problem with Agilent 8510C network analyzer GPIB

[yasmain62]

Hi

I downloaded Plug and Play (project-style) driver for Agilent 8510C network analyzer. The rack has following addresses:

8510 HP-IB address: 16

System bus address: 21

Source HP-IB address: 19

Test set HP-IB address: 20

Plotter HP-IB address: 5

Printer HP-IB address: 1

The rack includes 8510A processor, RF source, Test set and plotter. There is a GPIB port upon the plotter that connects 3 GPIB port of 8510A processor, RF source, and Test set. I connect the GPIB port of PC to this GPIB port. The rack gives me an error: "CAUTION: SYSTEM BUS ADDRESS ERROR".

My LabView Plug and Play (project-style) driver cannot detect any address on bus.

I tried by IO Libraries Suite Agilent, but it could not detect them.

Is there some problem in the interface connection of GPIB ports of 3 modules in the rack or am I missing something? I would really appreciate any help. 

Thank you

 Yasamin Gharib

[nyc_(is_out_of_here) · Accepted solution]

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@yasmain62 wrote:

Hi

I downloaded Plug and Play (project-style) driver for Agilent 8510C network analyzer. The rack has following addresses:

8510 HP-IB address: 16

System bus address: 21

Source HP-IB address: 19

Test set HP-IB address: 20

Plotter HP-IB address: 5

Printer HP-IB address: 1

The rack includes 8510A processor, RF source, Test set and plotter. There is a GPIB port upon the plotter that connects 3 GPIB port of 8510A processor, RF source, and Test set. I connect the GPIB port of PC to this GPIB port. The rack gives me an error: "CAUTION: SYSTEM BUS ADDRESS ERROR".

My LabView Plug and Play (project-style) driver cannot detect any address on bus.

I tried by IO Libraries Suite Agilent, but it could not detect them.

Is there some problem in the interface connection of GPIB ports of 3 modules in the rack or am I missing something? I would really appreciate any help. 

Thank you

 Yasamin Gharib

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You really should read the 8510C manuals.

On page 4-10 of the the 8510C On-Site Service Manual, it states

For systems with controllers, connect any peripherals and
the controller to the GPIB connector on the 85101.

The 8510C Operating and Programming Manual has steps for verifying the system set-up.

[SunshineDesign]

What NYC is saying is the 8510C is controlled by the GPIB bus and the Test Set and the RF Source are controled by the 8510C as part of the 8510C system. The Test Set and the source (one on the 8510C source controllable list) are connected to the 8510C System Bus (looks like GPIB bus). When you send sweep information to the 8510C it passes thru the 8510C and controls the source on the system bus. As he also said, you should read the documentation before you use a complicated piece of gear like the 8510C, certainly to know how to use it, but also to how to use it properly so you don't damage it.