Real-time temperature sensing embedded into a website

[AdamCronin]

Hi,

We are currently creating a system that logs oven temperatures using a simple 3 channel analogue sensor. This communicates with a VI we have been working on that displays the data as its coming in. We then proceed by stopping the VI which in turn generates a .txt file containing the oven data, we then manually take a snapshot of the front panel (for the graph) and upload it to our webserver for archiving. This method has served us well for the last year or so but we now intend to upgrade the whole system and make it more automatic and easy to use.
We had a meeting with a field agent from NI a few months ago, gave him the spec of our ideal system and requested some recommendations for software/hardware to achieve this. As of yet we havent heard anything back so are still a bit clueless.

In an ideal scenario we would like to have a system that does the following. If anyone could offer their thoughts on achieving a system like this either by recommending specific software or hardware or even just a pointer in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

How could we create a system that...

Is a standalone piece of hardware that doesnt require a PC to run. Can be switched on and off and viewed in a web browser across the internet. Has a graphical representation of the data thats being logged and is updated in near enough realtime (our sampling rate is currently in 10 minute intervals). Once the VI is stopped, it generates a CSV file, a snapshot of the front panel and is automatically transferred to an FTP site.

That is essentially what we are after. There are other various ammendments in due course but presumably these can just be incorporated into the VI and updated. The key issue is to make the whole thing as automatic as possible and remove the local PC the system is currently running on.

Anyone got any ideas ? It needs to have at least 8 analogue channels to start with, hopefully with a provision to daisy chain further loggers to increase the capacity.

Many thanks for any assistance you can offer. I apologise for the long winded post! I can offer more detailed information of our requirements if needed however.

Thanks again.

Adam Cronin
EQMC LTd.

[mikeporter]

Right off hand I would say, use LVRT as the development environment and Compact FP as the hardware platform. Simple job. Need help?

Mike...

Michael Porter
Porter Consulting LLC
(740) 392-1813
mlportersr@webtv.net

[AdamCronin]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply. Ive been reading up on the Compact fieldpoint module (the cFP-2000), and it certainly looks like it does what were after. And as you say, couple this with an embedded VI then it would be as required, a standalone solution.

I do have a couple of questions regarding a system like this however. If you could help answering them then it would be appreciated (again!).

1) We currently have Labview 6 and Application Builder, however as I dont have a great knowledge of using Labview we have been relying on a third-party to make modifications to our existing VI. My question is, would we have to purchase the Labview realtime addon even if we were to approach a consultancy to create the VI for us ? (as the fieldpoint runs VIs embedded in the hardware im not sure I fully understand whether the actual labview software is needed).

2) I keep reading that its possible to control a VI using remote front panel, and have just looked at the online demo - very impressive. However is this only possible if a local PC is used along with the Fieldpoint module ? In other words, is it a possible scenario for a fieldpoint module to be situated somewhere in Europe yet I can still monitor and control the VI from here in the UK ? (without a PC). I understand that an ethernet connection to a local PC can be made so that the VI can be monitored locally, thats fine. However it is important for us to be able to gain access remotely.

3) And finally (and heres where my very limited knowledge of working with Labview comes in to play), is it possible for a VI to interrogate a database residing on a remote server in order for it to obtain values for temperature limits etc. ? So If we were to have limits created (ie. if temp=75oC do something), instead of hard coding that 75oC limit into the VI could it be made dynamic so that if the database value changes so does the VIs?

Anyway I'll keep reading and will pass on the information to my colleague. If you could comment in part or whole on any of the questions it would again be a great help.

Regards,

Adam.

[rickw@cheerful.com]

On Thu, 3 Apr 2003 07:23:40 -0600 (CST), AdamCronin
wrote:

Adam,
I work for a company that provides an off the shelf solution that will
do everything you have asked for here. Email me privately for the
details as I don't wish others to feel that I am advertising in this
group.

Richard
>Hi,
>
>We are currently creating a system that logs oven temperatures using a
>simple 3 channel analogue sensor. This communicates with a VI we have
>been working on that displays the data as its coming in. We then
>proceed by stopping the VI which in turn generates a .txt file
>containing the oven data, we then manually take a snapshot of the
>front panel (for the graph) and upload it to our webserver for
>archiving. This method has served us well for the last year or so but
>we now intend to upgrade the whole system and make it more automatic
>and easy to use.
>We had a meeting with a field agent from NI a few months ago, gave him
>the spec of our ideal system and requested some recommendations for
>software/hardware to achieve this. As of yet we havent heard anything
>back so are still a bit clueless.
>
>In an ideal scenario we would like to have a system that does the
>following. If anyone could offer their thoughts on achieving a system
>like this either by recommending specific software or hardware or even
>just a pointer in the right direction, it would be greatly
>appreciated.
>
>How could we create a system that...
>
>Is a standalone piece of hardware that doesnt require a PC to run. Can
>be switched on and off and viewed in a web browser across the
>internet. Has a graphical representation of the data thats being
>logged and is updated in near enough realtime (our sampling rate is
>currently in 10 minute intervals). Once the VI is stopped, it
>generates a CSV file, a snapshot of the front panel and is
>automatically transferred to an FTP site.
>
>That is essentially what we are after. There are other various
>ammendments in due course but presumably these can just be
>incorporated into the VI and updated. The key issue is to make the
>whole thing as automatic as possible and remove the local PC the
>system is currently running on.
>
>Anyone got any ideas ? It needs to have at least 8 analogue channels
>to start with, hopefully with a provision to daisy chain further
>loggers to increase the capacity.
>
>Many thanks for any assistance you can offer. I apologise for the long
>winded post! I can offer more detailed information of our requirements
>if needed however.
>
>Thanks again.
>
>Adam Cronin
>EQMC LTd.