Use RS232 to assess another computer to perform data acquisition

[hlseck]

Hi ppl

I have some data acquisiton task written in Labview on a computer, let me call it A. And I wish to control A using another computer say B via RS232 to perform the task of data acquisiton. However, computer B does not have Labview installed. Is there any tutorial or application notes out there that deals with my situation? 

[vernyew.lim]

Hi hlseck,

May I ask, what kind of "control" do you intend to do over the task on A? If you merely want to start/stop the task, you can program your data acquisition task on A to read from the serial device for a particular signal/word, then start/stop. Of course, your application will have to constantly poll for the signal, reducing efficiency, but it can be done. Also consider that your timing will not be terribly accurate if you use this method. You can refer to https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabWindows-CVI/CVI-Patch-and-nicont-dll-problem/m-p/229716?requireLogin=Fal... for how to set up your RS-232 (serial) device to work with LabVIEW. Computer B can send the serial signals from any program, not necessarily LabVIEW.

Also, just for your information, you do not need LabVIEW to run a program written in LabVIEW. All you need are the runtime engine (latest one here: https://www.ni.com/en/support/downloads/software-products/download.labview-runtime.html ) which is free and to deploy your application as a standalone executable (refer to https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/19/introduction-to-the-labview-application-... for how to do this).

Hope that helps!

Best regards,

Vern Yew

AE, NI Singapore

[hlseck]

I intend to use A to perform data acquisiton then some calculations and finally return the calculations to computer B. When it does that, it also have to inform B that calculation is over. Can you post the link to set up RS-232 (serial) device to work with LabVIEW again. I think the link provided is not talking about this. Thanks.

But the thing is I do not have the executable Labview file. So I guess I can't use the runtime engine.

[vernyew.lim]

Hi hlseck,

I apologize about the mistake regarding the link. Here is the right one: https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA03q000000x1jtCAA&l=en-US

Sending the calculations or results of your calculations to computer B, as well as some signal that the calculation is over should be easily achievable using any normal serial communication. There is no need for any special setup or equipment. All you'd have to do is send the data over, then send some signal that computer B recognizes as the end of calculations signal.

You can create the LabVIEW executable file if you have the Application Builder. Here is some info on how to use the Application Builder to create your standalone programs: https://www.ni.com/en/support/documentation/supplemental/19/introduction-to-the-labview-application-...

If you have the LabVIEW Professional Development Suite then the Application Builder is already included in your LabVIEW installation. If you have either the Base or Full packages, then you will need to purchase the Application Builder separately. Here is some more info on the Application Builder: https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/product/labview-application-builder-module.html

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Vern Yew

AE, Singapore