Author Topic: [SOLVED] Help: Need Keysight 34461A DMM Data logging to PC (XL) (Read 12544 times)

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #25 on:** April 07, 2020, 01:54:59 pm »

I had the Agilent DMM Utility installed but it can't find ANY instruments and, when I click on the IO button, I get nothing.

I reinstalled the 2020 drivers but it's still the same. I want to try to reinstall the DMM Utility but all the links for fileshares seem to be broken or don't offer me a file for download; any chance of that Agilent DMM Utility file again?

JDubU · « **Reply #26 on:** April 07, 2020, 02:24:42 pm »

Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on April 07, 2020, 01:54:59 pm

I had the Agilent DMM Utility installed but it can't find ANY instruments and, when I click on the IO button, I get nothing.
...

The Agilent DMM utility is an earlier, non-licensed version of the Keysight BenchVue DMM app. It was created before your Keysight 34461A existed so it may require a change in SCPI ID for the 34461A to be identified.
On your 34461A, go to the menu: Utility > System Setup > User Settings > SCPI ID and try changing it to either AT34461A or HP34401A.
Run the Keysight Connection Expert to verify that it can be identified and then see if the Agillent DMM Utility sees it.

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #27 on:** April 07, 2020, 02:45:58 pm »

Duh! It never occurred to me that I may not be finding any instruments because there were no instruments it recognized! Let me try that.

It didn't work. I think I need to reinstall Agilent DMM Connectivity Utility.

I can't find the install file, anyone got a copy of that Agilent DMM Utility file again?

JDubU · « **Reply #28 on:** April 07, 2020, 05:20:19 pm »

Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on April 07, 2020, 02:45:58 pm

I can't find the install file, anyone got a copy of that Agilent DMM Utility file again?

Try this link:

http://www.filedropper.com/dmmconnectivityutility1020

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #29 on:** April 07, 2020, 06:56:39 pm »

That downloaded file installed the Lantronix device installer! Clearly the zip file has the wrong contents. Now I'm worried there was some malware.

JDubU · « **Reply #30 on:** April 07, 2020, 08:07:21 pm »

I think you accidentally pushed the wrong button. The area at the top of the page is advertising with a a blue button associated with it.
You should push the large grey button below it labelled "Download This File" and then enter the Captcha code that is displayed.

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #31 on:** April 07, 2020, 11:27:05 pm »

I did follow that procedure and the file name, DMM_Connectivity_Utility_1.0.2.0.exe, seemed to be right, but when I it installed, it was the Lantronix device installer.

JDubU · « **Reply #32 on:** April 07, 2020, 11:44:45 pm »

Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on April 07, 2020, 11:27:05 pm

I did follow that procedure and the file name, DMM_Connectivity_Utility_1.0.2.0.exe, seemed to be right, but when I it installed, it was the Lantronix device installer.

That's very strange.
I just downloaded and unzipped it and it is the "Agilent DMM Connectivity Utility - InstallShield Wizard".
Screenshot of initial windows after double clicking it is attached.

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #33 on:** April 08, 2020, 12:22:54 am »

So I downloaded it again and went to install, this is what I saw...

beanflying · « **Reply #34 on:** April 08, 2020, 12:29:19 am »

As per my original post I installed this first https://www.keysight.com/main/software.jspx?cc=AU&lc=eng&nid=-33330.977662&id=2175637&pageMode=CV and made sure the instruments could be found.

Then second installed the DMM utility. I have just put the DMMUtility on my Google Drive here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uc1dmdf1s0_0AjhoizHfp9YxXrgRwzjH/view?usp=sharing as an alternate source

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #35 on:** April 08, 2020, 02:25:53 pm »

OK, now I'm getting somewhere.

I had already installed BUT NOT RUN Keysight Connection Expert (KCE). When I ran it, I was able to add the 34461A as a LAN instrument but I'm not sure I have the right settings. I have the 34461A set it to SCSI ID as a 34401A from the front panel.

Now when I run up The Agilent DMM Connectivity Utility, it finds an instrument at 10.0.0.93 but there's a '?' over it and nothing is working. I also don't have a database set up under Manage Data.

Any suggestions?

Gandalf_Sr · « **Reply #36 on:** April 08, 2020, 02:34:57 pm »

Aha, I have fixed it. In the Keysight connection expert window there's a bit at the bottom for the screen for the selected instrument that shows installed IVI drivers, I had none but there's an [Update] button which took me to the web page where I could download and install the IVI driver.

Then I ran up Agilent DMM Connectivity Utility, right clicked on the '?' instrument, and then clicked on 'refresh' in the pop up window. Now I get what I expected - see picture - but I still have 'no record found' under 'Manage Data'

[EDIT] All I had to do was make a brief recording and the system then made a data log entry. Now when I click on 'Manage Data' all the saved logs are listed.

