I'm looking a Lab view driver for HP8350B Sweep oscillator.,HP70205A Specrtum analyzer LabView driver

[Siriuccs]

Hi Guys,

  These are really old instruments Could you please hlep me with a  Lab view driver for HP8350B Sweep oscillator.,HP70205A Specrtum analyzer LabView  driver .  If you have one could you please reply.

Thanks in advance

Siri

[Troy]

Siri, Now I remember the sig gen.  This is the old mainframe sweeper we used to use a few years ago on our scalar network analyzer (We have since moved up to a systhesized sweeper and gotten away from this old analog piece). 

I have been digging in my LV archives and cannot seem to find my VIs that I used to control it.  I didn't have many, as I did most of the control through the 8757A Scalar Analyzer that it was tied to.

So I know from experience (and checking) that IDNET doesn't have a prepackaged driver for this beast.  I do have experience writing instrument control for these old HP RF pieces though as we had several that were pre-SCPI.  This is going to be a DIY project, but we will definately help you out.  I have the gear still so we can work back and forth as needed. 

So let's start with what you need the automation to do.  I assume the basics, such as start and stop freqeuncy, sweep time, etc.  Amplitude and RF on/off will depend on the RF source you have.  Any other specific functions?

[Siriuccs]

Hi Troy,

    Thanks foryour kind reply.  We are doing antenna pattern measurement automation.  I need to autmate what ever you told plus RF Power levels also. Could you please help me how to start this project. Your kindness is highly appreciated.

Siri

[Troy]

Siri,

Let's start with what RF Plug In you have installed into the main frame.  The 8350B series is made up of two modules, a control side on the left two thirds (the 8350B Sweep Oscillator) and an RF Plug In on the right one third of the chassis.  The RF Plug In is going to dictate weather or not you will have control over the power level and on/off states as it contains that function.  The frequency settings and sweep settings we will be able to control using VISA commands to the GPIB bus.  If the power level can be remotly controled on the RF Plug In, we can also set the power and RF states using VISA and GPIB. 

Since there isn't much you can read back from the 8350 most of what we will do here will involve using the VISA write VI from the Instrument Control palette.  I have attached a VI that will likley be the base of what we use for sending commands to the 8350.  Note the attached VI is written in LV8.6 

Also, what's your experience level with LabVIEW?

[Siriuccs]

Hi Troy,

  i have just started using labview so ia m begginer level... I can read more on it if you give me suggestions. i have same version of labview you have specified.

Thanks a lot

siri.

[Siriuccs]

Hi Troy,

Thanks much for the example. i just implemented this example in LabView. but i'm not seeing any response at sweep oscilaator. for example i'm sending 5GHz freqency from Lab VIew in sweeposcilltori'm not able to see that. Any suggestion would be appriciated.

Thanks ,

siri

[Troy]

Siri, let me look at my manual for this in the morning when I get to the office.  I have a couple things I think we need to check to see why we are not getting a reaction.  One of them is to make sure the address on the sweeper is set to the same address as we are using the VI. 

Also, I still need to get the model of the RF Plug In you have.  It will guide me a bit more on capabilities and troubleshooting.

Sorry I dropped of the planet this afternoon.  Busy afternoon. 

[Troy]

One other thing.  Your 70205A model number is actually a display module and part of a larger system that makes up your spectrum analyzer.  Check out the following link to see if any of these make sense with regards to model number of the spectrum analyzer.  This is a piece of gear that I have not worked with, but I am sure we can dig our way through it.   I have run into a few instances where we just were not able to control some aspects of this older equipment, but we will definately try. 

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?nid=-536900588.0.00&cc=US&lc=eng

Message Edited by Troy on 02-23-2009 10:23 PM

[Troy]

Siri, can you confirm for me that the generator is set to address 19.  You can view the address by pressing the "Local" button on the front panel.  The address should show in the frequency display.  If it is different, press Local again then enter 19 on the keypad to reset it back to default. 

Also let's try a different command to set a continuous wave.  Change the command to CW5GZ and see if you now see the 5GHz tone you expect. 

Let me know what you find.

[Siriuccs]

Hi Troy,

  I will try that one and get abck to you ASAP. I really appreciate for your  help .

Thanks,

Siri