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USB Security Dongles for LabVIEW
Adds software protection, user identification and system feature control
Secure your LabVIEW applications and code – easy as locking the front door of your house…
Now also LabVIEW developers can protect their applications by using WireFlow Security Dongles specifically developed for LabVIEW.
The software drivers for the WireFlow Security Dongles are developed entirely in LabVIEW, making them fully compatible with all LabVIEW platforms including LabVIEW for Windows, LabVIEW for Mac, LabVIEW Real-Time and LabVIEW FPGA.
The WireFlow Dongles may thus be used to protect all LabVIEW hardware targets such as desktopPC’s, PXI, Compact RIO and Compact DAQ chassis.
Intuitive Programming Application
The Dongles are easily programmed on any Windows PC using the intuitive programming application.
Proven security
Once the different keys are programmed into the secure memory inside the dongle, it is physically impossible to read them back again. Using the supplied LabVIEW driver, the presence of a dongle with a certain key is queried using a new random challenge each time. The key never leaves the dongle, it just sends the resulting hash back to the driver. This ensures that the dongles cannot be copied or imitated. Protection against brute force attacks is guaranteed by using industry standard SHA-256 hash algorithm with 256 bit keys. This means more possible keys than there are atoms in the sun!
Easy implementation
Despite the complexity of the underlying functionality, it is very easy to develop a license check using the supplied LabVIEW driver.
Besides doing basic license checks, the security dongles can also be used for more advanced functions such as unlocking software features, user identification, demo expiration handling etc.
SINCE LATE 1970s software protection dongles have been used to protect software from being illegally copied. The reason these dongles have been so popular for such a long time is that the concept of using a “hardware key” is a very secure and intuitive method to handle software licensing.
C Series Modules for HiL testing
Hardware-in-the-loop test system with NI’s platform
Designed to work seamlessly with National Instruments architectures
WireFlow offers a suite of C Series modules specifically designed for building Hardware in the Loop (HiL) test systems. These modules make it even easier to use the Compact RIO platform from National Instruments to design powerful and scalable HiL test systems. The WireFlow C Series modules can be used to simulate resistive sensors, do bus multiplexing or fault injection.
Historically HiL test systems have been built on large, complex and expensive platforms reserved for the testing of advanced systems like airplanes and cars. With more and more products getting equipped with advanced electronics and software, the need for HiL systems now also applies to completely new industries and products such as washing machines and robotic lawn mowers. This creates a need for a new way to build HiL test systems. The Compact RIO platform, with the addition of C Series modules from WireFlow, is that new platform.
What is HiL
An HiL test system includes electrical simulation of the sensors and actuators connected to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which is the device under test. These electrical I/O nodes act as the interface between the ECU under test and the simulated environment.
The building blocks
By using software controlled I/O nodes, it is possible to simulate the signals being sent from the sensors to the ECU, and measure the signals being sent from the ECU to the actuators. By inserting fault injection units into the signal path, the engineers can also test how the ECU reacts on electrical faults such as open circuit or short circuit.
A scalable platform
Since it is possible to connect the Compact RIO chassis to both desktop PCs as well as to LabVIEW RT real-time processors, the RIO platform is the ultimate architecture for all HiL systems; from the small and simple to the large and distributed.
WireFlow C Series for HiL
WireFlow have designed a set of C Series modules specifically for HiL applications to complement the range of modules offered by National Instruments.
The WF 3144 is a 4-channel, 16 bit, programmable resistor for Compact RIO. The module uses arrays of real resistors switched with solid state relays to set the desired resistance. Each channel is galvanically isolated, making it ideal for sensor simulation.
The WF 3154 is a 4-channel Fault Injection Module for Compact RIO. Each channel provides three solid state relays that can be used to create electrical fault conditions like: Open circuit, Short circuit to battery and to ground.
The WF 3132 is a 32-channel Multiplexer/Matrix Switch for Compact RIO. It can be used for signal or bus multiplexing, electrical fault injection, switching between real and simulated sensors, simulation of both high- and low side switches etc.