Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Mark, If it is more recent than this one, please could you scan it for me? http://www.ko4bb.com/Manuals/HP_Agilent/HP_-_59306A_59306-90001.pdf I would then post it there for all to see :-) Thanks in advance, Didier KO4BB > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mark Stephens > Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:24 PM > To: time-nuts@febo.com > Subject: Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A > relay actuator (orother old device)? > > Doctor, > > > I have the full manual for HP 59306A, please contact me > offline if you would like me to scan it for you. > > > Mark > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.23.11/1422 - Release Date: 5/8/2008 5:24 PM ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Daun Yeagley wrote:
> Hi David
>
> You'll need a scope to look at the lines. If you try reading with a
> voltmeter, you'll only get the average value of the data that is being
> transmitted.
> There are a couple of "control" line as part of the bus. The most important
> one for our purposes here is the "ATN" line. When this line is asserted,
> Data on the 8 DATA lines is in what is known as the COMMAND mode. In this
> mode, the ASCII code you see make up the commands to do the "Unlisten",
> "Untalk", "Listen", and "Talk" commands and the associated addresses. You
> don't need to worry about that stuff. That's what the drivers are for. At
> the programming level, all you need to be concerned with is who's talking
> (the controller, i.e. the computer), and who's the listener (the 59306). As
> an aside, there can be only one talker, but many listeners. Other
> (transparent) details include the handshake lines and some other dedicated
> support lines that may or may not be used in any particular scenario.
>
> So again, all you need to do is address the 59306 as a listener, and send
> the specific ASCII characters that comprise the command. With this
> instrument, since it is so very simple, doesn't even know what to do with
> end of line sequences. (CR/LF). It would simply ignore them. (I say this
> because most computers customarily send this unless specifically
> suppressed).
>
Although I'm not doing this under Linux, I found this page on the
ibwrt() command.
http://cabbat1.cnea.gov.ar/manuales/gpib/r2283.html
To quote from it " If |ud| is a device descriptor, then the library
automatically handles addressing the device as listener and the
interface board as talker, before sending the data bytes onto the bus."
That suggests to me that using the ibwrt command should address the
relays as listener, so the relay actuator should need no more than
dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0);
which gets a device descriptor and
ibwrt(dd,"A1",2);
which writes "A1" to the device with device descriptor dd. I've just
checked the National Instruments manual and it says the same thing about
the ibwrt() command setting the device as a listener. Perhaps trying to
send the '"%" which the relay's manual says addresses the device as a
listener is not needed. Perhaps it was messing things up. I'm pretty
sure I have tried it with and without that, and it did not work in
either case, but I will try again later - I'm not at home now.
Dave
> Hope this helps. If not enough, I'll have to see if I can dig out some of
> the old "HPIB" tutorials I used to teach from twenty some years ago.
>
> Daun
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Dr. David Kirkby [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 10:13 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator
> (orother old device)?
>
> Daun Yeagley wrote:
>
>> Hi David
>>
>> Don't worry about all the level stuff. That's internal to the box
>>
> (59306).
>
>> The only thing you need to worry about is how to generate the proper
>> commands on the bus for your particular H/W-S/W combination.
>>
>>
> But looking at the example program, one sends
>
> * "?" to clear all listeners
> * "%" to listen
> * The commands to set relays, such as "B123", or "A1"
> * REN=H to reset to local control.
>
> But all 4 combinations have different TTL levels on the control lines.
>
> On my bench multimeter, something as simple as
>
> dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); /* open a device at address
> 'gpib_address' with 3 s timeout. */
> ibclr(dd); /* Clear it */
> ibwrt(dd,"PRESET",6); /* Can't recall what this command did on my
> meter, but it works! */
> ibwrt(dd,"DCV",3); /* Set to DC voltage. Command ends in 3, as DCV is 3
> characters */
>
> will set it to DC voltage. If I want frequency, the last command would be
>
> ibwrt(dd,"FREQ",4); /* ends in 4, as FREQ is 4 characters */
>
> But this HP 59306A relay actuator will *not* respond similarly if I send
>
> ibwrt("A1",2); /* Unsuccessfully try to join contacts A-C on relay 1 */
>
> In various attempts, I've managed to get the odd click from the relays,
> but nothing useful is happening. I've got two of these, and neither is
> doing what I expect, so I suspect the units are not faulty, but just my
> bad programming.
