using PDA as an embedded controller in an instrument

[PhillipBrooks]

I write test apps for a variety of products my company builds using LabVIEW. One of our products is an "instrument" and contains a GPIB interface.

Has anyone considered using LV 7 and a PDA as the basis of a instrument development solution? I like the idea of the PDA's "touch panel" and the ability to select from multiple "off the shelf" PDA mfgrs.

I'm not interested in embedded processors, bunches of C libraries and interfacing ICs to a controller.

[Allen_W.]

We are using LabVIEW running on a PDA to communicate with serial instruments. To control GPIB instruments perhaps you could use a GPIB-RS232 Converter such as the ones at http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nioc.vp?cid=10066〈=US. But be cautious. The performance limitations and screen real estate limitations of the PDA platform can be severe.

[PhillipBrooks]

I may not have explained myself well enough. I'd like to replace the older controller INSIDE our instrument and put in it's place a PDA running LV code that would do what the old 8-bit processor did. We pay about $500 for a 'drop-in' IEEE.2 compliant board; I'd like to use a PDA instead, with some LV code to control some TTL lines in my instrument.

I wouldn't communicate WITH the instrument through the PDA, the PDA would BE the instrument...