CAMAC LabVIEW Diagnostic Installation Setup

by: Joseph Jaskierny
Last Revision: October 1, 2001 mb

Objectives
  • The objective of this document is to help you, the LabVIEW user, set up a fully functional CAMAC test station.
  • This will include:
    • Installing a SCSI card in your computer.
    • Installing the LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine on your computer.
    • Verifying that your computer is able to communicate to the Jorway 73A CAMAC crate controller.

Equipment Required:

  • Computer
    • Operating System (OS): Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 Pro.
    • System Requirements:
      • Pentium processor or equivalent.
      • 64 MB of RAM (128 MB recommended).
      • 65 MB disk space for minimal LabVIEW installation, 200 MB for full installation.
        • Driver software requires additional hard disk space for installation.
    • Programs Needed: LabVIEW 6i (version 6.0.2) or LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine
      • The CAMAC diagnostic VIs (Virtual Instruments) need the LabVIEW 6.0.2 runtime engine or the full version of LabVIEW 6i (6.0.2) in order to run, even though they are executables.
      • Download the LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine here.
    • Files Needed:
      • The following files are required for the SCSI card installation.  They can be downloaded in a self-extracting .zip file here.
        • aspi32.exe
        • aspichk.exe
        • cvirt.dll
        • cvirte.dll
        • cvirt (folder)
        • wnaspi32.dll
      • The following files are required to test communications between the CAMAC crate and the computer.  They can be downloaded in a self-extracting .zip file here.
        • Crate_Communications_Test_R602_3_1.exe
        • data (folder)
  • Adaptec AHA-2940AU PCI-to-Ultra SCSI host adapter card for the Windows NT OS.
  • LSI Symbios SYM20810 or SYM20860 SCSI host adapter card for the Windows 2000 Pro OS.
  • Jorway 73A SCSI Bus CAMAC Crate Controller with version 2.8 PALS.
  • SCSI Cable - maximum length of 25 meters (75 feet).
  • CAMAC Crate.
  • A CAMAC module other than the Jorway 73A CAMAC crate controller.
Go To Top

Install the Adaptec AHA-2940AU PCI-to-Ultra SCSI host adapter card for Windows NT OS.

Go To Top

Install the LSI Symbios SYM20810 or SYM20860 SCSI host adapter card for the Windows 2000 Pro OS.

Go To Top

LabVIEW Runtime Engine 6.0.2 Installation:

  1. If you do not have the full-version of LabVIEW, LabVIEW 6i (6.0.2), installed on your desktop computer you must then install the LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine.  In order to successfully run the CAMAC module diagnostic tools executables, you must have either LabVIEW 6i (6.0.2) or the LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine installed.
  2. To install the LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine, download the installation program from National Instruments.
  3. Run the file lvrteinstall.exe.
  4. The runtime engine will automatically install onto your desktop computer.
  1. The installation of the LabVIEW 6.0.2 Runtime Engine is now complete.  Please continue by testing the communications between the Jorway 73A and the SCSI card.
Go To Top

Test Jorway 73A CAMAC Crate Controller & SCSI Card Operation:

  1. Install a Jorway 73A into slots 24 & 25 of a CAMAC Crate.  The four DIP switches in the Jorway 73A should all be set to the OFF position.


  1. Next, install a CAMAC module in an open slot.
  2. Connect a straight-thru SCSI-2 interface cable from Adaptec AHA2940 or LSI SYM20810/20860 SCSI Host Adapter Card to one of the Jorway 73A CAMAC crate controller's SCSI Bus I/O ports.  Power up CAMAC Crate and reboot your desktop computer.
· Note: If SCSI connection from desktop computer and a power up Jorway 73A was not made when you first power up your computer.  You must reboot your computer to initialize the SCSI bus.
  1. Download the Crate_Communications_Test_R602_3_1.exe and its data folder to the same folder on your Desktop computer. Delete the PROJECTS and IMAGES folders if they are created.
    • Double-click on the Crate_Communications_Test_R602_3_1.exe icon to open the program.  A Program front panel will appear.
    • Next set the Crate Address to the Crate Address set on the front panel of your Jorway 73A.
    • Set the slot number of the other module in the crate.
    • Click the Arrow button at the upper left corner to run the program.
    • Select 'Q & X Response Test' from the pull-down menu and press the 'GO' button.  This test will display the Q & X responses to the various function codes and sub addresses.
      • Check your module's manual to verify that the results are correct.
      • Press the stop button to stop execution of the program.
    • Optional: Select the 'Function Command Test' from the pull-down menu and press the 'GO' button.  Here you can issue the function commands for your module to check if the module responds.
      • Setup the function command and press the 'Issue Command' button to send the command to the CAMAC module.
      • Press the stop button once to exit this test; press the stop button a second time to stop execution of the program.
  1. You are now finished with the CAMAC LabVIEW Diagnostic Installation Setup.
Go To Top