Introduction: Deploy a Startup Application to Your MyRIO

By
About: Software Engineer at Digilent Inc.

This Instructable will describe the steps to make your own startup application for the myRIO using LabVIEW as well as how to use your web browser to disable the startup application. Using this process, I was able to create my heart rate monitor project using a photoresistor and an LCD screen to display your heart rate.

Make sure to download the required software for the myRIO to run on LabVIEW.

Photo Credit: http://content.mycutegraphics.com/graphics/household/alarm-clock.png

Step 1: Create a LabVIEW Program for the MyRIO

One important thing to know about your startup application is that it will only run once. Also, since the program will run without the front panel, you can't easily use an event structure for your myRIO.

In the block diagram above, I have a main while loop with a stop button control. Since there is no front panel, the stop button cannot be pushed and therefore the program will run continuously. If the on-board button on the myRIO is pushed, the heart rate is gathered for 10 seconds and then displayed on the LCD screen.

Create a LabVIEW program that you want to deploy to the myRIO so that it will run on startup.

Step 2: Building Your Build

First, open the project that contains the VI you want to deploy. In this case, I want to deploy testosterone.vi.

On the bottom, right click on "Build Specifications" and then select New --> Real-Time Application.

A new window will pop up where you can change some settings and select the VI you would like to use. Under the Information tab, change your Build specification name to what you want to name your startup vi. Make sure the target filename is startup.rtexe. The local destination directory is where the build will be saved on yoru computer. You can also add a description at the bottom.

Click the Source Files category. Under project files, select the VI you want to use as a startup vi and click on the highlighted arrow pictured above (the top most arrow on the window). This will move your VI over to the Startup VIs category on the right.

Now to check a few settings.

Step 3: Settings Check

Next, click on the Source File Settings category and select your VI. Click Customize VI Properties... this button is highlighted in the picture above. On the resulting pop-up window, make sure Run when opened is checked under the execution sub-heading.

Now, under advanced, make sure to uncheck Copy error code files. This will help keep your build lean. If you would like to leave the error code files though, it won't hurt anything to leave that setting checked.

Click the Preview category and click Generate Preview at the top of the window. Once the preview is generated, it should look something like the picture above. If you kept the copy error code files checked, there will be a couple of extra files.

Finally, click build and a loading screen will appear. When it is done loading, click done.

Step 4: Final Setup

Next, head back to the project and you will see your build under Build Specifications. Right click your build and select Set as startup. Then right click again and click Deploy. There will be a quick loading screen.

Once that is done, right click on the myRIO and select Utilities --> Restart to restart you myRIO and your application will run on startup. About 10-15 seconds after the status LED turns off, your application will start running.

Step 5: Disable Startup Application Using Your Web Browser

Don't want your myRIO to run your VI at startup anymore? You can use your browser to disable RT startups. I had issues with getting this to work on google chrome, so I would recommend using FireFox.

Open firefox and type 172.22.11.2 with your myRIO connected via USB. If prompted for a user name and password, enter your information. If this is your first time using the myRIO and you haven't changed these settings, your user name is "admin" without quotes and there is no password.

Scroll down on the main page that comes up and find Startup Settings. Check Disable RT Startup App and click save. Then restart the myRIO using the button at the top of the page. Now when you power the myRIO, nothing will happen when you start it up. Next, open your myRIO project and under the Build Specifications right click your build and select Unset as startup.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer them!