How do I interface a Windows XP machine running Labview 6.0 with a DG535 pulse generator

[oisaadat@gmail.com]

I am running LabView 6.0 on a Windows XP machine. I am trying to get a Stanford Research DG535 pulse generator to interface with my computer using a GPIB port. I was running the dg535 example.vi program that is found in the srdg535.lib that one can download from the ni.com website under the drivers page. Since the program was not communicating with the DG535, I ran the the Measurement and Automation Explorer. According to the Measurement and Automation Explorer, the DG535 is not responding to the *IDN? command, and as a result, my computer does not know the DG535's identity. Then, I looked up the GPIB commands for the DG535 in its owner manual and typed them in using the Measur
ement and Automation Explorer. The hardware only recognized two of the commands and did not respond to the rest.

I would greatly appreciate any help in this matter.

[JoshuaP]

I would probably recommend connecting the GPIB card up to another instrument that you know works to see if the GPIB part is working. We want to narrow down to problem to the computer or the instrument. Make sure you check your cable and possibly swap the cable, because they do go bad. Also, check on the GPIB menu on the instrument to make sure you are using the correct GPIB Address.

When you are trying to communicate to the device can you tell see if it responds to any command. What happens if you send CL, it should reset the device according to the documentation. Don't worry about having the instrument show up in MAX, because your instrument doesn't support *IDN?. You might also want to try ibic to see if that works.

http://www.ni.com/support/gpib/max/
ibic.htm

It's possible that your running into a problem with the termination characters. You can try to contact the manufacturer of the device to see if they have any suggestions on commands or examples or more information about the termination required.

I hope this helps out.

JoshuaP
National Instruments

[Kay Kay]

Hello Sir,

                I am searching for

1) DG535 example.vi  (and)

2) SRDG535.lib

Where may I download the labVIEW drivers for DG535. I totally looked in to NI website but couldnt find'em. I appreciate your help.

[Dennis_Knutson]

You start at the Instrument Driver Network, click the search link, enter Stanford Research as the manufacturer, and end up here.

[Kay Kay]

Sir, at some point I wish I work under the guidance of a LabVIEW expert like you.

Thank You very much Sir!

[nrus]

Hi,

I am using LabVIEW 8.0 and running on windows XP. My problem is, everytime i do a connection with the instrument via GPIB...it seems that in MAX already has fixed primary address for it. Eventhough I change the address on the instrument and LabVIEW, there will be error in communication. For example, let say in MAX find out that the adress is 13...then in the LabVIEW program I have to set 13 as well as on the instrument. If I change the instrument's adress and LabVIEW to 15, it will give error, failure in communication. It seems that it must use the address as set in MAX. How can I solve this because i need to change the adress according to what I gonna set in the labVIEW and there are multiple instrument connected simultaneously.

Thank you.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Have you simply tried to rescan for instruments after changing the address?

I think what you are seeing is the available VISA resources was saved with your original scan and perhaps you are getting a resource not available error?

[nrus]

Yes, it's ok now...i do not rescan again in MAX and actually the way I initialized the address in the programming is wrong...Thank you