HP 8903B USB GPIB not Work - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2018, 11:58:07 pm
content: By the way, I need help.I received today after many months the Agilent 82357 GPIB USB adapter to be able to connect my HP8903B Audio Analyzer to the computer so that I can use Pete Millet software. Next to the adapter came a CD-ROM containing the Agilent IO Libraries Suite Version 15.5 software. I installed this CD-ROM on 2 different computers, one with Windows 7.0 and another with 8.1 Pro. On the computer with Windows 7.0, the Agilent VEE Pro 9.2 software was installed and on the computer running Windows 8.1 the software with VEE Pro 9.3 . On both computers, I get the same error message when opening the Pete Millet software:https://www.dropbox.com/s/ftg5b9rbuhrtrdp/Sem%20t%C3%ADtulo.jpg?dl=0Using the HP 8903 SPCL configuration, I have verified that the HPIB port number is 28, the same as I used to configure the Agilent VEER Pro 9.2 and 9.3 software.I also checked the internal dips switches on the HP 8903, and they are configured as follows:https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qm3tna5ifjv3h1/20180313_190849_resized.jpg?dl=0This is the 8903 information in function 21.0 (HPIB)https://www.dropbox.com/s/wiycp6g0lxyzbpo/20180313_204240_resized.jpg?dl=0I believe the configuration of the HP 8903 is right, why can anyone help me with this problem? I was trying all day and I could not.Thank you in advance.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 12:14:29 am
content: hum that was discussed here, theres lot of fake usb adapters around, there a thread here about that ... maybe you got one ??

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 12:20:52 am
content: How could you be sure? I have an HP 66332A power supply that also has HPIB. Is it possible to test this adapter on this power supply using another test program?

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 02:29:06 am
content: Absolutely. Get the programming manual for the power supply and give it a go. Most of them are very straight forward to program and to query from. But if your adapter came from China I think it's safe to say that 1) it's a fake, 2) it's bad. There is a LONG thread on this forum about the Chinese copies of the HP USB to HPIB adapters. Usually they work but I wouldn't take bets as to how long they'll last.

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 02:33:53 am
content: Could you help me in this task of testing the adapter with my power supply? I have absolutely no programming knowledge at all, my idea was to use the Pete Millet software with the 8903B, figuring I would be able to do it.

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 02:43:18 am
content: Have you read this thread on DIY Audio?http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/equipment-and-tools/208692-hp-8903b-hpib-gpib-read.htmlSometimes it is a lot of trouble getting the software to recognize the 8903BI use his software with NI PCI card Win7 64bit.

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 02:47:35 am
content: Yes, I already read this topic and even in it I checked the issue of the internal configuration keys on 8903. My knowledge in this part is very small and I need the help of the users of this forum to get the software to work or at least to know if the interface USB GPIB is faulty.

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 03:00:04 am
content: Have you used NiMAx to talk to 8903Sure the dip switches are correct?

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 03:26:11 am
content: Sorry, but what is NiMAx? Any software?Regarding the GPIB address, I am 100% sure that it is 28. Exactly as in the attachment.Please check the link that I sent the photo with the position of the dips switches.

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 03:27:12 am
content: Device name should be "Audio_Analyzer"

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 03:31:42 am
content: I can't get to the back of my unit to check but if you just enter 21.1 and HIt SPCL button .

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 03:54:31 am
content: Quote from: Johnny10 on March 14, 2018, 03:27:12 amI am not able to change / include a new name in the software IO Libraries, only in RunTime this is possible. At what location of the IO Libraries software is it possible to change or include the name of the audio analyzer?

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 03:58:24 am
content: Quote from: Johnny10 on March 14, 2018, 03:31:42 amcan you please send a photo of the display of your 8903 then use the option 21.1 SPCL?so I can confirm that the dip switches on my 8903 are correctly configured.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 05:44:14 am
content: 21.1 SPCL will tell you what the current GPIB address of the 8903B is. Pete's software expect that the unit will be at 1428. The 14 indicates that the GPIB adapter is a National Instruments one (they're configurable but the defaults show this). If you're using an 82357B and the Keysight IO Library Suite then your adapter will be 7.For example, my 8903B is at address 8. So to access it using a default NI card the address is 1408 and the default Keysight adapter is 708.There should be an instrument manager app installed that you can configure things with - The details are located at the bottom of this page:http://www.pmillett.com/hp_8903_software.htmRunning that app you should be able to assign the appropriate address to the audio_analyzer variable.TonyG

author: LazyJack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 09:39:58 am
content: There are some pitfalls getting this instrument work. Watch this:https://youtu.be/_FtJh3N4FK0