>
>
>
Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Didier Juges wrote: > Remember these units don't have uC, so any signal that would normally depend > on some timing must be generated externally, i.e. come from the bus. I > suspect the box might need some signals that other equipment (uC equipped) > may not absolutely require. However, this being a piece of HP equipment, I > am pretty confident that is will strictly obey (and require strict adherence > to) the HPIB specification, even in areas where more recent equipment will > show significant tolerance. > Could be that. > Now that I think of it, I really never cared much for the low level NI > programming. I did some of it way back under DOS, and ever since finding the > BlackBox and more recently the Prologix controllers, I have not looked back. > I've always used the NI controllers and never had any problems with any micro processor controlled instrument. This is the first item I've ever programmed a device without a micro, and so far it is beating my attempts to program it. > Didier > > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Hi David
You'll need a scope to look at the lines. If you try reading with a
voltmeter, you'll only get the average value of the data that is being
transmitted.
There are a couple of "control" line as part of the bus. The most important
one for our purposes here is the "ATN" line. When this line is asserted,
Data on the 8 DATA lines is in what is known as the COMMAND mode. In this
mode, the ASCII code you see make up the commands to do the "Unlisten",
"Untalk", "Listen", and "Talk" commands and the associated addresses. You
don't need to worry about that stuff. That's what the drivers are for. At
the programming level, all you need to be concerned with is who's talking
(the controller, i.e. the computer), and who's the listener (the 59306). As
an aside, there can be only one talker, but many listeners. Other
(transparent) details include the handshake lines and some other dedicated
support lines that may or may not be used in any particular scenario.
So again, all you need to do is address the 59306 as a listener, and send
the specific ASCII characters that comprise the command. With this
instrument, since it is so very simple, doesn't even know what to do with
end of line sequences. (CR/LF). It would simply ignore them. (I say this
because most computers customarily send this unless specifically
suppressed).
Hope this helps. If not enough, I'll have to see if I can dig out some of
the old "HPIB" tutorials I used to teach from twenty some years ago.
Daun
-Original Message-
From: Dr. David Kirkby [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 10:13 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement
Subject: Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator
(orother old device)?
Daun Yeagley wrote:
> Hi David
>
> Don't worry about all the level stuff. That's internal to the box
(59306).
> The only thing you need to worry about is how to generate the proper
> commands on the bus for your particular H/W-S/W combination.
>
But looking at the example program, one sends
* "?" to clear all listeners
* "%" to listen
* The commands to set relays, such as "B123", or "A1"
* REN=H to reset to local control.
But all 4 combinations have different TTL levels on the control lines.
On my bench multimeter, something as simple as
dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); /* open a device at address
'gpib_address' with 3 s timeout. */
ibclr(dd); /* Clear it */
ibwrt(dd,"PRESET",6); /* Can't recall what this command did on my
meter, but it works! */
ibwrt(dd,"DCV",3); /* Set to DC voltage. Command ends in 3, as DCV is 3
characters */
will set it to DC voltage. If I want frequency, the last command would be
ibwrt(dd,"FREQ",4); /* ends in 4, as FREQ is 4 characters */
But this HP 59306A relay actuator will *not* respond similarly if I send
ibwrt("A1",2); /* Unsuccessfully try to join contacts A-C on relay 1 */
In various attempts, I've managed to get the odd click from the relays,
but nothing useful is happening. I've got two of these, and neither is
doing what I expect, so I suspect the units are not faulty, but just my
bad programming.
