03-15-2006 05:24 AM
Hello,
Is there any way to control a Tektronix-Windows-based-oscilloscope TDS5000 locally via NI VISA API, or the only “Open Choice” is the TekVISA?
If yes, how do I configure the "virtual GPIB" resource GPIB8::1::INSTR in MAX?
Thank you for eventual help.
Regards,
Maxim (morozov@unicas.it)
03-16-2006 12:51 AM
I see that scope has been discontinued by tek.
I am not that familiar with the specific instrument, but I don't see any big problem that would prevent NI-VISA from recognizing the scope and working with it.
I don't actually know what kind of physical interface the instrument offers for connectivity with PCs. Is it an ethernet port or USB? Since you were talking about a "Virtual GPIB" resource, I guess the tek must have something different from a GPIB port to connect to.
Suggestions
AlessioD
03-16-2006 04:19 AM
Dear AlessioD,
Thank you for advise.
I shall try to explain the problem with TekVISA (not only I have encountered it, see NI forums and Tek’s website) in more details:
1) An oscilloscope Tektronix TDS5104B (as all the series from 5000 and higher) is Windows2000-based (practically a PC with a modular digitiser). The oscilloscope software part is “TekScope.exe” application. Tektronix supplies a TekVISA API as well. When the application runs, it exposes a so-called “virtual GPIB” resource (GPIB8::1::INSTR) which is not visible by a VISA resource manager otherwise (that is when the “TekScope.exe” is off and the machine works as a PC).
2) In this configuration, I can transfer waveforms to other programs (from TekScope.exe to LabVIEW, for instance) running directly on the local machine - the scope - via the TekVISA API addressing the “virtual GPIB” (GPIB8::1::INSTR).
However TekVISA works rather poorly (especially with other resources such as a serial port), plus LabVIEW does not explain its errors (since errors of TekVISA have not been included into the respective database) and I cannot enjoy all the “cool features” of NI resource manager.
continues ...
03-16-2006 04:20 AM
continuation
3) I uninstalled the TekVISA and installed NI VISA 2.6. Now the serial port works better.
What does not work is – as you have already guessed – the interface with the TekScope application. The reason: VIASA error -1073807195 : “The interface type (GPIB8::1::INSTR) is valid but the specified interface number is not configured”. It looks pretty like “no TekVISA – no virtual GPIB”.
4) I tried to “configure” the resource GPIB8::1::INSTR in MAX, however it is not a real GPIB, so it is not found (even when the “TekScope.exe” application runs), and I did not succeed with GPIB-VXI neither.
5) All other “Open Choice Solutions” offered by Tektronix (IVI driver and VXI driver, even ActiveX connection to the TekScope.exe with ProgID TekScope.TekScope.1) demand the resource GPIB8::1::INSTR.
6) Therefore the QUESTION arises: is there any way to control a Tektronix-windows-based-oscilloscope locally via other vendor’s VISA API (for instance NI), or the only “Open Choice” is the TekVISA?!
7) I believe the NI can answer this question easily since they supply various “add-ons” for the Tektronix, hence should know the problem very well (unless there are voodoo or Chinese horoscope involved).
Thank you for eventual help.
Regards,
Maxim (morozov@unicas.it)
03-16-2006 07:10 AM
03-17-2006 05:37 AM
From Tektronix’ documentation it follows that to control the scope from LabVIEW the system requires “NI-VISA 2.5 or higher or TekVISA 1.10a or higher”. Therefore I need to know how to configure the “virtual GPIB” with MAX. Now I expect a suggestion from NI.
Maxim
03-17-2006 09:17 AM
03-17-2006 09:33 AM
03-17-2006 10:15 AM
03-21-2006 04:19 AM
Hereby I would like to summarise the results of inquiry whether NI-VISA can be used on Tektronix OpenChoise (TM) Oscilloscopes.
Main Conclusion: only TekVISA can be used with OpenChoise (TM) Oscilloscopes as follows from 071130400.pdf, page 12, fig.1 (http://www.tek.com/site/mn/mnfinder_detail/1,1096,,00.html?id=2799&pn=071130400).
Another conclusion: NI couldn't, or wouldn't, help with the problem.
Regards,
Maxim