Using SignalExpress to configure/command PXI-2503 switch

[goldscott]

Hi,

Is it possible to configure/command the PXI-2305 using SignalExpress?

I'd like to put it in 48x1 mode to measure resistances (2-wire) using the PXI-4065 DMM. It would take a X samples of the first channel (resistor), then switch to the next channel, etc. until all resistors have been read.

I know I can do all of this in LabView, but this seems pretty simple to do, so I was hoping that SignalExpress could handle it...

Thanks,

Scott

[Ali M]

Hello Scott,

Yes, you can configure and control both the the NI PXI-2305 and NI PXI-4065 DMM in SignalExpress. This can be done by using the NI-DMM/Switch Acquire step i.e. Launch SignalExpress>Add Step>Acquire Signals>NI-DMM/Switch Acquire. Select the NI 4065 under "Device" of the configuration pane, set basic parameters e.g. 2-wire Resistance; change tabs to configure your Timing parameters e.g. Sample period (s) and Samples per channel; and on the "Switching" tab the NI PXI-2305 switch, Topology and Scan list can be selected. 

Thank you

Best regards,

Ali M

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

Message Edited by Ali M on 06-09-2010 04:30 PM

[goldscott]

Thank you for the quick response.

Do I need the Switch Executive installed with a valid license in order to do this? The "Switching" tab is greyed out (not selectable). 

Thank,

Scott

[Ali M]

Hello,

If you are managing and routing large switch applications or need to simplify system maintainance; NI Switch Executive is recommended. For the purposes of controlling a few switch modules, Install the NI-SWITCH driver. Depending on your Operating System, the latest NI-SWITCH driver can be downloaded here 🙂

Best regards,

Ali M

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

[goldscott]

Hi Ali,

Sorry for the long delay. I believe I have installed the SWITCH drivers (uploaded screenshot of MAX sidebar in png format here: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0eFudA9P8vANGY0ZWU4ODEtNzE5Yi00ZTFhLWFkOWUtYjY1NTIxNjI0NTVh&sort=n...)

The switching tab in Signal Express is still greyed out. What else do I need to do?

Thanks,

Scott

[Ali M]

Hello Scott,

Your devices are identified correctly in MAX. Are you selecting the NI 4065 as the primary DMM device in SignalExpress? Also, can you expand the MAX configuration pane to display the NI DAQmx software version. ps: I meant the NI 2503 not 2305 in my previous post

Best regards,

Ali M

Applications Engineer

National Instruments

[Bwachter]

Dear Ali,

I have the same problem with the switching tab being greyed out in SignalExpress (see attach). Everything is configured properly in MAX.

Any suggestions to make the Switching Tab active?

DAQm version is 9.1.5, DMM version is 3.0.3.

best regards,

Bart

[Andy-K]

Hi Bwachter,

From the screen shot it looks like you are configuring the DMM/Switch step for a DMM.  In this case you will not be able to control switching since the actual hardware is not a switch.  The switching tab is only intended to work with multiplexer (MUX) switches.

This KnowledgeBase article covers all of the reasons the switch tab would be grayed out for the express VI versions of what you are doing which is the same for the Signal Express step.

I hope this is helpful!