Bronkhorst FLOW-BUS LabVIEW Driver - Manual (Page 5)

FLOW-BUS LabVIEW™ Driver Manual © 2014 Bronkhorst®
Bronkhorst®
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1 General Product Information
1.1 Introduction
The Bronkhorst® FLOW-BUS driver is a set of LabVIEW™ VIs (Virtual Instruments)
that implement the serial ASCII commands used on the FLOW-BUS. The VIs also
handle the conversion of data that is sent to or received from an instrument.
For more information about the commands and the data sent, please refer to
the RS232 interface with FLOW-BUS protocol manual (document nr. 9.17.027) or
to the operation instructions digital instruments manual (document nr. 9.17.023).
Along with the driver some example VIs are included to demonstrate the structure of an application that utilizes the driver VIs. The
examples can also be used to test communication with an instrument, as the examples are all tested and functional.
The driver documentation is aimed at individuals with a reasonable working understanding of LabVIEW™, and is not intended as a
tutorial to developing applications written in the LabVIEW™ environment.
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Manuals and Software tooling can be found at: http://www.bronkhorst.com/en/downloads
1.2 References to Other Applicable Documents
Manuals and guides for digital instruments are modular. General instructions give information about the functioning and
installation of instruments. Operational instructions explain the use of the digital instruments features and parameters. Fieldbus
specific information explains the installation and use of the fieldbus installed on the instrument.
1.2.1 Manuals and user guides
Operation instructions digital instruments (document nr. 9.17.023)
FLOW-BUS interface (document nr. 9.17.024)
RS232 interface with FLOW-BUS protocol (document nr. 9.17.027)
1.2.2 Technical drawings
Hook-up diagram laboratory-style MBC RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.062)
Hook-up diagram industrial style MBC RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.051)
Hook-up diagram CORI-FLOW RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.044)
Hook-up diagram LIQUI-FLOW L30 digital RS232 + analog (document nr. 9.16.073)
1.3 Supported Instruments
All FLOW-BUS instruments and instruments with RS232 communication are supported, with the following limitations:
• RS232/FLOW-BUS interface, firmware >= 4.09
• Digital mass flow meters/controllers without RS232 communication: firmware >= V5.xx
• Digital readout control modules (E-7000): firmware >= V3.xx
1.4 System Requirements
LabVIEW™ Version LabVIEW™ 8.5 or higher
NI-VISA Version NI-VISA 5.4 or higher
Connections RS232 port with FIFO buffers
Computer The computer must meet the minimum requirements needed for LabVIEW™
To avoid communication errors, it is advised to use a serial (RS232) port with hardware buffer overrun detection.
Few USB-RS232 converters have this feature, but e.g. the Digitus part no. DA-70156 has.