NI LabVIEW Simulation Module Adds New Optimization and Analysis Functionality; National Instruments LabVIEW Simulation Module 2.0 Offers Improvements to Performance and Usability.

AUSTIN, Texas -- National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) today announced the NI LabVIEW Simulation Module 2.0, which extends the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment to deliver one seamless platform for the modeling, design, simulation and real-time implementation of control systems. With the latest upgrade to this software, design engineers can more easily analyze complex, nonlinear control systems using new optimization, model trimming and linearization and decrease development time with new performance improvements.

Engineers can achieve optimal performance of their controllers with the LabVIEW Simulation Module 2.0 for designing controllers ranging from simple PID to multivariable LQG and nonlinear control systems. Engineers specify controller structure, cost function and constraints, and the module automatically determines optimal controller gains. In addition to tuning controllers, engineers can use the LabVIEW Simulation Module 2.0 to optimize dynamic system parameters for other design objectives such as stability or vibration reduction.

"Using the new functionality in the NI LabVIEW Simulation Module, we have been able achieve higher performance and work with more complex, nonlinear systems in the LabVIEW environment," said Professor Thomas Kurfess, BMW chair of manufacturing at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. "Because LabVIEW has tight integration with the hardware, we can seamlessly transition from the design of our control system to real-time implementation and save time."

The upgraded software also includes enhancements for model trimming and linearization. Engineers now can linearize complex, nonlinear systems modeled in control block-diagram form and use the intuitive LabVIEW graphical development environment for the entire development process for both simple and complex systems.

In addition, engineers can develop their systems more quickly with new performance improvements in the LabVIEW Simulation Module 2.0. With these performance improvements, engineers can model and simulate dynamic systems in applications such as web processing, fuel cells and precision machine control.

Engineers can seamlessly download their models built with the simulation node to a real-time target using the LabVIEW Real-Time Module. For applications such as rapid control prototyping or embedded implementation, engineers can use the LabVIEW Simulation Module with the NI CompactRIO embedded system, a small and durable platform based on FPGA technology. For hardware-in-the-loop testing applications that require high-speed computation capability, they can use NI real-time PXI targets.

About National Instruments

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,600 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. For the past six years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

Readers can obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling 512-683-5090, e-mailing [e-mail] or visiting www.ni.com/nati.

Pricing and Contact Information

NI LabVIEW Simulation Module 2.0, priced from $1,995
NI LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Bundle, priced from $3,995
Web: www.ni.com/embeddedcontrol/simulation

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