> In hopefully simple terms, you need to address the 59306 as a listener,
and
> then send the ASCII string that represents the relay state you need. In
> Didier's example:
>
>> 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456"
>> 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1"
>>
>
> You don't need (or want an end of line sequence or anything). When done
> sending the command, just unaddress it.
>
Perhaps that is what I am doing wrong. I am not un-addressing it. But
I've never had to before. I've normally on other instruments just sent
the command via ibwrt(), then read responses with ibrd(). For this
instrument, I don't believe there is anything that can be read - you
can't for example read the state of the relays, so I don't think there
is any need for using ibrd().
> Hope that removes a bit of fog.
>
> Daun
>
>
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Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Remember these units don't have uC, so any signal that would normally depend
on some timing must be generated externally, i.e. come from the bus. I
suspect the box might need some signals that other equipment (uC equipped)
may not absolutely require. However, this being a piece of HP equipment, I
am pretty confident that is will strictly obey (and require strict adherence
to) the HPIB specification, even in areas where more recent equipment will
show significant tolerance.
Now that I think of it, I really never cared much for the low level NI
programming. I did some of it way back under DOS, and ever since finding the
BlackBox and more recently the Prologix controllers, I have not looked back.
Didier
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby
> Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 9:13 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Discussion of precise time and
> frequency measurement
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A
> relay actuator (orother old device)?
>
> Daun Yeagley wrote:
> > Hi David
> >
> > Don't worry about all the level stuff. That's internal to
> the box (59306).
> > The only thing you need to worry about is how to generate
> the proper
> > commands on the bus for your particular H/W-S/W combination.
> >
> But looking at the example program, one sends
>
> * "?" to clear all listeners
> * "%" to listen
> * The commands to set relays, such as "B123", or "A1"
> * REN=H to reset to local control.
>
> But all 4 combinations have different TTL levels on the control lines.
>
> On my bench multimeter, something as simple as
>
> dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); /* open a device at
> address 'gpib_address' with 3 s timeout. */ ibclr(dd); /*
> Clear it */ ibwrt(dd,"PRESET",6); /* Can't recall what this
> command did on my meter, but it works! */ ibwrt(dd,"DCV",3);
> /* Set to DC voltage. Command ends in 3, as DCV is 3 characters */
>
> will set it to DC voltage. If I want frequency, the last
> command would be
>
> ibwrt(dd,"FREQ",4); /* ends in 4, as FREQ is 4 characters */
>
> But this HP 59306A relay actuator will *not* respond
> similarly if I send
>
> ibwrt("A1",2); /* Unsuccessfully try to join contacts A-C on
> relay 1 */
>
> In various attempts, I've managed to get the odd click from
> the relays, but nothing useful is happening. I've got two of
> these, and neither is doing what I expect, so I suspect the
> units are not faulty, but just my bad programming.
>
>
>
> > In hopefully simple terms, you need to address the 59306 as a
> > listener, and then send the ASCII string that represents the relay
> > state you need. In Didier's example:
> >
> >> 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456"
> >> 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1"
> >>
> >
> > You don't need (or want an end of line sequence or anything). When
> > done sending the command, just unaddress it.
> >
> Perhaps that is what I am doing wrong. I am not un-addressing
> it. But I've never had to before. I've normally on other
> instruments just sent the command via ibwrt(), then read
> responses with ibrd(). For this instrument, I don't believe
> there is anything that can be read - you can't for example
> read the state of the relays, so I don't think there is any
> need for using ibrd().
>
> > Hope that removes a bit of fog.
> >
> > Daun
> >
> >
>
>
> ___
> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe,
> go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
> and follow the instructions there.
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
Checked by AVG.
Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.23.11/1422 - Release Date: 5/8/2008
5:24 PM
___
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts
and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Daun Yeagley wrote:
> Hi David
>
> Don't worry about all the level stuff. That's internal to the box (59306).
> The only thing you need to worry about is how to generate the proper
> commands on the bus for your particular H/W-S/W combination.
