"Waiting for RT Engine to respond" when Using VISA serial com with cFP-2020

[Philippe Nobert]

When I download application to cFP-2020 and sometime when the application is running, the following message appears "Waiting for RT Engine to respond". This become only when I use the VISA serial communication.

[Vineet_A.]

Hello Philippe,

What version of LabVIEW Real-Time are you using? When did this start happening?
What version of NI-VISA do you have installed on the real-time target?

If you don't have the latest, (NI-VISA 3.2) then you might want to upgrade this driver on the host computer, and then reinstall software on your remote target.

You can download the latest version from:
http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BBB002C0E91?opendocument&node=132060_US
(linked here)

I hope this helps. Let me know if you're still having problems.

Regards,
Vineet A.

[Philippe Nobert]

This problem remains even if I upgrade VISA with the 3.2 version (both on the remote computer and the cFP-2020). I easily tested with a simple VI using a timed loop. When I start the vi, everything is ok. If I add the VISA serial config before the loop begin, the "Waiting for RT Engine..." message appears. When running, the software seems to be normal, but inserting a probe in the diagram creates this message. I also check ethernet connection, by replacing the router by a a short cross-over cable. No difference found.

Thanks.

Philippe

[Vineet_A.]

Hello Philippe,

I'm really not sure why this would be happening.

What version of LabVIEW Real-Time are you using?
What version of NI-Serial is installed on the controller?

Have you tried formatting the controller from MAX and then reinstalling all software? You can format by right-clicking on the RT target under "Remote Systems" and then selecting "Format Disk".

If that doesn't fix it, see if you can still FTP to the controller, or even just ping it, after the crash occurs.

Let me know what you find out.

Regards,
Vineet A.

[Philippe Nobert]

Ok, I did not try to reformat the controller. I don't see the Format disk option on the cFP-2020 (Only Go to Items config, Find Devices, Create New Bank..., Communication timout..., Restart, Lock, ... Remove.) The french version of Max is installed on the computer.

The "Waiting for..." message stays only a few seconds, after that the communication with the controller works well the major part of time. But this slow down the communication when downloading the application on the cFP.

I'm using Labview RT 7.1 and NI-Serial RT 2.5.3.

Philippe

[Vineet_A.]

Hello Philippe,

If you don't see the format option, you might have to upgrade the safemode version on the controller by updating the OS.

Go to where you install software (Right-click on "Software" under remote systems) and see if you can select the "Update OS" button. Afterwards, you should be able to see the format option within the right-click menu.

Regards,
Vineet A.

[Philippe Nobert]

I see Upgrade Software in the software installation dialog but the button is grayed.

[Vineet_A.]

Hello Philippe,

I don't think the French localized version of MAX should make a difference, but I've never tried it. Usually updating the OS on the Fieldpoint controller gives you the ability to format, but if you've already pressed the "Update OS" button once, the button becomes grayed out. I'm assuming you have the most current version of the Fieldpoint driver (NI-Fieldpoint 4.1) since all other software drivers are up to date.

The "Format Disk" option should be right above "Delete" in the right-click menu.

Can you FTP to the controller? You could try deleting all files on the controller via FTP, and then reinstalling software on the target.

Has this issue with the serial port always happened? Have you always gotten that message when using Serial VIs?

Regards,
Vineet

[Vineet_A.]

Philippe,

I just tried it in French, and the format option is still there.

It says "Formater le disque"

Regards,
Vineet

[Philippe Nobert]

Hello Vineet,

I made the translation for you! The item "Formatter le disque" is not present. I tried to upload some file to the fieldpoint by FTP a few days ago. I can delete all de file, and find all the files in the RT-image directory?

I don't try the serial VI's. I will.

All other vi's works very well (write, read FP...).

I will give you the results of my experimets later.

Thanks,

Philippe