NI-VISA Driver Wizard Unexpected bDescriptorType Error

Updated Mar 30, 2023

Reported In

Driver

  • NI-VISA

Issue Details

I've got a Cypress microcontroller with a USB communication code, I want to communicate with the controller using LabVIEW but after using the NI-VISA Driver Wizard I get the following error:
Error - 1073807174: Device descriptor error - unexpected bDescriptorType (expected USB_STRING_DESCRIPTOR)



What can I do to fix this?

Solution

To fix this error you will have to change the iSerialNumber value of your device.
This values points to an index in the string descriptor table defined for your USB instrument.
To change this value you will need a PSoC Creator or an outdated PSoC editor.

Under the String Descriptor tab, there is a Serial Number String element in the Special Strings folder, Select the User Entred Text option and enter the text 0x0 in the Value.

You can find the relevant Datasheet of the Full Speed USB (USBFS) in this link:
External:Full Speed USB (USBFS)

Additional Information

It is expected that the USB device is not recognized in NI-MAX, because it is intended to work with NI products, or with products that provide an API for NI MAX.

The problem here is fundamental and related to the third-party hardware, as the USB device is not even recognized in the Windows Device Manager.
In order to get recognized by the windows, specific hardware needs to have its driver installed.

Changing the iSerialNumber can be done by any PSoC Creator, third-party software and there is not a specific tool recommended by NI, since NI provides the required software for its every specific hardware.