Trying to send arbitrary waveform to DS345 using GPIB commander (*Pibwrt)

[tdk]

Hi All,

I have a function generator that I am trying to send an arbitrary waveform.  The program is relatively simple and uses the NI-488 functions (ibwrt and ibrd).  

The code I have been using to talk to the function generator for basic calls like amplitude and frequency settings is GPIB commander (http://gpibcmd.berlios.de/).  This uses the dynamically linked library for for GPIB-32, and uses function pointers to NI-488 functions such as (*Pibwrt and *Pibrd).  The problem I am having is when I try to send the arbitrary waveform to the DS345 it gives me a loading error (even though the code should work since it came with the function generator).  Basic calls to the function generator work, but when I try to send the data buffer (containing the arbitrary waveform) the device tells me the buffer is corrupt (bad check sum).  However, I have tried sending the most basic waveform and it doesn't work.

The problem could be with the waveform I am sending, but I can't help but think it has something to do with GPIB commander's implementation of ibwrt and ibrd since I have tried with the most basic data buffer.  Does anyone have experience with this and can help.

Cheers,

ScKaSx

[Justin_E]

Hey tdk,

I have a couple questions for you to try and help you out with your issue. One, what piece of hardware are you using to send these GPIB commands? Is it one of our NI devices (PCI-GPIB, GPIB-USB, etc)? If so, what I would try is using NI's Interactive Control program (found either in Measurement and Automation Explorer, or in the NI-488.2 folder : Start->Programs->National Instruments->NI-488.2->Interactive Control), and see if you get the same response sending commands through that medium. 

You also said that basic calls to the function generator work. Does this include commands specific to the DS345, just not the waveform commands?