Thorlabs SPX driver in LabView 7.1

[DrrN]

I've got the SP1-USB spectrometer from Thorlab which came with LabView driver libraries, which are described as being generated converting the CVI version with NI-LabVIEW 7.1. I do have LabView 7.1 but can't run any of the supplied VIs - they are reported as not executable. I can load them, look at their code, but not run. The VISA is a most recent one, 4.3, so it must not be a problem.

So, does anybody use those drivers in LabView v7.1 environment successfully? Are there any tricks?

Thanks beforehand.

[Dennis_Knutson]

All VIs created from a CVI driver require the dll that was created with CVI. The block diagrams will have a Call Library Function Node. You would need to install that as well and the vendor should have provided it. Since the VIs are not executable and would presumably have a broken arrow, you can click the run arrow to get a description of the error. I'm guessing that this will list the missing dll. If you did install the dll, it may be in an unexpected location. Search your harrdrive to see if it exists and move to to the correct location or update the Call Library Function Nodes to point it to where you do have it.

[DrrN]

Thanks Dennis,

the problem was indeed just the path to dll. Silly of me.

with regards

[CQ_Li]

I have the same problem. In fact, I even could not initialize the spectrometer.  Using Thorlabs USB Scanner, I can see the spectrometer. But the "spx initialize.vi" always gives me a error information.

I also checked the dll path and it was correct.

Please see the attached screen printing.

Thanks

Chengquan

[Dennis_Knutson]

I've not used the device but it will be much easier to troubleshoot your problem if you provide the actual error information you are getting. You don't need to provide a screen shot. The error code you get would be enough.

[cschneider]

Hi,

I just downloaded the device driver from the Thorlabs Website and had a look at the helpfile. There's a section about the initialization, which I post here:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This parameter specifies the interface of the device that is to be
          initialized. The exact grammar to be used in this control is shown in
          the note below. The USB keyword is used for USB  instruments.
         
          Default Value:  "USB::INSTR"
          USB0::0x1313::0x0111::NI-VISA-0::RAW
          USB RAW         USB[board]::vendor id::product id

                          ::serial number[::interface number]::RAW
          Notes:
         
          Based on the resource name, this operation establishes a communication
          session with a device. The grammar for the resource name is shown
          below. Optional parameters are shown in square brackets ([]).
         
          Interface       Grammar
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          USB             USB[board]::vendor id::product id

                          ::serial number[::interface number]::RAW
          Remote Access   visa://hostname[:visaport]/USB[board]::vendor id
                          ::product id::serial number
                          [::interface number]::RAW
         
         
          Example Resource Strings:
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          USB0::0x1313::0x0111::NI-VISA-0::RAW
                          A SP1 connected to a local USB port.

If I have a look at your resource string, its quite different from the one above...The Serial Number is replaced by "NI-VISA-0". Don't know if this is the problem, as I havent this type of spectrometer.. Perhaps, try this resource-string, even Thorlabs-Software shows a different string...

Hope this helps

Christian

*edit*: Hehe, great... : P = 😛


Message Edited by cschneider on 08-11-2008 10:34 PM

[CQ_Li]

Thanks for the reply.

I also tried the parameters following the thorlabs manual. And did not get more information.

Bests

Chengquan