Is compact fieldpoint my saviour?

[nicad]

Hi. Complete newby here, never really used distributed I/O in anger and looking for a solution.

I need to specify an I/O system capable of sampling inputs at 5Hz, this is important. I also need to display these sampled points in 'realtime' or as good as I can get it, on a remote PC/monitor. I need to 'control' analogue and digital outputs via the PC, perhaps at the same time as sampling the inputs. Cost is important.

I've been looking at the compact fieldpoint modules and at first glance they would seem to be up to the job, but I need to be sure.

I would be using perhaps a maximum of two 8 way backplanes. Would I need a controller for each backplane or is there a way to link a secondary backplane to the primary backplane that has a controller, not degrading the performance? Or even controlling directly from my PC loaded with Labview, without control units?

What's the best and most cost effective way to achieve all this?

I'm probably asking really dumb questions, but at least I'll learn something. Thanks!

[geirove]

Hello,

5 Hz should be no problem! We are doing 6 parallel processes capable of 6 ms response time each with no problem. As for IO cards, the Fieldpoint family lots of IO boards both analog and digital.

Look at my question here and the response.

https://forums.ni.com/t5/FieldPoint-Family/Executing-several-StateDiagram-VIs-in-Parallel/m-p/488004

I will also post a report on this some time tomorrow.

Geir Ove

[nicad]

Thanks,

I was under the impression that the maximum update rate of the inputs was around the 5Hz mark with a 500Hz filter in place and slower with a 50 or 60 Hz filter in place.

If I need to expand into a second backplane, what are my options? Can I link to another backplane or similar without a second controller required or must I have the added expense of a second controller?

[Robst]

Hello:

In order to expand your I/O Points you may use a Compact FieldPoint Ethernet/Serial Interface (cFP 180x). They allow you to connect Compact Fieldpoint I/O Modules to a ethernet network or to a RS232 serial port. This allows you to control extra I/O points with a single controller. More information on this interfaces can be found here:

http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/202209

Hope this helps.

Robst.