Support for Array of Clusters?

[ajf200]

We are currently running RTI Connext DDS 5.3.0, NI LabVIEW 2018, and NI Veristand 2018 SP1.

A known issue with this version of RTI is that it does not support an array of cluster(s) in LabVIEW. Up to this point, we have been able to avoid this conflict by converting those to cluster of arrays. However, now that we are starting to interface with hardware that has been compiled using C and Matlab, and we are using DDS Pro, we need to to adhere to the correct IDL definition.

What are the plans for support for this with LabVIEW? What is the work around in the mean time? I've heard the possibility of using a DDS Routing Tool?

Thanks.

[ismaelrti]

Hi afj200,

Since this feature is highly demanded we are seriously considering this feature for the next release.

[ajf200]

When would support for this be ready? I know this is something that we had discussed with the company a few months ago and they were going to be starting a working group on this. Any progress or timelines?

Is there a workaround available immediately? If not, we are currently stuck with our development as we are using LabVIEW & Veristand for HIL/Unit Testing/System Testing, and now our Test Bench is not 100% compatible with our hardware.

[ismaelrti]

Hi afj200,

I cannot give you a concrete timeline yet. In the meantime, there is a workaround. You can use a Routing Service Transformation to act as a broker and transform your sample's original DataType to another DataType compatible with the Toolkit.

In this URL there is an example of how to use RS transformations to transforms arrays of structs into individual arrays:

https://github.com/rticommunity/rticonnextdds-examples/tree/master/examples/routing_service/routing_...

Here you have the Routing Service User's Manual:

https://community.rti.com/static/documentation/connext-dds/6.0.0/doc/manuals/routing_service/index.h...

Tutorials:

https://community.rti.com/static/documentation/connext-dds/6.0.0/doc/manuals/routing_service/tutoria...

And RS API documentation.

• C API Reference
• C++ API Reference
• Java API Reference

Hope this can helps you.

[ajf200]

What about using the Prototyper?

[ismaelrti]

Hi ajf200

It depends! Prototyper allow you to do simple transformation using lua. you can easily was x and y in a shapesample. We have some examples of that in <rti workspace folder>/6.0.0/examples/prototyper/lua/shapes/ShapePubSub.lua

The getting started guide would help too. 

Another option is to use the connector (in python or javascript). It allows you to do the same thing. (Prototyper is based on the same connector library).

Both with connector and prototyper performances and flexibility may be reduced compared to routing services. But it is an option. 

[ismaelrti]

Hi afj200

We’ve implemented an internal proof of concept of array of clusters support, which we are currently testing. If we don’t run into any significant problems, we anticipate having an EAR by the end of Q1 2020. Would you be interested in evaluating the EAR? If so, which specific versions are you using (LabVIEW version, 32- or 64-bit, Windows or ARM Linux)? Please email info@rti.com to request the EAR when available.

[ajf200]

Yes, I'm interested. Will send an email. We are using LabVIEW Windows 2018/2019 32-bit, and our targets are Windows, Linux x64 for cRIO, Linux x64 for PXI.

[ajf200]

Any updates on this?

Last we heard was end of Q1 2020. It's now almost end of Q2 2020 and we have not heard any updates.

[ismaelrti]

Hi ajf200

We had had some unexpected delays in the development. We are going to release the EAR in the following days. We'll let you know when you can download it. Apologies for the inconvenience.

Regards

Ismael