Ocean Optics USB4000 Spectrometer

[MALathon]

Haven't tried -- can't hurt.  I'll report back in a few.  Thanks!

[MALathon]

I have been successful in implementing a new NI-VISA driver as suggested.  

However, I am not certain that everything is exactly right.  I can now run the Acquire Continuous Spectrum Vi, except it stalls in the read spectrum VI.  I have traced through every setting and ensured they match the parameters found here http://oceanoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/OEM-Data-Sheet-HR2000plus.pdf ; however, it specifically stalls when trying to read the spectrum (reads 8 x 512) and throws a time-out error before it can read the first one.  I fiddled with the initialization code and extended the timeout from being 10 seconds to 100 seconds and it made no difference.  

Does anyone have any suggestions? I dont think the driver code is wrong, I believe it is probably in how I set up the instrument driver.. Any help would be much appreciated.

Edit:  I have confirmed that the spectrometer is not broken, since an old version of spectra suite shows the spectrometer working just fine.  I know im missing something minor...

[MALathon]

OK -- I still cannot get it to work.  The only workable suggestion I've found is to uninstall everything and reinstall.  I've done better and formatted the whole computer.  Still timing out on the visa read function.

I've tried:

1. Different drivers.

2. Increasing the time-out from 10s to 100s.

3. Verifying that the code works according to the specs.

4. Tried messing around with enabling end-line etc. Nothing mattered.

What do I do?

[OceanOptics.OliverL]

Hi MALathon,

I was out a couple of days and as usual it is exactly when things start. Sorry for the delay, as i have seen the community was active here.

I cannot help with the NI-VISA. That interface is maintained and supported by NI.

Is there a particular reason for not using the OmniDriver? The interface is simple to program using the .NET interface as you can see from a simple control VI. OmniDriver can be found for a number of operating systems and bit versions under the following url: OceanOptics Software Download Page

Please mind that ideally the operating system, OmniDriver as well as LabView use the same bit-ness. In case of a 32-bit LabView on a 64-bit OS, please choose the 32-bit version and run the installer in a 32-bit compatibility mode (e.g. Win 7 64-bit OS, but 32-bit LabView, please use WinXP SP3 compatibility mode for the installer) to properly register the device driver.

Please feel free to get in touch with me in case of assistance.

Best Regards, Oliver

[MALathon]

I was under the impression that omnidriver was not free? I downloaded and attempted to use the examples the imported wrapper and libraries weren't working properly. Is there a quick and easy test to see if it is working? Are there functions and examples provided?

Thanks for your quick response.

[Albert.Geven]

Warning

In the newest driver (last week) some errors are breaking the system.

I'm working on it but need today to find out what is wrong.

[OceanOptics.OliverL]

Hi Albert,

In case this is referring to the OmniDriver version 2.37 or 2.40, I would greatly appreciate it, if you could send me information on the error. I will have one of my Dutch colleagues gets in touch with you.

I am not aware of any critical issues in OmniDriver that lead to breaking of our equipment.

In case this is on the NI-Interface that is floating around, please be sure to state this correctly to avoid confusion.

Best Regards, Oliver

[Albert.Geven]

This is not the omnidriver but the pure G LabVIEW driver on the NI instrument driver site

Personally I don't lke the omnidriver because of the complex object structure that I have to call.

[MALathon]

Albert,

Could you send me the working driver? I've spent the last 5 days troubleshooting, so perhaps I could be of assistance.

Thanks!

[Albert.Geven]

Which LabVIEW version do you use.

I'm now gonna modify the 8.0 version in version 2010 what is the lowest I have.