Future of Zbrain System
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NI WEEK 2011
The Zbrain System core team of Schmid Engineering visited the National Instruments annual worldwide
embedded system conference from Aug. 1. to Aug. 4. in Austin Texas. Visiting official threads,
participating closed door sessions and meetings with RnD, marketing and management provided a deep
insight of present and future projects related with embedded products. With this newsletter we would like
to share the news with our mutual customers.
Visit the official NI WEEK website
View some
pics of the Schmid Engineering booth in the exhibition area.
NI products using the C code generating engine
The C-Code generating engine is part of the following products:
NI LabVIEW Embedded Module for Analog Devices Blackfin (last Version 2009)
This module has been used to program most of the Zbrain System Targets.
NI LabVIEW Embedded Module for ARM Microcontrollers. (still available)
This module can be used to program tiny intelligent nodes with manageable complexity.
NI LabVIEW Microprocessor SDK (Last version 8.6)
Used to program any 32bit microprocessor.
NI LabVIEW C Generator (released with LV2010)
Used to translate VIs to standard ANSII C-Code deployable on virtually any microprocessor.
LabVIEW on Microprocessor 2011
In collaboration with National Instruments, Schmid Engineering is developing a new product supporting
all ZBrain targets. This module is using the c code generating engine with all its exciting new
features.
This NI ANSI-C-Code-Generator is a long-term NI product that will also get the full NI support in the
next versions of LabVIEW
Supported Toolkits
The following toolkits are now supported by the c generating engine:
NI
LabVIEW Statechart Module
NI
LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module
NI
LabVIEW MathScript RT Module
Immediate Feedback on programming faults and syntax errors
A VI, dropped on a block diagram, is automatically syntax checked with all its sub VIs.
If you drop a vi that would not be supported by the c generating engine, a warning is shown. Math script
is checked likewise.
Efficient and more reliable C Code
The C Code produced by this next generation C code generating engine is more efficient and more
readable.
A big part of these improvements have been achieved by eliminating the parallel execution that produced
inefficient code with considerable overhead. All the code will be executed sequentially. However, Schmid
Engineering will provide solutions to execute program parts parallel in different threads.
allowing to run code with restrictive realtime constraints (eg. Control loop) along with slower
tasks (eg. GUI).
Stay in the same context
The c generating engine has no need anymore for a microprocessor specific target specification in the
project explorer. You always write your code in the "My Computer" context.
Existing code and projects
It will be possible to move existing code to the new environment. The SDK VIs from the 2009 Zsystem palette
will be supported by the 2011 and future versions of LabVIEW. Accessing of the IO will be done the same
easy way as today. Both environments (2009 and 2011/12...) can coexist on the same computer.
Existing code can be maintained in 2009 while developing new projects with the latest LabVIEW
version.
Targets
In addition to the current standard targets (
ZMC
Z27-C1
and Z48-C1
) and customized targets, Schmid Engineering will now be able to support more processors and targets to
enhance its hardware portfolio. In the near future, Schmid Engineering will release even smaller modules
with lower costs and lower power consumption as well as modules with higher performance.
Upgrading from LabVIEW 8.6/2009 to LabVIEW 2011 Blackfin
Existing customers get anindividual upgrade offer based on your current serial number, LabVIEW Version
and SSP status, valid until january 31st of 2012. This offer includes upgrading to LabVIEW 2011 and the
standard NI ANSI-C-Code-Generator that is tweaked to the ZBrain targets with its ADI Blackfin processors.
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| Schmid Engineering AG |
14.11.2011 |
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