Agilent E1301B Getting Started

CONTENTS

Safety Symbols/WARNINGS ..................................................................................... 4

Reader Comment Sheet ..............................................................................................5

Chapter 1 - Getting Started ............................................................................................ 7

What’s in This Guide?................................................................................................ 7

Steps to Get Started ................................................................................................. 7

If You Need Help ........................................................................................................ 9

Chapter 2 - Installing External PC VXI Systems ........................................................ 11

Using This Chapter................................................................................................ 11

What’s in This Chapter? .................................................................................... 11

What are External PC VXI Systems? ................................................................ 11

Steps to Install External PC VXI Systems .......................................................... 12

Step 1: Identify Your System ................................................................................ 13

Step 1 Overview ................................................................................................ 13

1-1: Inventory/Gather Equipment ...................................................................... 13

1-2: Identify System Hardware .......................................................................... 14

Step 2: Configure Your PC......................................................................................17

Step 2 Overview ................................................................................................ 17

2-1: Install Application Programs....................................................................... 17

2-2: Install PC I_O Cards................................................................................... 18

2-3: Connect Peripherals to PC......................................................................... 18

2-4: Connect PC to Network.............................................................................. 18

Step 3: Install VXI Hardware.................................................................................. 19

Step 3 Overview................................................................................................. 19

3-1: Install Mainframe(s)................................................................................... 20

3-2: Install Slot 0 Card....................................................................................... 21

3-3: Install VXI Instruments ............................................................................... 22

3-4: Connect Interface Cable............................................................................ 26

3-5: Interconnect Mainframes (Optional)........................................................... 27

Step 4: Install Libraries/Drivers............................................................................ 28

Step 4 Overview ................................................................................................ 28

4-1: Install HP I_O Libraries .............................................................................. 28

4-2: Install VXI

4-3: Download SCPI Drivers (HP-IB Only) ........................................................ 32

Step 5: Verify Instrument Communication .......................................................... 34

Step 5 Overview ................................................................................................ 34

5-1: Use Soft Front Panels ................................................................................ 35

5-2: Use VISA Assistant .................................................................................... 37

5-3: Use HP VEE Instrument Manager.............................................................. 39

5-4: Use Resource Manager ............................................................................. 41

plug&play

Drivers....................................................................... 30

Contents 1

Step 6: Program Your System .............................................................................. 43

Step 6 Overview ................................................................................................ 43

6-1: Design Product Connections...................................................................... 43

6-2: Create Product Tests ................................................................................. 45

6-3: Create Test Programs................................................................................ 45

6-4: Make Product Connections ........................................................................ 49

6-5: Test Your Product ...................................................................................... 49

Chapter 3 - Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems.................................................... 51

Using This Chapter................................................................................................ 51

What’s in This Chapter? .................................................................................... 51

What is an Embedded PC VXI System? ........................................................... 51

Steps to Install Embedded PC VXI Systems..................................................... 52

Step 1: Identify Your System ................................................................................ 53

Step 1 Overview ................................................................................................ 53

1-1: Inventory/Gather Equipment ...................................................................... 53

1-2: Identify System Hardware .......................................................................... 54

Step 2: Install VXI Hardware.................................................................................. 56

Step 2 Overview ................................................................................................ 56

2-1: Install Mainframe(s)................................................................................... 56

2-2: Install PC in Mainframe.............................................................................. 57

2-3: Install VXI Instruments ............................................................................... 59

2-4: Interconnect Mainframes (MXIbus) ............................................................ 63

Step 3: Configure Your PC.................................................................................... 64

Step 3 Overview ................................................................................................ 64

3-1: Install Application Programs....................................................................... 64

3-2: Connect Peripherals/Network to PC........................................................... 64

Step 4: Install Libraries/Drivers............................................................................ 65

Step 4 Overview ................................................................................................ 65

4-1: Install HP I_O Libraries .............................................................................. 65

4-2: Install VXI

Step 5: Verify Instrument Communication .......................................................... 70

Step 5 Overview ................................................................................................ 70

5-1: Use Soft Front Panels ................................................................................ 70

5-2: Use VISA Assistant .................................................................................... 73

5-3: Use HP VEE Instrument Manager.............................................................. 75

Step 6: Program Your System .............................................................................. 78

Step 6 Overview ................................................................................................ 78

6-1: Design Product Connections...................................................................... 79

6-2: Create Product Tests ................................................................................. 80

6-3: Create Test Programs................................................................................ 80

6-4: Make Product Connections ........................................................................ 84

6-5: Test Your Product ...................................................................................... 84

plug&play

Drivers....................................................................... 67

2 Contents

Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) shall not be liable for any errors contained in this document. HP makes no warranties of any kind i n regard

to this document, whether express or implied. HP specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. HP shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special,

incidental, or consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory, in connection with the furnishing of this document or the information in this document.

