Due that don't exist a example about use the MAX7219 driver for control a LED Matrix, I make a VI that allow us to control a single 8*8 Matrix using the visual interface of LabVIEW and the communication with Arduino.
Inside the VI I include the parts of the Datasheet that I took for create a simple and functional code.
In the VI exist a large Tab Control in which I put the differents features that the MAX7219 have, and to start to work with the program you must go to the differents Pages of the Tab Control and make the next sequence to initialize the Driver:
1: Go to the Shutdown Page, and send the next 16 bits: 00001100 - 00000001
2: In the Display Test page send the next 16 bits: 00001111 - 00000000
3: Go to Decode Mode and select No Decode for digits 7-0 by sending the 16 bits: 00001001 - 00000000
4: In Scan Limit send the next sequence: 00001011 - 00000111
Note: The 8 bits of the Address are disable for prevent a possible problem, and the 8 bits of the Data are limited to only that values that works with the chosen address.
Optional: You can modify the intesity of the Matrix changing the values of the Intensity page.
This is a video that I upload to Youtube in where I show the code working (the video is in Spanish because I'm from Mexico):
