TDS5054B Instrument driver

[titibena]

Hi,

Previously my test setup includes the following:

- PC window XP with LabVIEW 8.0

- Tektronix Logic Analyzer TLA5202 with Plug&Play project style (used with LabVIEW 8.0) through Ethernet Interface

- Keithley DMM through GPIB interface

Now I want to add a new Scope TDS5054B.  Looking for the Instrument driver, I can not find any driver for TDS5054B.  Instead I saw there is:

a) Driver for TDS5054 which is only supported by LabVIEW 6.0

b) Driver for TDS3054B which can be used with LabVIEW 8.0

So what should I do? Should I use the  niScope Instruments driver?

Thanks for your help.

Hai Ly.

[Dennis_Knutson]

The download page for the 5054 says that 6.0 is the minimum version required. I haven't downloaded the driver from Tek's site but I get the impression that is a wrapper around the IVI driver and if that's the case, you won't be able to modify the driver. If the driver works, then that may not matter. You could try the 3054 driver but there are bound to be some differences in the two instruments. Someone from Tek should be able to tell you what they are. If you want LabVIEW source code, though, you might be able to start with this and modify it for the 5054. You could also try downloading the IVI driver and use the IVI Scope Class functions. This is different than the NI-Scope driver which is for NI's scope boards. If you use IVI Scope Class functions, then you would have the ability to switch between scopes from different manufacturer's without changing your program.

[titibena]

Hi Dennis,

I never use the IVI driver.

Would you explain how to install the IVI driver?  Should I download from NI site or from Tektronix site?

Is there any example of using IVI Scope Class function? 

Thanks

[Dennis_Knutson]

If there's a difference between the two, I would start with the newest one. The download should include an install program. This will put the files in the correct location. You then have to go into MAX (Measurement & Automation Explorer) to configure it to use the new driver. Help exists in MAX in walk you through what you need to do.

There are a couple of shipping examples for the IVI Scope Class. Open the example finder, go to the search tab and enter IVI as the keyword. Using an IVI class driver isn't much different than using a native LabVIEW driver.

[gagi1]

The IVI driver for TDS5000 series on ni.com/idnet does not support the TDS5054B model. You could try to disable the ID Query in the Initialize VI to get it to work with the "B" model. I would recommend using IVI class drivers ONLY if there is a need for the instrument interchangeability. Otherwise, the IVI specific driver can be used by itself and it does not require any IVI configuration in MAX.