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Talk to DSO3152A using RS-232 and C

Question asked by haglis on Aug 14, 2009
Latest reply on Aug 31, 2009 by dnt

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Hi,

We have just got and installed a N2861A communications module for our DSO3152A scope.

I am writing some applications for this in C# and just have a couple of questions that I am hoping you guys can answer.

I have used the Agilent Interactive IO utility which obviously accesses the scope easily thru the RS-232 port.

I want to be able to communicate in the same way using C# in my application. I am not trying to do anything complicated, just establish as session, isssure a few commands and queries and store the data.

Do I have to use Visa in order to access the port or can I access it as any normal RS-232 port ? I cannot accesss it using Procomm PLus etc.

I would prefer not to have to go and learn all about Visa if possible as I am short on time, as everyone usually is.

Does anyone have any sample coding for access to RS-232 in C# ?

Any help or advice you can give would be much appreciated.

Thanks, George.

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dnt Aug 20, 2009 11:14 AM
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Sorry I don't have a C# example but use the VISA-COM object in your program. After instantiating the object on the RS232
port you use the standard file commands to control the DSO3152, fopen(),fclose(),fwrite() and fread().
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haglis Aug 21, 2009 7:00 AM
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Hi,

Thanks for that info.

Do you have a copy of the discontinued software T&M Toolkit 2.1 ?

Regards, George.
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odanzy Aug 21, 2009 7:29 AM
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I would recommend using the COM Interop of the VISA-COM libraries for communication. It works quite well. Below is the link to a app note that discusses how to do this.

Using the VISA COM I/O API in .NET:
http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb ... 6338EN.pdf
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haglis Aug 27, 2009 3:50 AM
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Hi,

Thanks for the info.

Due to my lack of recent programming knowledge and interfacing with remote devices, I was hoping someone could maybe show me some example code in C# of how to open an RS-232 port using VISA nad issue a simple command and then close the port.

I am finding it very difficult to find what information I need to supply for this and which VISA resources to use.

I would be very surprized if nobody has tried to do this simple thing before as I would have thought automation would be a useful thing.

Also, what language is the Agilent Connection Expert software written in ? The Interactive IO application does exactly what I am wanting to do, can I get an example of that software at least ?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Regards, George.
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odanzy Aug 28, 2009 3:43 AM
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Typically, the biggest change is changing the VISA address from one that is GPIB to a serial (ASRL) one. This is the address that is shown in the connection expert for the device.

I can't say that I've done anything with serial recently, since most PC's now do not natively have a serial port. Have you considered switching to a direct USB connection scheme instead of serial? I believe that scope has a device side USB connection that you can connect directly to the PC and will work with with the standard SCPI commands, but using the address that is found for the scope in Agilent Connection Manager.
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haglis Aug 28, 2009 8:57 AM
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Hi,

I got some information from a support engineer earlier this morning about exactly what I need to change and have been able to connect to the scope. however the error checking does not seem correct, so I am waiting for a reply about that from him.

Also, as I suspected too, the change was very small and simple, but if you dont have the appropriate information, it may as well have been in Latin.

As far as using the USB port on this unit, that is a very sore point. I tried for several weeks to get the info required on the USB port and how to interact with it as it is supposed to only be used for firmware upgrades. although Agilents own DSO3000 software uses this port too.

I was told that the factory no longer supports this and that they would not divulge any information about this anyway. Several other people have tried to reverse engineer things but gave up in the end, as I did, and eventually purchased the "friendlier" RS-232 communications module for this device, and I have been struggling to get useful information on this device ever since, as you can see from this thread.
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haglis Aug 29, 2009 7:41 AM
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Here is the latest help I have recieved from Agilent Technical Support -

Subject: EU1138786 DSO3152A VISA commands. He wants to know what parameters need to go into the scope

Hi George,

Thank you for your query. I believe DSO3152A is sold through our distributors so please get in touch with them if that is the case. If you want more information on VISA, I believe the latest VISA user’s guide maybe of use:

http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_ ... _guide.pdf

The current version of Agilent IO Libraries Suite is 15.1 but 15.5 will be released 1st September.

Best regards,
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dnt Aug 31, 2009 12:58 PM
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Unfortunately, Agilent does not own the DSO3000 software or the driver that communicates with the DSO3000.
I do not have any C# examples using VISA-COM but if you can find one, it should be easy to leverage it to communicate
over RS232. Someone did reverse engineer the DSO3000 USB communication scheme and I am appending that document.
Totally unsupported so No questions about it will be answered.
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- SKMBT_60008050815030LinuxUsbDriverDetails.pdf583.5 KB
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Talk to DSO3152A using RS-232 and C

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