Bruel - Kjaer instrument GPIB/HPIB interface using C# or VB.net

[Brood]

Hi All,

I need to connect to and control the following two Bruel - Kjaer instruments:

1. Measuring amplifier type 2636
2. Band pass filter type 1617

I need to set the band pass filter to specific frequencies and control the measuring amplifier to set the Input and output gains as well as reading the measured data back. I was thinking of using the NI GPIB/HPIB interface and either C# or VB.net. Has anyone controlled the following instruments in C# or VB.net? Or could some one point me in the right direction on how to control the instruments?

Thanks in advance

Kind Regards

[smercurio_fc]

There are no drivers for those instruments on the NI site, so you'll need to do the work yourself. When you install the NI-488.2 software be sure to include the .NET support. I don't think this is selected by default. This will install the required .NET assemblies you'll need to reference, as well as example programs. A link to the example programs will be added to the Start Menu shortcuts that are created. You should start by making sure the example programs work and that you understand them. You will need to get the programming manuals for the instruments to determine the commands to send and what data to expect. Post back if you have further questions.

[Brood]

Thank you for the guidance  smercurio_fc. I'll do that. The bit I don't under stand is the commands and how to send them in a VB.net program. I've attached the programming part of the manual for the measuring amplifier. If you could please shed some light on that it would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

[smercurio_fc]

Exactly how old is this instrument? It looks like something from the late 70's or early 80's. The commands are listed on page 56 of the manual. So, for example, to turn on the high-pass filter you'd send H0. I have no idea why they'd use H0 to turn it on and H1 to turn it off. That's just bass-ackwards. You will need to configure some switches to set the device in addressable mode. Based on the examples provided it looks like you want switches A8 through A1 to be set to 01000100.

[Brood]

Its from the stone age if you ask me 😛

On the programming part using a usb to gpib card. What is the command to output e.g "H1" if I want to enable the high pass filter output commands in a VB.net or C# program?

Thanks

[smercurio_fc]

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@Brood wrote:

Its from the stone age if you ask me 😛

On the programming part using a usb to gpib card. What is the command to output e.g "H1" if I want to enable the high pass filter output commands in a VB.net or C# program?

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I don't undersand your question. The manual contains all of the commands - just look through it. I did not look through the manual in detail.

[Brood]

i mean what is the command used to activate the usb to gpib bus to output H1 onto the gpib bus using VB or C#