Easily Integrating Mixed Instruments with a Single Software Interface

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Audience:
Scientists, researchers in industry and universities, product engineers, design engineers, and technicians in a lab setting who need to be able to do fast prototyping of benchtop test systems that use instruments from multiple companies.
This course is not intended for knowledgeable LabView users, nor for people implementing production test.

Summary:
Attendees of this course learn how to quickly implement a working test setup of mixed instrumentation from different manufacturers and control them from a single software interface. This will be accomplished by utilizing LabVIEW to communicate with instruments over GPIB, Ethernet, or serial. Discover how to remotely take measurements, plot data, store data, and perform basic statistical operations such as standard deviation and mean.

The format of this course will be predominantly hands-on exercises in a lab setting, with all equipment provided. Lecture time will be intermixed with the lab exercises, and there will be extensive Q&A.

Customers may bring a laptop already running LabView and their own USB-to-GPIB converter if desired. Attendees will not be receiving their own version of LabView to take with them.

Because the class is intended to be more of a software class than an instrument class, no specific instrument product model is covered in any great detail, but most of the work will be done with Keithley SourceMeter® products.

Prerequisites:

• Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Windows.
• Knowledge of basic electrical measurements. We will not be teaching measurement methods. Some attendees may want attend Keithley’s “Making Accurate Low-Level Electrical Measurements” course prior to attending.
• Knowledge of basic instrument operation from the front panel.

After Attending This Class, You Will Be Able To:

• Understand key difference between remote communications methods such as GPIB, Ethernet, USB, and Serial.
• Select and install the appropriate software driver (IVI-C vs. IVI-Com vs. native Labview) for a given test situation.
• Correctly set up a single-instrument test – ensure proper hardware and software connections, and verify remote communication using VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) Interactive Control & CEC communication tools on a Keithley 2400 SourceMeter®. This will include proper setup of a USB-to-GPIB converter.
• Perform basic Labview operations and navigation. Verify remote communication using LabView with a single instrument.
• Properly implement a basic measurement using a single instrument connected to basic DUT. Perform force/measure sweep, analyze, plot the results, and display basic statistical analyses (mean, max/min, standard deviation, etc). Perform test debugging.
• Properly add additional pieces of SCPI-based equipment for a more complex test system prototype on a more complex DUT. Learn to coordinate operation between instruments.
• Customize drivers for individual test needs, and save for future reuse.
• Create personalized Virtual Instruments (VI). Collect individual instruments into an instrument macro – a personalized VI.

Benefits You Will Receive:

• Avoid costly delays by recognizing common test system communication issues.
• Prevent measurement errors by learning how to coordinate operation between instruments.
• Increase productivity by customizing drivers for individual test needs and future reuse.
• Optimize your testing by utilizing the appropriate software driver for a given test situation.

Outline (Agenda):

• Introduction to remote communication interfaces
  • GPIB
  • Ethernet
  • RS-232
  • USB
• Complex remote communication terminology made easy
  • VISA
  • IVI-C/IVI-COM
  • VXIPnP
  • SCPI
  • Native LabVIEW
  • LXI
  • Keithley Test Script Builder (TSB)
• Intro to LabVIEW (The Basics)
  • Terminology
  • Hands-on familiarity
  • Handy shortcuts
  • Tips and tricks
• Interactive Lecture/Lab project using LabVIEW
  • Start communicating with instruments
  • Work step-by-step with instructor
  • Create actual code with a practical application
• Troubleshooting tips

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