E-TeK polarization scrambler

[lu2005]

Hi All,
I have to use a polarization scrambler from E-TEK. This company is not yet active and I do not have the instrument manual.
Does anybody have any manual, or labview driver of this instrument?
Or can I know GP-IB commands for this instrument just making some query at the instrument via GP-IB
Thank you

[AlessioD]

Hi,
I have been trying to figure out what instrument you need to work with, but I was not able to find any documentation.
If you know the model then there is a chance you find references on the web. National Instruments does not have a ready Instrument Driver for any instrument from E-Tek.
I really think you won't get too far in communicating with the instrument if you don't have a manual that tells you what commands to use when talking to the scrambler.
Regards,

AlessioD
National Instruments

[lu2005]

The instrument is an infiber optical polarization controller from E-TEK p/n FPCR1B.
I have been trying to find something on the web withou success..
...
I cannot believe that without manual it is impossible to find out wich are the commands to controll it from remote.

Thank you

Luca

[AlessioD]

Well, if I understand you right, you have the instrument and it comes without any sort of documentation or manual. This is quite unusual. For example,
-how do you know if it is GPIB or HP-IB compliant?
-How do you know if its standard is IEEE 488 or 488.2?

This info at least should be found somewhere.

You could try the *idn? command that usually works for GPIB based instruments. But this command would allow you to retrieve the Device Model and Vendor information, nothing more.
In order to leverage all the functionalities the instrument has implemented in HW, you definitely need a programmers' manual.

The instruments Manual is one key requisite for being able to develop an instrument driver for that device, no matter if it is LabVIEW or other programming languages.

Regards,

AlessioD

[lu2005]

Hi,
this instrument is coming to us without manual..
from the rear panel I found out that it is a GPIB controlled IEEE488.. and that's all.
I know that could be controlled with all the kinds of programming languages...
but I do not have the manual..
Thank you,
best regards.
Luca

[AlessioD]

Luca,

It would be great to help you, but I think the only chance you have as things are is to call E-Tek and get hold of their technicians to learn about the programming capabilities of that device.
Once you have the commands set the device responds to, you can refer to all the examples that are included with your distribution of LabVIEW.
Regards and good luck with your application.

AlessioD