VM700 initialization

[bimbim]

Hi everybody,

I'm actually trying to drive a Tektronix VM700A via LabVIEW using the drivers I've found by the way of this site (see attached file) and I first tried to use the example.
I'm using the serial port 9pin -> 25 pin (as some colleage does but not using those drivers) but when I run the example passing ASRL1 as descriptor, I have an error (-1073807322) returned in the first VI (initialize.vi) coming from the sub-vi VISA Enable Event.vi.
I think it's just a little mistake I do so if someone could help me I'd be grateful!

Another thing, if someone as already an experience with this device (VM700A) and these LV7 drivers, I'd like to know if all functions are running well and what's the best way to manage measurements via PC. My colleages are using their own drivers (minimalist) but I think the NI ones are good too...

Thank you in advance for your help.
I'm looking forward to your answer.

Bim

[Dennis_Knutson]

That driver was written only for GPIB. The error that you're getting is because the driver is enabling an RQS event and that event is not supported with RS-232. You should modify TKM700A Initialize and remove the VISA Enable Event function and add some code to configure the serial port. If you want, download a driver like the HP34970 to see how an init function can contain code to initialize the serial port.

[bimbim]

Hello M.KNUTSON,

You're right and I was hoping for the contrary!
I already have used the drivers for RS UPL which are given for GPIB and Serial, so I started to modify this to drive the VM700.
My main question is "are all the others VIs compatible with serial communication?". If I just have to change the Init and close VI it's ok but if every function has to be re-created, the llb becames useless...

other question "do you know if i could save time using (if exists) other LV versions or other language (such as VB or anything else)drivers specific for Serial port?" or "would you prefer using this library but with a GPIB port with the problem of obsolescence of this port?"

All those info will help me to start in the right way.

Thank you for your help.

Bim

[bimbim]

I think the several questions I asked you before are useless. In fact I've remaked that I don't have any GPIB port on my VM700 so I have no choice, I must use or create a serial driver for VM700...
If you have an idea of how to adapt my drivers, it'd be precious to me!

Thank you in advance again.

Bim

[Dennis_Knutson]

You shouldn't have to change anything except the init though I haven't looked at all of the subVIs. Serial instruments often require a termination character to be sent at the end of each command string. You can take care of this in the init as well. If you look inside VISA Configure Serial Port, you'll see that the com port is configured with a VISA porperty node. You'll want to add the property SerialSettings:Serial End Mode for Writes. Enable that and set the termination character equal to what the instrument expects (look in manual).