Tektronixs daisy chain to two computers

[TDS5104B]

Is there a away that I can use two computers GPIB with one Oscope. 1 computer is USB-GPIB and the other is a PCI-GPIB and I would like to know if I can daisy chain them to 1 scope. I know only one can be on the bus, but is there any software that will allow me to have the both on and just alternate rather than disconnecting and reconnecting.

Both pc are windows XP.  Thank you

Francisco Daniel

[O_Proulx]

 Hello Francisco,

You should be to accomplish what you want.  First, you will need to select one of your two GPIB device (not the Oscope) to be System Controller (SC), since there can only be one SC on the network.  Let's assume you will select the PCI-GPIB as SC.  Here is how you disable the SC functionality of the USB-GPIB in MAX.  When you want the USB-GPIB to control the bus, you can pass control from the PCI-GPIB to the USB-GPIB.  You can look into this more in this knowledgebase article.  With this configuration, you should be able to accomplish your goals.   Let me know if you need any more details.

Why do you want to setup your system this way?

Have a great day.

[TDS5104B]

One computer is is to run test and control the scope with settings from the program during device testing. The other computer is used for capturing data (pictures of the scope). I am not sure if the ethernet-GPIB will be a better solution or not.

1 pc is on a filter network and the other is on a regulor network.

Thanks for the info.

Francisco

[O_Proulx]

Hello Francisco,

Are you still deciding on which hardware to purchase?  I thought you had a PCI-GPIB and a USB-GPIB?  I'm not sure I understand where the ENET (Ethernet-GPIB) comes into play.  Is there another reason why you would want to use the ENET (your instrument is located far from your PC for example). 

As for your application, it seems reasonable to use a single PC to control the scope and acquire data from it.  Since you can only have one controller in charge at any point in time, you will not be able to control the scope and acquire at the exact same time.  You will need to send it the commands for the settings and then send it the commands for the acquisition (sequentially).  Whether you do that from one computer or from two different computers (passing the control to a different GPIB board) will result in similar performance.  Is there another reason why you need to use two computers for this?

Have a great weekend.