NI TestStand Idea Exchange

The usual Insert Step menu in TestStand:

What the menu might look like with a Insert VISA step:

A VISA>>Write step would replace a LabVIEW Action Step such as the one I used below for direct Instrument control from TestStand. Queries would look similar and be able to set limits on the returned value.

LabVIEW VI for the power supply command to the VISA instrument setup from M&A Explorer.

This is “PS1” in Measurement and Automation Explorer uses Alias Name.

Example of Query instrument to an Agilent 34970A using Alias Name “DM1” setup in MAX.

However, a little more complicated than a single string command from the menu. Might take several Write steps first.

Possible Uses:

1. Debugging
2. Instrument control without additional software or programming languages.
3. Ability to immediately add new instruments and modify existing sequences without an instrument driver. Demonstrates the quickest possible way to gain instrument control with the least effort (for simple systems).
4. Simple test sequences can be written right away making it easier for technicians or engineers to write tests.
5. VISA sequence steps can be dragged to the palette and easily re-used.