How to read Fieldpoint devices via OPC Automation Server

[dpouw]

I'm trying to read & write to Fieldpoint devices via the OPC Server built into the FP-1600 ethernet module. I'm using labview's activex vis to try to navigate the properties and methods, but I can only get so far. Is there any examples available that don't use ComponentWorks controls or other DLLs?

[mrak1]

Hi,

Just to clear things up, the OPC server is not built into the FP-1600. The server resides on the PC.

The easiest method of communicating in LabVIEW to the FieldPoint hardware is by using the FieldPoint VIs that are installed by FieldPoint Explorer. If you do not have a pallette of FieldPoint VIs in LabVIEW after installing FieldPoint Explorer, go to Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel and reinstall FieldPoint Explorer. There are many LabVIEW examples that are installed with FieldPoint Explorer. To find these

However, if you need to use the OPC server, you can use the DataSocket VIs in LabVIEW to communicate to the OPCFieldPoint server. You can also use Front Panel DataSocket connections instead.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[dpouw]

Hi Mike,
The problem is, I have an OPC third party software package that I eventually want to control the fieldpoint devices. It has no capability to encorporate Datasockets or Labview VIs, so I'd need to know how to use the available properties & methods to do the same thing.

Dave

[dpouw]

Hi Mike, I've read the document OPCExplorer.pdf from the NI site, and I've come up with a solution that works (attached - NI-OPCTest.vi). The only thing I'm unclear on is the OPC Read method. It requires a Source parameter and by trial and error I've found only the numbers 1 and 2 work in this example. Can you tell me what Source refers to?

Dave