I have a "host program" that is attached to a cRIO platform used for precision controlling of some heavy machinery. The current host is used to set parameters, but primarily to read values and display trends for the operators and maintenance personnel. I had previously been looking for a method to put a correct timestamp on my historical charts, which allow the user to scroll back if something odd occurs, but this has become more trouble than it is worth. One of my main difficulties in all of this is that I have 6 synchronized graphs that need the "roll back" ability, and putting a live timestamp on a chart you must be able to pause and rewind is unfathomably difficult with LabVIEW...
So, I have decided to kill 2 birds with 1 stone, so to speak. I needed to work out logging the graphed signals to file anyhow, so I decided I might as well just do this and externally reference the log files for the "rewind" functionality. My problem now is finding the best approach to log these 6 graphs of differing types... The first graph has 3 overlaid analog values, the second graph has 2 overlaid values, and the last 4 are each just a single individual (scaled) sensor reading. The graphs are updated every 100ms. Accurate timestamps (date and time) need to be attached to the data as well.
This logging is a new arena of LabVIEW for me, but I figured there has to be at least a few experienced users or developers out there who know all of the ins and outs. Any suggestions on the best way for me to log this data? Individual files for each chart, or is there a better method to combine the data to keep it cleaner (not multiple files to track)? Are there pitfalls I should be watching out for?
