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=1000001496%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 -- [email protected] 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 -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > > _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
