Using Belkin F5U002v1 Usb-to-Parallel port in Labview

[fradep]

Dear All,would like to drive directly the data pins of a parallel centronic-like connector.

In order to do this, I bought a Belkin F5U002v1 USB to Parallel Printer adapter.

I am using Windows 7 and it is recognized as "usb printing support". Ni-MAX does not see it.

As far as I understood, it is possible to use Windows7 Activex or dll to access to the printer port but I don't know how to do it.

If someone could help me it would be gratly appreciated.

Thanks

Francescl

[Cla_Cup]

Hi Francesco,

I've never used Belkin F5U002v1 USB to Parallel Printer adapter, but you can try to follow the instructions of this document that explain you how to use the Parallel port in LabVIEW.

If you want to use windows DLLs you have to call them whit Call Library Fuction Node (here there is a dll configuration example). Here you can find an example of calling windows dll.

In order to correctly use the dll, you have to know its prototype. You can look for windows function prototypes directly on Microsoft web site (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms123401.aspx).

I hope that the above informations will help you with your application.

Best Regards.

Cla_CUP

NI ITALY

[fradep]

Hi Cla_Cup,

let me update you.

I have created a VISA driver using the wizard and now the device appears in the device manager as "NI-VISA USB DEVICE". It is somehow recognized by NI-MAX as "IEEE-1284 Controller (0x0002)".

Also, I am sure that the cable is based on the Prolific PL-2305 device.

Now my problem is: I would like to control the D0-D7 pins of the parallel port by means of the USB RAW BULK COMMUNICATION in Labview. I suspect that the USB is expecting some kind of operation code followed by the value that i want to appear on the data pins but I cannot find any reference.

Francesco

[Cla_Cup]

Hi Francesco,

you can try with this. It'll explain you how to communicate with an USB device.

I hope that it'll help you.

Best Regards.

Cla_CUP

NI Italy

[Cla_Cup]

Hi Francesco,

you can try with this. It'll explain you how to communicate with an USB device.

I hope that it'll help you.

Best Regards.

Cla_CUP

NI Italy

[fradep]

Thanks I did not read it yet.

Using the NI-MAX I have been able to send a byte on the data pins of the parallel port. 

The problem is that is somehow latched so the next bytes I send do not result into a change of the voltage level. 

I think the Prolific IC is expecting some kind of ack from the device connected to the parallel port before making it available for next data but I am not able to find this kind of information anywhere.

I am wondering if someone in the forum had the same problem....

Francesco