fpga: Cluster support in FPGA C API 2.0?

[SeanDonner]

I have a requirement to use the C API to talk to some LabVIEW FPGA compiled code and the code currently uses clusters of booleans and clusters of I16's.  Note that the clusters are all homogenous and could technically be arrays; although I don't know if that will always be the case.   When I generate the c-code and associated header file, none of the clusters appear.  A few questions:

1. Does the 2.0 C API for LabVIEW FPGA not support clusters?  
2. If not, how high on the list is that support for the next API release? 
3. Does the API support arrays? 
4. Could I "cheat" by exposing the controls as arrays and then immediately convert to clusters on the block diagrams so I only have to change the interface and not the code?

Thanks!

[Allison_M]

Hi SiegeX,

Please see this Help file: What You Can Do with the FPGA Interface C API. I verified that this is the same help file found in the 2.0 version of the API.

To answer your questions:

1. No, the 2.0 C API for LabVIEW FPGA does NOT support clusters.

2. It is unknown if it it will be included in future API releases.

3. Yes. The API does support arrays just not arrays of arrays.

4. You could probably use the work around that you suggested as it would be relatively simple to implement in LabVIEW.

Regards,

[cx05_]

Sorry for reviving such an old thread, but this is the most relevant info that comes up in the forum regarding cluster support. The help file hasn't been properly updated to keep track of this (submitted feedback, won't hold my breath that it will be applied anytime soon, hence the update here)

Clusters and fixed point types seem to be supported from C API 19 onward, see https://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/377957a.html 

For usage see also https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW/FPGA-difference-between-pack-cluster-vs-unpack-cluster/td-p/4118479