Interface Problems

If you experience problems communicating with or controlling instruments over the LAN or GPIB, check the following items. If they do not solve the problem, refer to the Connection Expert utility, installed with Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Older versions of Keysight IO Libraries use the IO Config utility. For information on using the Connection Expert utility and for further troubleshooting information, see the IO Libraries Suite Online Help and the PDF documentation accessed through the Start menu.

Troubleshooting the GPIB Interface

1. Ensure that the GPIB cable and all connectors are undamaged.

2. Verify that the GPIB cable connections are securely attached to the PC and the instrument.

3. Verify that the instrument you are trying to communicate with is turned on.

4. Verify that the GPIB address of the instrument is correct and matches the address entered in the Connection Expert:

   1. In the software tree view, select Hardware to display the GPIB address in the property page.

      

      

5. Verify that the instrument you are trying to communicate with is using the SCPI language. For example, the signal generator supports 8656B, 8657A/B languages as well as SCPI. Refer to the instrument's user guide for information on available languages and how to select the SCPI language.

6. Validate the connection:

   1. In the software tree view, select Hardware and click the Test I/O Connections button.

      

   2. Observe the results.

Troubleshooting the LAN Interface

1. Ensure that the LAN cable and all connectors are undamaged.

2. Check the LAN connection between the PC and the instrument.

3. Ensure that the instrument LAN connectors are active: flashing green or yellow lights on the instrument's LAN connector indicate LAN activity.

4. Verify that the hostname or IP address of the instrument is correct and matches the address entered in the Connection Expert:

   1. In the software tree view, select Hardware to display the LAN address in the property page.

      

      

5. Validate the connection:

   1. In the software tree view, select Hardware, then click the Test I/O Connections button.

      

   2. Observe the results.

6. Run the ping program:

   1. From the computer, go to Start > Run, type command then click OK.

   2. At the C:\> prompt, type ping <IP address>, where <IP address> is the instrument's IP address or hostname.

   3. If the instrument does not respond, contact your IP department.

   4. Type exit in the command prompt window then press Enter

7. If the PC is connected directly to the instrument (using a cross-over cable) and the 'ping' program works correctly, but there is still a connection problem, add the instrument's IP address and hostname to the Hosts file, which resides at: C:\Winnt\system32\drivers\etc\Hosts.

   1. In a text editor such as Notepad, open the Hosts file.

   2. Write the IP address and hostname of the instrument at the bottom of the file.

      (Refer to the example of a hosts file below.)

   3. Save the file and close the text editor.

Related Topics

ANSI/IEEE standards

Configuring a Crossover LAN

Equipment Setup

Instrument Problems

Keysight 82357A USB/GPIB cable

Keysight GPIB cables

Software Problems

Waveform Download Problems

Contacting Keysight