EPICS-Labview communication

[VPS]

I completely agree with you.

However I do think that NI has made an important first step in the EPICS-LV communication, at least for simple beam line users such as myself.
If only the DSC module would be somewhat cheaper

Steven

[Vasilich2004]

Steven hi,

I have look on NI shared variable. It looks shared variable mechanism doesn't support subscription/monitor. So your library can't support CA subscription

Again this feature is not important in table system. But big control system can't accept this gap.

Andrei.

[matthieu_]

We are receiving a new control system implemented in Labview and I am
looking at interfaces with Epics. I found your post and thought this closely matach what we are trying to do.
SNS also offers a Shared Memory Interface to do this (http://neutrons.ornl.gov/diagnostics/documents/epics/LabVIEW/SNS_LabVIEWEPICS.html)

I'm compleltly new to labview: is the DSC from National Instrument a self contained solution (ie. it has the capability to setup  and run an epics ioc server, hooked to some labview variables) or does it rely on external party software?

Thanks for any information,
Matthieu

[Vasilich2004]

We discussed 2 solutions of LabVIEW program (as client) - Epics IOC from somewhere (as server).

There are also 2 solutions LabVIEW program as server. One was implemented above ActiveX. Abother one is Shared memory interface.

It looks you need to change standalone  LabVIEW system into Epics server. I didn't use ActiveX solution, But I suppose Shared memory interface would be better.

[matthieu_]

The reason we want to setup the interface for our apllication is for simple monitoring purpose. The update rate is expected to be low rate (1Hz) and low volume (<100 values)

It looks both approach may work:
(1) a labview / ioc server that expose the labview data transparently
or
(2) a labview / ca client, that would `caput` values to some remote IOC and update dumb 'container' records

My requirement are not very stingent, because we lack expertise with Labview I am looking at the easiest / most practical solution. It also needs to be compatible with LabView 8.x

Any recommendations? and maybe some links where I can look at the different options? I only checked the SNS/server solution, but cannot find recent information for other options.
Also I read some thread indicating ActiveX / Labview CA might not be really supported.

Thanks,
Matthieu

[Vasilich2004]

Both men who wrote ActiveX and shared memory are working at SNS. ActiveX is not supported. Shared memory was supported a little and I don't know curently.

You can use any of your approaches..

If you have expirience with Epics IOC than LabVIEW client would be easy.

In another case Shared memory is eaier way.

[matthieu_]

so If I understand well, Steven has a 'client' solution implemented with NI / DSC module.
I would be interested to hear how I can implement that solution, if the code is available somewhere or if it's wrapped in the DSC package when you purchase it.

Thanks,
Matthieu

[VPS]

Hi,

If I understand you correctly you have an application written with Labview 8.x and want to monitor some values that are accumulated somewhere and published on the net using EPICS.
I cannot comment on the shared memory option because I have no experience there. So here just a short note on the NI solution:

Assuming that on the EPICS side there is an IOC server available that is publishing the data on the net, you do not need any third party software. NI can provide you everything you need. I am currently working with a separate beta version of the EPICS I/O client server. Just contact NI and ask about the status of this beta version. Maybe it is already included in the DSC module. After this is installed just following the procedure I have described earlier. It is really very simple

Cheers!

Steven

[Vasilich2004]

... or you can use my library

You can take it from SNS (it is free), it is not use NI DSC (no money), works with LabVIEW 6.1 as minimum ...

Also you will not be simple ... monkey that click for your 100 values

In any case good luck!

[matthieu_]

Hi Andrei,

Can you send me a link where I can get hold of your interface? I contacted Willem who is listed as the SNS contact but did not get a reply.
Thanks,
Matthieu