Virtual I/O board
Virtual I/O board
(OP)
Hi,
I am doing a project which requires using 2 existing softwares:
+ Software A was written to produce 3 analog outputs and it supports the analog output board ACL 6126.
+ Software B was written to receive the 3 analog outputs produced by software A and analyse them. It supports the card DT9800.
Obviously, the 2 softwares can be installed in the same PC.
Is there a way to feed the outputs of software A to software B without actually using the I/O boards?
A restriction is that I am not allowed to do any modification on software A.
Thanks ;)
I am doing a project which requires using 2 existing softwares:
+ Software A was written to produce 3 analog outputs and it supports the analog output board ACL 6126.
+ Software B was written to receive the 3 analog outputs produced by software A and analyse them. It supports the card DT9800.
Obviously, the 2 softwares can be installed in the same PC.
Is there a way to feed the outputs of software A to software B without actually using the I/O boards?
A restriction is that I am not allowed to do any modification on software A.
Thanks ;)





RE: Virtual I/O board
RE: Virtual I/O board
TTFN
RE: Virtual I/O board
To Melone,
I just think that it would be a reduction of hardware component, thus a cut in cost.
To IRstuff,
I got your idea. Could you explain a bit more what you mean by " string them together"?
Does anyone know softwares that could help to solve this problem?
Thanks for your helps.
RE: Virtual I/O board
Since you appear to have the source code for sets of software, this should be feasible. However, this is a non-trivial task, requiring a not-insubstantial amount of knowledge on driver design and PC I/O design.
IF, however, software A directly drives the DAC without a separate driver, that makes it even harder.
TTFN
RE: Virtual I/O board
Easiest way without 'software vice peeking' is monitoring board 'A' analog output signal voltage level with the B card. Of course you will need such a card B that has an 3 analog inputs also.
For software vice you could read the 'analog voltage', if the software A provides it somehow...
basicly...
- reading values from memory mapped file (software A instantiates and writes those values and program B reads them syncronously or asyncronously).
- receiving values as windows 'messages'.
One way to do 'program to program' signalling is using windows messages.
Other possibility is to read an value from program A (from textbox or some other windows form 'control') You need to get an textbox windows handle value.
You can obtain 'control name' (note ! 'control window name' or 'control ID' does not change. Window handle changes every time when control is 'created' so you need to find out an control name/Id first) using an 'spy' application. for example Microsoft Visual Studio and Borland C++ etc. usually includes an 'spy' application.