LabVIEW and Python Integration Examples

This repository demonstrates various integration patterns between LabVIEW and Python, showcasing three different approaches for bidirectional communication and collaboration between the two environments.

🎯 Overview

The repository contains practical examples of three integration modes:

1. LabVIEW calls Python - LabVIEW acts as the orchestrator, invoking Python code
2. Python calls LabVIEW - Python scripts control and execute LabVIEW VIs
3. Equal Partnership - Both systems work together through message-based architectures (RabbitMQ, gRPC)

📁 Repository Structure

.
├── LabVIEWtoPython/          # LabVIEW calling Python examples
│   └── PythonNode/
├── PythonToLabVIEW/          # Python calling LabVIEW examples
│   ├── PYtoLV_DLL/
│   ├── PYtoLV_HTTP/
│   ├── PYtoLV_TCP/
│   └── PYtoLV_VI-Server/
├── gRPC/                     # gRPC-based integration (equal partnership)
│   ├── calculator_client/
│   ├── calculator_server/
│   ├── calculator.proto
│   ├── Client.py
│   └── Server.py
└── rabbitMQ/                 # RabbitMQ-based integration (equal partnership)
    ├── src/
    │   ├── analysis/
    │   ├── simulator/
    │   ├── ui/
    │   └── shared/
    └── tests/

🔧 Integration Modes

1. LabVIEW → Python

Examples demonstrating how LabVIEW can call Python code directly.

Location: LabVIEWtoPython/

Features:

• Python Node integration in LabVIEW
• Image processing examples (coin counting)
• Video processing capabilities
• Coin analysis using Python computer vision libraries

2. Python → LabVIEW

Multiple approaches for Python to control and execute LabVIEW VIs:

VI Server (ActiveX)

Control LabVIEW VIs programmatically using the VI Server API via ActiveX.

Location: PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_VI-Server/

Features:

• Call LabVIEW VIs from Python using vi.Call() and vi.Call2() methods
• Set/get control values on VIs
• Works with both LabVIEW Development System and built executables
• Supports connector pane parameters and loose controls

Quick Start:

cd PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_VI-Server
uv run python Call-Method.py
# or
uv run python Call2-Method.py

See PYtoLV_VI-Server/readme.md for details.

HTTP/Web Services

Call LabVIEW web services via HTTP requests.

Location: PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_HTTP/

Quick Start:

1. Run LabVIEW as Administrator
2. Open the LabVIEW project and start the web service
3. Run:

cd PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_HTTP
uv run python CallLVWebservice.py

See PYtoLV_HTTP/readme.md for details.

TCP/UDP

Network-based communication using TCP sockets.

Location: PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_TCP/

Quick Start:

1. Open LabVIEW Example Finder: Networking > TCP & UDP > Simple TCP.lvproj
2. Run Simple TCP - Server.vi
3. Run:

cd PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_TCP
uv run python python-client.py

See PYtoLV_TCP/README.md for details.

DLL

Direct library calls using LabVIEW-built DLLs (Windows-specific).

Location: PythonToLabVIEW/PYtoLV_DLL/

Features:

• Call LabVIEW functionality compiled as DLL
• Low-latency integration
• Python code: call_labview.py

3. Partnership Mode

Both LabVIEW and Python work as equal partners, communicating through message-based architectures.

gRPC Integration

Remote procedure call framework for high-performance, language-agnostic communication.

Location: gRPC/

Architecture:

• Protocol Buffers definition: calculator.proto
• LabVIEW Server: calculator_server/
  • RPC service implementation
  • Message handlers for AddRequest/AddResponse
  • Server lifecycle management in Run Service.vi
• LabVIEW Client: calculator_client/
  • Client API for unary calls
  • Calculator Add operation for RPC calls
• Python implementations: Client.py, Server.py

Generated Code:

• Python: calculator_pb2.py, calculator_pb2_grpc.py
• LabVIEW: Message registration and RPC method bindings
• Protocol file: calculator.proto

Quick Start:

cd gRPC

# To run Python gRPC server:
uv run python Server.py

# In another terminal, run Python gRPC client:
uv run python Client.py

Code Generation:

# To regenerate Python stubs:
cd gRPC
uv run python -m grpc_tools.protoc -I. --python_out=. --grpc_python_out=. calculator.proto

Demo: Contains a Python demo/ folder with Python-only reference implementation.

RabbitMQ Integration

Full-featured demo showcasing asynchronous message-based communication with UI, simulator, and analysis modules.

Location: rabbitMQ/

Architecture:

• Exchange: demo.topic (topic exchange)
• Queues:
  • queue.lv - Simulator/LabVIEW stub
  • queue.analysis - Analysis service
  • queue.ui - User interface
• Message Flow:
  • UI sends cmd.start → Simulator generates meas.raw → Analysis produces meas.result → UI displays results
  • Health scoring and fault detection
  • Status heartbeats from all services

Modules:

• Simulator (src/simulator/) - Generates synthetic measurement data with optional fault injection
• Analysis (src/analysis/) - FFT-based frequency analysis and health scoring
• UI (src/ui/) - NiceGUI web dashboard for control and visualization
• Shared (src/shared/) - Common RabbitMQ infrastructure and message contracts

Quick Start:

1. Start RabbitMQ:

   docker run -d --name rabbitmq -p 5672:5672 -p 15672:15672 rabbitmq:3-management

2. Install Dependencies:

   cd rabbitMQ
   uv sync --extra dev

3. Run Demo:

   # Option A: All modules at once
   uv run poe run-all
   
   # Option B: Individual modules (separate terminals)
   uv run poe run-simulator
   uv run poe run-analysis
   uv run poe run-ui

4. Open Browser: http://localhost:8080

Features:

• Real-time measurement flow visualization
• Fault injection toggle
• Health score monitoring with color coding
• Remote shutdown via message bus
• End-to-end correlation IDs for debugging
• Frequency spectrum analysis with peak detection

Testing:

uv run poe test        # Run pytest suite
uv run poe typecheck   # Type checking

See rabbitMQ/README.md for complete documentation.

🛠️ Requirements

Python

• Python 3.11+
• Common libraries: aio-pika, nicegui, numpy, plotly, grpcio, grpcio-tools, win32com (Windows only)

LabVIEW

• LabVIEW 2020 or later recommended
• gRPC support library (gRPC LabVIEW)
• VI Server enabled for ActiveX examples
• Administrator rights for web service examples

Services

• RabbitMQ: Docker or local installation
• gRPC: Protocol Buffers compiler for regenerating stubs