Connecting Agilent 8164b over rs232

[JBJBJBJBJB]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to connect a agilent 8164b over Serial. If i try *idn? over NI MAX i get a timeout error.

I matched settings and baudrate of the computer and the device and I am using a null modem cable.

One strange thing I recognized is if i want to change the baudrate of the Instrument, the instrument gets a bsod saying system Panic 1.

Until now i dont have installed the Agilent IO Library Suite; is this driver necessary?

Im a newby, so I hope this question is not to stupid 😉

Has anyone an idea what the problem is?

Sincerely,

JB

[Albert.Geven]

Hi

It is never stupid to ask.

The Agilent IO Library Suite is not needed.

You can use the baudrate of the machine instead of changing it.

You have to select the serial port for communicating....

Check the requirements of the modemcable, straight can be an option, check the manual.

And check the manual for the IDN? command does it exist for this machine!

[cstorey · Accepted solution]

I don't think the serial port on the 8164B is for instrument to PC communications, I think its for the 8164B to control other devices.  I could be wrong, but the lab across the hall uses exclusively GPIB and LAN for control and I see slave instruments attached to serial...but I didn't read the manual.  https://www.keysight.com/en/pd-74026-pn-8164B/lightwave-measurement-system?nid=-536900351.536883086&...

Craig

[JBJBJBJBJB]

Thanks a lot. The Manual states: "For serial communication use the null modem cable provided with your instrument (Keysight P/No. 5180-2477). This is primarily used for the firmware upgrade process" and the Programming Guide tells only about GPIB and LAN. So I think you are right.

So I will try a Lan-connection.

JB