Modernising a 10+ Year Old LabVIEW Phar Lap Real-Time System

[Dagau]

Hi all,

I am working at a university that delivered a system to a research partner in 2015 at the end of a PhD project.
The system consists of a Windows machine running a LabVIEW 2014 application that communicates with a real-time target running Phar Lap. The real-time target handles the motion of several actuators and acquires data via a PCIe-6343. Conceptually, the system is similar to a sailing simulator or sailboat driving simulator, operated by users in real time.
Since modern machines no longer support Phar Lap, we need to upgrade the system in some way. It is now over 10 years old, after all.

Unfortunately, no-one who originally worked is still at the university, and I have inherited the task of determining the best path forward. I have very limited experience with LabVIEW and real-time systems, and there is almost no technical documentation available (only user guides, no technical documentation).

Because the system must operate in real time for user safety, it seems likely that we would need to migrate the software to a more recent version of LabVIEW. My understanding is that this would also involve replacing the PCIe-6343 with a PXIe-6343 and running the real-time side on Linux Real-Time. Are Linux real-time targets similar to PharLap ones? Is the installation still undertaken via NI MAX?

I am also confused about the distinction between Linux Real-Time and NI Linux Real-Time. In my case, would it be feasible to keep a dual-PC setup (a Windows host connected to a real-time target running Linux Real-Time, which in turn interfaces with the actuators via a PXIe-6343)? Or does the real-time target specifically need to be an NI Linux Real-Time system?

Please let me know if there is a different approach to consider, I am looking for any guidance or advice on what might be the most sensible and cost-effective approach to upgrading this system.

I am more than happy to provide additional information if needed.

Thanks for reading!

[GerdW]

Hi Dagau,

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@Dagau wrote:

The system consists of a Windows machine running a LabVIEW 2014 application that communicates with a real-time target running Phar Lap. 

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Which kind of "real-time target"?

Any specifc information?

[rolfk]

Seems like your system is using LabVIEW Realtime for desktop computers, since you also use a PCIe card in it. LabVIEW Realtime for Pharlap has been discontinued by NI with LabVIEW 2019/2020. This was inevitable since IntervalZero, the owner of Pharlap announced the discontinuation of further development on it around 2009 and definitely sunset the entire further support in 2013.

NI so far has not been able to decide if they want to sell a license to install NI Linux realtime on normal desktop computers. While it is basically Linux and you can of course install the Linux kernel of it on any hardware you would like, this kernel is meaningless in terms of usage as a LabVIEW realtime system without the according LabVIEW runtime system and according NI libraries and you can not legally install that on any hardware without a license from NI.

The path of least resistance would be to use an NI PXI system, but I'm not sure your budget would allow that.

[Dagau]

Thank you for your reply!

The real-time target is a PC identical to the windows one except it has Phar-lap OS installed on it.
I don't have the exact details of the PC. I think it is running Windows 7 and was a good PC at the time of purchase (~2014).

The system is basically:
Windows PC ---ethernet---> RTT PC (Phar-lap OS) ---PCIe---> NI box with actuators and sensors.

[Dagau]

Thank you for the detailed information.

From what I understand, there would be a possibility to install the appropriate NI libraries on a realtime linux OS? The university I work for has all the licenses. Unless you meant something else?

If that works, I would be interested to know if there is a possibility to have a similar process than on Phar-lap, where the PC starts the program when the PC turns on, without any input from the user?

I saw that there are articles detailing the process to migrate from Phar-lap to NI linux realtime. In practice, do you know how simple that process is usually?

Looking at the prices of PXI systems, it might definitely be overbudget... There is still the option of installing Phar-lap on an older refurbished machine!

[rolfk]

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@Dagau wrote:

Thank you for the detailed information.

From what I understand, there would be a possibility to install the appropriate NI libraries on a realtime linux OS? The university I work for has all the licenses. Unless you meant something else?

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No it's not that simple. LabVIEW for NI Linux Realtime only is licensed to run on NI hardware. When you buy NI hardware you also pay for the license to run NI Linux Realtime and the whole LabVIEW runtime environment on it. If you want to run this on non-NI hardware you would need a LabVIEW for NI Linux Realtime runtime license like one could buy for the LabVIEW for Pharlap ETS Realtime system (and someone certainly has done this for your system).

But NI has not created such a license for NI Linux real-time and an according installer to get it on an arbitrary PC. It's technically possible to do if you are prepared to jump through several hoops and loops, bend your back into many shapes, and get your mind tortured with Linux installation trouble and library version compatibility nightmares, but your system would be illegal.

[RIObotics]

Hi Dagau,

This is John Wu from Extend Test.  We are a secondhand NI shop that specializes in modernizing legacy NI systems.  If your goal is to keep the system configuration unchanged, we can provide you a PC (with PCIe slots) configured with legacy LabVIEW Real-Time (PharLap) to ensure the same specifications.  Alternatively, if you want to migrate to a newer NI Linux Real-Time system, we can offer you secondhand PXI systems that are more cost-effective than brand-new units.  We also have motion control experience with LabVIEW, so we can give you some tips on this area as well.  Feel free to send me an email at sales@extendtest.co for more details.

BR

John

Add motion to LabVIEW in 30min or less - TENET EMotion
Finding it hard to source legacy NI hardware? Try Extend Test

[Dagau · Accepted solution]

Thanks a lot for your help.

In short, there are two options available:

• Find a PC that enables the installation of Phar-lap and reuse the system as it is.
• To modernise, need to switch a PXI with NI Linux realtime at an extra cost, and migrate the software to a newer version of LabVIEW.

[RIObotics]

Hi Dagau,

That is correct, great summary!  I just received your email, we can take this offline.

BR

John

Add motion to LabVIEW in 30min or less - TENET EMotion
Finding it hard to source legacy NI hardware? Try Extend Test