Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Summary

When using NI LabVIEW, it is not always necessary to install NI-VISA. This greatly simplifies using the 82357A in this environment.

Question

How can I make NI LabVIEW communicate with my 82357A USB/GPIB Interface?

Answer

When using NI LabVIEW, it is not always necessary to install NI-VISA. This greatly simplifies using the 82357A in this environment. The following steps will get your system configured:

1. Install the Agilent IO Libraries Suite (www.agilent.com/find/iosuite)

Choose Typical installation

2. Connect the USB/GPIB converter to the PC

You should see a Windows' Found New Hardware Wizard
You do not need to insert a CD-ROM -- just press Next until the wizard completes
A second Found New Hardware Wizard will follow, step through the second wizard in the same way

3. Connect the USB/GPIB converter to your instrument

4. Turn the instrument on and ensure that it is configured to use GPIB
You should now be able to use the 82357A connected instrument in your LabVIEW program.

If you do need NI-VISA installed (e.g. you need PXI support), there are some extra configuration steps that you need to perform:

1. Install NI-VISA (version 3.6 or later)

If Agilent IO Libraries Suite is already installed, it will automatically go to side-by-side mode. You can skip to step 3 below.

2. Install the Agilent IO Libraries Suite

Choose Typical installation, which will detect NI-VISA and default to side-by-side mode
Or the Custom installation and specify side-by-side mode

3. Connect the USB/GPIB converter to the PC

You should see a Windows' Found New Hardware Wizard
You do not need to insert a CD-ROM -- just press Next until the wizard completes
A second Found New Hardware Wizard will follow, step through the second wizard in the same way

4. Connect the USB/GPIB converter to your instrument

5. Turn the instrument on and ensure that it is configured to use GPIB

6. For NI software to recognize Agilent hardware, you must enable the NI-VISA Passport for Tulip.

This is a software module included with NI-VISA for support of Agilent hardware, and is not enabled by default.

Use the NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (NI MAX) to enable the Passport for Tulip; in version 3.1 and greater of NI MAX, click on Tools > NI-VISA > VISA Options…
Select the Passport for Tulip check box
Click Save to save your settings, then exit NI MAX

7. Close and restart NI MAX. You should see your instrument listed under "Devices and Interfaces" as a Miscellaneous VISA Resource.

8. The Agilent USB/GPIB Interface Converter should now be accessible from NI-VISA and from NI utilities such as VISA Interactive Control (VISAIC)

For more information, go to the Agilent IO Libraries Suite help topic: “Using Agilent’s and Other Vendors’ Products Together”.