I am pleased to have successfully achieved Certified LabVIEW Architect status which is the highest-level qualification with National Instruments platform and LabVIEW programming language.
I passed exam on my first attempt. I chose standard Module/API based architecture that I intend to implement in most of my labview projects. It is very neat architecture and easily scales. The architecture also helped me to finish complete project within the exam duration, which is not important for CLA as it is for CLD! As all Modules were based on similar structure, I created a Template module and simply copied and pasted to create additional modules for sensor, controller and error handling.
It is essential to create complete Template Module with icon design and documentation and pack all controls and vis within Module Library. In this manner, we can simply duplicate Template library into another folder in project directory for our new module. By accessing properties menu of new library, we could simply change library icon as desired and labview would automatically assign new icon to all other files within new module. Accordingly, developer could simply create newer modules without programming and enhance their productivity greatly.
Bit about CLA – (copied from NI website)
“The Certified LabVIEW Architect is the final step in the three-part LabVIEW certification process. The exam for this step presents a set of high-level requirements and tests the user’s ability to build a sensible VI hierarchy and project plan for delivering an application that fulfils those requirements. This certification could be used to assess and validate an individual’s LabVIEW development and project management skills for project staffing or career advancement. For example, having Certified Architects on staff to provide technical leadership and guidance ensures that less experienced developers are following best practices that will make them more competent and efficient developers.”
In addition, Certified Architects can design the application architecture and manage the development of the individual components by other engineers.
“LabVIEW is a graphical programming language shipped with various debugging tools; it is ideal for rapidly putting together a control and measurement system. The LabVIEW base package is shipped with a variety of ready-to-use subroutines for signal analysis, processing and control systems development. Powered with Control Design and Simulation Module, it provides analysis of open-loop model behaviour, design of closed-loop controllers, simulation of online/offline systems and conduct physical implementation. LabVIEW also provides built-in tools to convert models developed in ‘The Math Works, Inc, Simulink’ software to work with LabVIEW. As well as built-in subroutines, various extension modules are readily available: NI multisim increases LabVIEW’s productivity to include the designing, prototyping and testing of printed circuit board PCB designs…”
If you need assistance with exam, then please drop a line. I might have some training material that could be useful.
