NI-VISA as default driver for USB device with another manufacturer's driver?

[astroboy]

Hi Labview Developers or AE,
I have read the tutorial, "USB Control Tutorial Device" at link.
I read a paragraph "If you do not know the USB vendor ID and product ID, to get them, plug the device into the computer and allow the computer to recognize the new device. Cancel out of the Found New Hardware Wizard if it starts. Open the Device Manager from the Control Panel and find your device on the list, usually under "Other Devices". It may show a yellow exclamation mark indicating it is an unknown device. Double click the device to open the properties. Select the Details tab and ensure that "Device Instance Id" shows in the attribute dropdown box. A string of characters will be displayed similar to Figure 3. The four characters to the right of "VID_" and "PID_" are your vendor ID and product ID, respectively. Write down the characters for your device, close the Device Manager, and unplug the device from the computer. Alternatively, you can contact your device vendor to obtain this information."

I am wondering if it is okay to install two drivers together and do labview with two of them simultaneously. I am using Advantech USB-4716. I installed Advantech driver so that I can use Advantech-labview functions to control and measure. unfortunately, , there's no advantech function like reset.vi  in case of problem reading. So I wondering if it is okay to use NI-VISA driver by wizard as mentioned above and advantech-Labview functions together. I have not figured out  how to reset Advantech USB-4716.

Pls  advise. Thanks
Clement

[Dennis_Knutson]

As far as I know, you cannot have more than one driver installed for a USB device. Even if you were able to install a VISA driver, you would need details on the USB RAW commands from Advantech on how to reset the device. If such a command was available, I would think that it would already be implemented in their existing driver. I'm assuming that their LabVIEW driver is a wrapper around some Call Library Function Nodes. My best advice is to contact the vendor and see if there is a function call to reset it.

[astroboy]

Hi Dennis
Thank you for your reply. Ok I will check with the vendor.

There are so many things about USB . I do not know where to start as I am very new to USB although
I have a DLP-2232 G and it's USB driver and its Labview support. 

I would like to build a USB device from scratch, and create a program. Is there a simple project as a starting point  for a beginner like me?
If not, never mind. I will try to learn more abt USB and USB's API, DLL. to communicate with Labview.

Many thanks.
Warmest regards,
Clement

[Wolfson]

Hi, I am very new in Labview and I have got the USB 4716 from advantech and I do not know how to make Labview recognizes the USB device, and how to probe is reading its, for exmple if I choose the VI's analog input from the advantech VI's in user libraries in Labview, the calbe to go to device should be connect it to...????? and also I cant see the hardware in MAX.....

[TobyHex]

Hello Wolfson,
The first post in this thread links to a very useful Development Zone article called USB Instrument Control Tutorial that I would like for you to look at. Following this tutorial will allow you to recognize the device in Measurement & Automation Explorer(MAX).As for the 4716 USB device from Advantech, taking a look at their website I noticed that they had LabVIEW support through the use of .dll's as well as it looks like they have a download for a .llb. If you do not mind letting me know where you found these drivers it will allow me to further help diagnose your problem. Thanks again and have a great day!
Regards,

Nicholas K

[Wolfson]

Hi Nicholas,

I found the drivers in those links.

First of all the customer must install our Device manager ( DAQ Tool ) and Driver
http://support.advantech.com.tw/support/DownloadSRDetail.aspx?SR_ID=1-246K8V
That's he needs to do always before using our devices.
For LabVIEW he also needs to install in addition the LabVIEW driver
http://support.advantech.com.tw/support/DownloadSRDetail.aspx?SR_ID=1-29WTFD
It is the LabVIEW or LabVIEW DAQ , it depends on customer LabVIEW software that he is using
After installation he will get in LabVIEW ready made VI ( examples ) to use from Advantech and also the Manual

[Wolfson]

Thank you!

[dansch]

Hi Wolfson,

As Nicholas mentioned, it appears that the device is supported in LabVIEW through calls to some DLLs. The user manual for the Advantech USB-4716 has good information about installing the software and hardware. The manual also gives useful information about how to connect signals. By default, you will not be able to see the device in MAX unless you follow the steps in the above tutorial. Hope this helps,