Copyright © 1998 Hewlett -Packard Company. All Ri ghts Reser ved. This document contains inf ormation which is protected by copyright . All ri ght s ar e res er ved. Repr oduction, adaptation, or tr ans la ti on wit hout pri or wri tt en permission is prohibited, except as allowed under copyright laws.

U.S. Government Restricted Rights

The Software and Documentation have been developed entirely at private expense. They are delivered and licensed as "commercial computer software" as defined in DFARS 252.227- 7013 (Oct 1988), DFARS

252.211-7015 (May 1991) or DFARS 252.227-7014 (Jun 1995), as a "commercial item" as defined in FAR

2.101(a), or as "Restricte d computer software" as defined in FAR 52.227-19 (J un 1987)(or any equivalent agency regulation or contract clause), whichever is applicable. You have only those rights provided for such Software and Documentation by the applicable FAR or DFARS clause or the HP standard software agreement for the product involved.

Trademark Information

Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are U.S. registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Documentation History

All Editions and Updates of th is manual and thei r creat ion dat e are li sted be low. The first Editi on of the manua l is Edition 1. The Edition number increments by 1 whenever the manual is revised. Updates, which are issued between Editions, contain replacement pages to correct or add additional information to the current Edition of the manual. Whenever a new Edition is create d, it will conta in all of the Update information for the previous Edition. Each new Edition or Update also includes a revised copy of this documentation history page.

Edition 1 .......................................................... December 1998

Safety Symbols

Instruction manual symbol affixed to product. Indicates that the user must refer to the manual for specific WARNING or CAUTION information to avoid personal in jury or damage to the product.

Indicates the field wiring terminal that must be connected to earth ground before

operating the equipment — prot ects against electrical shock in case of fault.

Frame or chassis ground terminal—typically connects to the equipment's metal frame

Alternating current (AC). Direct Current (DC).

Indicates hazardous voltages.

WARNING Calls attention to a procedure, practice, or condition that could cause bodily

injury or death. CAUTION Calls attention to a procedure, practice, or condition that coul d possibly cause

damage to equipment or permanent loss of data.

WARNINGS

The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, service, and repair of this produc t. Failure to comply with these precautions o r with sp ecific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the product. Hewlett-Packard Company assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements.

Ground the equipment: For Safety Class 1 equipment (equipment having a protective earth terminal), an uninterruptible safety earth ground must be provided from the mains power source to the product input wiring terminals or supplied power cable.

DO NOT operate the product in an explosive atmosphere or in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.

For continued protection against fire, replace the line fuse(s) only with fuse(s) of the same voltage and current rating and type. DO NOT use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse

holders. Keep away from live circuits: Operating personnel must not remove equip ment covers or

shields. Procedures involv ing th e remo val o f c ove rs or shie ld s are f or u se by servic e- train ed personnel only. Under certain conditions, dangerous voltages may exist even with the equipment switched off. To avoid dangerous electrical shock, DO NOT perform procedures involving cover or shield removal unless you are qualifie d to do so.

DO NOT operate damaged equipment: Whenever it is possible that the safety protection features built into this prod uct have been impaired, eithe r through physical damage, excessive moisture, or any other reason, R EMOVE POWER and do not use the product until safe operation can be verified by service-trained personnel. If necessary, return the product to a Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office for service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.

DO NOT service or adjust alone: Do not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another person, c apable of rendering fir s t aid and resuscitati on, is present.

DO NOT substitute parts or modify equipment: Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the product to a Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office for service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.

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Getting Started With VXI Guide

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What’s in This Guide?

This Getting Started wi th VXI Gui de is de si gned to guide you through a set of steps to identify, install, configure, and program your PC-based VXI system. This guide does not provide detailed information in each step. Rather, the guide suggests documentation and/or tools you can use to do the step.

