The National Instruments FieldPoint modular platform contains legacy products that are no longer sold by National Instruments, but they are still available for purchase and repairs at Apex Waves. A few of the best features of the National Instruments FieldPoint modules include the programmable power-up states, wireless and Ethernet connectivity, simple maintenance and installation, and they are autoconfigurable and hot-swappable. There are 2, 8, and 16-channel modules. The operating temperature range is from -40 to 70 degrees Celsius. A FieldPoint system is comprised of a minimum of one network module, one or more terminal bases, and at least one I/O module. For example, the National Instruments FieldPoint FP-1000 module links an industrial RS-232 network to FieldPoint I/O modules.
Another type of module belonging to this platform is the National Instruments FP-20xx Controller Interfaces. These LabVIEW Real-Time Embedded Controllers are designed for signal processing, measurement, and control. They can function as stand-alone controllers or PC-based I/O Ethernet Interfaces. The NI FieldPoint Controllers have RS-232 and RS-485 serial ports for linking to peripherals, as well as nonvolatile memory for data logging and embedded program storage.
There are also FieldPoint Analog Input Modules, such as the FP-AI-111. The NI FP-AI-111 module mounts on a FieldPoint Terminal Base (FP-TB-x), delivering functioning power to the module. The terminal bases can accept any FieldPoint I/O module with either spring or screw terminals for field wiring links. They have an interlocking structure for durable installation and can be utilized for panel or DIN rail mounting. Panel mounting is typically safer. However, DIN rail mounting can be more convenient for certain applications.
In addition to these types of modules, there are Network Interface Modules, such as the National Instruments Field Point 1601. The NI FP-1601 has the capability to link as many as nine FieldPoint I/O modules to a high-speed Ethernet network.
The NI-FieldPoint driver software is Measurement & Automation Explorer or MAX. This software aids the user with the implementation and integration of FieldPoint systems. MAX allows users to configure the complete system, even network limitations, named-channel items, and module and I/O settings. MAX can automatically sense the I/O modules on every bank, enabling the user to configure I/O parameters with ease by using dialog windows. If the user would like to swiftly have their system functioning, then they can utilize MAX to test I/O modules and channels, look at input information values, and set output values. All these tasks can be accomplished without the need to write software code.
Several types of recommended software for this platform include LabVIEW and the LabVIEW Datalogging and Supervisory Control Module, while LabWindows/CVI, VI Logger, Lookout, and Measurement Studio are also compatible.
