Can labview be used with any equipment that has an RS-232 connection? What other requirements are there?

[goldilocks]

I am in the beginning stages of setting up a system of equipment for calibration purposes, but I need to be sure the equipment meets all of the requirements to run labVIEW. I only have experience using labVIEW, but none for setting it up.

[Ray.R]

Labview is very useful to communicate with test instruments. Typically, this is done using GPIB. It is possible to communicate with instruments using the serial port (RS-232).

You should verify with the recommendations from the manufacturer of the equipment and make sure that there are commands available to configure, control and obtain measurement data through the serial port.

You can try to communicate with the equipment by using a software like "HyperTerminal" in Windows. Basically, what you can do using HyperTerminal, you can do within LabView.

There are many posts that describe how to implement serial communication using Labview. Simply do a search on serial communication.

Regards,

JLV

[Dennis_Knutson]

Absolutely. You use VISA to communicate with an RS-232 instrument. You will have to have the instrument's programming manual in order to know the commands. The only thing you should have to provide is the correct cable from the pc's serial port to the instrument. Most require a null modem cable where the TD and RD lines get swapped. USB to RS-232 converters are also available and those can be used just as easily.

[Ray.R]

try this link:

http://exchange.ni.com/servlet/ProcessRequest?RHIVEID=101&RPAGEID=137&HOID=5065000000050000008E490100&HTHREAD=000084366&UCATEGORY_0=_49_%24_6_&UCATEGORY_S=0

[goldilocks]

Thank you both for your quick responses and helpful information! They are much appreciated!!