Custom RS232 protocol driver for Lookout

[goellnjh]

I'm new to the boards and somewhat new to Lookout, but have searched on the subject of creating a custom driver for Lookout.  I have an RS232 device that I want to communicate with but it uses a proprietary protocol which Lookout doesn't have a driver for.  I have the specification for the protocol but I'm not sure how to get my application to communicate with the device using their protocol.  Any help or direction or example on how to create a driver for Lookout would be great! 

[Ryan.S]

I don't think you can create a customed driver object by yourself.

There are two possible ways.
One is to use OPC Server. If you have a driver that acts as OPC Server, you can use Lookout to connect it.

Another way is to use Ascii object. See the following example. Use Ascii object to send/receive proper characters  through serial port.
http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/epd/p/id/3811

[goellnjh]

Thanks for the response Ryan.  I'm surprised that you aren't able to make your own driver for Lookout.  

I'm not familiar with the OPC server.  How would I create an object that would be an OPC server?

Will the ASCII driver allow binary communication?  The protocol that I'm working with is not text based. 

Any other ideas or directions with Lookout or some other application/method to get me up and running quickly wold be appreciated also.  Thanks again!

[goellnjh]

I looked more into the documentation on the ASCII object.  In the format markers help section it mentions a %b format for byte (binary) or %x for hexadecimal.  This seems like it might work for building a string in the proprietary protocol format, but I'm not sure how to enter the string.  Do I use a text box or a set of decimal values?  Anyone have an example using this?

Thanks!

Message Edited by goellnjh on 08-27-2007 11:36 AM

Message Edited by goellnjh on 08-27-2007 11:40 AM

[Ryan.S]

You can use Lookout Object Development Toolkit to develop your own lookout's object.

But this toolkit is not free. http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/12524

[goellnjh]

Thanks for the information on that.  I might look into using that kit.  Do you have any examples of how to use the %x or %b when sending messages with the ASCII serial object?  Thanks again!

[Mike@DTSI]

Ryan:  With the unknown history of Lookout... might not be a great "value".

Look through the developer library, there is an ascii example.

Mike

[goellnjh]

Thanks for the response Mike, but that's where I'm at.  I've checked out the ascii object in the library, but I didn't see an example of using the ascii oject to transmit or receive a binary message.  Please point me to that example if you saw one.  Thanks!

[Mike@DTSI]

Set the ResponseFormat and RequestFormat correctly?

BTW, I meant to say "future" not "history" of Lookout.

Mike

Message Edited by Mike@DTSI on 09-12-2007 05:00 PM

[CRC-23]

Could you please tell me, how can I create an OPC lookout protocol drive for a emerson flow meter?