Function Generators

[winterfresh11]

Hello,

Wondering if anyone is familiar with ATTEN Instruments, more specifically their ATF20B DDS Function Wavefrom Generator. I've been trying to find drivers for it but can't seem to locate any. Does it have drivers that need to be installed?

[Dennis_Knutson]

What sort of physical interface does the instrument have? You probably need to write your own code using VISA functions to communicate to a serial, gpib, usb, Ethernet instrument. You will need the programming manual from the vendor.

[winterfresh11]

That's actually the problem I can't figure out. It doesn't seem to really have a physical interface with the computer. It doesn't have any USB or anything like that, I felt like maybe I was missing something.

[Dennis_Knutson]

If the instrument does not have a connection to a pc, you can't do anything with it. Please attach the manual.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

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@winterfresh11 wrote:

That's actually the problem I can't figure out. It doesn't seem to really have a physical interface with the computer. It doesn't have any USB or anything like that, I felt like maybe I was missing something.

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You definitely can't see very well, because I see a RS232 port on its rear panel.

[winterfresh11]

There is indeed an RS232 port in the back. Assuming this has no special labview functons, like NI function generators do, Visa is what I need to contorl it from labview by just making my own?

[Dennis_Knutson]

Yes. You would need the programming manual as I already mentioned to know how to configure the port and know what commands to send. I would recommend that you debug this with a program such as putty or tera term.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

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@Dennis_Knutson wrote:
Yes. You would need the programming manual as I already mentioned to know how to configure the port and know what commands to send. I would recommend that you debug this with a program such as putty or tera term.

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It is cheap Chinese function generator - I'd say junk - sold on Amazon. No manual to be found.

One of the reviews on Amazon says that the RS232 and USB ports are fake.

The OP got took.

[winterfresh11]

Cheap and Chinese, truth, however it works very well with my NI DAQ card so it's serving it purpose beautifully, controlling it with labview is just extra if it works. The USB port isn't fake, it's just not the there on this model. The RS232 port is certainly real, and the manual is present but in Chinese which is moderately problematic.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

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@winterfresh11 wrote:

Cheap and Chinese, truth, however it works very well with my NI DAQ card so it's serving it purpose beautifully, controlling it with labview is just extra if it works. The USB port isn't fake, it's just not the there on this model. The RS232 port is certainly real, and the manual is present but in Chinese which is moderately problematic.

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You can justify it all you want.

You know the RS232 port is real how?

You can't even use it to verify its operation.

Come back when you have real test equipment to control.

Talk about wasting my time.