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To capture the screen Of Spectrum analyzer

Question asked by pals679 on Aug 11, 2010
Latest reply on Oct 13, 2015 by gaogaigar

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Hello All,
I am using Agilent's Spectrum analyzer E4402B and i want to capture Screen(Screen Shot of the instrument's screen) and saved on My PC in excel file. I have downloaded required drivers from National Instruments. I want to program in labview using different vi. So if anyone know how to start i will be glad. i know how to put in excel but to capture screen Which Vi's should be used is my problem.

My second problem is i need to program in lavbview using these drivers only to set the spectrum analyzer from my PC for eg start frq, center freq. In short i want to control spectrum from my PC using labview.
I will be very thankful if anyone guides me in these two aspects...

Thanks a lot in advance...
Pals

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jvall May 11, 2016 12:34 AM
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For faster response, and for future information, please post Spectrum/Signal Analyzer questions in the Signal Analyzer forum.
Signal Analyzers
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odanzy Aug 11, 2010 2:41 PM
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Try the attached program. It was written for the PSA, but might work with the ESA. I know that was asked on the SA programming forum before so you might search.
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- PSA Screen Capture via GPIB using LabView v8.zip49.2 KB
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pals679 Aug 12, 2010 9:38 AM
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Thanks a lot....
and any idea how control Spectrum From PC? I have to set span, Centre freq, Resolution BW from my pc.
Thanks a lot...
Pals
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scottrf Aug 12, 2010 10:17 AM
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Here's my LabVIEW vi to set freq,RBW and span. Works for 8560,8566,8590,8593,E4411 and some Anritsu SA. I'd guess the E4411 pick would work, but the vi just constructs the proper GPIB commands for the instrument. If the E4411 pick doesn't work, look up the GPIB commands in the manual and substitute the correct syntax. The way the vi works, if you don't specify a setting (RBW,freq,span) it won't change the value for that parameter.

http://www.scottrf.com/stuff/sa_freq.llb

and my vi to read trace data

http://www.scottrf.com/stuff/sa_ReadTrace.llb
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pals679 Aug 14, 2010 4:13 AM
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@scottrf
Thanks a lot.... if i have set min hold and max hold i have to do similar programming and for amp also????
Thanks a lot.......
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pals679 Aug 14, 2010 4:17 AM
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One more question??? are there any VI's to set all this things... As when i have used R&S spectrum and their driver Rsspecan has provided certain attributes (VI's)so we can set all these functions...
Thanks a lot....
Pals
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odanzy Aug 14, 2010 5:52 PM
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On the Agilent website, there are both a VXI-Plug and Play driver and a IVI driver that can be used in LabView. This would create VI's for you to work with and depending on your functionality, not need to use the direct SCPI commands.

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/tec ... c=eng&sm=g
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scottrf Aug 14, 2010 8:23 PM
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For any instrument I rarely rely on labview "drivers" supplied by a manufacturer. LabVIEW is simply a high level programing language (which I like and use quite a bit). When I get a new instrument I look at the programing manual to see the available GPIB commands and construct whatever functions I want in LabVIEW. I've never wanted to programatically change min and max hold, but I'd just look up the appropriate commands in the manual and make those functions if I wanted them. For spectrum analyzers I've only programatically set freq, rbw, span, read traces, computed acp and read marker values. I might look at someone else's vis to get a head start, but I just write my own because I usually only want to do simple things and I know how I want my functions to work (which is usually not how others have done it).

