Products > Test Equipment
HP8563E-Can attenuators be operated remotely using GPIB?
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djsb:
Is it possible to change the attenuator settings remotely using GPIB somehow? I would like to test if the attenuator on my HP8563E are working properly and would like to rule out any keypad involvement. Is there some kind of script or code that I can run. How would I do this, if it's even possible? Thanks.
Kean:
I don't have one, but a quick look at the programming section of the Users Guide lists an "AT" command for setting input attenuation from 0 to 70dB in decade steps.

See page 424 of 08560-90158 PDF available from Keysight or BAMA, etc
https://www.keysight.com/au/en/assets/9018-01028/user-manuals/9018-01028.pdf
https://bama.edebris.com/download/hp/8560/8560-E-EC-Series-SA-Users-and-Programmers-Guide-08560-90158.pdf

The doc shows example code for old HP BASIC, but you'll need a more modern GPIB control software that isn't SCPI specific.  Maybe the KE5FX GPIB tool.
djsb:
What would be the recommended hardware and software interface be for a Windows 10 PC with only USB available? I just ant to start out with identifying the instrument (serial number,model number, options etc) before trying more advanced commands. Thanks.
Kean:
I think a Prologix GPIB-USB or GPIB-ETHERNET.  It will depend on the software you are using.
Have a look at http://www.ke5fx.com/gpib/readme.htm

I haven't played with the KE5FX software.  I mostly my own code for SCPI over RS232 or LAN, or sometimes the AR488 USB to GPIB adapters.
The AR488 might be a cheaper option, but might require a steeper learning curve.  There are quite a few posts on here about Prologix and AR488.
djsb:
I think I'll be building one of these adapters

https://github.com/dazz100/UsbGpib

I've read all the way through this topic.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/open-source-gpib-adapter/

The hardware should be straight forward. It will be the first time I've programmed an Atmel chip, and soldering 0603 components and the MCU will be a challenge. Hopefully, PyVisa (if that's what it's called) should be easy to use once I've learnt how to install and run it from a command prompt.
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