getting a dialogue box which says timeout expired before operation completed when i try to communicate with a hp8648c signal generator

[steven a]

Hi,
When I query the hp 8648c signal generator The error message I get is "Timeout expired before operation completed VISA STATUS CODE => bfff0015". I am using the instrument io assistant in labview to query and parse. The command I am using is *IDT? Also do I need a driver for the hp/agilent 8648 to use VISA? If so where do I get it and how do I install it?

[Dennis_Knutson]

I don't recognize *IDT? as 488.2 common command. There's a *IDN? and an *IST?. Did you enter the correct command because this error usually happens when there's not dta sent back, as would happen with an invalid command.

You can use the instrument driver available here instead of trying to use the I/O Assistant. After downloading, unzip it and move the folder to your instr.lib folder. The next time you start LabVIEW you should have the driver on your Instrument I/O>Instrument Driver palette.

[steven a]

Thanks Dennis. The command I was sending was incorrect.I now have the gpib commands for this instrumrnt. Also the driver works great.
Steven

[Applications Engineer]

Hi,

The correct command to use is *IDN?.You would then be able to recieve an acknowledgement back.

Also as Dennis suggested, you could use the instrument
driver by clicking the link.

Best Regards

Atul Wahi
Applications Engineer
www.ni.com