DDE Help?

[richjoh]

Check the Note paragraph from this NI Document, http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/862567530005F09C8625667C0068DA20?OpenDocument.

""Note: Although the DDE functions are still present in the most current version of LabVIEW, National Instruments recommends that you use ActiveX instead. Please refer to the tutorial (linked below) for more information on using ActiveX with LabVIEW.""

As if ActiveX is a replacement for DDE. Unfortunately, the folks at Brooks instruments, Netherlands, are still using DDE!!! I have a new release version 2.0...Smart DDE...

richjoh

[Wayne.C]

Like I said before, maybe you should write your own software to communicate with the MFC's and eliminate the Brooks software completely.  Then you could use ActiveX.

[yenknip]

Bronkhorst are still using DDE as well. They've been causing me a whole world of hate for the past couple of months, and their FlowDDE software uses a constant 10% CPU. I've got a patchy workaround for the moment, but I'm working on analogue voltage control for them.

[richjoh]

Writing my own driver is another project by itself considering the time constraints.

I have no idea so here goes, does anyone know if I can run LVRT (fieldpoint) on one machine and have XP on another for the operation and control of Brooks SmartDDE software and other control software like this? This sytem is for a chemical control process that I'm still learning about.

richjoh

[David_B]

If I understand correctly, you'd like to use two computers with one FieldPoint?  You want to run a host VI on one computer, but have the FieldPoint communicate with a second computer (through serial reads and writes I'm assuming) that has the SmartDDE software on it?  I think, if this is what you are trying to do, you will be able to by deploying a VI to the FieldPoint and running the commands from there.  This of course will depend on your HW.  What FieldPoint are you using?

Here is a great document to get you started (if I understood you correctly that is): Using RS232 Serial on FieldPoint Real-Time Controllers

[Amd1480]

@yenknip

you are right but you can also communicat to Bronkhorst MFCs useing VISA/RS232 also, but you need to know the serial cmds to send to the flowBUS/RS232.

I have done it and it works perfectly.

[yenknip]

Amro, thanks for that ^_^

Bronkhorst haven't mentioned this to us....

Do you happen to have that command set readily available? Also, do they daisy chain along, or is it one MFC per 232 port

[Amd1480]

you can communicat to all the MFC's on the flowbus useing the RS232. you have to construct the commands in Hex values and send them over the RS232/VISA COM-port.

you can get the commands format from Bronkhorst Instruction manual.

I have no idea if I am allawed to publish this commands hier. so please connatct Bronkhorst and ask them about the (RS232 interface with Flow-Bus protocol for Digital Mass Flow/Pressure instruments) manual.

in this manual you can found how the command should be send and how you can initialize the flowbus.

Note: with out initializing the flowbus, you will not able to communicat to more than one MFC's.

if you get this manual and you have a problem, just post your Problem and I will try to help.

I know that, it is a littel bit tricky to use thier commands, but it is possible and it works.

[Isaac84]

Hello,

Could someone help me to link Software Lookout and Laview trough DDE ...? Or at least tell me if it is posibble? I need to send an alarm with a program in Labview connected to a Modem via serial port and link it to Lookout alarm program who manages all the scada system

[David_B]

Looks possible:  DDE Communication between Lookout and LabVIEW

You may be able to get even more help from the community by creating a new posting for your question.

Regards,