HP GPIB Assistance - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: C-47
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 11:19:58 am
content: Having recently revived a HP5316A back to basic working condition, link here (sorry cant get it to work), anyway the next task was an alignment where the GPIB is used to provide some basic single line commands, but so far I have not had any luck getting this to work. The Keysight clone USB to GPIB cable seems to test OK based on the light sequence and front panel meter lights are ADSRD and Remote illuminate when a command is sent, but the response is Time Out, increasing the interval doesn't solve this. Screen shot attached. As I'm completely new to GPIB stuff any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.Adding, software being used is Keysight IO Control and Connection Expert,

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 01:02:09 pm
content: normally you should not get errors if all visa ivi drivers are thereyour equipment should answer an *idn? requestyou have to send and request an answer ...there a few basic start tests to be sure all your connected stuff worksunless your usb gpib is bad

author: tridac
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 01:41:21 pm
content: Can you be more specific on the adapter in use ?. What matters is how the adapter has been setup for the modes of operation. Such as: is a simple instrument read possible, or, is it setup for an srq interrupt on data ready, which needs to be recognised, before a read back ?. How are you driving the adapter, from your own C code, or what ?...

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 01:50:18 pm
content: I imagine the HP 5316A pre-dates IEEE 488.2 and SCPI, so it won't support *IDN? which the connection expert will send to try to identify. It also won't understand SYST:ERR?. Check the manual for commands it support. During this era every instrument would define its own, unique set of commands, although similar instruments from the same manufacturer would often have similar commands.Start with a command that causes a physical change of the front panel, like switching gate time. Then look if it has a command to query the status or current measured value, and write it and read again, or use query which is read + write. Ignore buttons like SYST:ERR?. They are for more modern instruments from the early nineties or later.

author: pqass
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 01:53:34 pm
content: The HP531xA series uses old-style "R2D2" command set. Seemanualhere (page 3-29 onward).If it's like my 5334B, just reading from the device will give you the current LED display value.Try sending "RE" (reset) or "FN0" (rolling display test) to see if you get a reaction on the LED display.Check the DIP switch state.Setting should be "addressable" not "talk only".Of course, make sure the address is unique and you're sending commands to it (don't assume default address).

author: merox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 05:16:02 pm
content: Quote from: C-47 on September 28, 2023, 11:19:58 amYou don't need to enter "ibwrt" and "700" into that command box - just "TR1AT0" (without the quotes) is sufficient.If it's a command that returns a value you click "Send & Read", for a command that doesn't generate a response you just use "Send Command".You can imagine "Send & Read" as beeing "ibwrt" followed by "ibrd" with the address beeing inserted automatically by the connection expert software. "Send Command" on the other hand translates into a single "ibwrt" (which are the functions that you would use when programming/accessing the GPIB bus in C or something similar).

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 05:37:15 pm
content: oh sorry if i'm out of my league yeah its an oldie ... like me loll

author: C-47
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2023, 11:33:39 pm
content: Merox is on the money, works fine without typing in any other commands, thank you, now on with the alignment. Coromondalix I know the feeling !!. Thanks to all others for their input, try all other possibility's when working with such old equipment.