>
But looking at the example program, one sends
* "?" to clear all listeners
* "%" to listen
* The commands to set relays, such as "B123", or "A1"
* REN=H to reset to local control.
But all 4 combinations have different TTL levels on the control lines.
On my bench multimeter, something as simple as
dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); /* open a device at address
'gpib_address' with 3 s timeout. */
ibclr(dd); /* Clear it */
ibwrt(dd,"PRESET",6); /* Can't recall what this command did on my
meter, but it works! */
ibwrt(dd,"DCV",3); /* Set to DC voltage. Command ends in 3, as DCV is 3
characters */
will set it to DC voltage. If I want frequency, the last command would be
ibwrt(dd,"FREQ",4); /* ends in 4, as FREQ is 4 characters */
But this HP 59306A relay actuator will *not* respond similarly if I send
ibwrt("A1",2); /* Unsuccessfully try to join contacts A-C on relay 1 */
In various attempts, I've managed to get the odd click from the relays,
but nothing useful is happening. I've got two of these, and neither is
doing what I expect, so I suspect the units are not faulty, but just my
bad programming.
> In hopefully simple terms, you need to address the 59306 as a listener, and
> then send the ASCII string that represents the relay state you need. In
> Didier's example:
>
>> 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456"
>> 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1"
>>
>
> You don't need (or want an end of line sequence or anything). When done
> sending the command, just unaddress it.
>
Perhaps that is what I am doing wrong. I am not un-addressing it. But
I've never had to before. I've normally on other instruments just sent
the command via ibwrt(), then read responses with ibrd(). For this
instrument, I don't believe there is anything that can be read - you
can't for example read the state of the relays, so I don't think there
is any need for using ibrd().
> Hope that removes a bit of fog.
>
> Daun
>
>
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Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Hi David Don't worry about all the level stuff. That's internal to the box (59306). The only thing you need to worry about is how to generate the proper commands on the bus for your particular H/W-S/W combination. In hopefully simple terms, you need to address the 59306 as a listener, and then send the ASCII string that represents the relay state you need. In Didier's example: > 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456" > 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1" You don't need (or want an end of line sequence or anything). When done sending the command, just unaddress it. Hope that removes a bit of fog. Daun -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 9:34 AM To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)? Didier Juges wrote: > David, > > Yes, I have programmed both types of relay boxes (59306A and 59307A). I have > a couple of each here. As far as I recall (using a serial BlackBox GPIB > controller) there was nothing to it. These boxes don't even have a uC, they > just use TTL logic. How hard can it be :-) ? > Perhaps the fact they don't have a micro makes them quite different to program from more modern test equipment which I am used to (and by modern I include things 20+ years old.) I'm not sure how to generate some of the TTL levels needed from a National Instruments GPIB board. I guess that things like: EOP=high, REN=high, MRE=low, can be set. No idea how though > I really do not recall any problem. The BlackBox controller does not use > ibxxx() commands, it has a few high level commands and I have found it to be > remarkably reliable. It works very well with all kind of older equipment (I > don't have much new stuff to check it with). > > The code is in VB and very structured (i.e. hard to make sense of a > snippet), so I just summarize the commands I used: > > 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456" > 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1" > I worked that out from the manual, but I think it needs some setting up, like put in remote mode. But I can't work it out. Certainly something like dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); ibwrt(dd,"A3",2); does not join contacts A and C to relay 3. > Any question? > Well if anyone knows how to program it from a National Instruments controller it would be useful. > Didier > > >> -Original Message- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby >> Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:39 AM >> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement >> Subject: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay >> actuator (orother old device)? >> >> I know this is a bit off-topic here, but has anyone here ever >> programmed an HP 59306A relay actuator >> >> http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&; >> nid=-536900193.536882169 >> >> which consists of 6 SPDT relays programmable via GPIB? >> >> Over the years I have programmed a number of sophisticated >> instruments including spectrum analysers, lock-in amplifiers, >> the 5370B time-interval counter, 8970A noise figure meters, >> bench multimeter etc. >> On the face of it, I would think a box with only 6 relays to >> be much simpler than any of these, but I am having a hard >> time with it. It may be it's age - the commands needed might >> be a bit different from anything I know. >> >> I'm trying to control it with a National Instruments GPIB >> board in a Sun workstation. (It's on a PCI bus and is the >> same card one would use in a PC. ). >> >> Page 3-4 of the HP 59306A's manual (page 25 in the PDF) ) >> >> http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/redirector.jspx?action=ref >> &cname=AGILENT_EDITORIAL&cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=824199&nid=-5369001 >> 93.536882169.07&pid=101496%3Aepsg%3Apro >> >> has an example program, but it's unlike any example I have ever seen. >> There's no ibdev, ibwrt or similar - its basically a list of >> the state (high or low) of the control lines and digital IO lines. >> >> Sequence #1 says >> EOP=high, REN=high, MRE=low, digital IO lines ascii '?' >> >> I assume this is basically >>dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); >>ibclr(dd); >> >> but I've no idea if this is so, since I'm not sure what lines >> ibclr() sets high/low.
Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
Didier Juges wrote: > David, > > Yes, I have programmed both types of relay boxes (59306A and 59307A). I have > a couple of each here. As far as I recall (using a serial BlackBox GPIB > controller) there was nothing to it. These boxes don't even have a uC, they > just use TTL logic. How hard can it be :-) ? > Perhaps the fact they don't have a micro makes them quite different to program from more modern test equipment which I am used to (and by modern I include things 20+ years old.) I'm not sure how to generate some of the TTL levels needed from a National Instruments GPIB board. I guess that things like: EOP=high, REN=high, MRE=low, can be set. No idea how though > I really do not recall any problem. The BlackBox controller does not use > ibxxx() commands, it has a few high level commands and I have found it to be > remarkably reliable. It works very well with all kind of older equipment (I > don't have much new stuff to check it with). > > The code is in VB and very structured (i.e. hard to make sense of a > snippet), so I just summarize the commands I used: > > 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456" > 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1" > I worked that out from the manual, but I think it needs some setting up, like put in remote mode. But I can't work it out. Certainly something like dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); ibwrt(dd,"A3",2); does not join contacts A and C to relay 3. > Any question? > Well if anyone knows how to program it from a National Instruments controller it would be useful. > Didier > > >> -Original Message- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby >> Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:39 AM >> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement >> Subject: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay >> actuator (orother old device)? >> >> I know this is a bit off-topic here, but has anyone here ever >> programmed an HP 59306A relay actuator >> >> http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&; >> nid=-536900193.536882169 >> >> which consists of 6 SPDT relays programmable via GPIB? >> >> Over the years I have programmed a number of sophisticated >> instruments including spectrum analysers, lock-in amplifiers, >> the 5370B time-interval counter, 8970A noise figure meters, >> bench multimeter etc. >> On the face of it, I would think a box with only 6 relays to >> be much simpler than any of these, but I am having a hard >> time with it. It may be it's age - the commands needed might >> be a bit different from anything I know. >> >> I'm trying to control it with a National Instruments GPIB >> board in a Sun workstation. (It's on a PCI bus and is the >> same card one would use in a PC. ). >> >> Page 3-4 of the HP 59306A's manual (page 25 in the PDF) ) >> >> http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/redirector.jspx?action=ref >> &cname=AGILENT_EDITORIAL&cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=824199&nid=-5369001 >> 93.536882169.07&pid=101496%3Aepsg%3Apro >> >> has an example program, but it's unlike any example I have ever seen. >> There's no ibdev, ibwrt or similar - its basically a list of >> the state (high or low) of the control lines and digital IO lines. >> >> Sequence #1 says >> EOP=high, REN=high, MRE=low, digital IO lines ascii '?' >> >> I assume this is basically >>dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); >>ibclr(dd); >> >> but I've no idea if this is so, since I'm not sure what lines >> ibclr() sets high/low. I guess I will have to set up some >> LEDs on the bus to see what is happening. >> >> I'm pretty sure the sequences 4 to 9 can be set with >> >> ibwrt(dd,"A",1); >> ibwrt(dd,"3",1); >> ibwrt(dd,"5",1); >> ibwrt(dd,"B",1); >> ibwrt(dd,"3",1); >> ibwrt(dd,"A",1); >> >> although it might be possible to use >> >> ibwrt(dd,"A35B35",6); >> >> (It's not clear to me if this can accept multiple commands at once). >> >> Anyone got any ideas of what NI commands can be used to >> executes sequences 1,2,3 and 10 in table 3-3? >> >> David Kirkby >> >> >> >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, >> go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nut
Re: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay actuator (orother old device)?
