Understanding the *idn? query

[Adlebrand]

hello all,

I have just started using labview recently. I am making a vi which can connect to oscilloscope, make measurements and save the data into a database.

I have a VI in which the user can choose to enable upto 3 scopes. once he enables it, After entering the Visa resource name and the scope model, i have a button 'chk sonnections' which in effect 'pings' the instrument . For this i am using the self test drivers found on ni.com/idnet. As far as i could make out, the self test drivers send the *tst? query.

Right now i am providing 2 varieties of scopes , The agilant 34401 and the tektronix 1k2k series. based on which of the 2 the user selects from a drop down menu i provide, the respective self test driver is launched.

Since i want to expand and include more scopes in the future i was thinking of some universal way to check the connection. I read about the *idn? query in the tek programmer's manual. i think it is compatible with many instruments. i was not able to find any relavant resources for the same so i have a few questions-

1) What all instruments support this query?

2) Right now i am using usb to connect but will it make a difference if i use rs232 or gpib and then perform the same query?

3) Although this is not related,  The drivers for the scopes ask for the serial configuration. As far as i know in usb connections, that is fixed right? 

thank you.

[smercurio_fc]

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@Adlebrand wrote:

hello all,

Right now i am providing 2 varieties of scopes , The agilant 34401 and the tektronix 1k2k series. based on which of the 2 the user selects from a drop down menu i provide, the respective self test driver is launched.

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The 34401 is not a scope. It's a multimeter.

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1) What all instruments support this query?

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Almost all modern instruments do. Older instruments are likely to not support it, especially those that were manufactured before SCPI was adopted. The only way to know if an instrument supports the *IDN? command is to look at its programming manual. If it says it supports SCPI in the datasheet, then it will support the *IDN? command.

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2) Right now i am using usb to connect but will it make a difference if i use rs232 or gpib and then perform the same query?

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Not if you use VISA. VISA provides a level of abstraction that allows you to communicate to the same instrument using different interfaces.

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3) Although this is not related,  The drivers for the scopes ask for the serial configuration. As far as i know in usb connections, that is fixed right? 

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I'm not sure I understand the question. Serial and USB are two completely different interfaces. Are the drivers for the scope written using VISA? For the USB interface for the scope were you given a DLL to use? Where did you get the drivers for the scope? Provide a direct link.

[Adlebrand]

Thank you.

yes i am using VISA

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The drivers which i am crurrently using, I donloaded from the site http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.download_page?p_id_guid=047216EC20B66FABE0440003BA7CCD....

Only the initialize.vi requires the serial configuration details. the self test.vi was running successfully even without any serial config provided.

Iwould like to know it's purpose.Any help at all is appreciated.

[smercurio_fc · Accepted solution]

The serial configuration will get used only if the VISA resource name points to a serial resource.

[Adlebrand]

Sorry i did not see your reply earlier. Thank you. Also,I tried connecting without providing the serial config details and it worked!.

for anyone who is interested, i found the wiki page for scpi to be very informative-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Commands_for_Programmable_Instruments