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Using and Troubleshooting the GPIB-VXI/C

Configuring T&M Explorer to Use the GPIB-VXI at a Different GPIB Address

1. If programming with NI-488, merely use the new GPIB addresses for the 2nd chassis.

2. If programming with NI-VISA, continue reading.

By default VISA only detects the GPIB-VXI/C and instruments if the GPIB Primary Address (PA) is set to 1. For the system where the GPIB-VXI/C is not 1, you must configure NI-VISA to detect the GPIB-VXI/C and instruments.

This procedure applies to Windows 95/98 and Windows NT:
The easiest way to configure the GPIB-VXI/C with the GPIB-VXI/C set to a PA other than 1 is to install NI-VISA 1.2 or later. Use the T&M explorer as follows.

In this example, the GPIB-VXI/C on the second mainframe is set to a primary and secondary GPIB addresses of 2 and 0 (96 using NI-488 terminology), respectively. The GPIB-VXI/C in the first mainframe is set to GPIB PA = 1.

  1. Connect the GPIB cables to all of your chassis and turn on the power. Launch the T&M explorer. You will see a similar screen ( depends on the number of instruments you have in your chassis ). By default, the T&M explorer will detect 1 GPIB-VXI/C with a GPIB PA of 1 and secondary address of 0. Furthermore, T&M Explorer will show the other GPIB-VXI/C and any VXI message-based devices as GPIB devices.


  2. To configure the second mainframe, exit the T&M explorer, turn the power off on the second chassis (where the GPIB-VXI/C is set to GPIB PA 2) and relaunch the T&M Explorer. You will see the following screen. This screen shows the first GPIB-VXI/C where the GPIB PA is set to 1.


  3. To add a second GPIB-VXI/C system go to the Edit menu and select Add Device, you will see the following screen:


  4. Select the GPIB-VXI Interface and click on Next. Enter the GPIB PA and a GPIB controller number. The GPIB controller number is the GPIB board index – 0 by default.


  5. Click on next and the following screen will appear. Select a GPIB-VXI Number different from 0. The GPIB-VXI Number 0 corresponds to the first GPIB-VXI/C that has the GPIB PA set to 1. Set the Logical address to 0.


  6. Click on next and the last screen will appear which will ask you for a Device Name. You can press enter and the default will be the Resource Name, GPIB-VXI1::0::INSTR.


  7. Click on Next and the new GPIB-VXI/C will be configured. Exit and power on the second chassis. Launch the T&M explorer again to see the updated information. This time, the T&M Explorer will show the instruments on your second mainframe listed under the new GPIB-VXI/C descriptor (as shown below, where 3 instruments are listed under the GPIB-VXI1::XX::INSTR device name).



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