The information in this guide is grouped according to the type of PC (External or Embedded) for major VXI system types . Chap ter 2: In st alling

External PC VXI Systems shows steps to install external PC VXI systems. Chapter 3: Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems shows steps to install

embedded PC VXI syst ems.

Note This guide does not show how to install Fibre Channel, GPIO, RS-232

or HP-UX VXI systems, nor does it attempt to include all combinations of PC-based VXI systems. See th e documentatio n shipped with t he equipment for specific steps to install these systems.

Chapter 1

Getting Started

Note If you purchased an integrated (pre-configured) VXI system, some of the

steps in this guide (such as installing VXI instruments, etc.) may already have been completed. In this case, skip the applicable step and go to the next step in the guide.

Steps to Get Started

Get Acquainted with VXI

If you are not familiar with VXI systems, terms and concepts you may want to read the Feeling Comfortable with VXI booklet. If you are familiar with VXI terms, you can skip to the next step.

Determine Your VXI System Type

In this guide, installation steps are divided according to the PC for your system: External PC or Embedded PC. To determine your system type, see Figure 1 (External PC) or Figure 2 (Embedded PC).

Getting Started 7

Peripherals

Network

Peripherals

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 1 through n

PC I_O Card (Optional)

Installed in PC

PC I_O

Card

External

Typically, HP-IB

IEEE-1394

VXI Slot 0 Controller

Installed in Slot 0

Interface

Mass Interconnects

VXI Mainframe

Figure 1. Typical External PC VXI System

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 2 through n

Embedded PC

(HP E6234A, etc.)

Installed in Slots 0 and 1

(Optional)

Mass Interconnects

Inter-

Connects

Typically,

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

Typically

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Network

VXI

Mainframe

Inter-

Connects

Figure 2. Typical Embedded PC VXI System

Begin the Installation Process

For an External PC system, go to Chapter 2: Installing External PC VXI Systems. For an Embedded PC syst em, go t o Chapter 3: Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems. For either system, see the Getting Started with VXI poster for a ge neral se quence of steps t o use. Fo llow the steps

listed in the applicable chapter of this guide to install your system.

Your

Product

8 Getting Started

If You Need Help If You Have Questions

If you have any questions or require technical support from HewlettPackard, you can contact us by telephone or via the World-Wide Web at the numbers/addresses shown. When you call or write us, please provide the following information:

1 Your VXI system hardware configuration 2 Your PC operating system (NT, etc.) and PC version 3 The programming environment you are using 4 A complete description of the problem 5 A list of steps necessary to recreate the problem

Telephone Numbers

Americas HP Call Center: 1-800-452-4844 European HP Call Center: +31-20-547-9900 Japan HP Call Center: +81-426-56-7832

World-Wide Web

http://www.tmo.hp.com/tmo/contacts/English/callcenters.html

Reader Comment Sheet

If you have any comments on this guide, please fill out and return the Reader Comment Sheet in this guide.

Getting Started 9

10 Getting Started

Installing External PC VXI Systems

Using This Chapter

Chapter 2

What’s in This Chapter?

This chapter shows a suggested six-step process to install, configure, and program an external PC VXI system. The chapter contents are:

• Step 1: Identify Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 13

• Step 2: Configure Your PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 15

• Step 3: Install VXI Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 19

• Step 4: Install Libraries/Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 28

• Step 5: Verify Instrument Communication. . . . . . . . .page 34

• Step 6: Program Your System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 43

What are External PC VXI Systems?

Peripherals

Network

In this guide, external PC VXI systems are d efined to consist of an external Windows-based PC and an interface between the PC and a VXI mainframe, with connections between your product (typically a Unit Under Test (UUT)) and VXI instruments. See Figure 1 for a typical external PC VXI system.

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 1 through n

PC I_O Card (Optional)

Installed in PC

PC I_O

Card

External

Typically, HP-IB

IEEE-1394

VXI Slot 0 Controller

Installed in S lot 0

Interface

VXI Mainframe

Mass Interconnects

Inter-

Connects

Typically,

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

Figure 1. Typical External PC VXI System

Installing External PC VXI Systems 11

Steps to Install External PC VXI Systems

Figure 2 shows suggested steps to install, configure, and program an external P C VXI system.

