ALOHA Application Framework

Challenge

As a National Instruments Alliance Partner, S5 Solutions provides solutions to a wide range of customer problems. We wanted a design pattern framework that could be reused, rather than constantly reinventing the wheel.

Solution

We created a framework called ALOHA. It is a reusable framework that performs a lot of the normal housekeeping functions of a large LabVIEW application. For each specific application, programmers can create simple modules that plug into the framework to add functionality, similar to adding apps to an iPad. 



The large scale systems we have developed with ALOHA have come together in a remarkably short time, and have shown excellent stability and scalability.
- LF, Crane Aerospace
The framework provides a number of functions:
  • Communication between modules
  • Integrates modules on multiple platforms: Windows, RT
  • Automatic saving and restoring of persistent data
  • Error handling and logging
  • GUI management - save/restore window positions, combine multiple modules to make a larger composite GUI, floating and docking windows

Technical Details

The Symbio GOOP Development System was used to create the backbone of the ALOHA framework. The OO model allowed us to abstract the housekeeping functions, decoupling it from the logic of the task. That decoupling also helps abstract the GUI from the functional modules.  
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ALOHA Overview
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ALOHA Technical Details
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Sample ALOHA Screens