Accessing registers on a PCI card in labwindows/cvi rt

[kander1]

Hi,

I'm having trouble figuring out how to access registers on a pci card on a PC running labwindows/cvi rt os.  It is an IRIG timer card by Spectracom.  The user manual for the card states that the BIOS assigns the base address automatically, and that the PCI bus sees the board as a device that has 32 consecutive 16 bit memory locations and 32 consectutive 16 bit i/o locations.   

I don't see the card in the MAX utility or using the viFindRsrc() VISA function.  I assume I'm supposed to access the cards registers via the PXI VISA functions.  I read somewhere that I have to create a driver for the device using the VISA driver development wizard.  According to the wizard procedure I need things like the instrument prefix, pxi mfcr id, pxi model code, etc.  I'm not familiar with PCI/PXI and don't know any of this information (it isn't in the card's manual). 

Am I proceeding in the right direction?  What do I need to do to get the device visible in the the RT environment?  If I need to continue with the driver wizard, how do I get the information I need to complete the procedure? 

thanks,

Kevin Anderson

Lockheed Martin

[NathanT]

Hello Kevin,
      Before you delve into driver development, I recommend that you ask Spectracom if they have produced, or know of any drivers for their IRIG timer card that were created for LabVIEW RT.  Here is a KB that has links to some good DDW tutorials.  I will see about the compatibility with CVI RT.

Cheers,

NathanT

[kander1]

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion.  I already sent a note to the device manufacturer but haven't heard back from them yet.  Am I proceeding in the right direction by looking into the driver wizard?

thanks,

Kevin

[NathanT]

Hello Kevin,
      I found a great link that I think you will find very helpful: Configuring the NI Real-Time Environment and NI-VISA to Recognize a Third Party Device.  At the bottom of that page, there is a link to Considerations in Implementing Real-Time Drivers, which is also very informative.  Developing a LabVIEW Real-Time Driver for a PXI, cPCI or PCI Device seems to be very appropriate for you also.

Cheers,

NathanT

[kander1]

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for the info.  I'll read it over.  Meanwhile I'm talking to the people at Spectracom. 

Kevin