Drivers to control the RFX 600 Generator (The Advanced Energy)

[Ronald C]

We have a RFX 600 power generator from Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. We are looking for a driver to control it but the the power generator have a parallel interface. What can we use?

Sincerely,

Ronald Chirinos

[Chris_R.]

Hi Ronald,

Assuming you want to use LabVIEW with your device, if you do not have an instrument driver for it, you can always use NI-VISA for communication.  VISA is a platform independent communication protocol that is often used in cases like these.  I have linked a tutorial below which discusses VISA communication in LabVIEW via the parallel port.  I have also linked an example program that works with LabVIEW 5 and later.  To use NI-VISA, all you need is your instrument's command set, which should be located in it's user manual.  Also, make sure you install NI-VISA after you have installed LabVIEW or the VISA functions will not be installed into the LabVIEW directory.  If you have any questions, just let me know!

Driver Download:

NI-VISA

Have a great day!

Chris R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[Ronald C]

Thank you for replying so quickly. I don't think I explained myself very well. We don't care what computer port we use. All that we need is some NI driver to control the RFX 600 Generator from Advance Energy Industries, Inc. Please look at attachment for I/O pin details. What is the best device we can use? 

Sincerely,

Ronald Chirinos

[unclebump]

Do you have a programming manual for this device or can you point us to a website with some more info??

[Dennis_Knutson]

NI doesn't have a driver and judging by the lack of responses, no regular members of the forum have one either. Unlike other instruments with a DB-25 or DB-9, the port on this instrument is not for a serial interface. The DB-25 is just a convenient way to put a whole bunch of different signals into a single connector. It would appear that you use one or more DAQ boards to control the instrument. You can get boards with analog in/analog out/digital I/O. This sort of application is way outside what constitutes an instrument driver. The 0-15V logic may require some additional circuitry. Most of the digital I/O from NI is 0-5V. I haven't done it but you can count up the number of analog input/outputs, digital I/O required, go to www.ni.com and select the Shop for Hardware or contact a sales engineer through the NI Web site or locally.

Have you asked Advanced Energy for a hardware/software interface? It has been quite a while since I've had any contact with anyone there but once upon a time, they were using LabVIEW internally. Other than developing something yourself or hiring someone else to do it, that may be your best option.