[Test-Equipment] Re: Test-Equipment V47#4; HPIB+laptop

[Phil Barnes-Roberts WA6DZS]

test-equipment-request at mailman.qth.net opined  on 03/04/2008 01:02 AM:
{snip}
> Subject: [Test-Equipment] GPIB adapters?
> From: davec <davec2468 at aim.com>
> Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 08:54:04 -0800
> To: Test-equipment list <test-equipment at mailman.qth.net>, 
> hp_agilent_equipment at yahoogroups.com
> 
> 
> I want to automate a test process using a Tek scope and HP sig generator 
> under NI's LabVIEW. Both are GPIB (or "HPIB") equipped.
> 
> The host will be a laptop, so no PCI card is possible. That leaves the 
> options of an external GPIB controller via Ethernet or USB.
> 
> Speed isn't a concern, obviously (we're talking GPIB!), so either will 
> work in this respect. I'm just wondering if there are other advantages 
> of either model that I'm not thinking about.
> 
> The test equipment will be located with the laptop, so distance won't be 
> an issue.
> 
> Regarding 3rd-party products (non NI controllers), I haven't found any 
> that claim to be seamlessly compatible with LabVIEW. I'm no programmer 
> so the "seamless" aspect is important.
> 
> Here's one USB product:
> <http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=549>
> 
> Any thoughts about Ethernet vs. USB would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Thanks,
> Dave
> 
Another vendor or two, Dave--
<http://www.measurementcomputing.com/> has some that claim to have 
NI/LabView-compatible drivers; their USB-488 is one possible solution.

They don't seem to have any PC-Card (PCMCIA) or Ethernet yet, but it 
might be worth a call.  No connection to them, used to get tons of ads.

Also, see <http://www.agilent.com/>; their 82357A (recently 
discontinued) and the current 82357B USB-HPIB cables should do the job, 
and you might find a deal on one, somewhere like eBay; and serious 
on-line support at Agilent.  Browse there about LabView support.

There are also some attache-size machines available that can take 1 or 2 
PCI cards, but that's also another level of $$ for the laptop.
------
One thing I've seen about doing (near-)real-time data acquisition with 
IEEE-488=HPIB=GPIB instruments; make sure you leave some delay time for 
commanded readings to settle before reading them, or you get really 
screwy results!

We used to use HP-9825s (running BASIC, no less) to trim hybrids at 
Hughes on a laser station, and that was the #1 gotcha.  We sometimes 
even had to turn lights out at the microscope and trim in the dark 
(under the hood, so to speak) when the devices were sensitive.  Even the 
laser-light could make things take a while (100ms or so, or more) to 
settle after beam-off.

You quickly got a feel for when you were about to run off the nichrome 
resistor flag area in the dark.  OOPS!
-- 
'---O=o=O---'
73, Phil Barnes-Roberts WA6DZS < Mailto:pbarnrob at acm dot org >
Opinions:  Cash value $0.02, not redeemable for merchandise
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