Updates and Changes for VeriStand Extended Support Versions

Windows 11 Support

VeriStand now supports Microsoft Windows 11. For more information about NI support for Windows 11, refer to NI Product Compatibility for Microsoft Windows 11.

External Mode for Simulink Models

Enable external mode when building a model in MathWorks MATLAB Simulink^® to monitor signals in Simulink. To access external mode and relevant documentation, download the VeriStand Model Generation Support add-on and refer to External Mode Simulations for Parameter Tuning, Signal Monitoring, and Code Execution Profiling.

For more information on VeriStand and Simulink models, refer to .

HDL Coder Support Package for NI FPGA Hardware

HDL Coder Support Package for NI FPGA Hardware enables access to NI FPGA hardware from HDL Coder. Use this package to remain within HDL Coder while generating a bitfile from a Simulink model. That bitfile can then be imported into VeriStand with the FPGA Addon custom device. To access this package, visit GitHub.

IP to FPGA Conversion Utility

IP to FPGA Conversion Utility supports the conversion of Simulink models into NI FPGA bitfiles. This utility uses a command line interface to convert models without opening LabVIEW. For more information on the utility, refer to the supplemental documentation.

AIM MIL-STD-1553 Custom Device

Use the AIM MIL-STD-1553 custom device to interact with AIM MIL-STD-1553 PXIe modules in VeriStand. To access this custom device, visit the AIM MIL-STD-1553 Custom Device repository on GitHub.

Deployment Command Center

Use the Deployment Command Center to execute HIL system validation tests by performing the following actions:

• Deploy and undeploy a system configuration.
• Connect and disconnect from local or remote gateways.
• Update gateway communication settings.
• Troubleshoot project and connection errors.

Access the Deployment Command Center from the VeriStand Editor by clicking the tab to the right of the home icon ().

Simulink Model Bus Support

Use virtual and non-virtual buses to organize Mathworks Simulink^® software models.

Virtual buses are user interface aids that do not generate code. Non-virtual buses group elements in memory and can generate code.

To access this support, generate models with version 1.1 of the VeriStand Model Generation Support add-on.

Custom Device LLB to PPL Conversion

Use inline and inline-async templates to convert your custom devices to PPL and use LabVIEW advanced packaging features. You can access these templates and relevant documentation from the VeriStand Custom Device Wizard repository on GitHub.

For more information, refer to the Custom Device Developer Handbook.

AIM ARINC 429 Custom Device

Use the AIM ARINC 429 custom device to interact with ARINC 429 PXIe modules in VeriStand using the AIM API. You can access this custom device from VeriStand Open Source Add-Ons on GitHub.

VeriStand Editor

• Add, delete, and configure alarms.
• Use the Target Log Viewer to troubleshoot unexpected engine and custom device behavior.
• View and adjust the target rate of a timing source from the VeriStand Editor configuration pane by clicking Document.

Supported Environments

Custom Devices

Build better custom devices with the following resources.

• Use the Custom Device Handbook to extend the VeriStand environment with LabVIEW. The handbook provides background, design decisions, and technical information required to develop custom devices.
• Use templates to convert your custom devices to PPL and use LabVIEW advanced packaging features. You can access these templates and relevant documentation from the Custom Device Wizard GitHub repository.

VeriStand Model Generation Support

Use VeriStand Model Generation Support MATLAB add-on to create VeriStand compatible models within the MathWorks Simulink^® environment. Access this support natively from Simulink.

VeriStand Editor

Set the default appearance of channels on the screen. Click File » Preferences and select Screen to set the channel label location and cluster arrangement.

FPGA Addon Custom Device

FPGA Add-on Custom Devices now support all FXP datatypes that are also supported by LabVIEW. You can access this custom device from the VeriStand FPGA Add-on Custom Device repository on GitHub.

NI-SWITCH Custom Device

Use the G scripting API to modify a NI-SWITCH Custom Device. For more information, refer to Scripting Examples.lvproj in <Application Data>\LabVIEW 20xx\examples\NI VeriStand Custom Devices\Routing and Faulting. You can access this custom device from the VeriStand Routing and Faulting Custom Device repository on GitHub.

VeriStand Editor

• Modify non-active mapping diagrams while a system definition is deployed. Editing in other tabs will not disturb the deployed system.
• Create duplicates of a system definition file. Use copies of a system definition to easily deploy and test modifications without losing the original file.
• Monitor array-type channels while the project is running.
• Use C# to customize and extend the VeriStand Editor. You can access examples of implemented C# code from the VeriStand Editor Plug-in Examples repository on GitHub.

Control Keyboard Shortcut Behavior from the Command Line

Use the noDeployKeys command to prevent the use of the deploy and undeploy keyboard shortcuts during a session. You can still deploy and undeploy from the Operate menu.

