Labview Control Design | And Simulation Module 2018 2021

In the world of embedded systems, industrial automation, and mechatronics, the gap between theoretical control theory and practical hardware implementation is often where projects slow down—or fail entirely. For engineers working with NI (National Instruments) ecosystems, the LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module has long been the bridge over that gap.

This article focuses on the specific evolution of this tool during the 2018 to 2021 release cycle. These versions represent a pivotal era: the transition from traditional Windows-based design to compatibility with modern real-time targets, the rise of FPGA co-design, and the maturation of the LabVIEW NXG (later re-consolidated into LabVIEW+ suites). Whether you are tuning a PID for a thermal chamber or designing a state-space observer for a robotics arm, understanding the 2018–2021 feature set is critical for legacy system maintenance and new development.

Key Focus: Real-Time Simulation Deployment labview control design and simulation module 2018 2021

The 2018 release fixed a long-standing frustration: the inability to run simulation models deterministically on RT targets (e.g., CompactRIO, PXI). Earlier versions allowed simulation only on Windows. With version 18.0, NI introduced the Real-Time Simulation Loop (RTSL). This allowed engineers to:

Additionally, the 2018 version integrated better with VeriStand—NI’s HIL testing software—allowing users to export LabVIEW-designed control models as compiled DLLs for use in large test benches. In the world of embedded systems, industrial automation,

What improved:

Scenario: A lab instrument needs a nanopositioning stage with 50 kHz control loop. Software RT is too slow. Difference in architecture:

Solution using LabVIEW 2019:

Both versions share a common layered architecture:

Difference in architecture: