Using a little older HP 8563E Spectrum Analyzer with Calibration Executive 3.6 (LabView platform). The software does not properly recognize my HP 8563E. I can see it in NIMAX and it is addressable. But I get errors from Calibration Executive (Labview) when running procedures.
I am thinking it is old and has older firmware that may not be compatible (or may not be SCPI compliant).
The rev date when I power up the 8563E looks to be 971024 (as I recall).
Any thoughts about either finding a driver that will work, upgrading firmware on the 8563E, or other methods to get it to talk with the software. I have to set for manual testing for all associated tests and run the 8563E manually (adds hours to each procedure).
Any thoughts appreciated.
First off.. NONE of the 856x Line was SCPI compliant.. I don't think it even supported *IDN? and *RST. I always used ID and IP..
You can turn on GPIB SPY and see what command it is hanging up on. That may give you a better clue as to how to resolve this problem.
Mike
My ignorance on the topic may be showing, but in CALIBRATION EXECUTIVE ("Cal Exec") the procedures are totally locked down and have a short list of specific instruments allowable in a given procedure (doing some RF type NI PXI Cards currently). When I run any of the procedures, the 8563E is a specific instrument allowed. There are only a couple of spectrum analyzers allowed in the software. The HP 8563E is one of them. So when I pick what Spec An to use, 8563E is selected, along with its GPIB address. Then the procedure is run. Back in the Cal Exec folders, there is a driver folder for the 8563E with a whole bunch of special function call files to cover its range of functionality. So definitely Cal Exec has the specifics to run the HP 8563E.
So I am guessing maybe some of the later units had whatever is needed in their firmware. I speak ignorantly about SCPI (I understand basically what it is). Perhaps its not a SCPI issue, but some sort of command syntax in later firmware that makes the difference. My best guess is that since there is not apparently older NI Drivers around, I just need to have an HP 8563E with late enough firmware to be compatible. Where I'm a little stumped is that nowhere does anything say a minimum firmware date that is compatible. I have a bunch of these PXI's to do, and it will knock an hour two per card off the cal time if I can resolve this. However, if my guess is right, it looks like it would have to be an OEM firmware update (which I also guess is no longer available).