PXI-2530 query whether row and column are connected

[sebster]

I'm using niSwitch Connect Channels.vi and niSwitch Disconnect Channels.vi to control a PXI-2530, connections are made through a NI TB-2631 set as a 1-wire 4x32 matrix.

Is there a way to check whether a specific row and column are connected or not connected? 

If they are connected, trying to connect them again causes an error. Similarly, if they are not, trying to disconnect them causes an error.

The channels I'm using are to take the place of a toggle switch on a board I'm developing the test for. This switches the frequency setting so I would like to make sub-vis to use at the appropriate times to switch to frequency A and to switch to frequency B. The problem is, if I'm already at frequency A and try to set to frequency A again at another part of the test, I get an error.

The test structure is based on the Standard State Machine from the LabVIEW examples. Because the test sequence can 'jump around' depending on the result of a test (I may need to repeat a test if it fails), it's difficult to keep track of which state the frequency is set at.

LabVIEW 8.5, Window XP SP3.

Regards.

[chericks1 · Accepted solution]

Hi sebster,

niSwitch Can Connect Channels.vi checks whether a specific row and column are connected or not connected.  The path capability output indicates whether a path is valid.  I list below the possible values of the path capability output:

Path Available (1) The path is possible and available.
 
Path Exists (2) The path is possible, but already exists.
 
Path Unsupported (3) The path is not possible in the specified switch module and topology.
 
Resource In Use (4) The path is possible, but elements of the path are in use by another existing path. You must destroy the other path before creating this one.
 
Source Conflict (5) The path is possible, but connecting the channels will connect two sources.
 
Channel Not Available (6) Channel 1 and channel 2 are configuration channels and are thus unavailable for external connections.

Hope this helps!

Chad Erickson

Switch Product Support Engineer

NI - USA

[sebster]

Yes, thank you, this helps a lot.

I had actually looked at the niSwitch Can Connect Channels.vi, but when I saw 'Path Available', I understood it to mean that the path was there already. But looking at it again, following your explanation, it all makes sense to me now.

So now the next thing, I guess, is a case structure to handle the output from this vi.

Thanks again,

Regards.