PXI-5610 Calibration error

[DRDC-WAC]

Hi,

I have PXI 5670; the NI-RFSG v 14.0 is not communicating with the PXI-5610 (no response). An error (200437) is reported when performing self-calibrate from MAX. When running an NI-RFSG example I am getting a 1074118135 calibration error.

PXI-5610 (latest calibration is in (3/18/2005) ; NI-driver (14/02/2013)

PXI-5421 NI-driver 15/07/2010.

I am using a PXI(e)-8115 controller. Any hints to resolve this issue.

Thank you,

[afrowizard]

Hello DRDC-WAC,

It sounds like the calibration constants on the EEPROM of the 5610 are corrupted or incorrect, although I am not sure what would cause this.  Has this device worked in the past, did this issue suddenly start occurring?  In general, here are some troubleshooting steps for testing a malfuncitoning card:

1. Try in different slots of the chassis

2. Try a different chassis

3. Try a different controller

4.  Reset the MAX Configuration Database

Here is a KB describing this error:

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/CD16529617B1257086256FF000731C6A?OpenDocument

The cause seems to be that we changed the way the constants are written to the EEPROM in 2005 (close to when your device was calibrated), so you can run into situations where the driver you have installed doesn't know how to recognize the constants.  The problem is that this usually occurs when you are using a version of RFSG before 1.1 and have a device that was calibrated after 2005.  You have the opposite situation so I'm not sure if that KB is relevant or not.  If none of these steps help then you may need to consider RMA/calibration for this device, you can always call NI support at 866-275-6964 to set up an RMA.  

[DRDC-WAC]

Thank you for the reply,

The controller I am using now is PXI-8115 (Win 7), its an upgrade from PXI -8186 (Win XP).

I reset the MAX configuration on the new controller but the same error occured. I put back the old controller and used one of the old  exmaples and the 5610 worked fine with no problems. I wanted to install RFSG 14 with no success. I needed to install SP3 on XP OS first. I might try this later.

So it looks its the new controller PXI-8115 (Win 7) is failing to communicate with the 5610.

Any suggestions?

[DRDC-WAC]

I did install SP3 on XP and then RFSG 14. The claibration error is back again (using the old controller) and the example that worked before stopped working with a calibration constants error.

[mbb25]

I think the fix is for you to recalibrate the 5610.

NI changed the calibration data format on the 5610.  I think this change happened between RFSG 1.1 and 1.2.  The online RFSG readme doesn't go back that far.

Unfortunately, the new calibration data format is incompatible with the old one.  Your device was last calibrated in 2005, which means only very old versions of RFSG will work with it (I think 1.0, 1.1).  Once it is recalibrated, only newer versions of RFSG will work with the device (1.2 and above).

Is getting the device recalibrated an acceptable solution?

[DRDC-WAC]

It looks like re-calibrating the 5610 would be the solution for this problem to get it to work and be able to use the new features of the RFSG.