[volt-nuts] GPIB Issue with 3458A

Sat Dec 30 23:58:22 EST 2017

Randy,

Short of swapping out the A5 digital board I have no other ideas. If you
don't have a NI or Agilent adapter, I am sure I can find a spare for you to
test.

There is a Service Note 3458A-13A that deals with GPIB communication
failures. There is a test within the document to see if a shorting jumper
needs to be installed.
I can try reducing the code to something minimal for a quick test if you
want. It will take some time in the morning.

Todd

On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 11:18 PM, Randy Evans <randyevans2688 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Todd,
>
> Same as before.  Still not working.  All it does is print out "HP3458A" on
> the output console and then just sits there.
>
> Randy
>
> On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 7:43 PM, Todd Micallef <tmicallef at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Randy,
> >
> > I just remembered that I changed the duration from 30 minutes to 2
> minutes
> > to speed up the test. I forgot to change it back.
> >
> > Todd
> >
> > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 10:27 PM, Todd Micallef <tmicallef at gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Randy,
> > >
> > > I just sent it. I haven't modified Martin's code yet. That can be done
> > > once you confirm it works for you.
> > >
> > > Todd
> > >
> > > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 10:12 PM, randyevans2688 <
> > randyevans2688 at gmail.com
> > > > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Todd,
> > >> If you don't mind,  just send the code directly to me.
> > >> Randy
> > >>
> > >> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> > >> -------- Original message --------From: Todd Micallef <
> > >> tmicallef at gmail.com> Date: 12/30/17  6:40 PM  (GMT-08:00) To:
> > Discussion
> > >> of precise voltage measurement <volt-nuts at febo.com> Subject: Re:
> > >> [volt-nuts] GPIB Issue with 3458A
> > >> Randy,
> > >>
> > >> I have not written anything else for the 3458A using EzGPIB.  If you
> > have
> > >> a
> > >> National Instruments or Agilent adapters, I have a handful of Python
> > code
> > >> I
> > >> use to measure some of my standards.
> > >>
> > >> If you are reading the temperature from the HP meter, I would think
> that
> > >> the problem lies in how the triggering is configured. The triggering
> has
> > >> been changed in this script so it may work for you. There was an
> > >> additional
> > >> command added for disabling the buffer.
> > >> The code can be posted here, if possible or I can email it to you for
> > >> testing.
> > >>
> > >> Todd
> > >>
> > >> On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 9:26 PM, randyevans2688 <
> > randyevans2688 at gmail.com
> > >> >
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > Todd, thanks for the help.  Where will you post the new code?
> > >> > BTW, do you have any very simple code that is likely to work.  I am
> > >> > interested in seeing if anything other than KE5FX's memory dump
> > program
> > >> > will work on my HP3458A.
> > >> > Thanks again,
> > >> > Randy
> > >> >
> > >> > Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> > >> > -------- Original message --------From: Todd Micallef <
> > >> tmicallef at gmail.com>
> > >> > Date: 12/30/17  6:13 PM  (GMT-08:00) To: Discussion of precise
> voltage
> > >> > measurement <volt-nuts at febo.com> Subject: Re: [volt-nuts] GPIB
> Issue
> > >> with
> > >> > 3458A
> > >> > Randy,
> > >> >
> > >> > I found the Prologix adapters and have modified the code in the
> > original
> > >> > script. I am doing a test run now and will post the script when I am
> > >> > certain I didn't make it worse.
> > >> >
> > >> > Todd
> > >> >
> > >> > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 7:15 PM, Randy Evans <
> > randyevans2688 at gmail.com>
> > >> > wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > > Todd,
> > >> > >
> > >> > > I have swapped cables, moved the Prologix adapter to both meters
> > >> (Agilent
> > >> > > works, HP doesn't), tried Martins code as well as Xdevs's.  I have
> > not
> > >> > > tried another PC yet, maybe the next step.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Here is the code that Martin modified for two meters, as well as
> the
> > >> > > modified Xdev's code per your directions (V1.02).
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Thanks,
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Randy
> > >> > >
> > >> > > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 3:55 PM, Todd Micallef <
> tmicallef at gmail.com
> > >
> > >> > > wrote:
> > >> > >
> > >> > > > Randy,
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > I will continue to look for my adapter. I haven't used it for
> > quite
> > >> a
> > >> > > > while.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > I have seen similar issues and swapped cables, moved the adapter
> > to
> > >> the
> > >> > > > other meter, etc... One of my cables was bad from one side of
> the
> > >> > > connector
> > >> > > > to the other (on the same end of the cable) and caused me lots
> of
> > >> > wasted
> > >> > > > time. Weird reading errors were happening.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > Would you email me Martin's code so I can test it here and I
> will
> > >> see
> > >> > if
> > >> > > > anything can be done to replicate your issue.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > Todd
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 6:42 PM, Randy Evans <
> > >> randyevans2688 at gmail.com
> > >> > >
> > >> > > > wrote:
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > Todd,
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > I tried adding the line but it made no difference.
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > Randy
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 12:19 PM, Randy Evans <
> > >> > > randyevans2688 at gmail.com>
> > >> > > > > wrote:
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > > Todd,
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > Does it matter where I put the line in the Init_Device
> > >> procedure?
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > procedure Init_Device;
> > >> > > > > > begin;
> > >> > > > > >    EZGPIB_BusWriteData(gpib_address,GET_ID);            //
> > Get
> > >> ID
> > >> > of
> > >> > > > > meter
> > >> > > > > >    if EZGPIB_BusWaitForData(gpib_address,meter_id,Timeout)
> > then
> > >> > > > > > EZGPIB_ScreenWriteLn(meter_id);
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >    EZGPIB_BusWriteData(gpib_address,TRIGGER_SOURCE);    //
> > Hold
> > >> > > > trigger
> > >> > > > > > until meter can be setup
> > >> > > > > >    EZGPIB_BusWriteData(gpib_address,'INBUF ON');
> > >> > > > > >    EZGPIB_BusWriteData(gpib_address,AUTO_ZERO);
> > >> > > > > >    EZGPIB_BusWriteData(gpib_address,OUTPUT_FORMAT);
> > >> > > > > > end;
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > Randy
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 11:20 AM, Todd Micallef <
> > >> > tmicallef at gmail.com
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > > wrote:
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> Randy,
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> I am the person that wrote that EzGPIB script. It was my
> > first
> > >> > > before
> > >> > > > I
> > >> > > > > >> moved on to Python and I have only written a couple for the
> > >> > > different
> > >> > > > > >> meters I have on hand. Version 1.01 is the most current
> > >> version I
> > >> > > have
> > >> > > > > for
> > >> > > > > >> the 3458A.
> > >> > > > > >> I see that I should have added at least one more command to
> > the
> > >> > > meter
> > >> > > > > >> initialization.  The additional init command is used in the
> > >> > scripts
> > >> > > on
> > >> > > > > >> xDevs.
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> Add the following line in the Init_Device procedure
> > >> > > > > >>    EZGPIB_BusWriteData(gpib_address,'END ALWAYS');
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> This tells the meter to send an EOI on every read.
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> I am looking for one of my Prologix adapters or I would
> test
> > >> this.
> > >> > > > When
> > >> > > > > I
> > >> > > > > >> find it, I will also test it. I want to make sure there are
> > no
> > >> > > further
> > >> > > > > >> issues.
> > >> > > > > >> Also, do both meters run the same firmware versions? I
> wonder
> > >> if
> > >> > the
> > >> > > > HP
> > >> > > > > >> meter is using a much older version.
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> Todd
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 10:42 AM, Randy Evans <
> > >> > > > randyevans2688 at gmail.com
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> wrote:
> > >> > > > > >>
> > >> > > > > >> > Todd,
> > >> > > > > >> >
> > >> > > > > >> > I have version 1.01. Yes, please e-mail me your modified
> > >> > version.
> > >> > > > > >> Maybe it
> > >> > > > > >> > will help.
> > >> > > > > >> >
> > >> > > > > >> > Thanks,
> > >> > > > > >> >
> > >> > > > > >> > Randy
> > >> > > > > >> >
> > >> > > > > >> > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 4:24 AM, Todd Micallef <
> > >> > > tmicallef at gmail.com
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > wrote:
> > >> > > > > >> >
> > >> > > > > >> > > Randy,
> > >> > > > > >> > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > Is there a version number at the top of the file? I had
> > two
> > >> > > > versions
> > >> > > > > >> > (1.00
> > >> > > > > >> > > and 1.01). I can't remember all that changed between
> the
> > >> two
> > >> > > since
> > >> > > > > it
> > >> > > > > >> has
> > >> > > > > >> > > been a while but I did find an additional timeout code
> > that
> > >> > > > limited
> > >> > > > > >> the
> > >> > > > > >> > > wait time for reading data to 1 minute. I am guessing I
> > >> had a
> > >> > > > > problem
> > >> > > > > >> > with
> > >> > > > > >> > > mine and added it.
> > >> > > > > >> > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > I can email it to you if you want to try it. If it
> works
> > >> for
> > >> > > you,
> > >> > > > I
> > >> > > > > >> will
> > >> > > > > >> > > have Illya update it on xDevs.
> > >> > > > > >> > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > Todd
> > >> > > > > >> > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > On Sat, Dec 30, 2017 at 12:39 AM, Randy Evans <
> > >> > > > > >> randyevans2688 at gmail.com>
> > >> > > > > >> > > wrote:
> > >> > > > > >> > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > I am still unable to get my HP-3458A to work with the
> > >> xdevs
> > >> > > > > program
> > >> > > > > >> > > > "HP3458A_Measure_DMM_Noise.488" (
> > >> > > https://xdevs.com/article/dmm
> > >> > > > > >> _noise/
> > >> > > > > >> > ).
> > >> > > > > >> > > > It
> > >> > > > > >> > > > works fine with my Agilent 3458A and with a friend's
> > >> > HP-3458A
> > >> > > > and
> > >> > > > > >> his
> > >> > > > > >> > > > Agilent 3458A using the EZGPIB program.  The SW
> > versions
> > >> are
> > >> > > > > >> identical
> > >> > > > > >> > > with
> > >> > > > > >> > > > my friend's DMMs, the HP units are (8.2) and with the
> > >> > Agilent
> > >> > > > > units
> > >> > > > > >> are
> > >> > > > > >> > > > (9.2).  However, both of my units work fine with the
> > >> KE5FX
> > >> > > GPIB
> > >> > > > > >> Toolkit
> > >> > > > > >> > > > HP3458.EXE program to download the NVRAM CAL data.
> > This
> > >> > would
> > >> > > > > seem
> > >> > > > > >> to
> > >> > > > > >> > > > indicate that my HP-3458 GPIB works at least
> partially.
> > >> > > > > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > Does anyone have a EZGPIB program that I could try to
> > run
> > >> > > (that
> > >> > > > is
> > >> > > > > >> > > > different from the Xdev program)?  It would be nice
> to
> > >> see
> > >> > if
> > >> > > I
> > >> > > > > >> could
> > >> > > > > >> > get
> > >> > > > > >> > > > something to work other than the HP3458.EXE program.
> > Or
> > >> if
> > >> > > any
> > >> > > > > one
> > >> > > > > >> has
> > >> > > > > >> > > > some ideas on what to look for.
> > >> > > > > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > Thanks,
> > >> > > > > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > Randy Evans
> > >> > > > > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > On Tue, Dec 26, 2017 at 7:24 PM, Randy Evans <
> > >> > > > > >> randyevans2688 at gmail.com
> > >> > > > > >> > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > wrote:
> > >> > > > > >> > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > I am hoping some of you experts might be able to
> > assist
> > >> > > with a
> > >> > > > > >> > strange
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > problem i am having trying to make automated
> > >> measurements
> > >> > > > using
> > >> > > > > >> > EZGPIB
> > >> > > > > >> > > > with
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > an Agilent and an HP 3458A.  I have a program given
> > to
> > >> me
> > >> > by
> > >> > > > > >> Martin
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > Reynolds, which is a variant on the Xdevs noise
> > >> > measurement
> > >> > > > > >> program.
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > Martin's program continuously reads the voltage
> > >> > measurements
> > >> > > > > >> > > sequentially
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > from the two meters and then stores then in a
> > >> measurements
> > >> > > > file,
> > >> > > > > >> > along
> > >> > > > > >> > > > with
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > the temperature measurements from both meters.  The
> > >> > program
> > >> > > > > works
> > >> > > > > >> > fine
> > >> > > > > >> > > on
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > his Agilent and HP 3458As.
> > >> > > > > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > On my two 3458As, it takes the temperature
> > measurements
> > >> > just
> > >> > > > > fine
> > >> > > > > >> but
> > >> > > > > >> > > > only
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > takes a voltage measurement from the Agilent unit.
> > >> The HP
> > >> > > > unit
> > >> > > > > >> will
> > >> > > > > >> > > not
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > make any voltage measurements although I can see
> both
> > >> the
> > >> > > > 3458As
> > >> > > > > >> in
> > >> > > > > >> > > talk
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > states and, of course, it does sent the temperature
> > >> > > > > measurements.
> > >> > > > > >> > > > However,
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > if I turn the HP unit off and then on again, the HP
> > >> will
> > >> > > start
> > >> > > > > to
> > >> > > > > >> > take
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > voltage and temperature measurements and send them
> to
> > >> the
> > >> > > PC.
> > >> > > > > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > Any ideas on what might be causing the strange
> > >> behavior?
> > >> > > > > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > Thanks,
> > >> > > > > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > > Randy Evans
> > >> > > > > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > >> > > > _______________________________________________
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