FPGA Add-on Custom Device

• Use the Scripting API to turn FPGA bitfiles into flexible and reusable system definition files.
• Load and reload bitfiles without losing a previous configuration. Scalars and waveforms from a former bitfile remain imported while those that no longer exist are removed from the new bitfile.

You can access this custom device from the VeriStand FPGA Add-on Custom Device repository on GitHub.

Collect Memory Usage Data with the Telemetry Custom Device

Use the Telemetry Custom Device to understand the CPU and RAM usage of your system. You can access this custom device from the VeriStand Telemerty Custom Device repository on GitHub.

Launching VeriStand Silently

Deploy a system definition without launching the VeriStand Editor or System Explorer using the Windows Run command or from a language of your choice.

Instrument Add-on Custom Device

Use the Instrument Add-on custom device API to create a new instrument from a previously exported configuration. You can also use the API to add messages and to configure the command and response functionality. For more information, refer to the VeriStand Instrument Add-on Custom Device repository on GitHub.

ASAM XIL Steps for TestStand

Use the <UndeployVeriStandProjectOnDisconnect> tag in the port configuration XML file to specify if VeriStand is undeployed when the Framework is cleaned up.

Alarm Status Channel

Monitor the state of one or more alarms in the VeriStand engine with an alarm status channel. You can use these channels in custom devices and real-time sequences to determine what actions to take when an alarm state changes.

Stopping Groups of Real-Time Sequences with Procedures

Create a procedure to stop a specified group of real-time sequences and skip to their clean-up sections. You can use the procedure to shut down sequences related to a specific device under test (DUT) in a multi-DUT scenario. Use the Stimulus Profile Editor to assign a group to a real-time sequence call step.

VeriStand Editor

• On the Mapping Diagram, use the Focus command (<Ctrl+,>) to emphasize all mappings and nodes connected to a selected item. Using Focus will highlight all directly connected components while fading the rest of the system.
  Note You can interact with faded items while using Focus.
• In the System Definition pane, right-click an item and select Locate in System Explorer to navigate to the place in System Explorer where that item is configured.

XNET Status Channels

Monitor the XNET bus statuses for CAN, LIN, and FlexRay from VeriStand. In System Explorer, right-click an XNET port and select Add Port Specific Channels to add status channels to the system definition.

FMU Fixed Parameters

Set initial values for Functional Mockup Unit (FMU) initialization parameters during deployment through a text file. You can also set fixed parameter values before running a deployed model.

FPGA Add-on Custom Device

Use the FPGA Add-on custom device to run an FPGA bitfile without implementing the normal VeriStand FPGA template. The add-on allows the transfer of basic scalar data types inline with VeriStand's primary control loop (PCL) and supports reading and writing waveforms with FPGA DMA channels. You can access this custom device from the VeriStand FPGA Add-on Custom Device repository on GitHub.

Instrument Add-on Custom Device

Use the Instrument Add-on custom device to communicate with instrumentation, such as power supplies, environmental chambers, and emissions equipment, over various protocols. The device supports serial, GPIB (using NI VISA), ethernet (TCP, UDP, and NI VISA), AK serial, and AK TCP. You can access this custom device from the VeriStand Instrument Add-on Custom Device repository on GitHub.

VeriStand Editor

• Manage aliases and user channels without using System Explorer.
• Use the Model Signal Viewer to check signal values while a project is running.
• Receive warnings when a disk model is out of sync with the loaded system definition model.

FlexRay

Enable the FlexRay Allow Passive to Active property to permit the transition from the normal-passive to the normal-active state.

CAN

Create channels to view timing information for individual CAN multiplexer modes independent of the overall frame.

Mapping Diagram

The following tasks can be completed on the Mapping Diagram.

• Manage Calculated Channels⁠ — You can now create, modify, and delete calculated channels from the Mapping Diagram.
• View unmapped channels and mappings — Use the Mapping Diagram Table View to see unmapped channels and mappings in the system definition. You can filter the table by selecting a node or wire.

Embedded Data Logger Custom Device Available on GitHub

The Embedded Data Logger is now an open-source custom device that installs separately from VeriStand. You can access this custom device from the VeriStand Embedded Data Logger Custom Device repository on GitHub. The 20.0 version includes the ability to automatically split and archive log files.

Scripting Routing and Faulting Custom Device Elements

Use the LabVIEW API to script Routing and Faulting Custom Device elements and automate fault insertion in VeriStand. The API is supported in LabVIEW 2017 and newer. For more information, refer to the VeriStand Routing and Faulting Custom Device repository on GitHub.

Support for DAQmx Waveform Logging

VeriStand now supports DAQmx Waveform Tasks on CompactRIO with DAQmx Controllers. This enables per-slot support with DAQmx, FPGA, XNET, and Scan Engine on supported controllers.

