Bronkhorst FLOW-BUS interface - Manual (Page 22)

BRONKHORST ®
5 FLOW‐BUS SYSTEM OPERATION WITH COMPUTER
There are several options to do this. First see that the chosen hardware is able to communicate with the FLOW‐BUS
system and that this can be done with a sufficient velocity of parameter transfer for your application.
Bronkhorst has developed several software tools for communication with the instruments.
 FlowPlot
 FlowView
 Flowfix
 FlowDDE
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These tools can be found at:
http://www.bronkhorst.com/en/products/accessories/software_tools/
5.1 C
OMMUNICATION WITH
FLOW‐BUS
THROUGH
FLOW‐BUS DDE
SERVER
Together with a client‐application, either self‐made or with a SCADA‐program from 3rd‐parties. Examples: Genesis,
Fix‐MMI, Lotus Measure, Paragon, Wizcon, LabView, Intouch. This option is far most convenient, less costful and most
user friendly. The FLOW‐BUS DDE server also offers a lot of test facilities and user adjustable settings for efficient
communication with devices connected to the FLOW‐BUS.
Advantage:
Very powerful, fast communication, no special knowledge needed from bus‐protocol and bus‐system,
supported by BHT
Disadvantage:
not really, depends on demands of user:
Programming examples are available for making applications in: Visual Basic, LabView and Excel.
Large systems with need of very high update rates of data (within < 1 sec.) are not possible.
5.2 C OMMUNICATION WITH FLOW‐BUS DIRECTLY THROUGH DLL
Part of this FLOW‐BUS software is a 32‐bit DLL. You may call the functions in this library directly to communicate with
devices on the FLOW‐BUS. Further documentation may be ordered at your local sales representative.
Advantage:
Powerful routines available for fast communication, less overhead, low processor load
Disadvantage:
Knowledge needed from FLOW‐BUS system about parameters, processes, nodes etc., complex software
structure, not suited for quickly building an application
Programming examples are available for making applications in Visual Basic and LabView.