Getting my feet wet with data logging. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Zenwizard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 03:04:49 am
content: I am at the point in the lab that I need to start doing some data logging and collection out of the instruments. I am wondering as some one who has never needed this before, should I dive down the GPIB rabbit hole or should I byte the bullet and get a seat of Lab view or kick start. Currently I have some Keithly instruments that I need to log from but that could grow in to some HP and Tek gear as well. Trying to get some input on a start point.Zen

author: TiN
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 04:40:24 am
content: Save yourself a trouble and use Raspberry Pi + image e61_phil posted in other thread. I wasted a year trying to deal with LabView, never ever again. Vendor locked tools also no good if you need at least some flexibility in experiments and have multi-vendor bench, which is very common thing.

author: Zenwizard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 01:30:43 pm
content: Thanks TiN, ill check it out. Yep I certainly do have a multi vendor bench. Does the Pie need a IP to GPIB gateway? or is it USB? I am trying to find the other thread as I post this. Ill keep digging.

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 01:59:25 pm
content: This might fit your bill:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/and not only multimeters for that matter.

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 05:18:31 pm
content: HI,I have been collecting data using a signal generator and oscilloscope. I'm measuring the transfer function of some circuits phase and gain. I use PyVISA.If you can program python then I would suggest this. It's free.https://pyvisa.readthedocs.io/en/latest/I use USB for control. It will also work with ethernet and if you need GPIB I think it will work with that but I have not used it.Andy

author: ScoobyDoo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2021, 08:20:11 pm
content: Hello ahbushnell -various configurations are possible:RPI (standalone) running Pi connected to target DMM (3458A, DM7510, ... ) via 82357B (clone) GPIB USB adapter.Laptop running Python linked over LAN network to RPI connected via 82357B (clone) GPIB USB adapter.RPI running Python linked over LAN network to RPI connected via 82357B (clone) GPIB USB adapter.Obviously the Pi is linked via USB - GPIB adapterI tested in early stage e61_phil's package and it worked out of the box in all above configurations using Agilent/Keysight 82357B (clone) adapter - tested with 3458A + DMM7510 + DAQ6510 + 34470AThe package is sort of LAN to USB-GPIB gateway similar to E5810A gateway.Perfect for short (USB) and long distance (LAN) operations ...The configuration script does the full install - only setup IP config needed when using LAN.e61_phil did a hell of a job - great work !Best regards / Un saludoScoobyDoo

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 09:18:44 pm
content: If you want a reliable Windows solution try my app.....https://www.eevblog.com/forum/metrology/3458a-logging-via-windows-app-revisited/Ian.

author: chrismholt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 29, 2021, 11:47:16 pm
content: I have bought a few prologix usb to gpib converters for talking to my older equipment.https://www.sparkfun.com/products/549The cool thing is that a lot of gpib stuff responds to standard commands. You can send idn? And you usually get an answer. So you just plug in the prologix to the back of the multimeter, plug in the usb. Then use putty to open the serial port and then start typing commands until you get an answer. If the instrument responds with what you want then make a python program to open the serial port and send/read the command. Finally learn how to use influx db and grafana with python. You are now a world class data logger.Cheers,ChrisWww.xtalx.com

author: e61_phil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2021, 06:10:42 am
content: Hi Chris,isn't such a Prologix USB2GPIB adapter more expensive than an Agilent clone?Best regardsPhilipp

author: chrismholt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 30, 2021, 09:24:30 am
content: It might be. I really like that it pops up as a virtual com port and you just talk serial to it. The agilent official ones are expensive.

author: e61_phil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2021, 03:19:15 pm
content: Quote from: chrismholt on August 30, 2021, 09:24:30 amAnd how do you address different instruments? Is there some kind of data/command mode like with old modems?

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 30, 2021, 04:07:43 pm
content: Quote from: e61_phil on August 30, 2021, 03:19:15 pmSeehttp://prologix.biz/gpib-usb-3.x-manual.html#commandsThe AR488 project implements something very similar and is quite cheap to build yourselfhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/ar488-arduino-based-gpib-adapter/