JRL TRS-104 AC/DC Thermal Transfer Standard - Looking for GPIB command list - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: vvolt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 10, 2020, 10:12:06 pm
content: Hello Volt-nuts,We found a JRL TRS-104 in great shape and hope to get the max out of it.For that we would like to automate it's operation.The device has a GPIB interface, and although it is briefly mentioned in it's manual,there are no useful information on how to properly operate.Do any of the fellow EEVblog forum users have experience programming this device?Anything helps.PS: Attached is what is found in the manual

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 12:11:23 am
content: It's look easy to port BASIC and commands listing to something modern like Python.Do you have full manual for it? Wonder how it compares to other AC standards.

author: vvolt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 12:22:28 am
content: I added the very sparse documentation to the thread.Porting to languages is not the issue as I was planning on using LabVIEW which has great support for GPIB.The problem is to know what the commands and syntax are.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 10:46:30 am
content: I have not used this instrument, or any other JRL instrument, but I have written software for a fair number of instruments from that era. I have no idea about your experience, so I may or may not tell you anything you didn't already know. The HPL/BASIC samples in the manual are mostly GPIB boiler plate code, but there are three useful examples of valid command strings:Code:P0C1XG2XD5CZXI1Q1XR1XG1XThis is what is sometimes called the R2D2 GPIB control format where every command consists of a letter (P, C) and a specific number of characters after it as the parameter for the command. See section 3.9 on page 74 ofthis Keithley manualfor an example of a similar language. It looks to me that X means execute, just like on the Keithley DMM. Footnote 1 in the JRL manual excerpt tells us that D5CZX is sending control code 5C, which is an 8 bit code representing front panel controls. I'm not sure what the 'Z' means, but 'D' clearly seems to mean "set control code".I would expect there to be a document documenting the device dependent codes, like in the Keithley manual. Either in another section of the main JRL manual, or in another document (programming manual). Are you sure there's no table listing the commands in the manual, maybe in an appendix?If changes are either reflected on the front panel (unfortunately this instrument does not seem to have any indicators beyond the display), or in the output it returns, you can figure out commands by trial and error. It will likely give an error if you send an invalid parameter, so you can try R0, R1, R2 etc and see what happens. Based on the letter, you may be able to guess. R might be range, where R0 would probably be the first position on the range switch, etc. Or it might be reference.The R2D2 commands were not standardized, but sometimes manufacturers used similar commands, so for example G, which sets the output format on the Keithley, might do something similar here.In general the commands were closely corresponding to front panel controls, so I would expect commands for the push buttons (D), range switch, and GPIB-specific things like triggering, data format and SRQ settings.I hope this helps!

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 03:07:32 pm
content: Hello there brings back memories....I worked at julie Research in Manhattan ~ 1967, and knew Loebe Julie well.I recall transfer stds as a big black box, nothing more.I dont think they had GPIB/HPIB but I could be wrong!Just a kind note....Jon

author: vvolt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2020, 06:19:05 pm
content: Hi alm,Your description seems dead on.Unfortunately the only documentation I was able to find is what I shared with you. The people at Ohm-Labs were generous enough to share that with me. (apparentlythey took over JRL some time ago)Having worked at National Instruments I was more familiar with a different type of command structure and was pretty confused until now.But with your explanations and the Keithley manual I believe to have a good framework to try things out.

author: notfaded1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2020, 03:39:34 pm
content: I noticed it said Original cost to the taxpayer $12.800.00. Wow if it works pretty nice device I think.Bill

author: EyeDontKnow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 01:21:05 am
content: I also have a TRS-104, but have not attempted to power it up until I get the manual. I also have a set of the thermal converters....in a foam-lined briefcase.Anyways, my unit has parts dated as recently as 1992.The inside has an OEM IEEE 488 communication board made by IOtech Inc, called "Digital488". I'll try to post that pdf below.(Edit, full pdf is too large...I'll try to split into 2....but here is the sales datasheet)Anyone have the TRS-104 manual ?

author: EyeDontKnow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 01:30:00 am
content: The above upload was the wrong board.Let me try the real board, in a zip file.

author: EyeDontKnow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 01:35:15 am
content: Pics of my unit....(I'm trying to do all this on my smartphone, so....)

author: EyeDontKnow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 01:46:54 am
content: Pic 2

author: EyeDontKnow
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2023, 01:47:43 am
content: Pic 3