Version 8,11,2008,0
1.) Fixed problem with name-mangling of some function calls:
_EX_GetScanIntervalMinMax@8
_EX_SetToMaxScanInterval@0
_EX_SetToMinScanInterval@0
_EX_SetToUserScanInterval@4
The fixed names are as follow:
EX_GetScanIntervalMinMax
EX_SetToMaxScanInterval
EX_SetToMinScanInterval
EX_SetToUserScanInterval
The mangling of these function names was noticed, and fixed on this date.
Please be sure that if you have any older applications, using the mangled
names, that you replace them with the non-mangled versions if using this
version DLL or later.
2.) Added external function call:
DLL_SendPacket(UINT uiCmd, UINT uiArg);
This was added in order to give the ability to send an external
control code while scanning. Below is the information to do that,
showing VB prototype and code:
Declare Function DLL_SendPacket Lib "M201_SP.dll" _
(ByVal bToken As Byte, ByVal bArg As Byte) As Byte
Note Byte as return value in VB
CONTROL CODE COMMAND Token = Hex 1 followed by arg
bArg:
The lowest 4 bits control optically coupled output bits A, B, C, & D
on the 25-pin DB connector. The next 3 bits select the A/D analog input
channel (0 through 7). The most significant bit is ignored.
EXAMPLE:
To set channel 6
dim bRetVal, bToken, bArg, as byte
bToken = 1: bArg = 96 '96 = binary 110 0000 = channel 6
bRetVal = DLL_SendPacket(bToken, bArg)
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About Configuration Settings
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- some things you need to know -
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The special .INI file that is included with this distribution allows for setup of the device configuration
without having to do it programmably and may be useful for someone who is creating software for distribution
that will always use the same configuration aside from something like setting of the COM port. The .INI file is
never used unless it is loaded with the function
call EX_SetDevToIniSetup ( ).
IMPORTANT:
below is a list of the only changes that can safely be made manually to the .INI file if you intend to make use of it with
your software by using the above mentioned function call. Other changes need to be made indirectly using the
ini
configuration tool.
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| comPort | singleChanScanMainChan | singleChanScanSubChan
| channel | subChan | biPolar | gain | LogScans
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You should never set the following manually in the .ini file:
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| BAUD | remoteAvg | tScan
| Rate | ScanInterval | wordCnt | filter | SubChannels
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There are function calls that allow you to create a new .ini file based on your current device configuration
as well as calls to display the contents of the .ini file using a windows message box. You can see the configuration related
function calls HERE. It's important to remember that the .ini
file is only a convenience and is not required or even looked at by the DLL unless you make the function call mentioned above
that loads it. The DLL always loads with a default configuration and
there are function calls available to change each and every one of the configuration parameters.
The scan interval setting is one of the entries that appears within the .INI file, and one that should never
be changed manually within that file. If the default isn't good for you, then use the special
"IniTool.exe"
utility (downloaded
from our website) or the DLL function calls designed for that purpose. It's recommended that you become familar with the definition
of and usage of the scan interval by reading the Q/A topic HERE.
After reading the information at the previous link, you may understand that a range of possible settings for the scan interval
cannot be determined until other parameters such as number of scan channels, filter settings, internal averaging, are known.
The DLL always loads with default configuration parameters as
described HERE. Those settings will work together without conflict. Having
a default configuration serves a generic function of allowing a developer to quickly test the function of the Model-201 with a
simple function call - EX_Run(). It is likely that a developer will want something
other than default settings except for testing purposes.
A complete set of function calls into the DLL is provided to allow each of the configuration parameters to be both set
and also checked. These function calls can be reviewed HERE, with even
more settings HERE. It's important to note that the final setting should
always be made to the scan interval since the range at which it can be set is influenced by other configuration parameters
as discussed further up.
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The easist way to get started
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Follow the link to documentation that explains how to get started, and lists all available function calls.
There is also a "question and answer" section and links to function call prototypes
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Source code examples
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you can copy and paste directly from the html (at each link below) into your application
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Demonstrates using "EX_Run()" and "EX_Stop()" to start scanning and logging to disk file using all default settings.
Also shows how to setup pointers (in header file) for calling DLL functions and the way to use those pointers.
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Demonstrates using EX_SetCOMport for setting correct COM port prior to starting the run. Also demonstrates using "EX_Run()" and "EX_Stop()".
Also shows how to setup pointers (in header file) for calling DLL functions and the way to use those pointers.
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Demonstrates using M201_SP.INI for startup configuration as well as the use of "EX_Run()" and "EX_Stop()".
Also shows how to setup pointers (in header file) for calling DLL functions and the way to use those pointers.
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Demonstrates non-scan mode usage.
The DLL automatically attempts to initialize the hardware the first time any of the calls shown below are made.
In the sample code I've also shown the function, "EX_GetOneConversion()" which allows reading a single voltage at
any time. Take note of the setting of the desired "Polled Mode" channel prior to reading the voltage. I've also shown
changing the channel and handling the Digital I/O.
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Source code examples
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you can copy and paste directly from the html into your application
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Demonstrates using "EX_Run()" and "EX_Stop()" to start scanning and logging to disk file using all default settings.
Also shows how to prototype function calls into the DLL.
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Demonstrates a lot of functionality available for configuring device, polled and scanning mode, digital I/O, and more.
Also shows how to prototype function calls into the DLL.
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Source code examples
linked to below
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Demonstrates using LabView with the EMF16.
See a screenshot HERE
The example in this archive makes use of the following VIs:
mainScan.vi (the main VI)
Load_ini.vi
SetLengthOfRunSec.vi
ExRunScan.vi
ReadScanDataDbl.vi
ExStopScan.vi
The archive includes the IniTool.exe utility to create and configure a .ini configuration file to set things
such as rate, channels, COM port, etc. The mainScan.vi is used to access all the other VI's.
There are also a couple of calls into the DLL within the mainScan.vi using the advanced "Call Library Function".
The SetLengthOfRunSec.vi allows you to set the number of seconds that you want the scan to run. After the set
time has elapsed the scan stops automatically. The INI configuration utility includes the ability to set the DLL to
log the data to a disk file, memory (which the VI reads), or both disk file and memory. An example log
file output is included within the archive.
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LVSamp.zip ( large download - 1.9meg )
contains _main_.vi - the main sample VI for use with LabView, all documentation, and the special
IniTool.exe used to create the configuration file for use with the sample VI. Be sure to read
READ_1st_LV.htm ( within the archive ) prior to loading the VI, for information concerning
a configuration file that must be made PRIOR TO loading the VI.
The sample VI demonstrates everything required to connect to the M201, change channels, read a single voltage in polled
mode, and read continuous data in scanning mode. The documentation in LVSampStart.htm contains a pictorial
guide to running the VI, and the other HTML documentation included in the archive contains complete information on using
the IniTool.exe configuration tool and the DLL API available for the developer to access all the functions
of the M201.
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Demonstrates using "EX_Run()" and "EX_Stop()" to start scanning and logging to disk file
using all default settings.
Demonstrates using "EX_SetPolledModeChan()" to set a polled mode channel
and EX_GetOneConversion() to get the voltage on that channel.
Also shows how to prototype function calls into the DLL.
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This example is not well documented at this time
The link above goes directly to a file folder where you can download the example code
Read the documentation within the VIs to understand the processes.
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