How do I interface a computer to the HP8753D Network Analyzer (NA) via a GPIB cable using Labview?

[tiong keng]

Hi,

I am a new beginner to LabVIEW. Right now, I am trying to acquire data from the HP8753D Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). However, I don't think I even managed to get past the first step.

I tried to create a simple VI with only a single READ GPIB and a WRITE GPIB both to the address 16 (default for HP8753D) with the command IDN?;. I output the result from the READ GPIB to the a string indicator but the front panel displayed boxes and unrecgonized characters.

The NA didn't even showed that it was communicating to the computer at all (No LED lit up).

I have also varied the byte size from 200 to 2000 but I still did not get the res
ult.

I really need help on how to interface the VNA and my computer together. I have a strong feeling that the VI I constructed is too simplified (attachment below). If you know the solution, please help. I really would like to get past this first stage of first getting the computer and the device to communicate first.

Thank you.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Most instruments respond to the command *IDN? and not IDN? so that may be part of your problem. The other thing to do is to first try your command in MAX (Measurement and Automation Explorer). Assuming that you've already installed and confgiured the GPIB board, right click the board listed in Devices and Interfaces and select Scan for Instruments. When the instrument is found, right click on that and select Communicate with Instrument. The default query should be *IDN?. Run that and see if it works. Make note of the actual address of the instrument as it could be set to something other than the default.

I don't think your VI is too simplified but I prefer VISA Reads and Writes instead of GPIB. It's a bit easier to use, imho, and makes for more a portabl
e program.

[Ricardo_SR]

Hello,

There are several things to check. First make sure that you are using the correct GPIB or VISA resource name. If you are using GPIB the name that you use should be something similar to:
GPIB0::2::INSTR where 2 is the primary address and 0 is the device number.
Then you need also to check which commands are accepted by your device. It is a good idea to start in MAX (Measurement and Automation Explorer) by right clicking in the device.
Another thing you might want to try is to download the driver the instrument driver for this HP8753D that you have.
You can find it in the following address:
hp8753D Instrument Driver

H
ope this helps

Ricardo S.
National Instruments

Message Edited by Support on 12-08-2006 01:36 PM