Is there a way to use the FF vi's to read and write complex data types; specifically, clusters?

[FOwens]

I'm trying to interface with a Fieldbus device through LabVIEW.  I need to be able to read and write a variable that consists of a cluster of two unsigned int 32's.  The FF vi's provided with FF Communications Manager 3.2 do not support clusters.  I have tried to use a code interface node to write my own, but the CIN's I was using before to do this function do not give me a device list anymore (they were originally written on Communications Manager 2.3.5).  I have recompiled the .lsb, as well as trying to use the older versions of the header and library files.  Is there another workaround I can use?

[fieldbus]

I'm sorry that the 13 FF add-ons for LabVIEW do not support the clusters directly. The reason is that, the TagEditor helps us flatten the parameter list by indicating its parent node in the parameter's tag (BlockTag.ParamTag.SubParamTag, such as RB.TEST_RW.VALUE_1). We can use a cluster to show the parameter values from FF devices; however, please be aware that we should input the parameter tag/name manually. These FF add-ons could help us get the device list and block list, but they are helpless to get the parameter list.

The attached file shows how to get the device list and how to show the parameter value with a cluster. Please follow the readme file to make the 2 VI's work properly.

Regarding getting the device list, I would like to suggest you run Communications Manager (CM), and then run the Dialog Utility or the TagEditor; please make sure that the Dialog Utility or the TagEditor can get the device list and read the parameters successfully. And then, close Dialog Utility and the TagEditor; keep the CM running and run your application to get the device list. If there is still problem, please send me some details.

Hope it helps and please feel free to let me know if I could do more help for you!

-------------------------------------
Josiane Zhou
National Instruments China
Product Support Engineer for NI-FBUS

[_Bryan]

Hello Josiane,

  Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a question about the VI you attached.  I have the FBUS configurator 3.1 and I am not able to run the vi because I do not have the ff_browsedevicelist.vi.  It that only included with 3.2?  Or is there a way to get it?

Bryan

[fieldbus]

Hello Bryan,

The BrowseDeviceList VI was released within NI-FBUS 3.2. For NI-FBUS Configurator 3.1, please unzip the attached file and copy the "addon" and "Ff" folders into "\vi.lib" directory. LabVIEW 7.1 or above version is required for using these addons.

And for your information, there is a free upgrade (version 3.1.1) for NI-FBUS Configurator 3.1 users. Here is the link to the upgrade kit.
http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/websearch/00A1614EC291219586256F390020671B?opendocument&node=132070_US

Hope it helps!

Regards,
--Josiane

[_Bryan]

Thank you Josiane,

  I figured that vi was probably added in 3.2, but was not sure.  I spent some time trying to find the addon's on the NI website, but could not find them.  I am using LabView 8.2 so it should work.  I was just asked if I could stroke some valves with fieldbus positioners, so I am just starting to get into this area of LabView.  It looks like we have all the pieces, I just need to figure out how to put them together in LabView.  It will be much easier for the guys in assembly to run a Labview program than to try to figure out all the blocks and stuff in the configurator program.  At least I hope so.

Thanks again,

Bryan

[fieldbus]

Hello Bryan,

These FF LV addons are released with NI-FBUS software; no activation is required for using them. NI-FBUS will automatically install (if you select Complete installation) these addons if it detects LabVIEW.

FYI, the following materials might help:
1. Examples
[Start Menu] >> All Programs >> National Instruments >> NI-FBUS >> NI-FBUS VIs for LabVIEW >> Examples

2. FFLV help file (the "A Simple Example" inside it might help you get a quick start):
[Start Menu] >> All Programs >> National Instruments >> NI-FBUS >> NI-FBUS VIs for LabVIEW >> FFLV Help

Hope it helps!

--Josiane