enabling analog inputs

Hello,

I´m using a Vector on a controller and with my own software. Everything works fine but there is a problem with the analog input setup.
I´m sending a binary configuration file (file is attached) to  the vector. This configuration file was created using the Vector software (Ver. 1.27) and it should enable both analog inputs (fast sampling + output power). If I convert the binary data files using the same Vector software, the header file states correctly that both inputs are enabled, the ascii data file however does not contain any analog input data (all zero, only one decimal place).
If I use the Vector software to connect to the instrument after setting it up using my own software, it says that it cannot read the configuration from the instrument because it was set up using a different software version.
Why does the software care about how the instrument was set up, and why are the analog input channels not sampled (or why is the power to the analog sensors not enabled) if I use my configuration file?

thank you and best regards,
Andreas

Hi Andreas,

The configuration file looks fine, can you also upload a small binary data file?

The data file should start with the headers that are output with the GA command (log the result from GA before the measurement is started).

The Vector software will issue a warning if the instrument was configured with a different software version. It should still read the configuration though. Do you get an error message in addition to the warning?

Best regards,
Sven Nylund

Hi Sven,

please find the attached short data file.

The vector software says that it cannot read the configuration from the instrument because it was configured with another software version - and it will use the existing configuration. The vector software, however, is not really a problem. I was just using it for checking the deployment parameters I have sent as a binary file to the instrument.

best regards,
Andreas

Hi Andreas,

I tried your configuration file in a Vector and everything worked fine. Do you have your analogue sensor connected? If os, maybe you could try without the connection, that should at least give you some readings. You can also try to measure the power output to make sure that it is present.

The software issued a warning on the readback but it showed the new configuration. I am not sure why it would revert to default configuration in your case.

Best regards,
Sven

Hi Sven,

I have no idea what it is, but I´m still having this problem.
I have made all test without sensors connected. The power output is enabled (I have checked the voltage) and the Vector is switching the power on and off, according to the settings in my binary deployment file.
If I use the Vector software to configure the instrument and to collect the data, everything is working fine and I´m getting data from the analog inputs. The same happens when I use my deployment (*.dep) file.
If I use the binary deplyoment file, however, I do not get any data from the analog inputs.
I also have tried the following: I added the CC command to the beginning of my binary deployment file and sent it to the Vector using the terminal window of the Vector software (I received an acknowledge at the end). If I try to read the configuration from the instrument afterwards, it says that it is unable to read the configuarion and that it is using the default values instead.

Something must be wrong with the binary configuration file. All settings are working fine, but not the analog inputs (but even those are working, if I configure one channel for slow sampling). All changes in the settings are stated correctly in the header, but no fast analog input data are acquired.

There is one more point: I´m using the data conversion feature of the Vector software to check if the analog inputs are sampled or not. Maybe the problem is not the deployment file, but the data conversion? Did you check the data file I have uploaded for nanalog input data?

regards,
Andreas

Hi again,

I have solved the problem (although I don´t know what it was...):

In the binary deplyoment file (or in the user configuration) the spare byte at offset 74 has to be set to 31H. It was 00H in the original deployment file generated by the Vector software.
Everything is working fine after applying this change.

Whatever it is - it would be good to have a software version, which is able to generate a binary deployment file which could be used directly -without any editing- to configure the instrument.

best regards,
Andreas

Hi Andreas,

The problem was caused by the software setting that parameter when downloading the configuration to the instrument and not when storing the configuration file. We have fixed this and will send you a beta version of the software. The fix will be incorporated in the next release.

As for the readback it is correct like you say that the software comes up with the default configuration. If you want to check the setup you can instead store a data file to the recorder with the SR command, read it back, convert it and look at the .hdr file.

Impressing that you found a workaround. Note that the missing value may change when you change parameters in the setup.

Best regards,
Sven