Fast MEMS application prototyping using Arduino/LabView pair

In this paper, the authors present selected examples of rapid prototyping environment consisting of a popular hardware platform like Arduino and software tools, like graphical language LabView. As a case study the MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) applications are described. First, the initial requirements regarding software and hardware are introduced. Next, some basic configuration procedures are presented. The main application example is a MEMS sensor data acquisition system. It shows the possibility of using LabView and non-dedicated hardware with a large number of Arduino compatible modules. The communication between Arduino and LabView is realized by a serial wire connection. Further examples show wireless communication with Arduino using Bluetooth link. The presented applications are very common in the embedded system environment and their implementation can be done with minimal effort on creating software code.