SignalExpress with Agilent E4438C and E4448A

[pockey]

May I use SignalExpress with Agilent E4438C and E4448A??
Where can I find the whole list of SignalExpress supported devices??

Thanks!

[Chris_R.]

Hi pockey,

Yes, those two instruments should work with Signal Express.  If an instrument has an IVI driver, then integration into Signal Express should be simple.  The IVI driver for the E4438C can be found here, and the IVI driver for the E4448A can be found here.  As for a list, there is not one, but if an instrument has an IVI driver, then it's usually compatible.  If not, you can use VISA and program a User Defined Step in Signal Express.  Click here for details on creating User Defined Steps.

I hope this helps!  Best of luck!

Message Edited by Chris_R. on 04-25-2007 03:05 PM

[pockey]

Thank you for your kind help, Chris R.!

I want to ask whether the following task could be implemented by LV Signal Express without programming:

 I have a transmitter and a receiver board needed to test:

 1. Use LV SignalExpress to control the E4438C<ESG Vector signal generator> to send out a signal (to a receiver), the properties of the signal could be user-defined
 2. Use LV SignalExpress to set the parameters of E4448A<Spectrum analyzer>, such as ResBW, VBW, Sweep...(to show the signal properly from the transmitter)
 3. Get the real-time signal from E4448A and show its peak value, or to capture the screen of the instruments

In the IVI drivers you mentioned, there're some LabVIEW examples to control the two instruments. Does that mean I should write VIs to realize the above tasks? May I use LV SignalExpress to handle without writting LabVIEW VIs? Since there's few materials for the functions in the IVI drivers besides the content help.  It's difficult for me to write such VIs.

Do you have some more detailed examples for controlling Agilent signal generator/spectrum analyzer?

Thanks in advance!

[pockey]

I've asked the NI engineer, and unfortunately,

both 2 instruments (E4438C & E4448A)  cannot be supported by signal Express 2.0 currently, as their IVI driver are not under the classes either Scopes, DMMs, DCPwrs or FGens.

So the only way is to write LabVIEW VIs to control them.

[Chris_R.]

Hi Pockey,

Sorry for not getting back with you sooner.  I noticed that when I realized you were using a signal generator, not an function generator.  I am sorry for the confusion as I am not familiar with these particular instruments.  I do recommend you create a product suggestion at www.ni.com/contact.  Again, sorry for the confusion and best of luck with your application!

Message Edited by Chris_R. on 04-29-2007 09:28 PM

[pockey]

Hi, Chris_R.

It's OK. Thanks anyway for your kind help!