User Defined Refnum Error

[blue_cortina]

I'm "experiencing" a problem similar to others that have already posted. I use "Open FPGA VI reference" (either with a bit file or a VI) and then pass the reference out from this VI and into a series of sub-VIs. This works fine until I make any kind of change to the "Open FPGA VI reference" say changing the bitfile it references, or, changing from a bit file to a VI. At this point I get broken wires and I end up spending a pointless amount of time redoing all the in/out reference links to fix the broken wires.  I've tried binding "FPGA host reference to type definition" but this does not seem to fix the problem either. According to LV2009 SP1 this is a bug and it's fixed - but I have LV2009 SP1 installed along with FPGA module 9.0.0 so surely it should work? Perhaps I'm not doing it? It seemed such a simple idea to pass a reference around to enable you to use sub-Vis - but it's driving me mad and wasting time 😞

I would just like to be able to change the FPGA code recompile use the new code  (or choose to go back to the old code) without having to relink all the VIs on the host side evertime I do!

[sahpe]

Hello blue_cortina,

You are correct that the bug was fixed in SP1, however this points to LabVIEW 2009 FPGA SP1. You seem to only have v9.0.0, so once you install SP1 of the FPGA module you will then have version 9.0.1 that indeed fixes this issue.

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/DE967DE6C943EF2F862576B1000056E3

I hope this helps!

Kind Regards,

Michael S.
Applications Engineer
NI UK & Ireland

[blue_cortina]

Curious - I installed SP1 but was not given any new device drivers when I did so. We've since had the LV2009 SP1 discs delivered and I've installed the device drivers Feb2010 onto the PC - still reports FPGA module as 9.0.0. I tried running the SP1 install disc and selecting the install of the FPGA module but when it tries to do a 3 part instal it fails onthe first two parts (see jpg) and only does the last part. The FPGA module is still reported to be 9.0.0

[sahpe]

Hello blue_cortina,

It is not actually the device drivers you need, it is LabVIEW 2009 SP1 FPGA Module. This should be a specific option in the installer DVDs. After you insert the DVD select the option to "Install NI Software". Once it loads the installers you will get all of the available software that you can install. The first category after LabVIEW and the Device Drivers should read "Embedded (Real-Time, FPGA, and Microprocessor)" and once you expand this you will see the "FPGA Module" (see attached pic). You can click on the little arrow on the left of this title and select to install SP1 of this particular module.

Try this out and let me know how you get on. If this is the process you followed already, then it might mean that somehow the LabVIEW installation has been corrupted. One other thing I wanted to ask is, have you installed all NI software into the suggested folders? This might have to do with why you see this error.

Kind Regards,

Michael S.
Applications Engineer
NI UK & Ireland

Message Edited by sahpe on 06-04-2010 04:15 PM

[sahpe]

Hello again!

I actually just found that this particular error has been reported in connection with problematic DVDs, so you can copy the installer files over to your PC and run the installer from on there. This should work!

Kind Regards,

Michael S.
Applications Engineer
NI UK & Ireland

[blue_cortina]

Thanks for the info. I have now managed to get the install to work running it from the PC. Unfortunately the activation fails and the version listed in MAX is still FPGA Module 9.0.0 Strangley enough the device drivers asked for during install are the Aug09 ones - I would have expected the installer to request the newer ones? Don't understand why the activation would not work with the serial number I have for FPGA module LV2009 - is that why it is still at 9.0.0?

[sahpe]

Hello blue_cortina,

I would suggest calling your local NI office to sort out your activation. If you are in the UK, the number is 01635 523545. Explain that you cannot activate your FPGA license and provide the relevant Serial Number. If there are still problems and my colleagues decide to put you through to Technical Support, then you can ask for myself and mention we have been working together in this forum.

I hope this helps!

Kind Regards,

Michael S.
Applications Engineer
NI UK & Ireland

[sahpe · Accepted solution]

Just to update our users, it seems that after you upgrade to LabVIEW FPGA 2009 SP1 (that fixes this bug), you have to double-click onto "Open FPGA VI Reference" and uncheck the option to "Bind FPGA host reference to type definition", click OK, and then go back into it and re-bind it. This will resolve the broken wires eventually.

I hope this worked for you too blue_cortina, if not, let me know.

Kind Regards,

Michael S.
Applications Engineer
NI UK & Ireland

[blue_cortina]

Thanks - that seems to have done the trick. I'm still FPGA module 9.0.0 - but I can change FPGA bitfile withou breaking the code now 🙂

[blue_cortina]

FYI - Looks like this problem has been fixed in LV 2010...