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PASS 3200 DLL API
Preliminary Description
September 21, 1999
Note: This document describes the functions currently implemented or planned for the initial full PASS
3200 release. All functions described are currently implemented unless otherwise noted. Additional
functions will be added on an as needed basis. This is an evolving specification. While all attempts will be
made to preserve this defined interface, changes may need to be made in order to provide a complete and
working 32 bit interface to the SBS PASS card family.
General Requirements
The PASS 32 DLL is the basic interface between all Win NT or Win 95 based applications and the PASS
supported SBS boards. The DLL must make available all the functionality of the PASS GUI to other
software packages. As such the DLL must provide the following general services:
1) Low level access to the available SBS boards.
2) General board setup functions such as time source specification, timer setting, and output
voltage.
3) 1553 RT, WMUX 194 RIU, ARINC 429 Label, and ARINC 429 Channel setup.
4) 1553 BC list, WMUX 194 CIU and ARINC transmission list load and run functions.
5) Functions for loading and saving current board setup.
6) Data logging and snapshot monitoring functions.
7) Arbitration between multiple processes to coordinate board accesses and protect board setups and
ongoing functions via communication with the SBS server application and a global shared
memory block.
This functionality is divided into the following categories.
1) System Initialization.
2) Low Level Memory Access Functions
3) Time Source setup and Timer Initialization.
4) RT Functions.
5) BC List Functions.
6) Background Archive Functions.
7) Snapshot Monitor Functions
8) Playback Functions.
9) Data Logging Functions
10) Activity and Error Count Functions.
11) Utility Functions
12) File Save and Load Functions
13) ARINC 429 Functions
Parameters passed to the DLL will be limited to simple types and arrays of simple types to preserve
Labview compatibility and allow easy conversion to DCOM objects for cross-network capability. Error
conditions will be noted by displaying system message boxes where applicable and returning a False value.
Shared data structures and constants will be defined in a pass32dll.h file for inclusion in third party
programs.
The main structural components of the DLL consists of:
1) A shell file which provides the public interface to the DLL functions,
2) A device object for each device initialized by this instance of the DLL which encapsulate the DLL
functions for the given board type and provide a local variable space, and
3) An array of device object pointers to allow the public interface to access the functions of a
specified device object.
