Control Fluke 45 using RS-232

[Fbra]

Please,

I need some help to control Fuke 45 using RS-232 interface.

I´m using instrument drivers, but I don´t have any experience with RS232 comunication.

What´s the difference between this interface and GPIB.

Anybody can send to me a code example?

thank you for attention!!

[Dennis_Knutson]

The driver is written for both serial and GPIB. In the VISA Resource Name control, you just have to select a com port. Have you run the getting started VI? If so, do you get an error and if you do, what is it? If it's a timeout error it could be a mismatch in serial ports settings or the wrong type of cable. The Fluke 45 Intialize function has inputs for setting the serial port. The default is 9600 baud and no parity. Make sure the instrument is set that way. The manual should explain what type of cable you need to use. Often you need a 'null modem' type. This is a serial cable where the td and rd signal lines are crossed over or swapped.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Serial interface is slower and can connect to only one instrument. GPIB is a parallel communication but that allows multiple instruments to be connected to one GPIB card.

Basic serial read and write vi (search examples in LabVIEW for 'serial') is a good place to start. But before doing that- read the Flukes manual regarding serial communications and setup (baud rate, termination characters, parity, and termination character). The read the manual for the serial command set.

Make sure you have a proper cable to go between the PC serial port and the Fluke, again read it's manual.

Next, try sending commands in Windows Hyperterminal (set up the COM port properties to match the Fluke settings) before trying LabVIEW code. If things work out in Hyperterminal you are then ready to try it in LV.

In LV, make sure you are using the proper termination character- this is a stumbling block for many new users!

Good luck, let us know how it goes!

Message Edited by AnalogKid2DigitalMan on 11-09-2006 10:12 AM