FP-module don't use new *.iak when changing to iak-file on runtime

Question

Hi folks,
I'm using FP1001 (RS-485) communication modules with a bank of FP-AI-110
(8 x AI) and FP-SG-140 (8 x StrainGauge) with LabVIEW 6.1.
Since I need to change input ranges of the modules on runtime
(autoranging feature) and there is no vi to manage this, I created a
couple of iak-files with the FP-explorer (V3.02, build 177), where I set
the approbiate input ranges. My application then monitors the analog
input data of the modules and changes the used iak-file as needed to
prevent over- and underranging.
When changing the iak-file the current session is closed (FP-Close) and
the next session is opened with FP-Open and Create Tag, continuing with
FP-read.
My application does its' job well, since I monitor the currently used
iak-file, range and the fact that sessions get closed before opening the
next, but the FP-modules won't restart using the new range settings,
after the following session is started with the other iak-file. The
modules allways keep the previous settings.
So whats wrong?
Btw.
I noticed FP-Explorer also has its problems changing module- ranges,
after loading a new iak-file.
So I startup the FP-Explorer with a iak-file for a low range setting
(module input range) and increase the input voltage at the module input
just as much that a overrange occurs. Then I load another iak-file with
higher range-settings. FP-explorer shows the higher range in its range
column, but when monitoring the module input values, overrange is showed
first. After restarting monitoring, the input values are showed
correctly.
Heres' the problem:
Loading the previous iak-file again, the overrange should show again,
since the input value was left at the higher value, as set before. But
no overrange shows! FP-Explorer monitors the higher input value which
istn't within the input range, showed in the range column.
So FP-explorer hasn't switched down the modules range!!!
Restarting monitoring, or reloading the iak-file doesn't change
anything. Restarting the FP-explorer shows overrange again when starting
to monitor values. Restarting monitoring lets the FP-explorer continue
to monitor the higher input value, which is above the range showed in
the range column.
The only thing which helps all the time, is to open the devices context
menu, then to click on "Edit this device", and click on channel
configuration. Then a pop-up window asks which setting to use (file or
device). If I click on file, all the settings of the current used
iak-file are used correctly.
Ciao,
Rainer

Answer 1

Rainer,
The FieldPoint IAK File is used in application programs (e.g. LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, OPC) for channel names, handle information and scaling information. FP Open.vi launches the FieldPoint Server with the specified IAK file, and uses the information in the specified IAK file for scaling (serial modules require scaling on the computer, ethernet modules scale the data in the network module) but does not re-configure the IO modules according to the IAK file. Likewise, opening an IAK file in FieldPoint Explorer does not reconfigure the IO modules to match the IAK file. The only times that settings are synchronized between the IAK and the modules are when a)the Find Devices command is issued (config from modules loaded), b) the Channel Configuration wi
ndow is opened (file or module config can be choosen) or c) a Snapshot command is issued (current settings of modules are stored).
Currently, the FieldPoint Server VI's do not allow dynamic re-configuration of ranges. If you wish to dynamically reconfigure your module ranges, you will need to use the FieldPoint Optomux VI's, which are located under the RT sub-palette of FieldPoint. They are installed by default only if you have LabVIEW RT, so you may need to re-install FieldPoint Explorer (custom install) to get them. For more information on the Optomux commands, please see the FP-1000/1001 Programmers Reference Manual.
Regards,
Aaron