Trouble communicating with conroller GPIB

[MEW]

Newbie here...
I'm using LabView 7 Student Edition with Windows 2000.
I'm unable to write commands to controller on GPIB.
I've tried MAX; right click on instrument, then "communicate with instrument"
I've tried GPIB example code. Within this code I've changed "mode" setting from zero to all the other possibilities (0-7) with no success.
The commands I'm sending are those of the controller itself.
I've also tried communicating with controllers through RS-232 with no luck, but first things first GPIB....
Thanks.
Matthew

[Dennis_Knutson]

What do you mean by controller? The controller is the GPIB card (or USB or ethernet) in your system. No GPIB controller has an RS-232 connection that I know of. I think you mean you're trying to communicate with an instrument. You've done a scan for instruments in MAX and your instrument is detected? If so, did it respond to the *IDN? query in MAX? What's the instrument and what commands did you try to send?

[MEW]

OK, let me clarify...
I'm trying to communicate with an instrument--actually various instruments--a 3 axis motion controller and an electronic autocollimator controller which both control their respective instruments. I'm starting with the autocollimator since its connected to the computer through GPIB. The motion controller uses RS232 into the back of the computer. The autocollimator does not respond to an *IDN? query, because (I think) it's not 488.2 compliant. I tried sending the autocollimator controller its own commands, ie, some commands from its firmware like MR (mode remote) or TP (get a reading). No luck. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
MEW

[GaryN]

Does your computer see the instruments at all? Does MAX show that the instrument is connected and provide you with the channel? I know you said it doesn't respond to a *IDN? command but there should still be an indication that the instrument is there. If it is there I don't really know what else you can try. On a few of my GPIB instruments the instrument responds to a IDN? message but not a *IDN? That may get you it's identification, but if MAX sees that it's there and you still can't send basic commands your problem is likely somewhere else.

[Dennis_Knutson]

I'd just be guessing without the programming manual. Assuming that the autocollimator itself has been detected by MAX, then the basic GPIB connection to it is okay. Since you tried all of the different modes with GPIB Write, that should have taken care of the most common terminations of the write string. What's the make and model number? Do you have an electronic version of the programming manual or a link to it?

[LV_Pro]

What make and model is the autocollimator? There maybe someone with a driver written for it already. As to using MAX, try changing the id query from IDN? to ID? (or see if there is an id query listed in its manual). I just had an HP instrument that responded to ID? vs IDN? Do you know what GPIB address it is set up for? They will range from generally from 1 - 30.

P.M.

[MEW]

Yes, MAX sees the autocollimator controller and its address is 15.
I will try the variations on *IDN?--have to head down to the lab.
It's a Newport autocollimator LDS1000.
I'm sending it standard firmware commands.
As far as the driver goes--I know that it's worked before for somebody else, trouble is that somebody else is too busy to help.
Thanks.
MEW

[LV_Pro]

When you say your sending it "standard firmware commands" what do you mean? Do you have documentation that gives its command set?

P.M.

[MEW]

Yes, I'm refering to the commands that are used to program the controller of the autocollimator.

[mycroft]

Maybe you have to enabe the GPIB-Interface on your autocoll-device-thing-... via a DIP-Switch or a menu entry or so.
Check yout setup (controller, cables, ...) with a device that already works on an other host.


God luck
Stefan