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The Siglent SDG1000 and SDG800 thread

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SouthPark:

--- Quote from: tautech on November 18, 2016, 07:49:11 pm ---I too wondered why SP needs GPIB and he didn't get one of the new X series models with their additional LAN connectivity, bigger displays and increased and improved functionality, but all this comes at additional cost that some can't justify. Maybe that ?  :-//

--- End quote ---

hahaha! Seriously, (genuinely), I think it's a case about me being a little behind the times!!! But it's really tremendous that you and MacBeth are showing how to control these instruments with the USB capabilities. I'm starting to understand that there are more up-to-date options now.

I did purchase an HP 82357B adapter (for about AU$100), which I was assuming that I would need to plug the USB end into the SDG-1025 and the GPIB-end of the adapter to a GPIB-card (at the computer side). But now, it appears that I could just use a USB cable to connect the SDG-1025 directly to a PC (computer), and then use Labview to control the SDG-1025.

Oh well. But maybe all is not lost. I have a HP 53181A frequency counter. Maybe I can plug the GPIB-end of the HP 82357B adapter into this frequency counter, and then plug the USB end of the adapter to a PC, which would let me control the GPIB frequency counter without any need for a GPIB card?

Thanks you guys!

nctnico:

--- Quote from: SouthPark on November 18, 2016, 07:58:48 pm ---Thanks for contributing Macbeth! If I have a bunch of GPIB devices, is it possible to use this USB-TMC method to link them all in? For example, use a single GPIB-USB adapter and plug the GPIB connector end into a GPIB function generator, and daisy-chain that GPIB bus to other GPIB instruments, and the USB connector (of the GPIB-USB adapter) connects to a computer/PC. And the computer will be able to see all the devices and control them all, right?

And if we have a bunch of instruments having USB-TMC capability, then we just need a USB hub to connect them all together, right?

--- End quote ---
Yes. Things have become much easier with instruments with USB-TMC or even a LAN interface. No more need for expensive GPIB interfaces and cables. Also it shouldn't be hard to interface either with or without the VISA layer because after all the communication is just ASCII text and (escaped) binary.

Macbeth:
Yes. A good USB-GPIB adapter like an Agilent 82357B will allow your PC to control many GPIB instruments in a daisy chain using its USB to the PC rather than the old ISA or PCI bus cards. It will not work in reverse to allow a Siglent SDG1025 USB to GPIB - you will need the specific Siglent device for that.

You can also just use a straight USB lead for modern devices. These can not be daisy chained but will just need a USB hub instead if your PC doesn't already have enough USB ports.

Older instruments with just a GPIB and an RS232 interface (like my Keithley 2000) can be connected to a USB hub using a super cheap Serial-USB lead.

Then there are LAN or LXI devices which can just be plugged into your network router/switch.

On your PC you should have a VISA driver like NI-VISA or Keysight I/O on Windows, or use Python pyVISA instead (good for Linux).

Now there are some instruments out there that do need GPIB (or HPIB) to communicate amongst themselves, but that is pretty much proprietary like Hewlett Packard from the 1980's. There is no way Siglent have that stuff in their GPIB implementation.

tautech:

--- Quote from: SouthPark on November 18, 2016, 08:09:26 pm ---
I did purchase an HP 82357B adapter (for about AU$100), which I was assuming that I would need to plug the USB end into the SDG-1025 and the GPIB-end of the adapter to a GPIB-card (at the computer side). But now, it appears that I could just use a USB cable to connect the SDG-1025 directly to a PC (computer), and then use Labview to control the SDG-1025.


--- End quote ---
Correct.
There's 2 common methods used for remote control.
Siglent's EasyWave that not all like, but with it you also need NIVISA for the USB drivers contained within.
http://www.siglentamerica.com/gjjrj-xq.aspx?id=2596&tid=14

LabVIEW and the specific drivers for all the Siglent products are here:
http://www.siglentamerica.com/gjjrj.aspx?id=204

The Programming manual with the command set should be on the shipped CD.

Siglent America:
Some people might be interested in knowing -

There is a brand new FW update for the Siglent SDG1000 generators that removes the requirement of having to select a language at boot-up. (This is for models such as the SDG1025, SDG1050. This FW is not for the newer SDG1000X series of generators).

It can be found here:
http://siglentamerica.com/gjjrj-xq.aspx?id=4997&tid=15

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