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 11:30:50 am
content: Yes, i have a 82357B.I made some progress, found out how to change the device name for Audio Analyzer in the IO Libraries software, but I still have not been able to do the same.I will leave some prints on the screen with the IO Libraries configuration, hoping they can help me by informing me where I am wrong.https://www.dropbox.com/s/gv9mfjr0930xavf/20180314_081754_resized.jpg?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/em8hryeyazas4wf/20180314_081820_resized.jpg?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/dpkn93mw9qyv5hc/20180314_081938_resized.jpg?dl=0https://www.dropbox.com/s/wo48535tu8qlsnq/20180314_081959_resized.jpg?dl=0

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 06:51:35 pm
content: Quick comments from the images I looked at:1. You're changing the alias for the device not setting the variable value2. The GPIB Primary address should be the one the instrument is set (21.1 SPCL will show this)3. GPIB Secondary address should just be 0For #1, there will be an app installed when you installed the VEE Runtime called "IO Explorer" - Run this and you'll see the "Instrument Manager":Right Click the configuration and select "Add Instruments":Fill in the dialog that pops up appropriately:You should now be good to use the intrument named "Audio_Analyzer" in VEE Apps.TonyG

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 08:03:43 pm
content: I changed the configuration, I guess I did it the way you did, but it still does not work.Please check the image.https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ktcob5mzjnsfwh/Sem%20t%C3%ADtulo.png?dl=0

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 08:28:08 pm
content: Couple of things:1. Is the address of the unit actually 28? You none of your images show the address screen from the 8903B - type 21.1 and then the SPCL key.2. Can you communicate with it using the Keysight interactive IO tool?TonyG

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 08:47:16 pm
content: I'm sending photos from the HP8903 panel in SPCL 21.1.https://www.dropbox.com/s/0p6qwqmfufcjro5/20180314_173737_resized.jpg?dl=0I believe there is no communication in the IO Libraries application, please check the image below.https://www.dropbox.com/s/kx0n877u30m9l1e/Sem%20t%C3%ADtulo%201.png?dl=0

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 09:14:48 pm
content: Ok give me a few minutes as I just got home and I don't have the Keysight IO Libraries stuff running on my machine (I moved over to NI adapters).I'll run up a VM and get some screen shots.TonyG

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 09:18:12 pm
content: Thank you so Much!

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 11:09:30 pm
content: Ok I just set this up and I noticed that the name "Audio_Analyzer" wasn't correct.If you run, say FR_v2_B.vxe then you'll see this:From that image you can see that VEE is looking for an instrument called "Audio Analyzer" - Note the space not an underscore between Audio & AnalyzerSo go into the IO Configuration tool in the start menu:This window will come up:Right click "My Configuration" and then "Add Instruments"Enter the instrument information - You'll use 28 instead of 8 in the address and set the name to "Audio Analyzer". Click OK:It should look like this now (with the right GPIB Address):Now this bit isImportant- You need to click the save icon to save this configuration:And now you can run the VXE:TonyG

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 11:21:04 pm
content: I see the naming convention is correct for the Agilent version; " Audio Analyzer "In my version of NI MAX I needed to enter Audio_Analyzer"Don't remember why but I had problems using the Agilent version and since I was using a NI PCI Board I went with NI.Pete Millet programs work perfect for me.Good Job Tony_G

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 11:40:44 pm
content: Quote from: Johnny10 on March 14, 2018, 11:21:04 pmThanks - Just to provide some insight into the environment on this, I'm running a NI GPIB-ENET/100 in my rack with the other racks being connected via an 37204A extenders. This causes all GPIB addresses to be asserted so you can't scan for instruments unfortunately (you need to set them up one by one).I spun up a VM for this on Win7, installed the NI 488.2 and NI VISA libraries and configured them to use my GPIB-ENET (this is another great reason for it, I can access all this T&M gear over the net and from VMs). I tested that and then installed the Keysight IO Libraries 2018.2 (latest one in any case if that isn't the correct version). That goes down as the secondary VISA and I tested that it worked using the Keysight Interactive IO (to a 3325B, the 8903B seemed to confuse the utility with its EOL sequence - I could see the OD/OA but the util wouldn't hit it).Then I setup the VEE Runtime and configured the instrument. So I'm not sure if there is something that the Keysight stuff brings to the table in this case but using the name without the underscore did pop a warning that it wasn't standard: I just ignored that.TonyG

