Collecting data from legacy serial and Ethernet devices

[randyest]

I'm planning an interesting project that requires data collection from up to 16 legacy devices (simultaneously) via serial (RS-232) and Ethernet links (each using proprietary protocols.) The total bandwidth is quite low (well under 1Mb/s) and the system need only process the data once every 10 seconds or so, so processor performance needs are also low. The system will display a message based on the data collected and provide for simple input via touchscreen LCD.

Since performance is not a major concern and minimal development time is the main goal, I'm leaning toward using LabView for development, prototyping on a PC, and eventually moving to an ADI BlackFin-based embedded system (or similar) for production. LabView's ability to target multiple platforms (FPGA, embedded CPU, PC, etc.) is a nice bonus, and development/IDE cost is not a concern.  My main focus is getting a prototype up and running asap, then moving to relatively low-cost (~$1k or less) production system asap.

Based on my research there are numerous potential solutions for this application and it's non-trivial to compare all the options without trying each. I'm wondering what platforms and development environments you would recommended to minimize development time and simplify implementation of this system for someone with more hardware design experience than embedded system programming experience.  Am I perhaps overestimating LabView's potiential as a solution for this application?  What would you suggest I evaluate as potential hardware and software solutions for this system?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions or recommendations.
(I posted this in Digital I/O before realizing it probably belongs here instead.  Sorry for my confusion; I hope someone will delete my other post.)

[Albert.Geven]

Hi the biggest part of the work seems to be the development of correct drivers for all these instruments.
The serial lines could possibly be implemented via a ethernet to serial or some usb to serial converters.

This all can be controlled by LabVIEW but moving to a blackfin involves a second step for interfacing.

[randyest]

Indeed it is.  I have found VISA drivers for a very few of the defices (amazingly) but most will have to be written from scratch.   It may not be so bad though, since most of the devices are one-way (they just spit out data, require no instructions or prompting, and have very basic data flow.)  I'm glad that LabView can probably handle this.  But, I'm curious what you mean by the "second step" for moving to a BlackFin.  Do you mean the compiling of the code / porting to BlackFin (I thought LabView could do that pretty easily) or is there someething else I'm missing?