using MAX with FP-1001

[new_to_NI]

I am a newbie to National Instruments products.  Recently, we had a system go down that's been running for years.  It consists of a FP-1001 module connected to two FP-TC-120, two FP-AO-200, and one FP-AI-110.  Since it's an old system, it was using Windows 95 with LabView 5.1 and FieldPoint Explorer 1.6 and connected via an ISO RS-485 card.  I've now upgraded the controlling computer to Windows XP with LabView 8.5 and the latest version of MAX.  My question is, how do I get the system to work with the new PC?  Can I connect the computer to the FP-1001 via the COM1 port, or do I need another RS-485 card?  What do I need to do in MAX to get it to recognize the hardware?  Thanks.

[TMC-NI]

Hi new_to_NI,

No, you shouldn't have to buy another 485 card, you can just use the combicon adapter to connect to your computer.  This is described in the product manual, FP-1000/1001 FieldPoint Quick Start Guide.

To get MAX to recognize your hardware, follow the instructions in this article: How to Network FieldPoint to a Host Computer with Ethernet

[Graziano]

Hi!
   Sorry, but I think the above answer is not correct.   FP-1001 is not an ETHERNET module, it is RS-485.  Only, I don't know wether it'scapable of 2-wire RS485 (actually, the 4-wire RS-485 should be called RS-422, I suppose).  See FP-100x user manual to check RS-485 connection.  Simply avoid putting 120 Ohm Resistors if you're doing lab tests (they're used for long distances + high baud rates).

   If your RS-485 card is capable of 4-wire communication, you're done.

    About MAX, I can say nothing (that's why I didn't answer before).   I usually communicate directly to FP-1001 with LabView, since there's nothing to configure from MAX. To see if module is correct, you can use the examples "Find FP-100x devices.vi".  Just check FP-1001 baudrate and address!

   I have to notice that in older versions of LabView (7.1, which I use) and FP drivers (FP 4.0), you get the low-level functions (FieldPoint standard optomux and Fieldpoint extended optomux) to communicate to FP-1001.  I see that with FP 6.0 driver, this library changed place, or maybe I missed something... I've found them in 2 llb as optoStd.llb and optoXtd.llb.

   Can you see these functions in your function palette --> NI measurements --> FieldPoint ?

graziano


Message Edited by Graziano on 04-18-2008 02:33 AM