custom hardware connectivity

[arrowminds]

I Have this below mentioned hardware 

Embedded PC

Analog Modules (TEWS 865-10) 

Analog Modules are connected to Embedded PC through backplane connectors. This TEWS module don’t have any labview drivers but this hardware is running fine on C++.

There will be some way that I can access this hardware through OPC server. I have also viewed a webcast at NI website which says that access your custom hardware through Labview. So How I can access my modules Inputs and outputs in Labview.

[James_McN]

Hi Arrowminds,

There is an article here that describes OPC in a bit more detail.  OPC is a software implementation on Windows.  This means that you need code between your hardware and software still to talk to the OPC server.  The devices that this is probably referring to are industrial devices like PLCs where OPC is an industry standard and they will already implemented this in software.

I think possibly the easiest option you may have is if you can run LabVIEW on the embedded PC and can get C driver dlls then you can call these dlls from LabVIEW and use the C driver.  You can then acquire the data and transmit it using shared variables, which is similar to OPC servers (and can be referenced as one) but native to LabVIEW.

Regards,

[arrowminds]

Hi James

I also think this is only possible solution.The module drivers are installed on the embedded PC. I can see the modules in the device manager of System. So how I can find dlls from the system and can you also give me a small example how to use this dll to access this hardware inputs and outputs.

[James_McN]

Hi,

In terms of the dlls for your device it is something that I am not sure about as I am not familiar with these devices.  You will need to consult your user guide for a programmers guide or go to TEWS and ask them for the info for this.

What I can do is point you to some resources for generally using dlls.  There is an article at http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3009 with some information although I would point out the the screenshots are currently from older versions of LabVIEW so while the same options are there you may find them in slightly different places.

Also check the LabVIEW examples.  If you launch the example finder from Help>>Example Finder and then browse to Communicating with External Applications>> Using External Code>> Integrating DLLs then there are some examples on how to use these in LabVIEW.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

[Hillman]

Hi Arrowminds and All,

Good Morning and I hope your well today.

Arrowminds has contacted NIUK Support regarding his issues. 

Here is a summary of the support so far, 

Looking at the TEWS website, Installing the
Device Driver allows you to interface with the device in any environment -
including LabVIEW. Here is a link to the section of the device driver
manual I am talking about,

http://www.tews.com/products/SW-Manuals/TIP/TIP501-SW-65,property=PdfFile.pdf


In Section 3 - Device Driver Programming, the article explains that the,

"The standard file and device (I/O) functions (CreateFile, CloseHandle, and
DeviceIoControl) provide
the basic interface for opening and closing a device handle and for
performing device I/O control
operations.

All of these standard Win32 functions are described in detail in the
Windows Platform SDK
Documentation (Windows base services / Hardware / Device Input and Output).

For details refer to the Win32 Programmers Reference of your used
programming tools (C++, Visual
Basic etc.)
"
This sort of information on the type of dll and the function prototypes is
what you require for your device. If the device isn't on the website
anymore you need to contact TEWS and ask them for the information. Ask for
the Device Driver and Documentation to allow you to use the Device DLLs.

Then using LabVIEW you can use these DLLs. Below are some resources to help
you and explain how to do this.

Using Existing C Code or a DLL in LabVIEW
http://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-1690

Calling External APIs
http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/371361E-01/lvexcodeconcepts/calling_external_apis/

How Do I Call a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) from LabVIEW?
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/DCB90714981A1F148625731E00797C33

Thanks,