Libraries to use in LabView VME modules

[Pilar]

Hello,

I would need to initialize VME from LabView. I would also need to write and read from VME modules in LabView.
Could you please provide me the LabView libraries to do this?

The VME modules are the following:
CAEN V513 16 CH PROGRAMABLE I/O REGISTER
CAEN V260N 16 CH NIM SCALER
LeCroy 1182 ADC

Many thanks in advance, Pilar

[Lycangeek]

That depends on how you are communicating with the VME backplane. Are you using one of the NI VME interface kits (such as the NI's MXI line) or using an embedded computer? If an embedded computer, which OS is it running?

If the former, you would use NI-VXI/NI-VISA and their tools.

If the later, then it would depend on what interface library the computer manufacturer supplies you with. If it is a standard DLL with a C interface, you could use the Call Library Node.

So, what'cha got?

[Pilar]

I'm using a NI VME-MXI-2. Could you provide me the NI-VXI/NI-VISA tools?

Many thanks!

[Lycangeek]

They should have come with the kit and VISA comes with LabVIEW (see the device driver CD). If you don't have the CD, they are downloadable from www.ni.com. I am not sure which OS you are using, but just go here to find them...

For NI-VXI, which is the required device driver to use the MXI-2 interface

http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BE600704D8D?opendocument&node=132060_US

For VISA, go here

http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BBB002C0E91?opendocument&node=132060_US

[Pilar]

NI-VXI/NI-VISA came with my VME-MXI-2. In fact all that is installed. I was able to run MAX and open a VISA session. However I was not able to communicate with one of my VME module (still underinvestigation).
If I understand correctly, in addition to the NI-VXI/NI-VISA drivers which are already installed in my Windows XP computer, I need VISA to access the VME modules from LabView. I expect a set of libraries which could be used in LabView, am I right?
Can I obtain these libraries if I execute the exectable available in
http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/websearch/C0CDC738994FCBC886256EEB004E9BB3?opendocument&node=132060_US ?

Many thanks for your help!

[Lycangeek]

They should already be there. If you go to the diagram and bring up the palette menu, look in Instrument I/O. There should be a VISA palette with all the nodes you need. If they aren't there, go to Add/Remove Programs and update the LabVIEW install. I honestly can't remember exactly under what configuration the VISA nodes are installed, but I think they are there in the basic install.

[Pilar]

I found the VISA nodes in LabView! I saw that there is a function called "VISA Resource Name Constant" where you should declare the nodes you want to use with VISA. I don't see how to set my VME modules with that function. Is the input a string? Should I also set the VME crate?

Many thanks!

[Lycangeek]

At this point I think the help and manuals describe the steps best. If you go to Programs->National Instruments->VISA->NI-VISA Help and search for VME, you will get the starting point.

Basically, you need to first use MAX to create entries for the VME devices (since they cannot be auto-discovered). Once that is done, you can access them using the resource name in VISA.

Give a look at the manuals and let me know if you have any questions.

[Pilar]

I created a new VME device with MAX (VXIO::256::INSTR(V513) in the configuration menu)Is this name which appears in the conf. menu the VISA resource name?
I also tried to use the device in LabView. I encountered that for the VISA CLR function the VISA resource name appears in magenta. What type of variable is that one? There is also "dup VISA resource name". What "dup" stands for?

Many thanks!
Pilar

[Lycangeek]

Yes, VXI0::256::INSTR is all you need. You can create the VISA Resource Name Constant from the pallete or by right clicking on the VISA Resource Name terminal of the VISA node. Then just type that in.

The magenta is the VISA resource. If you bring up the context help window (CTRL-H) and then hover over the wire, you'll see the data type.

The dup stands for duplicate. Basically it is the same resource name that you put into the left terminal. This allows you to easily chain together multiple VISA calls.