Is this the right DAQ board to buy?

[Jimykid86]

Hello Howard and anybody reading this message,

Do I have to buy all those components Howard listed?  They add up to more than my grant can afford.  Anyway, the IRCN pyrometer that my lab owned is an Ultimax UX-20 that has an RS232C digital output.  I guess that the pyrometer can be connected to the computer with a USB-232 adaptor.  However, I am so sure why I need all the components Howard listed just for the power supply.  I don't want to spend a lot of money if it is not necessary, but I don't want to buy the some components and not know what it is for either.  Please help me get over this step.  Thank you so much already.

Jimmy

[Jimykid86]

Hello again,

Please tell me if this setting sounds all right.  To connect the SM7020 power supply, I decide to use the PSC-232 from delta electronika and then a RS232 to USB adaptor.  From what I understand, the power supply doesn't provide the RS232 communication but the controller does.  Since the UX-20 pyrometer already can communicate through the RS232, I just need to connect it to the computer with the microphone plug to DB-9 cable and then the DB-9 to USB adapter. 

After installing the driver softwares (I need the driver software for the pyrometer and the power supply right?), I can "talk" to the apparatus with LabVIEW.

Does this sound good?

Thanks,
Jimmy

[Ray.R]

Jimykid86 wrote:
To connect the SM7020 power supply, I decide to use the PSC-232 from delta electronika and then a RS232 to USB adaptor. 

Why do you want to use a USB adapter?  Does your PC have a serial port (DB-9)?

Since the UX-20 pyrometer already can communicate through the RS232, I just need to connect it to the computer with the microphone plug to DB-9 cable and then the DB-9 to USB adapter. 

Say WHAT???  What do you mean using a microphone plug?  A microphone plus has either 2 or 3 wires and is not suitable for serial communication.  And again, why convert the RS-232 to USB?  If you have an available serial port, I suggest using it.

After installing the driver softwares (I need the driver software for the pyrometer and the power supply right?), I can "talk" to the apparatus with LabVIEW.

Typically yes..  However, I suggest you try communicating to it manually using something like HyperTerminal.

[Jimykid86]

All right, so it works?  Thank you guys.

Jim

[smercurio_fc]

You may wish to re-read the last post. I also don't get what you're talking about with the microphone plug.

My mention of the USB<->Serial converter box was there with the understanding that its intention is that it should be used if (a) your computer has no serial ports, or (b) your computer doesn't have enough serial ports. So far you have no indicated which, if any, is the case.

[Ray.R]

Hi Jim,

Glad to read that it is now working.

Can you share what you did to get it working?  I'm simply curious.

Thanks,

RayR

Message Edited by JoeLabView on 05-29-2008 12:46 PM

[Jimykid86]

Hello,

I think the computer still has one RS232 port left.  The microphone plug is attached to the pyrometer.  It has a microphone socket (digital out).  I hope this all work outs.

Thanks again,
Jim

[Cory_K]

OK....

RS232 is a port, that comes with a wire that connects to your computer.

It is a port that has either 9 pins (DB9), 5 on top, 4 on bottom.  Or 25 pins (DB25) 13 on top, 12 on bottom

Both DB9 and DB25 serve the same purpose and function the same. In terms of labVIEW, functions having to do with this port will be reffered to as "serial ...." ie serial read, serial write etc.

DAQ stands for Data Aquisition. This isnt physically a port or wire or anything. This is the technique or function you use to aquire the data. When you plug equipment in via RS232, i would recommend you set it up using MAX (measurement and automation explorer) this will help set up the equipment so the computer recognizes it.

After that, go to labVIEW, while in the block diagram, go to Instrument I/O >> Instrument I/O Assistant

Drag it onto your diagram then double click it. It will help you get your labVIEW program started. After set up, you should get several self-explanitory inputs/ outputs such as device #, channel #, signal out, etc.

Hope that helps

- Cory Kramer

[RavensFan]

It IS possible for a stereo type phono plug to be the interface for an RS-232 serial communication.  Serial communication only needs 3 wires, Transmit, Receive and Ground.    I have a small device that uses a stereo phono plug for serial communication.  It came with a cable that was a stereo phone on one end for plugging into the device, and a DB-9 female connector on the other end for connecting to the PC.  It was wired so that the RX, TX, and Ground wires all went to the appropriate pins on the DB9 and were wired at the phone plug to match however the device was internally wired at its phono jack.

Perhaps Jim could provide a link to the manual for his device.  The cable with the microphone plug, is it a special cable that came with the pyrometer?  What is at the opposite end of the microphone plug?

Message Edited by Ravens Fan on 05-29-2008 03:01 PM

[Jimykid86]

Hello,

This is link to the manual of the pyrometer: http://ircon.com/web/reg/index.php?submit_page=ultimax

Please look at the last page of the pdf file, and looks at the components that come with the pyrometer.  It will say 2.5mm microphone jack to db9 connector.

This is whole connection thing is pretty new to me, and I am learning this as I talk to you guys.  Thanks.

Jimmy