The HART Communication Protocol is the leading communication technology for intelligent process measurement and control instrumentation and systems with more than 26 million devices installed worldwide.

Home > Documents & Services > Specifications & Documents

GnHost Software modules and functional overview

GenHost is an example client provided with the HART Server package as a utility/tool to assist the user in installing and debugging the HART Server installation. This MS Windows application uses the powerful OPC interface and the HART Pass through interface to perform such functions as:

monitoring process connections
monitoring device condition and status
re-ranging devices
service and test loop current
Instrument diagnostics

GnHost consists of 4 primary modules as described below. By examining these modules, the user can understand the structure of GnHost and use it as provided or modify it to fit user needs. In either case, Gnhost is a good “blueprint” for client application development. HART Server allows the user to focus on the application and avoid the necessity of becoming a HART expert. The HART Server handles the HART instrumentation communications automatically for GnHost or any client application.

GnHost Modules

	1. Obtains HART data values from Ihartxport mgr.dll 2. Obtains Engineering Units from tables.ini 3. Stores digital HART data in client windows (The windows may be modified or replaced to meet any client app.)
	1. Primary "engine" for communicating with the HART devices 2. Called by GnHost.exe to supply indicated HART data via COM interfaces 3. Specifies data publish rates (update frequency) 4. Passes communications info to HART Server and receives data from device
	1. Called by GhHost.exe 2. Browses HART Server Device configuration to identify device to supply data to GUI 3. Configures HART device
	1. Contains device Engineering Units for data values from field device 2. GnHost.exe will extract this data as necessary to populate the GUI

GNHost illustrates one method of developing a typical client application. GnHost may be used "as is" in many applications, and it also can serve as a footprint development platform since it demonstrates the use of all HART Server functions. The user may use the provided GnHost GUI (screens) or replace it with screens designed specifically for the new application. Alternatively the DEV. Studio wizard can be used to easily set up any functions desired by the user. It should be noted that the device addressing, communications, error checking, data transmission, etc. is performed by the HART Server and is completely transparent to the client application.