NI PXI-5404 and selftest function

[gkots]

Hello,

In my inplementation I use two frequency generators NI pxi-5404 and NI pxi-5412. I work with LabWindows/CVI 8.5. I have install the CVI driver of this instrument (niFgen.lib rev 2.5.1). 

I met a problem with selftest function of this driver. The selftest function in my program has the following form: niFgen_self_test (handler, &self_test_result, self_test_message);

When this function runs for pxi-5412 there is no problem at all. The self_test_result is zero 0 and self_test_message is the string "Self-Test Passed".

However, if I use this function for pxi-5404 a problem occurs. It looks like this function does not work at all for this instrument. The self_test_message string is always NULL and the self_test_result variable takes values totally accidently which means that this function does not return anything. The instrument does not look to have any problem. The other functions of the library, work fine. I also made a manual self test from MAX (right click on DeviceName) and the result was "The device has passed the Self-Test". 

Is this function incompatible with this instrument (pxi-5404)? Is there any other lowlevel function that can accomplish the self test?

Thanks in advance,

George 

[Chris_W.]

Hi George,

I was wondering if you could post your code and/or project so I can give it a try on my hardware to see if I get the same result. I don't know of any incompatibilities for that driver and that card, but I'll see if I can't reproduce your issue and let you know what I find.

Chris W

High Speed Products Group

[gkots]

Hi Chris,

I forgot to mention that the selftest function does not return any error. 

I have not a complex code. I just run this function (i have already initiate the intrument successfully)!!! 

I run the function

error = niFgen_self_test (handler, &self_test_result, self_test_message); 

but the arguments self_test_result and self_test_message do not take values after the running.  And I also have not any error (error = 0).

I also tried to give arbitrary values to self_test_result and self_test_message arguments and after that to run the selftest function. The result was that these values remained the same! That means that the function did not communicate with the instrument.

I hope that you understand the problem.

thanx 

[jaced]

Hi George,

I believe that I can help shed some light on this issue for you. What you have found is that the self test function will not return a value when called for the 5404, this is expected behavior. We have filed a corrective action request (CAR) and will look into changing this behavior to write a message and code instead of not touching the values. In the meantime the best way to monitor self test is with the error string. So to summarize Self-Test is working for the 5404 but is not returning values like it is for the 5412. It will however throw an error if self-test fails which can be monitored. I hope this clears things up and thank you for your feedback.

[gkots · Accepted solution]

Ok, I agree with you.

Thanks

George