The Configuration Files INI : The ini file overrides defaults that are compiled into the LinuxCNC code. HAL: The HAL files start up process modules and provide linkages between LinuxCNC signals and specific hardware pins. VAR: The var file is a way for the interpreter to save some values from one run to the next. These values are saved from one run to another but not always saved immediately. TBL:The tbl file saves tool information. NML: The nml file configures the communication channels used by the LinuxCNC . It is normally setup to run all of the communication within a single computer but can be modified to communicate between several computers.
The Configuration Files The INI File Components Comments Sections Variables Custom Sections and Variables
The Configuration Files Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Component Parameter Pin Physical_Pin Signal Type Function Thread
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Component A HAL component is a piece of software with well-defined inputs, outputs, and behavior, that can be installed and interconnected as needed. Parameter Many hardware components have adjustments that are not connected to any other components but still need to be accessed. There are two types of parameters: input & Output . Pin Hardware components have terminals which are used to interconnect them. The HAL equivalent is a pin or HAL pin. HAL pins are software entities that exist only inside the computer. Physical_Pin Many I/O devices have real physical pins or terminals that connect to external hardware. To avoid confusion, these are referred to as physical pins. These are the things that stick out into the real world.
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Signal In a physical machine, the terminals of real hardware components are interconnected by wires. Type Bit - a single TRUE/FALSE or ON/OFF value float - a 64 bit floating point value, with approximately 53 bits of resolution and over 1000 bits of dynamic range. u32 - a 32 bit unsigned integer, legal values are 0 to 4,294,967,295 s32 - a 32 bit signed integer, legal values are -2,147,483,647 to +2,147,483,647 Both pins and signals have types, and signals can only be connected to pins of the same type
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Function Each function is a block of code that performs a specific action. The system integrator can use threads to schedule a series of functions to be executed in a particular order and at specific time intervals. Thread A thread is a list of functions that runs at specific intervals as part of a realtime task. When a thread is first created, it has a specific time interval (period), but no functions. Functions can be added to the thread, and will be executed in order every time the thread runs.
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) HAL Commands loadrt The command loadrt loads a real time HAL component. Real time component functions need to be added to a thread to be updated at the rate of the thread addf The command addf adds a real time component function to a thread. You have to add a function from a HAL real time component to a thread to get the function to update at the rate of the thread.
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) HAL Commands loadusr The command loadusr loads a user space HAL component. User space programs are their own separate processes, which optionally talk to other HAL components via pins and parameters. You cannot load real time components into user space. net The command net creates a connection between a signal and and one or more pins. If the signal does not exist net creates the new signal.
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) HAL Commands setp The command setp sets the value of a pin or parameter. The valid values will depend on the type of the pin or parameter. unlinkp The command unlinkp unlinks a pin from the connected signal. If no signal was connected to the pin prior running the command, nothing happens.