Serial communication with labview

[Greg]

I would like to communicate with a spectrum analyser using serial port
(RS232), but I cant find how to do it ...
Somebody can help me ?

[Oleg]

Hi,
The most appropriate way is to use VISA functions (read help about them).
You can fund them in "Functions->Instrument I/O /Visa" palette.
Also some of VISA functions which work with RS232 you can find in "Functions->Instrument I/O /Serial"
If you need to work with different modem lines etc. you may use "Property node.vi" with VISA refnum at input. This will allow you to control properties of your VISA session i.e. of your serial device.

Good luck.

Oleg Chutko.

[Mache]

Hi Greg,

Can you be More Specific? What Make and Model is the Spectrum Analyzer? What type of interface does it have?

Most Spectrum Analyzer's will have a GPIB interface. If its very old model.. It may have a Proprietary Parallel Interface.

If you want to Interface your PC Serial Port to GPIB Port on the Instrument - there is one way. Get Following GPIB to RS232 Converter/Controller based on what you want to do. These are available from NI.

NI GPIB-232CV-A
GPIB-to-RS-232 "Converter"
http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nioc.vp?cid=1831〈=US

or

NI GPIB-232CT-A
GPIB-to-RS-232 "Controller"
http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nioc.vp?cid=1831〈=US

But Then Why not get a GPIB Card Instead and be done with the whole issue....!!

Good Luck!!

Mache

[Helmut Hullen]

Hallo, Greg,

Du (crewjam) meintest am 29.07.02:

> I would like to communicate with a spectrum analyser using serial
> port (RS232), but I cant find how to do it ...
> Somebody can help me ?

Have you looked into the (many) examples?

Greetings!
Helmut

Please excuse my gerlish!

[Matt_K]

Make sure to check out NI's Instrument Driver Library at http://zone.ni.com/idnet97.nsf/browse/ There may already be a driver for you instrument.

[DaveF 141]

If the analyser doesn't already have a vi written for it, and/or you want to learn what the serial I/O does, see Loopback.vi - I found it in NI's online database, and/or could send it to you. I did find that, to run the Loopback.vi continuously, I needed to add a short 30 ms wait state at the end of the program.
Dave