Where can I find VST drivers for LabVIEW 2024?

[cgiustini]

Hi,

I am trying to get my system setup for developing an application involving FPGA programming of RF vector signal transceiver (VST). I am using LabVIEW 2024 installed including the FPGA module.

I plan on eventually using the more recent VSTs, but for now I am using an older model, the 5644R. My issue right now is that I cannot find/install the software that allows me to for instance create the basic VST streaming example, as mentioned here: https://www.ni.com/docs/en-US/bundle/ni-rf-vst/page/measurementsampleproject.html

Per that link, it sounds like I need to install the "PXIe-5644/5645/5646 instrument design libraries". However, searching this in the NI package manager yields nothing. I have installed a bunch of other drivers like NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG while looking for this, but those have not added the required code/examples to create the VST streaming example.

I also have found/downloaded drivers from https://www.ni.com/en/support/downloads/drivers/download.labview-instrument-design-libraries-for-vec... but I am not able to install because they are for older versions of LabVIEW.

Does anyone know what I need to get and properly install the right drivers for both older and newer VSTs?

[Bob_Schor]

It sounds like you have older versions of hardware that NI introduced quite a few years ago.  Call your NI sales rep and mention you have the old hardware, want to purchase the new 58xx series (which cost $$$$$-$$$$$$), but first want to evaluate your existing PXIe-5644R, and need help getting LabVIEW configured to use it.  Ask for help.

You might be able to download the drivers for the 58xx series, and they might be backward-compatible -- suggest to the Sales Rep that he pass on this question to the RF software team.

Bob Schor

[cgiustini]

Thanks for the answer, that makes sense.

Do you know where the 58xx series drivers are?

[Terry_ALE]

Look for the RFSA and RFSG drivers.

The VST IDL for the 564x products stopped at I think 2015. This was for being able to change the FPGA of the VST.

[Terry_ALE]

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@Terry_ALE wrote:

Look for the RFSA and RFSG drivers.

The VST IDL for the 564x products stopped at I think 2015. This was for being able to change the FPGA of the VST.

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And I cannot find where the IDL can be downloaded from.

I recommend reaching out directly to NI.

[JÞB]

I would be looking at RFmx. RFmx (Radio Frequency Measurement eXperience) builds on top of RGSA / RFSG similar to how DAQmx replaced Traditional DAQ. I would certainly have expected that pre-RFmx IDL support would be obsoleted by now.

[softball]

Hi

This VIPM description may guide the search direction for the IDL :

Maybe somebody knows where the highlighted software can be found. It was not part of any normal distribution I know of. Maybe it was delivered with the hardware on a CD those many years ago.

Regards

[cgiustini]

I have tried installing RFSA, RFSG, RFmx, etc... but none of them seem to come with the VST drivers and VST sample projects etc...

I am trying to get in touch with an NI person that can help with this. I will post an update.

[Terry_ALE]

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@cgiustini wrote:

I have tried installing RFSA, RFSG, RFmx, etc... but none of them seem to come with the VST drivers and VST sample projects etc...

I am trying to get in touch with an NI person that can help with this. I will post an update.

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Just to confirm, you wish to change the FPGA, yes?

Stepping back, you are able to run RFSA Spectrum acquire and RFSG Generate example VIs on your VST?

[cgiustini]

Yes, exactly I want to change the FPGA. That is still possible on the latest VST hardware/software right?  Or do you know if that capability was removed?

I don't have hardware just yet so I cannot test whether or not RFSA and RFSG software front panels or examples work. But I do know that at least the soft front panels are there, which indicates that RFSA and RFSG software has been correctly installed.