Creating TestStand Data Types from LabVIEW Clusters

Create a TestStand data type that matches a LabVIEW cluster, and pass that data to a VI.

TestStand includes built-in data types, such as number, string, Boolean, and object reference. It also includes standard named data types, such as Path, Error, and LabVIEWAnalogWaveform.

To group multiple values, create a container data type. Container data types in TestStand are similar to LabVIEW clusters.

  1. Select File»Save <filename> As and save the sequence file as Call LabVIEW VI 3.seq in the <TestStand Public>\Tutorial directory.
  2. In the Main step group, insert a Pass/Fail Test step after the LabVIEW Project Numeric Limit Test step. Rename the new step Pass Container to VI.
  3. On the LabVIEW Module tab, click Browse for VI. Navigate to <TestStand Public>\Tutorial\VI with Cluster Input.vi, and click Open.
  4. In the VI Parameter Table, in the Type column for the Input Cluster parameter, click Create/Update Custom Data Type.

    TestStand maps the cluster elements to subproperties in a container named Input_Cluster. TestStand creates this container as a new custom data type.

  5. In the Create/Update Custom Data Type From Cluster dialog box, change the type name to InputData and click Create.

    TestStand creates the data type in the current sequence file.

  6. Configure the Input Cluster input parameter to use a local variable.
    1. For the Input Cluster input parameter, clear the Default checkbox.
    2. In the Value column, click Expression Browse.
    3. On the Variables/Properties tab, right-click Locals and select Insert Types»InputData.

      Rename the local variable ContainerData.

    4. Set the Number subproperty to 23.
    5. Set the String subproperty to My String Data.
    6. In the Expression control, enter Locals.ContainerData, and click OK.

      The Value column for the Input Cluster parameter now shows Locals.ContainerData.

  7. In the Value column for the Report Text output parameter, enter Step.Result.ReportText.

    When TestStand calls the VI, it passes the values in Locals.ContainerData to the VI Input Cluster control. The VI returns the Number and String elements to the step ReportText property.

  8. Save the changes, and select Execute»Single Pass.

    After the execution completes, the report shows the text returned by the VI.

  9. Close all windows in the sequence editor.