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Communication with a microcontroller, over an USB port, in lab.

How can I communicate with a microcontroller, over an USB port, in LabView. I am at the beginning with LabView so any detail can be useful.
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Message 1 of 9
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Does the microcontroller have a USB interface? Many microcontrollers have just a serial interface, so you usually have to create a USB<-->Serial interface. If this is necessary, the easiest way is to use on the interface chips from FTDI. If the microcontroller has a USB interface, does the company provide drivers? What's the microcontroller?
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  I expected an answer to my question, but it seems that my question raises more questions? Basicaly it doesn't matter if I want to communicate with a controller or another device. All that matters for me at this moment is if LabView has a function, a control or an addon implemented for communication over an USB port. I need this information for a project and I cann't afford myself the time needed to dig so deep for information about the hardware-software arhitecture of the USB port to make the driver myself. It could be a solution, not for the moment. There are many producers of microcontrollers. I thought for the beginning at Motorola or Texas Instruments. Have you worked with LabView and microcontrollers together?
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smercurio_fc has mentioned a solution that allows you to talk to a microcontroller that does not intrinsically support USB. I have used this type of solution several times. FTDI provides the solution either with a COM port interface or through the use of a DLL. The other solution is to use the USB VISA driver. I have also used this solution several times. This solution is described in http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/4478
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Misulache said:

I expected an answer to my question, but it seems that my question raises more questions?
Your question was all of 12 words. That's hardly enough detail to be able to provide a specific answer, which you apparently seem to want. If you want a specific answer, you need to provide specific details. Otherwise, you will get a general answer. It should also be pointed out that your last comment was that you wanted detail.

Misulache also said:

Basicaly it doesn't matter if I want to communicate with a controller or another device

That's extremely naive. What you're communicating with has everything to do with it. There are tons of ways to communicate with controllers and devices. Just saying you want to communicate with something over USB is not enough without providing information as to what you've got or what you're planning. USB isn't like the serial port. If the microcontroller doesn't have a USB interface, then you need to provide a hardware interface between LabVIEW and the microcontroller in order to be able to talk to it. If the microcontoller has a USB interface, then the route to take is a little different, but still involves using VISA. At the worst level you would need to use VISA RAW, which requires detailed knowledge of the communication protocol that the microcontroller uses.

If you haven't already you should read over the article linked in the other response. This will make it evident that you can't simply push a button and have everything automagically work.

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If the microcontroller is 32-bit, you can use the LabVIEW Microprocessor SDK to target and program it. 
Other than using the specific LabVIEW Microprocessor SDK, you can resort to the excellent alternatives offered by Odd_Modem and smercurio_fc. Thanks guys!
 
Cheers,
Emilie K. | Applications Engineering | National Instruments
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Thank you for all the answers I've received. I will study the tracks and I'll communicate my results.
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Message 7 of 9
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How can I communicate with a microcontroller, over an USB port, in LabView. I am at the beginning with LabView.

 

I have Atmega 32U4 with USB interface.Also driver for the same is installed.

How should i read the data from controller.

Do i need to wire a code for controoler to send data.The controller is only device type not a host.

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Message 8 of 9
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You may try creating a new thread.  This one is rather old.

Applications Engineer
National Instruments
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