Switch controller for SCXI 1128

[holoman0888]

I'm trying to use some NI hardware and software for a research project. I believe I have everything I need, except for a switch controller. If I'm right there's no way I can control my switch by computer if I don't have a compatible controller hooked up to my PC. My budget is zero dollars and cents, so I have to work with what I have here in the lab. Somebody here has used these NI things before but left no detail as to where to find the controller, or if they even used a controller. I'm using an SCXI 1357 kit with no USB connectivity, so again options are limited. Is there any way I can rig another type of controller or board to do what the controllers for SCXI 1128 do? Or am I gonna be forced to find funding to get new products? Thanks

holoman0888 

[JasonWhite]

There are a number of ways that you can control the SCXI chassis but all of them will require some type of product to do the controlling.  I don't know what you have in your lab but there are other options.  Besides the USB-1357, you can use many multifunction data acquisition boards or the USB-1600.  You might want to see if you can find an MIO board...that's what I would expect to be mostly likely to find laying around in a lab.

[JasonWhite]

Forgot to also mention that you can use most of NI's DMMs as well.  The 4060 and 4070/4071/4072 devices can operate as SCXI controllers.  These are what are normally connected to the 1357.

[holoman0888]

I was able to find a PCI-GPIB board lying around here. It's ancient to say the least, it's copyrighted 1991. I was thinking about hot-wiring the GPIB to a SH9MD-AUX cable, like just matching up the pins that actually transmit data. Do you think that has any chance of working?

[chericks1]

Hi holoman0888,

The PCI-GPIB board was not made to control an SCXI chassis.  Proceeding in this direction requires you to create an SCXI controller out of the PCI-GPIB board (or whatever hardware is hot-wired to the SH9MD-AUX cable).  It might be theoretically possible to do this, but you would need details about the SCXI communication protocol and the time to create the digital interface between the GPIB board and the SCXI chassis/modules.  This is not a trivial task, and I think that your time may be better spent elsewhere.

It would be great if you could find the missing hardware.  However, if it's gone for good, then a new SCXI controller (such as the USB-1359) may be your best alternative.

Hope this helps!

Chad Erickson
Switch Product Support Engineer

NI - USA

Message Edited by Chad PSE on 07-08-2009 12:45 PM

[holoman0888]

Chad,

Thanks for the reply. I was able to find an old switch controller after all. It has PCI 4060 marked on it, but again it's an old model (1999). It looks nothing like the current 4060 on your website.  As of now I'm downloading NI-SWITCH to get started. All I really need to do with all this stuff is make a voltage source switch on and off at certain time intervals. Am I on the right track? What else do/would I need? Thanks

holoman0888