Instrument control(GPIB)

[sobia66]

We are working with an old Rohde & Schwarz ZVB8 vector network analyzer and want to remote control it through GPIB in LabVIEW but i don't know how can i set my instrument on remote control what setting are required in my instrument ? Because when i read the operating manual and trying to set my instrument on remote control according to the steps mentioned in manual it gives me error "Failed to connect to the instrument" .Can anyone tell me the settings required in my instrument and also in my pc for remote control through GPIB?

Thank you.

[Dennis_Knutson]

When you say 'it gives me error', what exactly is 'it'. Is the instrument listed in MAX? What GPIB controller are you using?

[crossrulz]

Is there a setting in the instrument to make it look at the GPIB bus?  What address is is set to?  Are there any other instruments on the bus with the same address?

[sobia66]

I am using IEEE488.2 as GPIB controller and my instrument which is R&SZVB8 giving me error "failed to connect to the instrument" when i run GPIB Explorer which is present in ZVB8 and its function is to give the overview of all interfaces present in R&SZVB8.I follow all the steps as mentioned in its operationg manual to do settings in GPIB Explorer kindly tell me what i have ti do now.  Second thing is that  R&SZVB8 has a default address of 20 i didn't change it.I want to control R&SZVB8 only no other instrument is connected to my PC yet therefore no other instrument is present on the bus with same address.

I have few questions so anyone who know the answer kindly reply me 

1)The whole steps through which i can set my instrument on remote control?

2)Is VISA is necessary in ZVB8 to remote control it through GPIB?

3)How can i check whether visa is present in my instrument or not?

Thank you 🙂

[Dennis_Knutson]

That's not making any sense to me. The GPIB controller is usually part of the pc - USB or PCI. If you are using a GPIB controller from NI, then there is a utility program called Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). It appears you are talking about using the instrument as a master to control other instruments and not using the pc to control the instrument. I think you have to step back and understand what you really want to do. The GPIB interface in the instrument cannot be set for Master if you want to use the pc. If you want to use the pc, use the scan from instruments in MAX. Obviously, if you do not have other instruments connected, the utility in the instrument is not going to find anything. Lastly, if you want to control the instrument from the pc, you would install NI-VISA on the pc - not the instrument.

p.s. You still have not provided the vendor of the GPIB interface in the pc, if in fact you actually have one.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

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@sobia66 wrote:

I am using IEEE488.2 as GPIB controller and my instrument which is R&SZVB8 giving me error "failed to connect to the instrument" when i run GPIB Explorer which is present in ZVB8 and its function is to give the overview of all interfaces present in R&SZVB8.I follow all the steps as mentioned in its operationg manual to do settings in GPIB Explorer kindly tell me what i have ti do now.  Second thing is that  R&SZVB8 has a default address of 20 i didn't change it.I want to control R&SZVB8 only no other instrument is connected to my PC yet therefore no other instrument is present on the bus with same address.

I have few questions so anyone who know the answer kindly reply me 

1)The whole steps through which i can set my instrument on remote control?

2)Is VISA is necessary in ZVB8 to remote control it through GPIB?

3)How can i check whether visa is present in my instrument or not?

Thank you 🙂

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1. That instrument can be controlled remotely by GPIB, USB, and LAN.

2. Installing and using NI-VISA on controller PC is advisable.

3. NI-VISA should not be installed on your instrument.

[sobia66]

Kindly tell me how can i get data from R&S vector network analyzer RSZVB8 using labview driver n bus of communication is GPIB.

[crossrulz]

How far from out earlier discussion are you?  Can MAX see the instrument?  Do you have drivers?  What language are you using?