LabVIEW and ADAM-4000 Series

[Siconi]

Hello.

Currently, I'm using LabVIEW ver. 7.1 and I want to do sme applications based on ADAM-4000 Series.

Now, here is my problem:

I've installed the software (LabView 7.1, the MAX that came with, the ADAM-4000 drivers, ADAM-4000-5000 Utility)

I've made a serial cable (RS232) because I'm using a RS232-485 converter. All the ADAM-4000 modules communicate on RS-485, so I needed that converter.

All were god till now.

I open the ADAM-4000-5000 Utility in order to set up the address of each module. They came from factory with the same address: 01. I needed to change it to see them all in that utility. Every module came with a CD included in its pack. The CD contains drivers, utility and some manual, but that is only generic, nothing I can use for my situation.

Here is the real problem: I cannot see my ADAM Module either in LabVIEW or in MAX.

The ADAM-4000-5000 Utility see all the module which are connected through the converter of course.

What shall I do? What did I missed? Is here someone can help me to solve this problem?

I'll be very thankfull for your help.

P.S.: The serial cable is fine and is configured as well. That's not the problem.

[Anders Björk]

Does not ADAM-modules use Advantecs own device manger, check under Advantec on the program menu? Atleast the usb-module I use their own device manager, where set you the device number.

[Siconi]

QUOTE (Anders Björk @ Jun 10 2008, 10:09 AM)

Does not ADAM-modules use Advantecs own device manger?

I don't know. I have installed the DevMan.exe which came on the same CD as the drivers. But no effect.

I want to understand what happend in the serial communication, what kind of words are sent or received, what is the syntax the module can recognize and so on. Maybe I can discover what to do and WHEN to do.

I don't know. You guys tell me.

P.S.: I am a novice operating LabVIEW and ADAM module (serial connection).

[ned]

QUOTE (Siconi @ Jun 10 2008, 05:54 AM)

I don't know. I have installed the DevMan.exe which came on the same CD as the drivers. But no effect.

I want to understand what happend in the serial communication, what kind of words are sent or received, what is the syntax the module can recognize and so on. Maybe I can discover what to do and WHEN to do.

I don't know. You guys tell me.

P.S.: I am a novice operating LabVIEW and ADAM module (serial connection).

MAX is only for configuring National Instruments hardware. I'm not familiar with the ADAM-4000 series, but I use the ADAM-5000 series here and communicate with them using the DLLs provided by Advantech. I expect that similar libraries are provided for the 4000 series; there may also be ActiveX or .NET controls you can use if you prefer. You may find the DLL Import utility in LabVIEW, under Tools -> Import -> Shared Library (.dll)... to be helpful. (EDIT: I think this tool is only available in later versions of LabVIEW; in 7.1 you may need to configure the Call Library nodes yourself, following the ADAM documentation and function prototypes.)

Alternatively, you can read the ADAM documentation to learn the syntax of the serial commands, and then send them yourself using the Serial Read/Serial Write VIs.

[Anders Björk]

QUOTE (Siconi @ Jun 10 2008, 11:54 AM)

I don't know. I have installed the DevMan.exe which came on the same CD as the drivers. But no effect.

I want to understand what happend in the serial communication, what kind of words are sent or received, what is the syntax the module can recognize and so on. Maybe I can discover what to do and WHEN to do.

I don't know. You guys tell me.

P.S.: I am a novice operating LabVIEW and ADAM module (serial connection).

Look at this link it maybe useful

http://www.morechemistry.com/labview/drive..._adam_4000.html

[BrokenArrow]

QUOTE (ned @ Jun 10 2008, 09:43 AM)

Alternatively, you can read the ADAM documentation to learn the syntax of the serial commands, and then send them yourself using the Serial Read/Serial Write VIs.

That is, by a wide margin, the easiest and most highly recommended way to go about using your ADAM-4000 device. Are you able to communicate with your device in Hyperterminal?

A manual is http://www.bb-elec.com/bb-elec/literature/manuals/Advantech/ADAM-4000.pdf' rel='nofollow' target="_blank">here.

Richard

[Siconi]

I can communicate with modules. I found I can do it in a "low level" way, but it 's very difficult. I understand There is another way to do it. I have trying to use VISA objects. I can write and read to and from COM port. But It is just like I write code in  any other programming software, like Basic, VB, C or C#. I'm usig the same way to communicate.

I know there is an easier way to do it. I wanna know HOW to use ADAM driver and where to find it in LV. Adam Driver is more able to administrate my command and do by itself the conversion: I want to activate an output from ADAM-4056S by using an input from ADAM-4051, for example.

Anyway, I wanna thank you to all of you for trying to help me. Now, I give you some other hints about my problem.

On the other hand, I have the ADAM CD which came with every module. It contains the ADAM DLL.exe and DevMan.exe. I've installed both and there is no icon in LV to help me improving my application. What should I do in this case?

[BrokenArrow]

QUOTE (Siconi @ Jun 12 2008, 04:07 AM)

.....I wanna know HOW to use ADAM driver and where to find it in LV. ....

You won't find the driver "in LV" - the driver is not an NI product. You'll find the driver on the Advantech site or on the CD-ROM that shipped with your module(s). You will install the drivers in the user pallete and then they'll show up in LV.

I still say you're better off just writing commands to VISA....

Edit: ned is correct, they don't have a seamless driver for ADAM products. All the more reason to learn to fish.

[ned]

QUOTE (Siconi @ Jun 12 2008, 04:07 AM)

I can communicate with modules. I found I can do it in a "low level" way, but it 's very difficult. I understand There is another way to do it. I have trying to use VISA objects. I can write and read to and from COM port. But It is just like I write code in any other programming software, like Basic, VB, C or C#. I'm usig the same way to communicate.

I know there is an easier way to do it. I wanna know HOW to use ADAM driver and where to find it in LV. Adam Driver is more able to administrate my command and do by itself the conversion: I want to activate an output from ADAM-4056S by using an input from ADAM-4051, for example.

Anyway, I wanna thank you to all of you for trying to help me. Now, I give you some other hints about my problem.

On the other hand, I have the ADAM CD which came with every module. It contains the ADAM DLL.exe and DevMan.exe. I've installed both and there is no icon in LV to help me improving my application. What should I do in this case?

I do not believe Advantech supplies any component that integrates directly into LabVIEW and provides icons in the palette. In order to use the ADAM DLL, you need to set up a Call Library Function node to call into the DLL. The ADAM documentation, header files (.h), or example code for other languages should provide all the necessary information, but it helps to have a basic understanding of C in order to set up the parameters properly. You only need to configure about 6 calls, most of which are straightforward. I suspect the ones you need are Open, Connect, Read Coil, Write Coil, Disconnect, and Close (at least, those are the ones I use for the 5000TCP series).

[Rolf Kalbermatter]

QUOTE (ned @ Jun 12 2008, 08:27 AM)

I do not believe Advantech supplies any component that integrates directly into LabVIEW and provides icons in the palette. In order to use the ADAM DLL, you need to set up a Call Library Function node to call into the DLL. The ADAM documentation, header files (.h), or example code for other languages should provide all the necessary information, but it helps to have a basic understanding of C in order to set up the parameters properly. You only need to configure about 6 calls, most of which are straightforward. I suspect the ones you need are Open, Connect, Read Coil, Write Coil, Disconnect, and Close (at least, those are the ones I use for the 5000TCP series).

From the function names and the model name I would think they really use ModBUS TCP as underlaying protocol.

Sorry no experience with those modules myself. The last Adam hardware I used were I believe Adam 3000 modules and that might be about 10 years ago ;-)

Rolf Kalbermatter