Error -200245 occurred at ni5660 Initialize.vi

[Om]

hi,

I am using ni5660 with Labview (running example ni5660 Demodulate FM). I get the following error very frequently.

Error -200245 occurred at ni5660 Initialize.vi:1

Possible reason(s):

PLL could not phase-lock to the external reference clock.

Make sure your reference clock is connected and that it is within the jitter and voltage specifications. Also, make sure the reference clock rate is correctly specified.

please advise what to do.

Thanks

[David S.]

Hi Om -

Do you have the front-panel connectors cabled according to the diagram in the User Manual?  The PXI-5620 REF CLK IN should be connectoed to the PXI-5600 10 MHz OUT connector.  If the connection is physically there, then we need to determine whether the problem is caused at the source of the clock (5600) or the recipient (5620).  Check the 5600 OUT connections for a 10 MHz signal.  If it's present there, you can test the 5620 by calling niScope Init followed by niScope Configure Clock (External).  These should execute without an error.

[Om]

Thanks for the immediate reply.  Infact I checked all the connections and verified them as in manual.  Also I do not get this problem everytime I run the example.  The VI runs normal most of the time.  But sometimes I get this error message.  Sometimes if I restart Labview I can normally run the VI again.  Other times I will have to turn off the whole RFSA for an hour or so.  Then everything works normal again.

[David S.]

Hi Om -

I have some questions about the setup of your ni5660 Initialize VI.  What are the values of the max timeout (sec) and PLL lock time (sec) controls?  The PLL lock time should be kept short, so set it to 1 sec.  Also try increasing your timeout value to something large, like 10 sec or more.

[Om]

I am using all default values. 

PLL lock time (sec)  = 1

max timeout (sec) = 5

I am running example ni5660 Demodulate FM.

[David S.]

I see that from your first post.  For troubleshoting though, let's try increasing the timeout value to 10 or larger.  See if there's a sufficiently large value that makes the error disappear--within reason, of course.  And you might try decreasing the PLL lock time to .5 sec.

[Om]

I am using the values you suggested.  From 2 days there is no error.  Guess the problem is solved.  Thanks.