Troubleshooting NI Instrument Simulator Version 1

[dpitcher]

Hello,

I recently purchased a used Instrument Simulator (I.S.) and I cannot get it to function.

When I turn on the power, three LEDs illuminate: Power, Ready, and Listen.

When input any command in VISA test panel, I get the following error.

VISA:  (Hex 0xBFFF0015) Timeout expired before operation completed.

After getting this error, I check the serial port settings to make sure they are the same. Windows XP, MAX, and I.S. are all configured to 9600 baud, Hardware flow control, Parity off, 1 stop bit, 8 bits per character.

After checking that, I disconnected the serial cable from the I.S. Then I jumpered the DB9 serial cable terminals 4 to 6, 2 to 3, and 7 to 8. This was done to perform a loopback test as shown here.

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3450#2

The result of the loopback test was good. I could send and receive in Hyperterminal, VISA, and the Basic Serial Write and Read.vi

With all that done, I am wondering if I bought a bad Instrument Simulator. Is there something that I am missing or is this thing junk?

[dpitcher]

Hello,

I recently purchased a used Instrument Simulator (I.S.) and I cannot get it to function.

When I turn on the power, three LEDs illuminate: Power, Ready, and Listen.

When input any command in VISA test panel, I get the following error.

VISA:  (Hex 0xBFFF0015) Timeout expired before operation completed.

After getting this error, I check the serial port settings to make sure they are the same. Windows XP, MAX, and I.S. are all configured to 9600 baud, Hardware flow control, Parity off, 1 stop bit, 8 bits per character.

After checking that, I disconnected the serial cable from the I.S. Then I jumpered the DB9 serial cable terminals 4 to 6, 2 to 3, and 7 to 8. This was done to perform a loopback test as shown here.

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3450#2

The result of the loopback test was good. I could send and receive in Hyperterminal, VISA, and the Basic Serial Write and Read.vi

With all that done, I am wondering if I bought a bad Instrument Simulator. Is there something that I am missing or is this thing junk?

Please help

[StevieZ]

Are you using the correct termination character for your instrument simulator? Some devices require a '\n' others a '\r' and others something different still. I would make sure this is correct as that seems like it could be a problem that would cause the same symptoms that you have. Take a look at this KnowledgeBase for troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting Steps for Serial Communications

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/8887d749a5e24ac88625696200665c56?OpenDocument

Regards,

Steven Zittrower

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

http://www.ni.com/support

[dpitcher]

Thanks for the reply.

The manual states:

If you are sending commands but the serial simulator is not
responding, be sure that the commands are terminated with a
carriage return or line feed.

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/320638c.pdf

I have attached pictures of what I have entered and the return error code BFFF0015.

Any more ideas are greatly appreciated.

[StevieZ]

Can you check your manual for the instrument simulator to make sure that the dip switches are configured correctly. If they are set incorrectly it should error similar to yours.

Regards,

Steven Zittrower

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

http://www.ni.com/support

[dpitcher]

The Instrument Simulator is set to 9600 baud, odd parity, parity generation/checking disabled, 1 stop bit/character, 8 bits per character, and operation in S mode.

Windows XP and MAX are all configured to 9600 baud, Hardware flow control, Parity off, 1 stop bit, 8 bits per character.

The attached files show exactly how I have the dip switches set.

I believe I am interpeting everything correctly.

Any more ideas are greatly appreciated.

[Dennis_Knutson]

And have you tried it with flow control off?

[dpitcher]

The manual states:

To use the simulator as a serial device, your software and serial cable must support RTS/CTS (Hardware) flow control.

I verified that all nine pins of my serial cable have conntinuity through the cable.

I appreciate the ideas. Keep them coming.

[StevieZ]

Can you post an NI Spy reading of when you try communicating with your device? You can find NI Spy by going to Start»Programs»National Instruments»NI Spy.

Regards,

Steven Zittrower

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

http://www.ni.com/support

[Dennis_Knutson]

Continuity from what to what? Are you using a null-modem or straight-through cable?