Run the Worksheet

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 14 Sweep Generator Step 1 – Select Blocks Block Selection Select Blocks Brings up block function selector dialog box to allow user to select from available blocks Click on ‘Select Blocks’ Toolbar Button Select Then Drag Desired Block to Worksheet

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 15 How to Find Blocks Simplest Way using “Select Blocks” Dialog: –Select the library that contains the desired block –Push “Select All Groups” button –Find the block from the list on the right Other Ways: –On Web Site: VAB Block Descriptions –Find an existing worksheet that contains most of what you need and start editing…

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 16 Select Setup Mode Click on a Block and Drag into Desired Position Repeat for All Blocks Step 2: Arrange Blocks Connection/Mode Selection Setup Mode Default mode, used for selecting and arranging components Students Pick This Up Quickly!

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 17 Step 3: Connect Blocks Ensure You Select ‘Connect’ Mode Connection/Mode Selection Connect Allows connections to be made among blocks such that the data output from a given block may be used as input for another block - this is the usual connection mode

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 18 Step 3: Connect Blocks (cont.) Connecting Blocks 1. Click on the right half of the “From” block. 2. Click on left half of the “To” block - and for blocks with multiple inputs, click in region closest to desired input. 3. Repeat until all connections are made Note - you must always click within the block icon (don’t click on the arrows) Represents area on block to click on

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 19 Step 4: Set Block Parameters Blocks Have Parameters –These parameter values can be set by hand, controlled by knobs/sliders, or even calculated by other blocks –High degree of freedom – allows ultimate creativity in design Systems that incorporate audio/image/video information all at once Allows real-time control/modifications to test out ideas

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 20 Step 4: Set Block Parameters by Hand Double-click or right-click on desired component to view/modify its parameters Modify desired parameters and select OK This may be done while executing worksheet for live instant feedback

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 21 Step 4 – Set Block Parameters Using Other Blocks Use “Parameter Connect Mode” to connect output of a control block (e.g. slider) to the center of the block to be controlled A pop-up list allows you to select which parameter will be adjusted by the control block Parameter Connection

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 22 Step 5 – Run the Worksheet Press the “Go” Light to Start Execution Run/Stop Selection Run Starts execution of the system and runs until ‘Stop’ is pressed

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 23 Tips and Tricks Connection Tips  After clicking on source block, use right mouse button for clicking on multiple destinations  There is never a need to ‘disconnect’ or delete a connection - simply re-connect to desired point

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 24 A Few Important Points Framesize - the number of samples used or produced by blocks –Use Framesize = 1 on DSK-based VAB worksheets –Different framesizes used for different PC-based worksheets Precision - stick with default values Sample Rate –DSP Board: 8 KHz (default - adjustable) –PC: Rate depends on sound card capabilities

infinity-project.org The Institute for Engineering Education Engineering Education for today’s classroom. 25