New Phidgets not connecting, Artisan crashing

[jkfrfr]

Problem Description

I have been using Artisan with my 'old' Phidgets setup for a long time without a single connectivity issue or crash. I updated to 3.4 a few weeks ago, also without incident. Today I tried to add additional Phidgets and have had nothing but problems and crashes.

My 'old' setup looks like this: Phidgets VINT HUB_0002 with the following ports connected as such:
0 - RTD (p100) TMP1200
1 - RTD (p1000) TMP1200
2 - RTD (p100) TMP1200
3 - pwm output OUT1100
4 - DAQ1500 wheatstone bridge connected to a single load cell

For my 'new' setup, I wanted to remove one RTD probe, add a 1136 Differential Pressure Sensor and add a second DAQ1500 so that I can use four load cells in parallel. I left the following ports unchanged:

0 - RTD (p100) TMP1200
1 - RTD (p1000) TMP1200
3 - pwm output OUT1100

If I connect port 2 to the 1136, either port 2 or port 3 will work, but not the other. I've attached a settings file showing this setup. If I instead use port 4 for the 1136, both it and the PWM output work properly.

If I connect port 4 and port 5 to two different DAQ1500 units, the first one will always work, but about half the time the second one will not give any readings. If the second unit does work, it will typically stop working with a short time and Artisan will crash without any further warning. I've attached a settings file showing this arrangement. Ticking the 'async' button in Devices/Phidgets/DAQ1500 tab makes no difference.

Additionally, for every different arrangement I've tried, the Phidgets Control Panel always shows all devices connected and working properly. All drivers are up to date.

Steps To Reproduce

As above, connect port 2 to a 1136 Phidget device and port 3 to an OUT1100, and only one will work.

Alternately, connect ports 4 and 5 to two DAQ1500 units, and a the second device will not connect properly and Artisan will crash.

test 2.1136 3.pwm.aset.txt
test 4,5 daq1500.aset.txt

Artisan Version

3.4.0

Computer OS and Version

Windows 11 Home 25H2

Connected devices or roasting machine

Phidgets HUB_0002 to a DIY fluid bed roaster

Files

• A sample profile *.alog file, renamed to *.alog.txt is attached.

• A settings file (Help>> Save Settings) *.aset, renamed to *.aset.txt is attached.

• Screenshots are attached.

• No files are attached.

[MAKOMO]

Converted to a discussion as this is not to be an Artisan issue. The Phidget support in Artisan was not touched for many versions and is known to work reliable and is implemented according to Phidgets guidelines.

Problems connecting too many modules to a VINT HUB have been occurred before (especially in combination with a 1136 senso) which result in crashes of individual modules or the VINT HUB module caused by power or EMI issues (worse on long VINT and especially USB wires). Crashed modules do not recover and require an app restart (restarting the Phidget driver). The solution that worked was to distribute the modules / 1136 over separate VINT HUBs and use short wires.

Note that issues/crashes within the Phidget driver can crash newer Artisan versions which come with the Phidget driver bundled. Nothing that the Artisan team can do about this.

Those issues have been reported to and discussed with Phidgets In. but could not be resolved. Still it might be worse to submit the issue to Phidgets Inc. attaching the artisan_device.log file which contains detailed logs from the Phidget driver if device logging is enabled (menu Config >> Devices). The log file can be retrieved by clicking the plus icon in the upper let corner while holding ALT (Windows) or OPTION (macOS) key.

[jkfrfr]

Thanks for your reply. I've spent more time trying to sort it out, and it is a little better.

It looks like I can use maximum 4 of the 6 ports on the VINT hub. I can use the 1136 along with the OUT1100 and two RTD probes, as long as the OUT and 1136 are in either port 2 or 4. They can't be next to each other, ie ports 2 and 3 or 4 and 5. The devices seem to be stable as such.

I was able to get both DAQ1500 units working along side each other temporarily. I got a new USB cable, turned on 'async' for all four channels, and didn't have the 1136 or OUT1100 connected. They did work, for a while, but then stopped again, I'm not sure what changed. I guess I'll try buying another VINT hub? Its fairly annoying they don't work as advertised.

I have logging turned on in the Phidgets control panel, and in Artisan. I see the log file that Phidgets creates, but is there another that Artisan creates? I'm not sure in which window I should see a plus icon while holding ALT.

Thanks again for your help.

[MAKOMO]

I was referring to the plus icon in the upper left corner of the Artisan main window. If you ALT-click that one an email should open with the artisan.log and the artisan-devices.log files attached. The later should contain the output from the phidgets driver (at least while in DEBUG log mode; to toggle the logging mode hold COMMAND-ALT while clicking that plus icon).