Problem with Newport's 1830-C Optical Power Meter and Labview.

[J3000]

Chris,

I just found out one difference between the three 1830-C.

The software version number of the one that is not working is 2.0, the other two good ones are 2.1 and 2.2. I checked with a 4th 1830-C that is not working also happens to be 2.0. Maybe this is the reason.

Thank you very much for helping me.

Regards,

J3000

[f.grasdepot@laposte.net]

Hi,

I agree with Chris,

- test one device at a time to identify bad version of GPIB
compatibility
- test with the three
- use a GPIB analyzer to convince the device manufacturer of the
problem
- try another implementation than yours with a GPIB direct dialog tool
( for instance at www.labtab.com/ni_gpib0 )
- make sure no gpib addresses are identical

....

and watch for the timing or parallel or serial poll to use the
instruments gently ... they will reward you ...

Regards,

FG






Chris_R. wrote:
> Hi J3000,
> You mentioned that you had 3 1830-C.  I am not familiar with this instrument, but are all three the same?  Do you see the problem with the same one each time or can you switch them out and see the same problem.  I just want to see if the problem is with the instrument itself or not.  Instead of disconnecting the instrument from the GPIB and reconnecting, try turning the instrument off and on again and see if that works.  Often, this should clear out instruments if they are locked for some reason.  Try this and let us know what you find.
>  
> Have a great day!

[Chris_R.]

Hi J3000,

What do you mean by software version 2.0?  Is this the firmware version or is this the NI-488.2 version?  If these instruments are on separate systems, make sure you update any NI-488.2 drivers to the latest version (or one found to work with the driver), or if this is the firmware you are talking about, update the firmware to match the working ones.  Is this possible?

[pradeep_mtu]

Hi All,

I am also facing the same problem  with the connectivity of 1830-C with PC through LabView Driver provided by newport. Its all the time giving error message like check meter or cable. Another problem is when I am connecting the 1830-C GPIB to the PC which is already connected to our laser, it don't scan any instrument untill I switch on the laser (means laser power should be on for power meter to show up).

I don't have much knowledge of interfacing the instruments, could anybody help me in this? I Also tried the Alwin's modified version but still the same problem. I will be thankfull if sombody can provide me a working version of 1830-C driver with the facility of getting a plot between power and time.

thanks

Pradeep

[pradeep_mtu]

And Yes, I also tried the LabView driver for 1830-C available at NI website but unfortunately it also didn't work.

pradeep

[O_Proulx]

Hello,

I think the first place to start is in Measurement and Automation Explorer.  When you scan for instruments do you detect the 1830-C properly?  If you right click on the instrument and select "communicate with instrument", are you able to send it a command (like *IDN?)?  This will ensure that your cable is properly connected to the instrument and that your PC can communicate with it.

Another detail to look at is the firmware version of the 1830-C.  Do you know which firmware version your 1830-C is using?  J3000 noted that for some versions of the firmware (V 2.0 ), the driver does not work:
____

I just found out one difference between the three 1830-C.  The software version number of the one that is not working is 2.0, the other two good ones are 2.1 and 2.2. I checked with a 4th 1830-C that is not working also happens to be 2.0. Maybe this is the reason.
____

If this does not solve your issue, would it be possible to attach an NI-SPY capture of the LabVIEW driver running.

I hope this helps.  Have a great day.

[pradeep_mtu]

Hi Proulx,

I have software version (hope this is the same as firmware version) 2.0 in our 1830-C optical power meter. I think this is the same problem as mentioned by J3000, software version 2.0 of 1830-C is not working with the driver from NI. I don't know how J3000 solved the problem.

If you or anybody can provide me driver for firmware version 2.0 of 1830-C that will be great!

In particular I request J3000 if he/she can tell me the solution of this problem. 

Quick response will be very helpful to me! Thanks a lot in advance.

pradeep

[O_Proulx]

Hello again,

When you scan for instruments in MAX, do you detect an instrument?

If so, can you communicate with the instrument in MAX?

Have a great week.

[pradeep_mtu]

Hi,

Yes, on scaning it detects the power meter and when a remote command is given it communicate  with power meter (REM announcer appear on display screen and keypad get locked, to activate it i have to press LOCAL switch on keypad). It also works with commands like beep on off (B0, B1), backlite on/off etc. But when I give command D? it gives error message: "check the GPIB cable or power meter", that what Ryan and other mentioned in this forum. Please let me know if you need some other information. Looking forward to get the solution of the problem.

regards

Pradeep

[O_Proulx]

Hello Pradeep,

I'm getting a little bit confused with what you are using to communicate with your instrument.  In MAX, you can click on "Communicate With Instrument" once your instrument is selected.  This will enable you to send commands to your instrument to ensure that it is working.  You can look at the screenshot I've attached for more.

From what you wrote, it seems you are still using the VI to test communications.  I would like to take a step back from the VI for a second to make sure your instrument is responding properly to all the commands.

Have a great day.