MasTec Ltd supports a large community
of software developers.
Infrastructure
- Instrumentation - Automation - Machine Builders - ATE - T&M
- PLC - PAC - Embedding - Wireless - etc
We also have a large array of software types for these jobs.
LabVIEW
Measurement Studio
DasyLab
Test Point
Dynamic C
VC++
C#
VB
Python
.Net apps
PLC Programming
Distributed I/O Programming
PAC Programming
SCADA
LabVIEW -
Graphical program methods - Instrumentation - Automation - ATE
- T&M etc
LabVIEW is liken to Graphical C as it is full
programming language using data flow methods.
It is extremely fast to build
with, after you learn how to use it and this does take time.
We have found after 20 years
of use and sales, LV only suites certain types of people.
However, it can be said, it is
the ultimate tool for long term project mangement where there
are dozens of sites with variants of programs and there are very
infrequent visits to the sites and updates. LabVIEW allows a
programmer to arrive at any of these sites and in a few minutes
be working constructively inside the program making mods and
improvements or fixes with great confidence. This is very difficult
with code programs even with good documentation.
Is it worth the money, as it
is very expensive? In the above situtation it is a very good
investment but for a one off project, it is not a good investment.
If you are earning your living
doing instrumentation and automation projects and will continue
to do so for many years, LabVIEW is the best software investment
still, even after all this time since release in 1987. No on
yet has better tools in our opinion.
Dasylab -
Graphical program methods - Instrumentation - Automation - ATE
- T&M etc
Dasylab is
also Graphical tools
but not a complete programming langauge.
They suit people who are not
professional programmers and do not want to become one, but still
want to collect data, analyse and print and graph results.
It takes time to learn these
two tools well but if you are a tech or a professor at an Education
or Research facility and will do this evey day for the next X
years, they are a very very good friend to have around and will
allow you to translate your ideas into something that is bullet
proof and easy to modify and improve as time goes on, but LabVIEW
they are not.
Are they worth the money? The
people using them say yes and they are confidently using their
computers, instruments and DAQ system in complex disciplines
like Biomedical and Engineering research etc.
Measurment
Studio - Automatic Code Programming Methods - Instrumentation - Automation - ATE - T&M etc
Not all M/Studio
code is generated automatically but the Main shell and Function
calls are: - user interface, I/O, file, network etc are, allowing
less experienced programmers to make big code safely.
Measurement Studio
sprang out LabWindows, the first automatic tool and it is now
a much broader tool, allowing other commercial compilers etc
to be used.
Is it worth the
money? This is an easy answer if you are involved in Test systems,
using instruments, cPCI or PXI tools. Yes, however we feel it
is best used in a team to optimise benefit, as it is possible
to make modular programs that can be used through out a test
facility, optimising time gains and stability and uniformity
of code.
Dynamic C
from Digi/Rabbit - Embedding for Rabbit
Micros
DC as it is called, has beciome
quite a software development system for Rabbit Micro Embedding.
We have used DC for 29 years
and can say that if you use the Real Time Multitasking Kernel
supplied, you can build the most elegant embedded code going
- bar none.
DC has a huge extra library set
that takes all the work out of Ethernet TCP, FAT files, WiFI,
Bluetooth, GSM, 3G, GPS, Mesh, encryption and much more.
The productivity gains are similar
to the above software tools but amplified, as DC spans itself
across generations of Microprocessor develpment and micro models,
from the simple Z180 micros to Rabbit 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6000 series
micros, arriving at powerful 16 bit micros with large memory
maps.
So use the same DC tool to build
from simple to large embedded software suites.
And it is free.
Most embedded programmers use
the same tools across micro families as described above. However
DC spans not only Rabbit micros but a large range of single board
computers and an even larger range of embeddable core modules.
Other Embeddable
Tools - Embedding for Arm and
Intel chip sets
In general there are three camps
for Embedding. Pure Code Embedding, like DC above, Linux and
the Intel/Microsoft CE or XP embedded camp. MS DOS used to be
a choice but has gone now.
Where you require services like
disk drives, networks, VGA display, PCI, PCIe, USB interfacing
etc Linux or CE or XP tools are the only way to go.
For any projects the Linux and
Microsoft tools work extremely well. We have worked with teams
who have used all three methods, Linux, CE and Embedded XP and
all teams express satisfaction with the results. They have also
all used differnet manufacturers Embedded PC boards, so there
is no issue with choosing the PC, all manufacturers support these
tools.
One of the big disappointments
in the Microsoft embedded world is that you cannot transport
normal XP, Vista or the New Windows 7 code or applications across
into CE and you have to go to the very expensive embedded XP
solution, but it does work and well. For short run machines or
systems this is viable.
GPIB Software - T&M - ATE
If you are doing GPIB test systems
regularly or have a large suite to develop, then use Agilents
VEE, NI's LV or Measurement Studio, don't mess with rolling your
own code or other packages.
You can literally save months
on large projects.
Only use GPIB intereface hardware
with Agilent and NI compatability. We recommend the industry
leader ICS.
However if you are developing
a one off system that is going to be inhouse and part of a product,
go for C# now.
Imaging &
Motion
- ATE - machines - production lines
If you are doing Imaging or Motion
systems regularly or have a large suite to develop, then again,
use NI's LV or Measurement Studio, don't mess with rolling your
own code, unless you are an expert programmer.
You can literally save months
on large projects.
In these situations, only use
Imaging or Motion intereface hardware that connect to NI compatability.
Most manufacturers do.
However if you are developing
a one off system that is going to be inhouse and part of a product,
go for C# now.
Automation - plants - machines
- production lines
Automation Software is a huge
area.
In most cases Automation software
is going to be a one off to control a plant, process or ??
So the software pick is based
almost entirely on the hardware used. If you use SoftLogic and
a PC then all the tools above apply. Doing Distributed I/O with
an Industrial or Hardened PC and some of the tools above is an
excellent choice.
If you use a PAC for local and
distributed I/O or a PLC then you will be stuck with the manufacturers
software tools. In many cases there are license fees with this,
so choose carefully
We do not recommend NI's PAC
systems but do recommend Opto 22 PACs as it is mainly technology
and is very simple to set up and understand and has superb software,
Flow charts and scripts. There are very few tools around that
are equal to OPTO 22s.
If you are using PLCs then you
are at the mercy of the manufacturer. Our pick on PLCs is Siemens
and we sell VIPA from Germany that runs on Siemens software.
For low cost PLCs, and there
are many types, look at Array's logic diagram software, it cpould
not be easier and more universal.
OPTO 22 PAC and
Soft PAC software tools
Array and Seimens PLC software
Embedded CE adn Linux for Hardened PACs
DAQ - Data
Acquisition, Machines, research etc
Every manufacturer of DAQ products
has drivers to link to OSs, so you can use any tools for DAQ.
However, LabVIEW, Dasylab and DAQ Factory all have a loyal following as they allow
rapid builds for DAQ.
Most companies in NZ doing DAQ
however use .net tools with C# being the most popular.
Instruments - Instrumentation
- Automation - ATE - T&M etc
Read the piece on GPIB, this
info also applies to instruments with RS-232, USB or ethernet
connectivity.
Most companies in NZ doing Instruments
now use .net tools with C# being the most popular inside Measurment
Studio.
LabVIEW is used extensively also.
Wireless - Infrastructure systems
Connecting to wireless system
can be a little daunting at first. However, all the tools above
can be used to build system for 3G, GPRS, Bluetooth, Long distance
RF Data Hauling systems.
The decisions are taken away
in most cases if you are using Routers or Gateways as the manufacturer
usually puts in a processor and BIOS that undestands only one
language like Java or Python etc.
This is not a big deal and can
be learnt very quickly if you know VB or C++ or C#,
The only manufacturer that has
advanced Mesh Wireless tools is Digi with their very interesting
end point to Server no programming tool set called DIA, Have
a read on this.
For 3G Back haul systems use
a router that is easy to work with. We recommend Python as it
is free and supported by a huge community.
MasTec also have experienced
programmers to do contract work and custom design of none of
the above makes you feel confident.
