FPGA Target System Replication

This paper explains the use and use cases of NI-RIO system replication VI’s to replicate NI-RIO FPGA targets. The tools provided can be used to replicate one NI-RIO FPGA target, circumventing the use of the RIO Device Setup Utility.

The NI-RIO System Replication Tools provide additional support to the Real-Time System Replication tools by providing a LabVIEW API with functionality to create an image of a Real-Time target that incorporates NI FPGA targets. It has the ability to erase and download a Bitfile to the Flash, the ability to set how a VI is loaded from Flash Memory, and also set the Analog Input mode of R-series devices. See the "Real-Time Target System Replication" Developer Zone document for detailed information about the Real-Time System Replication toolkit.

Both the Real-Time System Replication VI’s and NI-RIO System Replication VI’s are useful in the case of deploying many Real-Time systems, or in the case of backing up and reinstalling a Real-Time system in the field where multiple copies of MAX or the LabVIEW development system may not be available. These are ideal for OEMs and users with multiple identical targets who can greatly benefit by having a set of VI’s and executables that address the issues of saving entire target configurations or deploying an image to multiple targets.

It is important to remember that images can only be deployed to identical systems. This is due to the fact that different versions of the operating system, driver files, and databases that maintain hardware identification are deployed to each different type of target. For PXI- and PCI-based controllers, problems may arise if multiple identical systems are viewed and configured from the same host after using the full image replication technique. This is because the database which stores the configuration of hardware is not safe for duplication.

Using the NI-RIO System Replication VI’s

The NI RIO System Replication VI’s allow creation of custom VI’s and executables for performing replication and backup operations. The next section is a brief discussion of the VIs used in the NI RIO System Replication tools.

  Set RIO Device Settings.vi

Set RIO Device Settings is used to configure when the bitfile loads from flash memory and to configure which measurement system the downloaded bitfile uses. Determines when the bitfile loads to the FPGA from flash.  Determines which measurement system the downloaded bitfile uses. This option is available only for analog input devices. Synchronize FPGA Clock to PXI_CLK10—Phase locks the NI 78xxR clock to the 10 MHz clock of the PXI chassis. This option is available only for NI PXI-78xx devices. 

 Download Bitfile.vi

This VI downloads a specific bitfile to one or more FPGA targets or erases the existing bitfile. The input is an IP Address of a Host machine, the FPGA Target Resource ( RIO0:INSTR),  the path to the bitfile,  and the operation to perform ( Download or Erase the bitfile ).

Download the NI-RIO System Replication Tools

Download the NI-RIO System Replication Tools.

Conclusion

Using the NI-RIO and Real-Time System Replication Tools, a variety of system replication applications can be made. Users who intend to duplicate multiple machines, will find them flexible and useful. These VI's will be updated periodically, so be sure to check the Download link for new versions.

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