Help me using Agilent 4156C driver with LabView

[Min Yoon]

I am using LabView8.5, MAX 4.4, NI-VISA 4.3, and MAX shows that my PCI-GPIB card recognizes my Agilent 4156C. (although MAX sometimes says "The device did not respond to a *IDN? querry." after searching, I see my 4156c responds to *IDN? querry when I check it using "communicate with device" even if MAX says it doesn't)

I downloaded all the necessary files from NI webpage. (http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.download_page?p_id_guid=1C2B486AFE362654E0440003BA7CCD...)

However, I have no idea which functions I need, because there are quite many functions without a single description about those.

1. For example, what would I need for single sweep measurement using SMU3 from 0~1V with 10mV step, with medium integration time, and retrieve data to my PC?

Also, is there any document or webpage that explains each function?

2. It seems that the above question is too complicated to be answered in detail here. To make it simple, how can I even change SMU3 setting to be swept in the range of 0~1V with 10mV step? Do I need to use "Sweep Source Setup" or is there anything else which is more appropriate for my purpose? Also, how do I check whether it really works or not? When I ran my program, it does not give any error. But when I check the result on 4156c, I don't see any changes. I see message "COMMAND-SET change in progress" when I press LOCAL button. Does it means something? Or, do I need to change other things first to do something with Sweep Source Setup? Again, I have no idea how to figure this out)

3. I haven't been successful on the above issues, so I tried simplest-looking function called "self-test." (However, as I mentioned from the beginning, I have no clue what this function is.) I put Initialize-Self Test-Close, with everything connected to each functions, except "error" - not "error out" - outputs. However, it gives me timeout error when I execute it. I attached the NI-Spy file when it executed self-test, and screen capture file of front panel and block diagram

4. I also tried using 415x driver from NI(http://sine.ni.com/apps/utf8/niid_web_display.download_page?p_id_guid=015E42A1245448B2E0440003BA7CCD...) although it does not say it supports 4156C.

When I ran this program(after changing GPIB address correctly), it shows that it is measuring something. However when I checked the output with oscilloscope, I found out that it is sweeping voltage of wrong SMU.

My question is this. Is there any person who successfully used 415x driver with 4156c? If it is possible, what do I need to change to make it work?

Thank you for your attention!

메시지가 07-23-2008 02:21 AM에 Min Yoon에 의해 편집되었음

[NathanT]

Hello Min,
        We should have a new LabVIEW Plug and Play Instrument Driver that supports the 4156c by the end of the year.  I realize that this does not help you immediately, but should be useful in the near future.  Since the existing instrument drivers don't support the 4156c, you have two main options, both of which involve becoming more familiar with the instrument's command set.

You can either:
1.  Modify the existing 415xa instrument driver VIs to work for the 4156c.  This will require going through the code command by command in the VIs that you need, and determining what has changed for the 4156C

OR

2.  Creating a new application that just sends the necessary commands and does not worry about being re-usable and modular like an instrument driver.

The programmer's manual and other manuals can be found on the manufacturer's website.  There is a lot of documentation on IDNet if you would like to learn more about instrument drivers in general or how to develop them.

Cheers,

NathanT

[Shawn_Huang]

Hi Nathan,

I am an FSE in Hsin Chiu, Taiwan. I am just wondering when will this 4156C plug and play Driver ready for download. I have some users waiting for the example to start with.

Since it is almost the end of the year, is it possible to have the driver ready in few weeks?

Thanks a lot.

Best Regards,

Shawn Huang

NITW   

[NathanT]

Hello Shawn,

          I will check into the instrument driver's status and send you an email.

Cheers,

NathanT