That file beanFlying linked to was the correct one and not the stupid Lantronix utility I kept getting even though the .exe was 'DMM_Connectivity_Utility_1.0.2.0.exe'

enut11 · « **Reply #37 on:** April 08, 2020, 09:03:51 pm »

I want to use a HP3456A to log data to PC via the Agilent DMM connect utility but the program does not recognise the instrument (has an 'X' above the instrument window).

Keysight Connection Expert can see the 3456A and gives a green tick. Some info is missing on the RHS and this may interfere with how the Agilent software sees the 3456A?

Any way to get the Agilent utility to connect to old HP gear?
enut11

JDubU · « **Reply #38 on:** April 08, 2020, 09:44:08 pm »

The help file shows Supported Instruments and Interfaces:

enut11 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 17, 2020, 10:00:49 pm »

Quote from: beanflying on March 31, 2020, 06:12:33 am

Also just finished making a DB9 Null cable to suit my 34401A and cheap and cheerful CH340 based USB adapter.

Took the usual bit of fiddling with parity and bits on the configuration expert to find and recognize it as the 34401A but works just like the 34461A on LAN. It also worked running both meters at once.

CSV from the 34401A in the Zip if anyone is interested.

@beanflying, there are different ways to implement the RS232 to USB interface using a CH340 chip. Any idea on the best way to do it from the circuits in the appl note?
enut11

beanflying · « **Reply #40 on:** April 18, 2020, 02:40:59 am »

Other than using a few adapters and a bunch of boards with them fitted I have never looked into them as they just work

I had a fairly close look at the adapter I have and through the plastic there is one blob on board and a few stray components so fairly close to what is shown in 7.3 would be my guess. Also it is the more likely solution used to keep the cost down by $0.10.

enut11 · « **Reply #41 on:** April 18, 2020, 03:12:33 am »

I found this on eBay. Is this what you were referring to in a previous reply?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1pc-CH340-USB-To-RS232-Ports-9-Pin-DB9-Cable-Serial-COM-Port-Adapter-Converter/264694256109?hash=item3da101d1ed:g:ORwAAOSwxGxejsNk

Also, what was the purpose of the null rs232 cable?

beanflying · « **Reply #42 on:** April 18, 2020, 03:28:26 am »

What I had been using was the one on the left in the photo attached below. I dug out the other RS232 (hadn't tried it previously) leaded one like you just linked. It caused a windoze error when I first plugged it in but I uninstalled and reinstalled it and it found the drivers and worked with the connection expert and DMM utulity. It is also a one blob only device so it is most likely near identical to the dongle version internally.

So it seems that 'most' CH340 based cheap dongles or leads should work when teamed with a DB9 Null Cable.

enut11 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 30, 2020, 08:26:00 pm »

@beanflying
Had a look at Wiki and there are 4 types of Null RS232 cable wiring diagrams:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem
No hardware handshaking
Loopback handshaking
Partial handshaking
Full handshaking

Which one did you use in your 34401A to PC via the CH340 interface?
enut11

beanflying · « **Reply #44 on:** May 01, 2020, 12:37:53 am »

This snip from the manual should sort it out

enut11 · « **Reply #45 on:** May 01, 2020, 08:48:38 am »

Well, I built that null cable and connected it between the USB CH340 and 34401A (set to RS232) but I get no response from Keysight Connection Expert.
I need to find a way to test the 34401A RS232 port.
enut11

beanflying · « **Reply #46 on:** May 01, 2020, 08:56:21 am »

Make sure your 34401A has the following settings.

Set the Interface to RS-232 (default is GPIB)
Baud Rate 9600
Parity EVEN and 7 Bits

Then have a large threatening hammer on the bench as a warning to it should it not connect

enut11 · « **Reply #47 on:** May 01, 2020, 09:13:40 am »

Quote from: beanflying on May 01, 2020, 08:56:21 am

Make sure your 34401A has the following settings.

Set the Interface to RS-232 (default is GPIB)
Baud Rate 9600
Parity EVEN and 7 Bits

Then have a large threatening hammer on the bench as a warning to it should it not connect

Yes, already done that, without the large hammer

beanflying · « **Reply #48 on:** May 01, 2020, 09:19:00 am »

Make sure the adapter is showing up under Windoze 'Device Manager' and not just under the current BS dumb dumb viewer.

If it isn't there or shows as a problem then remove it and reinstall the CH340.

enut11 · « **Reply #49 on:** May 01, 2020, 10:56:20 am »

Yes, the interface shows up under Win 10 device manager


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Author Topic: [SOLVED] Help: Need Keysight 34461A DMM Data logging to PC (XL) (Read 12544 times)

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