How do I find out if an instrument supports GPIB

[Kunal]

I want to make a VI for HP 8712B RF Network Analyzer, but somehow the Instrument is not detected by the GPIB board. I used MAX (Measurement and Automation Explorer) to see if any instruments have been detected. It showed me an error stating that no instruments have been found. I checked the cable connections and made sure that the instrument was turned on. I just installed the GPIB board and it seems to have installed alrite. My guess is the instrument does not support GPIB. Moreover, the instrument has an menu option for HP-IB addresse instead of GPIB addresse (as seen on instruments I have worked on earlier like HP 34401A Multimeter.). Is there any way to find out if the instrument supports GPIB from LabVIEW or any othe
r software included in the package.

[Rob Cole]

HPIB is just HP's name for GPIB. They are fully compatible. What GPIB board do you have? Does it show up in MAX under the Interfaces list? What are the settings on the Network Analyzer? HPIB address number? Is it set to write only? Can you talk to other instruments okay?

I would check that you can talk to other instruments that you know work on the GPIB and then decide to investigate the board or the instrument to find the problem.

Rob

[Bill Choy]

Hi Kunal

How many instruments are connected to your GPIB card? I got some strange errors that I connected too many instrument and I the cable is connected too long. Do you get this error with other instrument with the same GPIB card and cable? If the other instrument can be connected then maybe your GPIB port is damaged.

Bill.