CAN FD Scripting

The VeriStand .NET API now supports scripting CAN ports with CAN FD baud rates and custom bitfields.

Mapping Diagram

The following tasks can be completed on the Mapping Diagram.

• Add and configure simulation models on the diagram from the palette.
• Evaluate items, such as channels and mappings, that have been added or removed on the Mapping Diagram. These items are highlighted after completing actions such as swapping a model or altering the system definition.

MathWorks Simulink^® Software Model Toolchain Support

VeriStand now supports models from Simulink software versions R2019a and R2019b for Windows and Linux only. VeriStand also supports compiling Simulink models for Windows using a MinGW-w64 compiler.

TDMS File Viewer Support for DIAdem

VeriStand now integrates DIAdem as its default TDMS file viewer.

Routing and Faulting Custom Device

Use the Routing and Faulting Custom Device's switching and fault insertion modules to inject faults. For more information, refer to the VeriStand Routing and Faulting Custom Device repository on GitHub.

The Routing and Faulting Custom Device also supports SLSC Switch hardware and additional hardware. The SLSC Switch Custom Device is a VeriStand add-on that supports SLSC routing modules. The following modules are supported:

• SLSC-12251
• SLSC-12252
• SET-2010

SLSC Switch routing modules can be found in System Explorer under Targets » Controller » Hardware » SLSC » SLSC Chassis » Modules » Slot (n).

The following tasks can be completed on the Mapping Diagram.

• Map channels and aliases — Use wires to connect and disconnect mappings.
• Specify a target — Select a target and use the Document pane to designate the name, operating system, and IP address.
• Remove a model or calculated channel — Click and delete a model or calculated channel to remove it from the system definition.
• Customize terminal placement — Right-click a node and hover over Terminal Placement to choose the side of the node that inputs and outputs appear.
• Change a channel's name — Right-click a channel and select Rename Channel.
• Reorder channels — Click, hold, and drag the left corner of a channel to rearrange the list. You can also click a channel and use the Search dialog box to select another channel to switch them.

VeriStand Editor

You can now use the VeriStand Editor to control aspects of your project. The UI Manager and Project Explorer windows from previous releases of VeriStand have been combined into one editor. Many of the features of the Project Explorer window can now be accessed through Project Files in the Navigation pane of the VeriStand Editor. The VeriStand Editor also contains the Mapping Diagram to help visualize channel mappings.

Mapping Diagram

You can now visualize software mappable points within a VeriStand project with the Mapping Diagram. This graphical diagram allows you to see all VeriStand channels and the mappings between them.

Groups of mappings between two nodes are automatically bundled into a single wire by default to reduce clutter. If a wire represents multiple mappings, you can select the bundle to see more information in the Configuration pane.

Other features of the Mapping Diagram include the ability to:

• Display aliases and user channels
• Validate and debug mappings

PXI NI Linux RT Support

You can now deploy System Definition Files to PXI NI Linux RT targets similarly to previously supported targets. Benefits of supporting the NI Linux RTOS include:

• Support for newer compilation tools and advance C++ features.
• Support for Linux and other libraries.
• Improvement of memory handling and computational power.

Custom Device Support

VeriStand 2019 officially supports the following custom devices.

• Engine Simulation Toolkit — Provides a configuration-based experience for validating engine control units (ECUs).
• Scan Engine and EtherCAT — Supports easily read scanned I/O from C series modules in a CompactRIO or NI 914x EtherCAT chassis. This custom device also supports custom FPGA personalities to be used with a 914x chassis.
• SLSC 12201 DIO Module Custom — Integrates the SLSC-12201 33 V Digital I/O Conditioning Module into VeriStand.
• SLSC EDS Custom Device — Allows any generic SLSC Capabilities file to be used in VeriStand.
• Synchronization Custom Device — Synchronizes RT system time and PXI chassis clocks.

These custom devices can be downloaded with VeriStand 2019 using NI Package Manager. Check NI GitHub for updates and other custom devices.

CAN FD Support

VeriStand 2019 supports XNET implementation for the Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD) protocol. With a XNET implementation, you can now use databases that support CAN FD and CAN FD with Baud Rate Switching I/O modes. This implementation also allows calculating and using custom baud rates for a CAN interface. For more information on CAN FD, see Understanding CAN with Flexible Data-Rate (CAN FD).

FMI Support

VeriStand now has limited support for the Functional Mockup Interface (FMI) API standard on Windows and PXI LinuxRT. Use the FMI standard to create tool agnostic, portable solutions between modeling and simulation environments. VeriStand enables the configuration and execution of FMI 2.0 CoSimulation models on host and National Instruments Real-Time Linux64 systems.