GPIB to USB for Obsolete Agilent test set

[Falcondiaz]

Hi everyone.

I am facing difficulties using agilent connection expert to set up the communication between agilent8902b. I'm planning to use ACE to setup the connection, then use NI Labview to do the software programming (of course i will be using VISA). But im already stuck at this first step. I called agilent and they said the equipment is obolete, and not supported anymore but they will see how they can help me.

Meanwhile is there anyone who can help me with this? I made sure the GPIB address and ACE's GPIB address were matching.

Thanks

[smercurio_fc]

I don't understand what you actually have. What GPIB controller do you have? Is it one from NI, or is it one from Agilent? Agilent Connection Expert is of little use if you're going to program in LabVIEW. In fact, if you're going to be programming in LabVIEW, you'd need to have NI-VISA installed, not Agilent VISA. NI-VISA will install Measurement and Automation Explorer, which allows you to configure NI-VISA and also see what instruments you have connected. Also, if you have an Agilent GPIB controller, you'd need to enable Tulip for NI-VISA (search and you'll find threads on this).

[Dennis_Knutson]

And the comment about matching the GPIB addresses makes no sense. The connection expert is software and does not have an address. It allows you to change the address of the controller but you should have no need to change it from the default.

[Falcondiaz]

1. what i have is a gpib adapter for the test set port and on the other end of the cable the usb for my pc.

2. what i plan to do is use agilent connection expert to establish connectivity between pc and test set.

3. from this established connection visa can be used for my programming (i'm not sure on how this works also, correct me if i'm wrong)

Problem:

1. i cant even detect the test set in agilent connection expert when i connect the cable(one end usb the other end gpib) to the test set.

Question:

will this method work?

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

You don't need Agilent Connection Expert if your USB-GPIB adapter is made by NI.

Why do you feel compelled to use ACE?   I don't understand. You can just as easily use NI's MAX to detect and communicate with the Agilent test set.

Depending on the age of the test set it may not respond to *IDN? query.

[Falcondiaz]

How do I go about connecting them if my USB-GPIB adapter and test equipment is from Agilent?

I use ACE because its free i guess.

Labview does not come with MAX..

[Albert.Geven]

If you installed labVIEW from dvd it did come with MAX

If you downloaded it from the web, it should also be installed. Search for Measurement and Automation eXplorer

[Dennis_Knutson · Accepted solution]

Well, since you are using an Agilent controller, you should probably start with their connection expert. Even an old instrument should be detected. Why don't you attach some screen shots that illustrate the problem?

[Falcondiaz]

Sorry for this late reply.

ACE managed to detect my instrument after countless numbers of tries for reasons unknown to me. 

Now i will need to get the ni visa and agilent visa to work hand in hand. Still looking for that link...

Thanks all who have had their inputs on this problem!