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 11:58:39 pm
content: Just tried it with the Keysight stuff deleted and it still worked so it my just have been, as we say in the trade, a UUMW (Unexplained Unreproducible Momentary Weirdness).Here was the error though - this can be ignored:TonyG

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2018, 11:59:32 pm
content: I did the setup as you explained:https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ktcob5mzjnsfwh/Sem%20t%C3%ADtulo.png?dl=0I can open Pete Millet software:https://www.dropbox.com/s/vof7rtipe0r25ql/Sem%20t%C3%ADtulo%203.png?dl=0However, when I select start in the icon of the software, without any equipment connected the inputs / outputs of the HP8903 I get this message:https://www.dropbox.com/s/a3prtlhsbyl3ugv/Sem%20t%C3%ADtulo%202.png?dl=0Do you have any idea what I can do to solve this problem?

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2018, 01:52:45 am
content: So we're back to the issue of whether or not you can talk to the 8903B. We're never verified that.First step, open the "Keysight Connection Expert" and find your instrument. Mine is GPIB0::8::INSTR (Yours should be GPIB0::28::INSTR) and then right click on it and select "Check Connection Status":Once it has checked, the box around the icon should go green if it can communicate. If it is green then right click again and select "Send commands to this instrument". That will open the Keysight Interactive IO utility for your instruments address:In the Interactive IO utility, click the "Device Clear" button - You should hear the unit click and the front panel should look like this (with nothing connected) - Note whether the Remote and Addressed annunciators are lit:The type M2 into the command text box and send it - You should hear a soft click and the unit should look like this - Note the Remote and Addressed annunciators should be lit and the SINAD measurement selected:If the above doesn't happen then there is a fault in either the cable, the 82357B or the GPIB port on the 8903B. I would start by swapping out the cable if you're using one. If the 82357B is directly connected to the 8903B then you should ensure that it is properly seated and the contacts are clean. If that is the case and it still doesn’t work then I would get another GPIB adapter and try that - Anything will work as you're just testing whether it is the 82357B - You could use an NI card, a Prologix, An Arduino adapter, etc.If you have swapped all of this then the issue is in the GPIB part of the 8903B - The service manuals can be downloaded from the Keysight website.TonyG

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2018, 10:59:43 am
content: I did the communication test using the Keysight Connection Expert and the result was negative, there is no communication with the 8903B.I removed the USB-GPIB interface and connected it to an HP 66332A power supply and using the same Keysight Connection Expert I also did not succeed without communication. This test with the HP 66332A font is also valid, right?I believe there is no doubt that the USB Interface GPIB is faulty. It's frustrating, I've waited 5 months to receive and the deadline for return by Ebay has run out.I still have a hope ... I downloaded the version Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2018 Update 0.2 and could not install it on my computer because the system warns that I need the .net framework software 4.6.2. I'm trying to do the same, but so far I have not been successful.When I can install it, I will try again to communicate the program with 8903.Thank you very much for your great help.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2018, 02:45:21 pm
content: Sorry to hear about the controller - At least you have something to be able to try and address rather than a nebulous problem (the controller failing on both pieces of gear is a strong pointer to it being faulty).The Offline Installer for .NET FX 4.6.2 is here -https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53344- You can download that and install it (though the Keysight installer should chain it in but maybe it is a network throughput thing).TonyG

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2018, 11:56:33 pm
content: After spending hours configuring my computer's windows, other versions of the IO Libraries and nothing working, that is, not the communication between the computer and HP, I believe that nothing else remains for me to do.Thank you very much for all your help.

author: GasGas
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2018, 05:05:22 pm
content: I got a used GPIB-PCI card from National Instruments here in Brazil. Now I finally got the communication between 8903 and Pete Milett software. However, I only succeeded by installing the NI driver for Win7, with the driver for WinXP the card was not recognized by Windows

author: velik_kazakov
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2018, 10:00:51 am
content: Quote from: GasGas on May 14, 2018, 05:05:22 pmHi, I have the same problems with my HP8903. Now get the NI PCI GPIB card and want to ask , can you share the driver version and other details for your setup.Thank you in advance!new update - all is ok now. Just install Service pack 2 for win 7 64bit and all work well.