Looking to interface software to FlexRIOs using C API. Do I need LabVIEW once I use the C API Generator?

[Colonel1013]

Current Versions of Software:

LabVIEW 2014 SP1

LabVIEW FPGA 2014

Xilinx Vivado

Hi all,

I plan on interfacing my FlexRIOs to software programmed in C, so the FlexRIO C API is great.

My question is more for memory saving's sake.

I have a development PC with Visual Studio that I want to add the minimum amount of software to.

If I have an FPGA development station (a PC separate from the Visual Studio PC) with all of the LabVIEW Software necessary to get to the step of using the C API generator to create the necessary C and H files, what software would I need on the Visual Studio Development PC to interface with the C API generated files?

Hopefully, it is just (from the help)

What You Need to Get Started <script src="/t5/forums/postpage/submitted/true/choose-node/pdf.js" type="mce-text/javascript"></script> <script src="/t5/forums/postpage/submitted/true/choose-node/web.js" type="mce-text/javascript"></script>

• NI-RIO Device Drivers August 2013 or later

However...From the C API help, it gives me the full list of software, including LabVIEW and LabVIEW FPGA...(below)

What You Need to Get Started <script src="/t5/forums/postpage/submitted/true/choose-node/pdf.js" type="mce-text/javascript"></script> <script src="/t5/forums/postpage/submitted/true/choose-node/web.js" type="mce-text/javascript"></script>

In addition to a RIO device such as a CompactRIO reconfigurable chassis, a Single-Board RIO device, or a PXI or PCI RIO device, you need the following software to use the FPGA Interface C API.

• LabVIEW 2009 SP1 or later (32-bit only)
• LabVIEW FPGA Module 2009 SP1 or later (32-bit only)
• NI-RIO Device Drivers August 2013 or later
• Supported development operating system
  • Windows 8 or 8.1 (32-bit or 64-bit version)
  • Windows 7 Professional (32-bit or 64-bit version)
  • Windows Vista Business (32-bit or 64-bit version)
  • Windows XP Professional SP2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit version)
  • Windows Server 2003 (64-bit version)
•  Supported target operating system
• Supported C/C++ Compiler

 So, would I need LabVIEW and LabVIEW FPGA on the Development PC?

(Hopefully no...)

Thanks

[speleato · Accepted solution]

Hey Colonel1013,

With the C API, you only need LabVIEW to build a bitfile and to run the C API Generator tool, but LabVIEW is not needed at runtime. That is to say, you need all the listed software, but it doesn't all have to be on the same machine. You can transfer the lvbitx file and the generated .c and .h files to another machine where you will only need to have NI-RIO and Visual Studio installed.

Sebastian