I never used LabView but need to generate a RS-233 serial output string that contains an IRIG timestamp based on a contact closure. Is LabView an appropriate tool to do this? How much does it cost to get started with the product?

[dacz]

I never used LabView but need to generate a RS-233 serial output string that contains an IRIG timestamp based on a contact closure. Is LabView an appropriate tool to do this? How much does it cost to get started with the product?

[felt]

Labview isn't cheap, but it would certainly allow you to build a program (set of vi's - virtual instruments) that would do what you describe. Where would the timecode information come from? Your vi, or program, would: Start up, initialize the serial port, loop until a trigger happened, read the timecode (from where?), output that timecode out the serial port in a loop until you pressed the stop button. There is a free evaluation of Labview software available from NI - the base product itself runs about $995.
- Dave