MAX Properties for PCI-5411

[Hecuba]

Hi Everybody,

   I just installed the Arbitrary Waveform Generator PCI-5411. The system detects it and I can use the FGEN Soft Front Panel succesfully. However, it does not generate anything thru LabVIEW. The "niFgen Output Mode" function reports Zero in "Max Waveform Size". I have never used this card before, so I'm not sure how it should work. I noticed that there is no way to configure the card in the Measurement & Automation Explorer. See attached file. Does it need any driver other than the NI-FGEN? I have not been able to find any driver in the NI webpage.

I'll appreciate your support. Thanks.

[James-B]

Hi Hecuba,

You didn't attach a file :-P.

Anyway, the FGEN is the only driver you should need, and it sounds like everything is installed correctly because the soft front panel works.

Have you tried to use the LabVIEW examples, either "Fgen Basic Arb Waveform.vi" or "Fgen Basic Arb Sequence.vi"?

[JÞB]

You need to be a bit more specific.

The "niFgen Output Mode" function reports Zero in "Max Waveform Size". Does not get me anywhere on any palette I can find.  "Output Mode" is a NI FGEN property it has a datatype of enum.  There is no niFgen output mode function.

[Hecuba]

I can see the problem I have in two ways,

First: I'm not able to display the right-click pop-up menu of the device "NI 5411 for PCI" in MAX to select Properties or configure it, I don't even can rename it.

Second: If I run a LabVIEW example like "Fgen Basic Arb Waveform.vi" it gives an error when it trys to use the card internal memory.

Thank you.

[Hecuba]

You are right Jeff  it is a property. The niFgen Output Mode "Property" reports Zero as Max Waveform Size. I believe it should give a number other than zero.

Thank you

[James-B]

Have you tried resetting the device in MAX?

Also, you can try using the "niFgen Clear Arbitrary Memory" VI before writing the waveiform.

[Hecuba]

James,

One of the problems I have is that I'm not able to display the right-click pop-up menu of the device in MAX. So, I can't reset it since the reset is in the pop-up menu. I can't find other way to do it.

I was able to run the "niFgen Clear Arbitrary Memory" VI before writing the waveiform but it still fails the same way.

Thank you,

[JÞB]

OK something is fairly wrong here.  And thank you for providing the clarification.

Here are some steps to take.

• Power down and remove the PCI card
• Reboot without the card installed and repair the NI-Fgen install from the Control Panel
• Reboot without the PCI card again to finalize the install of NI Fgen
• Power down and install the PCI card
• Boot  (Everything should be hunky dory right?)

If you still can't reset the device from MAX or run a self-test you may have some bad hardware-  try it in another PC.

[Hecuba]

I believe I found part of the problem. I removed the PCI-5411 card from the PC as you recommended and I noticed that the memory card was partially unplugged from the main PCI card assembly. I tightened everything up and installed the PCI card back to the PC. LabVIEW is able to see the internal memory of the 5411 card now and I can run some LabVIEW examples without errors.

I still can’t get a right-click pop-up menu in MAX so, I can’t configure, rename or reset it form MAX but I don’t really need it for now.

Thank you,