Hello,
i have one GPIB-instrument and two PCs with each a USB2GPIB-Converter.
I tried to connect two GPIB-wires to the instrument and at the end the two Converters, but this is not working because only one Master is allowed.
If you connect two Masters the none of them is working.
But which other ways (are there except to buy a second instrument)?
Is there any software-solution for this?
Thanks for all ideas
i have one GPIB-instrument and two PCs with each a USB2GPIB-Converter.
I tried to connect two GPIB-wires to the instrument and at the end the two Converters, but this is not working because only one Master is allowed.
If you connect two Masters the none of them is working.
But which other ways (are there except to buy a second instrument)?
Is there any software-solution for this?
Thanks for all ideas
1. On one GPIB bus there can be only one System controller. Typically this is the GPIB interface in the PC so the second PC's GPIB must be set to non-system controller (in Connection Expert if using Agilent I/O Libraries). The System controller will wake up as the Active controller of the bus (controlling all devices on the bus). The Active controller can then Pass Control (using the Interface Operation object in VEE) to another controller capable device on the bus (i.e the second PC's GPIB interface). You must also make sure both PC's GPIB interfaces (and all other devices of course) are set to unique adresses (usually 21 or 0 by default for PC GPIB interfaces).
However, Agilents USB/GPIB interface 82357A/B cannot be set to non-system controller... :?
2. Connect the instrument to PC#1 GPIB interface and enable the Remote IO server in Connection Expert. If PC#2 is connected to PC#1 via LAN it can now use the GPIB interface on PC#1 (setup a remote GPIB interface on Connection Expert on PC#2). Of course PC#1 must be on and the server running in order for PC#2 to access the instrument.
3. The best option, I think, would be to use a LAN/GPIB gateway (Agilent E5810) and connect the instrument to its GPIB interface. Then connect PC#1, PC#2 and E5810 to a LAN network and setup a remote GPIB interface on PC#1 and PC#2. In this case the PCs are independent of each other.
To avoid conflicts between PC#1 and #2 trying to access the instrument at the same time, you can use the Interface Operation object in VEE to LOCK and UNLOCK the interface as needed.