Using TDS420 with GPIB and LabView 7 Express

[gradlife]

Hello

This is from a newbie programmer.

I have a Tektronix TDS 420 oscilloscope with GPIB connection between the oscope and the computer. The computer has Windows XP and LabView 7 Express student edition on it.

The Oscope is set to trigger mode in one channel and I would like to acquire data from the scope whenever it triggers. After it works for one channel i would like to the acquire data from all channels when channel 1 is triggered.

Can I try to do this in LabView 7 without hassles ?

[Dennis_Knutson]

Sure. Start by downloading the driver here and then look at the 'Learn' topics at the Instrument Driver Network. The driver is old, unsupported, and may not have all of the functions you need but you should have at least a starting point. As long as you have a programming manual for the scope, you can add whatever commands you need.

[Russ_Evans]

Hi Gradlife,

I will just add to what Dennis said that the newer model TDS scopes have very similar if not exactly the same commands as your TDS 420. So, if you were to look at more recent set (i.e. still supported) set of drivers for say the TDS 2000 series scope you could use these as a starting point with only modest modifications more than likely being necessary. As Dennis points out the key is that you have a programming manual for this scope. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

--Russ

[gradlife]

hi Dennis and Russ

thanks for the quick replies 🙂

I was really excited about the prospect of interfacing the TDS 420 Oscope with LabView 7

But I just got off the phone with NI Tech Support and turns out that the driver for TDS 420 is not supported by NI .. I think this is a daunting task, since I am not really familiar with the firmware of Tektronics and LabView programming ...

regards

[Dennis_Knutson]

It seems to be a bit more than just 'unsupported'. I downloaded the 7.0 version but it appears some of the VIs are saved to version 8.0. I'm afraid that I can't do the conversion but if you can get past that hurdle (post the files to the LabVIEW forum and ask for help), then I would recomend you try them out. You;ll probably get all the help you need right here.

[jjp377]

Hello,

Below is the 7.0 version of the driver.

[MXI Master]

Dennis,

I opened up this driver in 7.1 and didn't have any problem opening the VIs, though a few of them were missing all together. What exactly did you experience when you tried to open the driver?

Cheers,


Message Edited by MXI Master on 02-13-2008 02:45 PM