How much interfaces can be driven in "real-time" with a VI in LABVIEW 6i

Question

In my application I need to merged data from different devices hanging to my computer via different interface types. Each data set in to be specifically formatted in a file. Each data set comes a a rate of ~ 10 Hz.
As acquisition devices I do have
- 4 digitizers connected to the PCI bus and their labview driver are already given by the constructor
- an instrument from which data to be imported via a GPIB interface
- an instrument from which data are imported via a serial port
- and probably in the future, 2 devices mounted on two USB port
I wish to developp a LABVIEW 6i code which permit me to make the request to all instrument, to import the data and to merged them as quick as possible so
that I can store data set coming every 0,1 s. All data from all instruments must be recorded for the same event at the same time (in a triggered manner) before it performs the acquistions for the next event
I would like to know what is the best way to each my goal.
- Is it possible to control all this with one VI (containing lot of VIs) ?
- Should I execute a VI for each interface and run them at the same time and save all data set with a time stamps in a file and then, off-line, process all the files and merge my information.
In a general manner, are there any rules which indicate the maximum number of interface (according to their nature) which can be properly controled on a given platform from one computer.
Thanks you very much for any answers

Answer 1

Its been a couple of days with no reply....
Look at the occurence functions.
You can have one loop send occurences at teh rate you need.
Put each of the other functions in seperate loops that wait for the occurence on each interation.
Provided each of your loops runs fast enough this approach should serve you up till you run into the indeterminism of Windows. If the the indeterminism will be an issue, you may have to go with LV Real-Time.
Ben
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