Problems with continous data sampling using SR400 photon counter using GPIB

[Peteris]

I have SR400 photon counter (Stanfor Research Systems). I need continous data and fast (as fast as the counter can count). I use F comands to read the data, and after each scan (N periods) i make a CR. The problem is - there allways occures a "data buffer overflow" message aftr some time and some data is missing. Sometimes the counter even stops for ~10 sec and then continues counting.

Hov can I clear the data buffer?

Any other ways to solve the problem?

Message Edited by Peteris on 07-06-2006 01:56 AM

[m-s]

Hi

I do not know if you were able to solve your problem. I am developing an application with SR400 and came across what I think is a bug in the LabVIEW driver. Essentially, none of the VI's allow you to set the preset counters. For instance, if you call Read VI and choose mode A, B for preset T, there is no way to specify preset T, which means that the count period defaults to some factory default, not a situation you want. This might also explain some of the timeouts some people are getting to SRQs that come later.

Further, if you look at the block diagram of Read VI, the line selector string is set to "CM 0" for two distinct choices of the count mode. This is a serious bug. I do not know who wrote this driver, but it does seem, at least to me, that they did a rather shoddy job of it.

[Peteris]

I somehow managed the problem by developing the LabView program I wrote. Do you talk about the SR400 driver that can be found here? I got it, and i had no problems with T preset. Read the sr400 manual, there is explained how to change it. The driver than can be found here is just an example of no real use. I used it as a base for my own driver. Actually it is easyer and safer to use the recall prset comand for the counters, or just change the settings manually. takes less time and PC resources.

[Vinit]

Hi all, I am a newbie to Labview/Labwindows. I want to record continuous count rate from input 1 onto a file for few hours. I have connected the SR400 with my computer using GPIB cable and KUSB-488. After reading few posts on this discussion forum, it seems that the drivers provided by ni on the website have bugs or are basic. Can someone brief me as to what I need to do to get my set-up working. I need the results asap since I have a deadline and hence will appreciate any quick help.

Thanks in advance.

[Albert.Geven]

Hi
before you blame the LabVIEW drivers, read some more posts about the gpib handling of Stanford Research and the bugs that are in that machine.
If the machine is not stable, LabVIEW can help but eventually it will hang. Just like any other language.

[kmd]

Hello,

I have recently been struggling with a very similar problem (requiring continuous sampling of data using the SR400 over GPIB) and have recently posted another thread regarding how to end a GPIB-read:  

http://forums.ni.com/ni/board/message?board.id=140&message.id=25670

After several days of fussing, and some helpful suggestions from the above thread, I believe that I am now able to faithfully collect data (using the FA command for the SR400).  Unfortunately, I have also now started to see the "DATA BUFFER OVERFLOW" message as Peteris describes.  I notice that it shows up very often when I use FT instead of FA.  I just wondered if since the last posting here, if Peteris had found a solution?  Or any particular known bugs with the SR400 itself? 

Many thanks in advance,

KMD