04-17-2018 09:19 AM
Hi all,
I have test rig that uses the USB-6001 for Digital IO and Analogue IO. The digital is used for control of relays which switch the polarity of voltage to a motor to control it's direction and E stop sensing. The analogue is used for temperature measurement using a calibrated Thermistor board.
The fundamental functionality is as expected, when it's working it works as expected, my problem is a USB one.
The PC being used is a Lenovo MIIX 320 tablet and keyboard. This PC has 3 USB ports, USB Type-C 3.0 on the screen (tablet) and two standard USB 2.0 ports either side of the keyboard. The OS is Windows 10 Pro. We have loaded version 17.6 of NI DAQmx during the process of trying to resolve this issue.
The USB connection from the PC goes to a StarTech 4 Port Rugged Industrial USB Hub, the hub is powered from a 24V source. Connected to this hub are the USB-6001, a USB to RS485 converter that we use for serial Modbus, a Tenma USB controlled PSU and sometimes a USB to RS232 converter that we use to connect to a load cell for calibration purposes.
When connected to the keyboard USB 2.0 ports everything starts up OK with no errors, my software runs and controls the test rig as expected, the issue in this configuration is that the USB connection between the keyboard and "tablet" is via spring loaded contacts and they seem a little unreliable. Often if the angle of the screen/tablet is adjusted the USB connection is disturbed and the USB-6001 reconnects to USB, the NI Device monitor popup for the USB-6001 appears confirming that the 6001 has reconnected to USB.
The obvious solution was to use the USB Type-C 3.0 on the side of the tablet/screen. Testing with a variety of adaptors between USB C and USB 2 or 3 sometimes gave an error as soon we ran "Test this device" from the popup (NI Device Monitor), other times when running the test panel trying to read analogue in.
We are using good quality Lindy USB cables throughout except for the tests we have done with the Type-C 3.0 to USB adapters.
The adapters we tried:
All the adapters failed, in the end we tried a USB C to USB 3 4 port bus powered hub and this worked and has been working for over 24 hours:
Ucouso Multiport USB-C Hub (USB-C to 4 port USB 3.0), model UC-H02b
My understanding is that USB C is backward compatible with USB 2.0 (and even USB1.1) so I'm struggling to understand why USB C <> USB3/2<>Startech USB 2 hub doesn't work (with the USB-6001) but USB C <> USB3 hub<>Startech USB 2 hub does work.
If anyone has come across this kind of issue and can offer any useful information I'd be grateful, if anyone from NI sees this and can raise it for the attention of the department with responsibility for the USB DAQs that would be good too.
Thanks in advance,
Simon G.
04-18-2018 02:05 AM
Hi RaptorUK,
If you have specific questions then maybe it would be easier for everyone to add value to the conversation, feel free to voice those if you have them.
It looks like you are already up and running with your test, and since you would like more context on the issue I would add that this seems to be a known issue, troubleshooted with the steps listed in this Knowledge Base article.
Cheers,
Notanae
04-18-2018 02:33 AM
Hi Notanae,
I have seen that Knowledge Base article before when I first started researching this issue, it's not much help to be honest, I tried different cables, and uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, I updated the PC BIOS and drivers all to no lasting positive effect.
If you want a direct question it would be: why do I get error 50808 going USB C<>USB 2 Hub<>USB-6001 but no error with the addition of an extra USB Hub (USB C<> USB 3 Hub<>USB 2 HUB<>USB-6001) ?
I suspect that is probably too specific a question for users to answer, perhaps NI have the knowledge to answer it.
So my post was just looking for more info from anyone that might have something useful to add in my search to understand what is going on.
regards
Simon G
04-18-2018 03:34 AM
"USB C <> USB3/2<>Startech USB 2 hub doesn't work (with the USB-6001) but USB C <> USB3 hub<>Startech USB 2 "
Here I understand that you replaced the USB3/2 (hub?) for a USB3 hub and fixed the problem.
"why do I get error 50808 going USB C<>USB 2 Hub<>USB-6001 but no error with the addition of an extra USB Hub (USB C<> USB 3 Hub<>USB 2 HUB<>USB-6001) ?"
In the quesition in your last post you say you added an extra hub instead of replacing one. Could you clarify which case this actually is?
04-18-2018 07:27 AM
Hi Notanae,
the Startech USB 2 hub is mounted to a back panel in the control cabinet and is currently a permanent fixture.
I didn't replace it I added another hub before it. So from the tablet USB C there is a USB C to 4 port USB 3 hub, then the same USB 2 that we have had fitted all along which goes to the Startech USB 2 hub.
Hence . . . USB C <> USB 3 hub <> Startech USB 2 hub
and this is what is currently working.
If I remove the USB 3 hub and replace it with a simple USB C to USB 3 adapter I get the error.
Simon G
04-18-2018 07:37 AM
What I can think of is comparing the specifications of the USB C to 3 hub to those of the USB C to 3 adapter. Perhaps you will find a difference there.