Thread: [Hamlib-developer] VISA for RS232, USB and the like
Library to control radio transceivers and receivers
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From: Jonas S. <ne...@jo...> - 2011-11-15 19:08:35
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Hi, many meters have a RS232, USB or similar port. Some people develloped a abstraction layer called visa [1] I think it could be interesting to include the ham stuff there too. The user could use VISA to change the channel on the radio and to ask the amperemeter about the current. I am not familiar with the hamlib code, but thought the idea could be useful for future releases. kind regards, [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Driver#I.2FO_Hardware_Abstraction_Layer_VISA -- Jonas Stein <ne...@jo...> |
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From: <rem...@gm...> - 2011-11-15 19:52:40
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Instrument_Software_Architecture "The VISA library has standardized the presentation of its operations over several software reuse mechanisms, including through a C API exposed from Windows DLL, visa32.dll and over the Microsoft COM technology." Very interesting. On the other hand, we might have to create a COM object with MSVC and make it call hamlib which is compiled with gcc. This is possible but it implies using MSVC, which might be disliked by some users. Le 15.11.2011 18:32, Jonas Stein a écrit : > Hi, > > many meters have a RS232, USB or similar port. > Some people develloped a abstraction layer called visa [1] > > I think it could be interesting to include the ham stuff there too. > The user could use VISA to change the channel on the radio and to > ask the amperemeter about the current. > > I am not familiar with the hamlib code, but thought the idea could > be useful for future releases. > > kind regards, > > [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Driver#I.2FO_Hardware_Abstraction_Layer_VISA > |
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From: Dave <da...@g8...> - 2011-11-16 22:27:19
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VISA drivers are also a total nightmare, with one vendors code, not working well (if at all) with another vendors "VISA" subsystem. Also, often when you install another VISA libraray to support some instrument or application, it fouls up other existing drivers and app's. Plus, as already been mentioned, it's all "Windows only" anyway. Avoid VISA for Ham stuff at all costs! Dave G0WBX Subject: Re: [Hamlib-developer] VISA for RS232, USB and the like > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Instrument_Software_Architecture > > "The VISA library has standardized the presentation of its operations > over several software reuse mechanisms, including through a C API > exposed from Windows DLL, visa32.dll and over the Microsoft COM > technology." > > Very interesting. On the other hand, we might have to create a COM > object with MSVC and make it call hamlib which is compiled with gcc. > This is possible but it implies using MSVC, which might be disliked by > some users. > > Le 15.11.2011 18:32, Jonas Stein a écrit : > > Hi, > > > > many meters have a RS232, USB or similar port. > > Some people develloped a abstraction layer called visa [1] > > > > I think it could be interesting to include the ham stuff there too. > > The user could use VISA to change the channel on the radio and to > > ask the amperemeter about the current. > > > > I am not familiar with the hamlib code, but thought the idea could > > be useful for future releases. > > > > kind regards, > > > > [1] > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_Driver#I.2FO_Hardware_Abstra > > ction_Layer_VISA > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > -------- RSA(R) Conference 2012 Save $700 by Nov 18 Register now > http://p.sf.net/sfu/rsa-sfdev2dev1 > _______________________________________________ Hamlib-developer > mailing list Ham...@li... > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/hamlib-developer |
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From: Jonas S. <ne...@jo...> - 2011-11-17 21:08:29
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> VISA drivers are also a total nightmare, with one vendors code, not > working well (if at all) with another vendors "VISA" subsystem. > > Also, often when you install another VISA libraray to support some > instrument or application, it fouls up other existing drivers and app's. > > Plus, as already been mentioned, it's all "Windows only" anyway. Oh, i thought it would be a rather open industry standard. I have found even a open source visa program on github called pyvisa. But if you are right i will change my oppinion on VISA. kind regards, -- Jonas Stein <ne...@jo...> |
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From: Patrick O. <pa...@fl...> - 2011-11-15 20:33:07
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On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 07:32:36PM +0100, Jonas Stein wrote: > > Hi, > > many meters have a RS232, USB or similar port. > Some people develloped a abstraction layer called visa [1] > > I think it could be interesting to include the ham stuff there too. > The user could use VISA to change the channel on the radio and to > ask the amperemeter about the current. > > I am not familiar with the hamlib code, but thought the idea could > be useful for future releases. > >From the wiki and looking at the ivi foundation web site it is apparent that the VISA library is Windows centric/exclusive and specifically tailored to test and measurement equipment. There is a note that instruments communicating on a GPIB or VXIbus should use the IVI drivers, while devices communicating on other busses could use other drivers. The current VISA specification only recognizes 8 instrument classes. I'm not sure what class we put a transceiver in (RF signal generator, power meter, spectrum analyzer). The hamlib project seeks to provide control for amateur radio transceivers and does provide a means to provide a "generic" least common feature set to the world (through the rpc.rigd for instance). There is no reason someone who wanted to could not create a driver to go from hamlib to VISA. Including VISA in hamlib or hamlib in VISA seems to be counter to both project's purpose. Pat -- Patrick Ouellette pa...@fl... ne4po (at) arrl (dot) net Amateur Radio: NE4PO What kind of change have you been in the world today? |