GPIB (VISA?) error message when accessing an HP E4419B power meter (dual channel)

[ss2011]

Hello, there,

I used a GPIB-USB-B adapter to access the E4419B meter, via an IFR application Calibration software. The original standard test equipment required is an E4418B. During the initialization process, there's always a mesage:

"Initialization Error:  Error initializing the HP4418 Power meter, Error: The interface type is valid, but the specified interface number is not configured."

It looked to me that the software still controlled the unit later in some way (i.e., cal the sensor etc). But this would creat some other comm failure in teh run.

I  would like to know, if E4418B and E4419B are compatible each other as far as NI Visa is concerned, and it there's any way to preset this number from the NI part? The software itself does not have any flexbility to do so.

Thanks in advance.

Simon

[RayFarmer]

the E4418B and E4419B have the same command set therefore any driver should be compatible providing allowance is made to select which channel to use.

[ss2011]

Thanks Ray for the reply.

I was told by OEM that -19 will not work. Actually, both -18A and -18B could be used as substitute (with EPM-441A). The program should not be confused with the "interface number" as E4418B is in the list, but why not 4419B --- very interesting. The program itself is very rigid, with few settings / options available.

Certainly, to completely exclude this factor, I would need to get a -18 type to go through the process.

Simon

[RayFarmer · Accepted solution]

Simon,

For the 19 not to work that would suggest that they is no channel selection. Looking at the programming spec for the E4418/E4419 (yes it the same spec) suggest the same programming codes the only difference is that the E4419 has two channels.

The other probably might be when initialised and performing a query the software maybe be looking for E4418 instead of E441x and ignoring the last character.

[ss2011]

Morning, Ray

The program may have been written as you described especially your last comment, except that in the equipment requirement, 4418B is also a dual channel model. As mentioned earlier, the only way to confirm this is probably if I could get an -18x working that would exclude any ohter misconfig in the whole setup.

In any case, thanks again.

Simon