It's not hard. Look up the command syntax in the manual. Use the "Format Into String" function to construct the command (work's just like C), and send it out using the "GPIB Write" function.
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pals679 Sep 11, 2010 5:31 AM
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Hi,
I have tried to set center freq, span, BBW, Video BW, Sweet Time.... So is this method is correct???
I have attached the program.
Thanks so much...
Pals
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- Setting_Specrtum.rar13.5 KB
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scottrf Sep 13, 2010 6:26 AM
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I can't help with this since the I don't have LabVIEW8.5. I have 7.1
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pals679 Sep 17, 2010 6:44 AM
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@ scottrf,
I have taken screen shot so i guess u can comment on it... As i am not getting the requried results... Means when i run the program the spectrum dont get set...
Thanks so much...
Pals
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- screen-shot.jpg29.7 KB
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Dr_joel Sep 18, 2010 11:02 AM
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If only you had used Agilent VEE; I'm sure this is some fundamental limitation with Labview....
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odanzy Sep 18, 2010 10:19 PM
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Have you tried sending the commands one at a time from a VISA communication window from either NI MAX or Agilent Connection Expert? That would be my first step in debugging as it could be a process or timing issue. You may also try triggering a sweep if the analyzer is in hold mode. Some analyzers don't update the display until a fresh sweep is started.
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scottrf Sep 21, 2010 6:54 AM
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My suggestion is also to try commands one at a time. I've not used VISA since all my instruments are GPIB and it seems an unnecessary complication. I just use the basic GPIB Write and Read functions. I have found some instruments where I had to do a "GPIB Initialization" before I could communicate. I see that you do not have units specified in your command strings. Try sending ":FREQ:CENT 100000000 Hz" (put an Hz in your frequency commands). If you send any command to an instrument, even an invalid one, you will see the GPIB status lights (like listen or RMT) light up. If not, you have something wrong like a bad connection, driver or wrong address.

Years ago I was when I was choosing between VEE and LabVIEW the HP people were kind enough to come to my work and spend several days struggling to get VEE running on my HP-UX workstation (which they eventually did). After a week of comparing the two, I went with LabVIEW. I don't spend any time debating the merit of one versus the other since there really isn't any debate.

Scott O
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- GPIB.ZIP40.0 KB
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pals679 Sep 21, 2010 7:08 AM
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@All,
Thanks a lot to all.... Will keep in mind all the instruction you have given to me....
Thanks a lot...
Pals
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pals679 Oct 4, 2010 4:26 AM
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@All,
As i tried the program suggested by you all for screen capturing. But i am getting error that time outs before the operation is completed. Initially it was same as it was given 10000 but i tried changing it..... But still its giving error. So if anyone can help me in this.

About the setting the spectrum, now i am not getting the problem, I have fixed the problem.

Thanks in advance.

Pals
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odanzy Oct 4, 2010 11:37 AM
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Are you receiving any errors on the analyzer in the error queue? There might be a subtle difference in command or capitalization in commands. I only tested it on a PSA and not the ESA that you have.
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pals679 Oct 5, 2010 12:46 AM
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Hi ondanzy,

I am getting this error at every read block of the "Read binary data". I have gone through some manuals and websites, so everywhere its written same program can be used by ESA. I tried to increase the timeout but still i am getting error that time expired.So if you can check the program and guide me. I am attaching it.
Thanks so much.
Pals
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- VISA Read Binary Block Data to File.jpg47.5 KB
- PSA Screen Capture via GPIB.jpg38.6 KB
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pals679 Oct 5, 2010 2:36 AM
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Hello Ondanzy,
Here is the document which say the same thing... You can look to attached file...
Thanks so much...
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- ESA_PSA_prog_guide_ex_E4401-90482.pdf72.5 KB
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pals679 Oct 6, 2010 1:55 AM
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Hi All,
Got the screen-shot of the instrument... Problem was i was using MMEM:DEL function as stated in manual. But it should not be used.... Only a small problem i am facing that after running the program my Instrument i.e Spectrum get freezes i cant do any changes not manually also.... So anyone have any idea about it???
Lastly Thanks so much so much....
Pals
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- gaogaigar @ pals679 on Oct 13, 2015 8:23 AM
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  After storing the image then how do you move the image to the PC?
  Thanks
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scottrf Oct 6, 2010 7:30 AM
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I dont' know if this is your problem, but after programming remotely using GPIB almost any instrument changes state so that the panel controls are locked out. There should be a "LOCAL" button on the instrument to return it to local control.
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To capture the screen Of Spectrum analyzer

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