David, Yes, I have programmed both types of relay boxes (59306A and 59307A). I have a couple of each here. As far as I recall (using a serial BlackBox GPIB controller) there was nothing to it. These boxes don't even have a uC, they just use TTL logic. How hard can it be :-) ? I really do not recall any problem. The BlackBox controller does not use ibxxx() commands, it has a few high level commands and I have found it to be remarkably reliable. It works very well with all kind of older equipment (I don't have much new stuff to check it with). The code is in VB and very structured (i.e. hard to make sense of a snippet), so I just summarize the commands I used: 1) to turn all channels off, send "B123456" 2) to turn channel 1 on: send "A1" Any question? Didier > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr. David Kirkby > Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:39 AM > To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement > Subject: [time-nuts] OT: Anyone programmed HP 59306A relay > actuator (orother old device)? > > I know this is a bit off-topic here, but has anyone here ever > programmed an HP 59306A relay actuator > > http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/product.jspx?cc=US&lc=eng&; > nid=-536900193.536882169 > > which consists of 6 SPDT relays programmable via GPIB? > > Over the years I have programmed a number of sophisticated > instruments including spectrum analysers, lock-in amplifiers, > the 5370B time-interval counter, 8970A noise figure meters, > bench multimeter etc. > On the face of it, I would think a box with only 6 relays to > be much simpler than any of these, but I am having a hard > time with it. It may be it's age - the commands needed might > be a bit different from anything I know. > > I'm trying to control it with a National Instruments GPIB > board in a Sun workstation. (It's on a PCI bus and is the > same card one would use in a PC. ). > > Page 3-4 of the HP 59306A's manual (page 25 in the PDF) ) > > http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/redirector.jspx?action=ref > &cname=AGILENT_EDITORIAL&cc=US&lc=eng&ckey=824199&nid=-5369001 > 93.536882169.07&pid=101496%3Aepsg%3Apro > > has an example program, but it's unlike any example I have ever seen. > There's no ibdev, ibwrt or similar - its basically a list of > the state (high or low) of the control lines and digital IO lines. > > Sequence #1 says > EOP=high, REN=high, MRE=low, digital IO lines ascii '?' > > I assume this is basically >dd=ibdev(0, gpib_address, 0, T3s, 1, 0); >ibclr(dd); > > but I've no idea if this is so, since I'm not sure what lines > ibclr() sets high/low. I guess I will have to set up some > LEDs on the bus to see what is happening. > > I'm pretty sure the sequences 4 to 9 can be set with > > ibwrt(dd,"A",1); > ibwrt(dd,"3",1); > ibwrt(dd,"5",1); > ibwrt(dd,"B",1); > ibwrt(dd,"3",1); > ibwrt(dd,"A",1); > > although it might be possible to use > > ibwrt(dd,"A35B35",6); > > (It's not clear to me if this can accept multiple commands at once). > > Anyone got any ideas of what NI commands can be used to > executes sequences 1,2,3 and 10 in table 3-3? > > David Kirkby > > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, > go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.23.11/1422 - Release > Date: 5/8/2008 5:24 PM > > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.23.11/1422 - Release Date: 5/8/2008 5:24 PM ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
