programming vxi module ?

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

I am new to writing test programs that communicate with VXI boards.

I have a C&H  pulse generator module VX462B, and the manual shows registers to write to. There are one or two other boards that work the same way.

How do I communicate to this VXI board using LabVIEW?

[Mustanghipo65]

Our setup uses a MXI-3 connection between the VXI rack and the computer. MAX in then used to verify the addresses of each particualar instrument. You would then search for instrument drivers, VXI Plug and Play, LabView, LabWindows, CVI to install.

Here is one for that pulse gen you're using

http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.download_page?p_id_guid=E3B19B3E974D659CE034080020E748...

It's a 3rd party driver so it may not work correctly. It's possible to call functions in the dll that installs with VXI P&P drivers. I've had to build custom LabVIEW instrument drivers using the dll that is installed.

If you have a programming manual that lists SCPI commands you can easily use VISA calls to communicate with the guy.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

Thank you for the link.

The test rack I am to use uses IEEE1394 it appears. MAX sees the module so that is a good thing.

I see that in the LabVIEW VISA VIs that there VIs to write to registers. Could I use those?

Unfortunately this instrument's manaul shows no SCPI commands.  😞

[Mustanghipo65 · Accepted solution]

There are VXI Plug and Play drivers as well as a SCPI driver set on the MFG website for this instrument.

http://www.chtech.com/suppgs/sup_drivers.html

Without owning this module I wouldn't be able to try any of the commands out. I did download the VXI PnP driver and install it. A soft front panel installed that would allow you to manually operate the instrument. VXI PnP drivers typically put a dll on your machine that allows you to have access to any function that is used on the soft front panel. This dll is located at C:\VXIpnp\WinNT\Bin\Chvx462b_32.dll on my machine. Just remember to use the VXI PnP help file to grab the parameters for each function.

The SCPI driver that is on the MFG website include a text file with the SCPI commands in it. I didn't install the SCPI driver so I'm unaware as to what it will do. I would think you could use those SCPI commands with VISA to communicate with it.

I have yet to find a real need to program an instrument using registers, but it can be done.

[nyc_(is_out_of_here)]

Thank you.

I think I have the resources I need to go on with this project.

[sulemanzp]

Sir I am an fresh instrument Engineer and I am trying to build a system in which I am using VX4244, XV462 and E6432A. I am almost done with everything except VX4244 trigger out. Sir I am locating for VXI PNP drivers for VX4244 and VX462 and I found that you have the driver and softpanel for VX462, could you help me by sending those drivers to my email. Beacuse above links not working and I google everywhere but unable to find those drivers. It will be great if you have any information related to VX4244 also. Thank you in advance, hope to hear from you soon.

Suleman Zafar Paracha

sulemanzp@gmail.com

[hnesmith]

sulemanzp, 

Here's the driver for the XV462. I found it by searching the NI Driver Download page. 

VX462B: http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.model_page?p_model_id=2620

NI Driver Download: http://www.ni.com/downloads/drivers/

[sulemanzp]

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@hnesmith wrote:

sulemanzp, 

Here's the driver for the XV462. I found it by searching the NI Driver Download page. 

VX462B: http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.model_page?p_model_id=2620

NI Driver Download: http://www.ni.com/downloads/drivers/

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Sir I alrady visited that page many times, This page only leads to C&H Drivers Website, where VX462B drivers are not avaliable. If anyone have backup of VX462B and VX4424 then It will be great.

Thank You

[Dennis_Knutson]

Can we assume you have contacted C&H? In the mean time, it is possible to communicate with a register based vxi module with the VISA functions on your palette. Back when vxi was actively supported, this was pretty common, especially with Hewlett-Packard devices. I have long lost the code I used but if you browse the instrument driver network, you should be able to find some examples and adapt them.