Controllinng Agilent E364xA via RS232

[Robert123]

Thanks for the help so far.

I found the driver on the NI website, and I also found one on the HP web site. It appears to me that the driver from the NI website only supports GPIB.

The archive from the HP site has files I don't know what to do with. There is a .fp file, then there is a .def file and the C and VisualBasic source for the driver. There is also a .GID file and .isu.

In the readme file from HP it says something about VXI, which I know is accesible in LabView. However, it apears to me as if VXI also works through the GPIB bus, correct?

In short I am looking for a way to control the powersupply via the RS232 interface. I would prefer not to write my own driver for this.

Help is much apprec
iated.

Thanks,
Robert

[cld]

Robert,
The instrument driver provided on our website is listed as IVI for GPIB. You may be able to specify that you are using a serial interface with the "Resource Name" under the Initailize with options.vi, but it is not gaurenteed to work. There could be some serial config settings that are not addresses in the driver. If this does not work and you still need a serial driver, you can place a request with NI from our web page, and/or you could look at our Instrument Driver and IVI resource library for help in modifying the existing driver.
ni.com>>Downlaods>>Instrument Drivers...
Best Regards,
Chris D
Application Engineer
National Instruments

[pilou]

hello!
I also want to control An agilent E3642A. Is it necessary to install a driver ?
My problem is that I send orders via RS232 with the correct speed and parity mode... but the device doesn't react (I check with a scope the output of the serial cable and I well receive  the data).  I don't know if my program is correct, so i join a picture of it

pleas could someone tell me what is the problem?
thanks very much

[Magicbotolo]

When you realize a VI to communicate with serial peripheral you can use driver or, like in your picture, VISA blocks. Especially you can use VISA Write or VISA Read. But between two operations you must wait some time to permit instrument to "understand" message and react consequently. This time is like 200 ms for the first tests and then you can insert a value more low.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Maybe additional time is required but  it could be something with the commands or termination. I would suggest that you first try communication to the instrument with a terminal emulator such as Hyperterminal or Procomm. Once you can get it to work there, then the LabVIEW program should be simple. Getting it to work the first though is the tricky part. If you can't get Hyperterminal to work, double check the type of cable you are using (null modem or straight through) and verify that the instrument setup matches the com settings on the pc.

[pilou]

Thanks very much for your fast answer, but the time didn't resolve my problem. I don't understand why the device has no reaction...

[Magicbotolo]

Have you tried command-strings with VISA Interactive Control (you can found it under Start - Programs - National Instruments - VISA)? Are you sure that these strings are right?

[Dennis_Knutson]

Do you realize that there is a driver written for this instrument? It can be found here. You will need to configure the serial port in MAX and you really, really, need to check communication with it with Hyperterminal or in MAX first.

[pilou]

thanks everybody for your answers, i will check all possibilities

[pilou]

Ahhhhhhhhh it was the device which was "died" (well in fact just the rs232)!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks very much for your advices because now it works very well
bye