how to read data after using the PRINT function in visual basic

[elm]

I know the benchlink can capture the spectrum analyzer screen for me, but I want to integrate it into my application. I use NI spy to detect the communications from the benchlink and put it into my application. After sending the "PRINT 0" command, my "ilrd SpectrumAnalyzer, temp, 500" command doesn't work, giving me EARG error. Does anyone knows if it is because I can not define the temp to be string or some other problem?

b.t.w, the communications I get from NI Spy actually read some unknown characters from the instrument, what kind of data it is? Any idea how to use it?

thanks.

[elm]

Please forgot about last question, I have already got the communications right, I have got all those unknown characters, but now I am stuck again, how can I combine them together to come up with a picture?

[ScottieB]

Hello elm,

This is completely dependent on your instrument; if you are getting the data then you are halfway there. Look in your instrument's programmer's reference manual to see if they mention how the picture is encoded in bytes. There are so many different ways to encode a picture in binary that speculating and guessing would probably never yield the true result. If there is no mention in the manual, contact the instrument manufacturer.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

Scott B.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments