Getting Dashboard data in OS X 10.4.4?

[Billfred]

I installed LabVIEW on my iBook tonight (1.42 GHz G4, 1 GB of RAM, Mac OS X 10.4.4), and decided to try the Dashboard program out. Everything seems to run fine (data plays back from the sample file, programs seem to run without incident). But when I tried to connect up the Dashboard port from our 2005 robot to the USB-to-serial adapter the team had (which had no driver CD in sight), I couldn't read data.

Does the Dashboard only read from 2006-era OIs?
Do I just need to find a different USB-serial adapter?
Should I try something a bit more fancy-schmancy, like Bluetooth?

Thanks!

[Danny Diaz]

The Dashboard was actually written and tested with a 2004 RC/OI (though we've since tested with the 2006 RC/OI), with some direction from Mark at IFI so I could add necessary details for a 2005 and newer RC/OI. I know Windows doesn't come bundled with generic USB Serial drivers, I somehow doubt OS X does either so finding those drivers may be crucial. If VISA cannot read from the USB-Serial converter then that's going to be a barrier to using the Dashboard, you might want to open the Mac version of Hyperterminal (whatever that may be, if it even exists) and see if there's data streaming across the connection - unfortunately there isn't MAX on the Mac, but there may be a way to debug VISA that I am not aware of, I can ask the VISA guys in the morning. Also what sometimes happens is USB-Serial converters like to send data in chunks instead of "streaming" like a built-in serial port, so you might have to wait longer (no more than 10 seconds tho) for the data to burst from the serial converter. Make sure the jumper is also set for sending RC packets via the Dashboard (unless you're intending to view specific OI info).

-Danny

[Danny Diaz]

Turns out you can use the VISA Interactive Control (VISAic as we call it), I didn't realize it was there on the Mac as well as on the PC. VISAic will allow you to open a MAX-style VISA test panel for a COM port to see what you can read, and you can use this post as a guide since it's very similar using VISAic and a MAX VISA test panel (starting around step 8, only you double-click the ASRLnn::INSTR entry instead of clicking an "Open Test Panel" button). If VISAic cannot see the USB-Serial converter or cannot communicate well with it, then you can guess where your problem lies...

VISAic can be found under Apps->National Instruments->VISA->"VISA Interactive Control".

-Danny

[Billfred]

Went into VISA, fiddled with it, added in one driver (yay for lucky guesses), and I have a result (see attachment).