Feature Request: Implement IDN Method for Instrument Identification

[pgwijesinghe]

I propose adding a feature where all instruments output an identification (IDN) dictionary upon request. This feature would be similar to outputting the set of available commands upon a 'HELP' request.

e.g.

[In] {"jsonrpc": "2.0", 
            "method": "IDN",
            "id": "id"} 
[Out] {"jsonrpc": "2.0", 
            "result": {'vendor': 'Levylab',
                          'model': 'MC Lockin',
                          'serial': None,
                          'firmware': 'v2.15.4.4'},
            "id": "id"}

[ciozi137]

Good idea. Any ideas how to generate a serial number for a soft instrument? Things like the cryostats are more or less straightforward because they could be derived from the hardware. But we have X lockins that are all identical... maybe I can get a number from the pxi chassis/4461 cards

[ciozi137]

Write IDN is a public method that the child class will call (where? onProcessStarted?) to set the serial number and firmware number

[ciozi137]

[ciozi137]

Protected method to set IDN data:

[ciozi137]

IDN Data Flow:

1. Child Instrument:process.vi calls Open Hardware.vi
2. Open Hardware.vi opens connection to the hardware, and then calls Write IDN.vi
3. Write IDN.vi queries the S/N (or reads a constant, it's up to the developer) and then calls Instrument.sendMessageToProcess.vi, the message is then handled by Handle Command.vi in the Instrument:process.vi.