Few cFP questions

[Tohatsu]

I have a system built around cFP modules for measuring temperature. I want to buid this app into a standalone EXE and there is my first question, how can I build a simple user interface to let the user select the appropriate channel for each sensor (thermocouples), up to 32 sensors. Now I did a norman build and it said I needed to install the appropriate drivers for the FP modules, found some examples in here for DAQ-systems but nothing for cFP. Also, for some reason, every morning when I boot the cFP up, I need to remove and add it to my project for it to work...weird, bu I guess that will all be fixed when it's built into an exe.

The system will possibly run with 4 instances(separate windows) at the same time, gathering data from 4 different cPF backplanes each with up to 32 sensors with different adresses too. (4 different projects)

And there is my second question, how to avoid having 32 similar "lines" like the ones I have now, is it possible to select the number of sensors I want to use, and only get that many dropdown menus to select channels from (setup tab)? (avoid having 32 fieldpoint IO points and reads)

questions? pleast let me know and I'll try to clarify...

[edit added the VI, never mind the mean filtration, just a test]

Anders

Gothenburg-Sweden

Message Edited by Tohatsu on 12-03-2007 07:23 AM

[nathand]

I don't understand exactly what you're asking and since I don't have your FieldPoint configuration I may not be able to answer all your questions, but let me see if I can help. 

Are you using DHCP to assign an IP address to your cFP backplane, and if so, does it change every time you reboot it?  If the IP address changes every day, it would explain why you are constantly removing it from the project and adding it back in again.  To fix this you would need to assign it at static IP address, or ask your IT department to assign the same IP address to it through DHCP every time.

You do not need to have one FieldPoint Read for each channel.  You can create a FieldPoint item that will return values for all channels in a module in an array; you'll then need to have a way for the user to select which array element to use (but the FieldPoint reads will be more efficient).  You can also create an array of FieldPoint I/O Points, and loop through them with a For loop.  Does the user need to be able to change which channel is being read while the code is running?  I notice that at the moment you read the FieldPoint I/O Points only once, outside your while loop.

[Tohatsu]

IP is static already.

the channels dont need to be changed when the program is running, so any of your solutions might work...however, I have not found the item that will read all channels into an array anywhere...Also the backplanes might be configured with 1-4 modules, depending on how many channels each project require.

[Joseph_Loo]

Have you saved the iak file when you add the elements to the configuration file? If you do not, you will need to add the items each time to Max.

Suggestion, I give a specific name to each of the elements in the fieldpoint name. That way, I do not have to continue reconfiguring the devices. for example:

Module 1 room_1

    temp_0 (for 1 module set)

Module 2 chase

    temp_0

    temp_1 for 2 temperature modules associated with the device.

Then you can refer to the individual items as

FieldPoint\\chase\\Temp_1\\Channel 4

or

FieldPoint\\chase\\Temp_1\\All

This probably will return an array of temperatures.

[Tohatsu]

I have saved it yes, and it's not in MAX the problem occurs...the only reconfiguration I have to do is remove and add the fieldpoint to the project and then browse for the channel in the IOmodule instead of selecting the channel from the dropdown. But, hte real problem is when I try to build a standalone app, how to include the cFP drivers.

[Joseph_Loo]

You have to explain a bit more when you say remove and replace the fieldpoint. In my particuliar application, I do not even have the Fieldpoint defined within he VI. Only during run-time are they defined.

You will need to add Fieldpoint as an additional installation item.

[Tohatsu]

No, but to be abel to select the fieldpoint device, you have to add it to the project (targets & devices)

And whenever I turn off the power to the cFP, I need to remove it and then add the cFP device to the project.

Where do I locate what to include? And where do I include it?

[Joseph_Loo]

The projects and devices are defined in Max. That is where I define all of my devices. If you look at the previous note, I mentioned that you should rename them, in order to allow device location independence. Within the actual VI, I use the fully qualified name to extract the information directly from the Fieldpoint device. Hence I do not have to define the item at all.

I assume you have at least Labfiew 8.x. You will find the Fieldpoint stuff when you create an installation file set.

[Tohatsu]

I have renamed them, but since I am using multiple backplanes and modules I need a dynamic system that can de adapted to current conditions...therefore it's needed to select what backplanes/modules/channels that should be used for every measuring-sequence.

Same error is still there, whenever the backplane looses it's power, I need to remove it from the project and re-add it to be able to get valid data. (Error 32812)

Now I see the fieldpoint stuff, I just tried to build an EXE file before, but I see now what you mean...

[Joseph_Loo]

In the devlopment station, when you open Max there is a Data Neighborhood. Under there, you will see the Fieldpoint definitions that the program will use to fetch the data. If you notice, there is a xxx.iak file that is defined in it. Save that file to a location you have access to and include it in your build operation. On the run time system, open Max and use the file for your fieldpoint definition (use Max and open the file). You can open the file in any location. I suggest that you place it in the same direcotory of your executable instead of the default location.

If it is part of your installation (keep it in the same location all the time). When you update the file, build the installation, and install on your target machine, this file will be installed and used by Max. As I mention, if you access the channels by name, you do not have to do very much. In my particuliar case, I have the channel names defined in a configuration file. That way if the modules change, I just change the configuration file and I am done.