Calibration Executive Standard Updates

[Chris_164]

Hi,

Does anyone know if it's possible to add standards to Calibration Executive? The reason I ask is related to a PXI-5651 RF Signal generator. The procedure calls out a Rohde Spectrum analyzer of the Agilent 8563E. I don't have either units,but I do have the Agilent E4440A PSA. The PSA has 8563E/EC emulation but doen't work when I test it. Because Test Stand and Calibration Executive are password protected I don't have the ability to see where the error occurs. I would imagine it is looking at the *IDN? and doing some parse. When I query the PSA in emulation mode it comesback with " 8563E ".

Any suggestions to edit Calibration Executive?

Thanks,

Chris

[The_Red_Barron]

Howdy Chris!

You will not be able to edit the procedures in Calbration Executive.  As you said, they are password protected.

Performing a NI Spy capture of the communications may reveal some information about where the problem is occuring.  The 8563E emulation mode may have some minor difference from the real device which is causing the problem.

The other option would be to perform a manual calibration of the PXIe-5651 which would allow you to control the interactions with the emulated 8563E.

Regards,

[Chris_164]

Red Barron,

Thanks for the quick response. My main goal here is to run an automated procedure using my PSA. The limitations of cal exec are a huge problem for the user community. Flexible standards for a Cal Lab are key to making a s/w program work. I'm very happy with Cal Exec and the procedures that are provided, but there needs to be flexibility. An 8563E is a great spec an, but as technology changes so should the suppliers... Code is fundemental in what we do, but should not turn into the stop gap. Please pass my concerns to the writers of Cal Exec. If and when I run Cal exec and turn on NI Spy I'm sure you are in fact correct. I'm guessing ( because I have no access to the real tests) that it's probably as simple as the parse of the string is incorrect based on the *IDN? query. NI should open a community for metrologists to examine code and re-writes. The current metrologists out there are absolutely limited to Fluke Met/Cal. All be it, it's a great program,but us metrologists desire more freedom in our code and standards. Please take this example and elevate to "the bigger honchos". This was no pun against you direct, but a simple example on how NI needs to "improve" and "elevate" real world issues.

Thanks,

Chris Raeman

Harris RF Communications

585-242-3289