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How Can I Utilize the USB Port on My cRIO-901x or My cFP-22xx Controller?

Hardware: CompactRIO>>Controllers>>cRIO-9012, CompactRIO>>Controllers>>cRIO-9014, Compact FieldPoint>>Controllers>>cFP-2220

Problem:
I am using a cRIO-901x or a cFP-2220 controller and I would like to use the USB port. What are the capabilities and limitations of the USB port on these controllers?

Solution:

As of LabVIEW 8.6 and NI-VISA 4.4, the USB port on cRIO and cFP controllers can be used for external storage and to communicate to external USB devices through NI-VISA. 

Before LabVIEW 8.6 the USB port on a cRIO controller and the cFP 2220 is intended to be used solely for external storage. When the device is connected, it will be mapped as the u:\ drive on the controller. In order for your device to be recognized correctly as a USB storage device, keep in mind the following considerations:

  • The device must adhere to the USB mass storage device specification. Some manufacturers take liberties with this specification. If possible, choose a manufacturer that adheres rigorously to this standard to ensure compatibility with the cRIO and cFP controllers.
  • The device must be formatted with a FAT file system.

A good test to verify that your device will work as a storage device for the cRIO or cFP controller is to plug the device into a Windows computer. The device should be automatically recognized and added as a drive in My Computer.

The supported software that ships with the controllers is restricted to USB mass storage devices; no other USB drivers have been developed for these controllers. Thus, the controllers cannot natively be used to communicate with generic USB devices through the USB port. It is possible to develop a custom USB driver, but this must be done using a WindRiver VxWorks development seat.

 



Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 415A8ELH: Why Does my USB Hard Drive or Flash Device not Work with my cRIO-901x?
KnowledgeBase 2KM92E5F: How Do I FTP to the External CompactFlash or USB drive on a RT Controller?
Tutorial: USB Instrument Control Tutorial

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Report Date: 07/20/2007
Last Updated: 11/03/2008
Document ID: 4BJHB69X

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