Note Since your VXI system may vary from that shown in Figure 1 you may

need to modify the steps in this guide. If you received a pre-configured system, skip any steps that have already been accomplished such as VXI instruments already installed in the mainframe, etc.

To do this step: And this

Identify Your System

Configure Your PC

Install VXI Hardware

Install Libraries/Drivers

You can use this

documentation:

Connection Diagram Packing List

PC Manuals Peripheral s Manuals Network Manuals

Connection Diagrams Configuration Guides Hardware Manuals

Instrument Manuals HP VISA Manual HP SICL Manuals

software:

I_O Libraries CD Instrument CD

Verify Instrument Communication

Program Your System

Figure 2. Steps to Install External PC VXI Systems

12 Installing External PC VXI Systems

PC Manuals VXI Instrument Guides

Interconnect Manuals Your Product Manuals Programming Manuals Instrument Manuals PC Manuals

Soft Front Panels VISA Assistant HP VEE Instr Mgr Resource Mgr

Visual C/C++ Visual Basic HP VEE HP BASIC HP VISA HP SICL Other Applic ations

Identify Your System

Step 1 Overview What’s in This Step?

The first step i n in stall ing y our VXI syst em is to unp ack an d inve ntory the system, and to identify your specific VXI system type. This step includes the procedures in Figure 3.

1-1. Inventory/Gather Equipment

1-2. Identify System Hardware

Figure 3. Steps to Identify Your VXI System

WARNING During all phases of installation, operation, service or repair

of any equipment for any step in this guide, you must follow all safety instructions in the applicable manual or guide, as well as the safety instructions in this guide.

Hardware

Software

Documentation

HP-IB

IEEE-1394

MXIbus

1-1: Inventory/

Gather Equipment

Inventory VXI Equipment/Gather Other Equipment

1 Unpack and inventory hardware, software, and documentation

for your VXI system (see Figure 4). For pre-configured systems, you can use the Packing List that accompanied this guide to check the equipment contents.

2 Gather other items not received with your system, such as your

PC and PC I_O cards, computer documentation, tools, etc., that you may need to assemble your system (see Figure 4).

Installing External PC VXI Systems 13

1-2: Identify

System Hardware

1. Unpack Your VXI Equipment

Equipment

Software

Documentation

VXI System

2. Gather Other Items

Your PC

Tools

Documentation

Other Items

Figure 4. Inventory/Gather Equipment

Identify Your System Type

In this guide, external PC VXI systems are categorized as HP-IB (Figure 5), IEEE-1394 (Figure 6), or MXIbus (Figure 7). Select the system type that is closest to your system.

Peripherals

Network

HP-IB Card

(HP 82350A, etc.)

Installe d in P C

External

HP-IB

Interface

Card

(Optional)

HP-IB Rack & Stack

Equipment

Figure 5. Typical HP-IB VXI System

HP E1406/E1306 Installed in Slot 0

HP-IB

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 1 through n

VXI M a in fr a m e

(Optional)

Mass Interconnects

Inter-

Connects

Typically,

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

14 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Peripherals

Network

Peripherals

IEEE-1394 Card

(AHA-8940, etc.)

Installed in PC

IEEE-1394

External

HP-IB Rack & Stack

HP-IB Card

(HP 82350A, etc.)

Installed in PC

External

HP E1482 installed in slot 1

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 1 through n

(Both Mainframes)

HP E8491A

Installed in Slot 0

IEEE-1394

Interface

Card

(Optional)

Equipment

VXI

Mainframe

VXI

Mainframe

Figure 6. Typical IEEE-1394 VXI System

VXI Instruments Installed

in remaining slo ts

(Both Mainframes)

HP E1406 in slot 0

HP-IB

Interface

Card

VXI

Mainframe

(Optional)

Mass Interconnects

Inter-

Connects

(Optional)

Mass Interconnects

Inter-

Connects

Typically,

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

Typically,

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

Network

VXI

Mainframe

Figure 7. Typical MXIbus VXI System

Identify Hardware

Use Figure 8 to identify the hardware for your VXI system, including PC I_O cards, mainframe(s), slot 0 card, and VXI instruments. You may want to copy this figure and highlight the specific hardware in your system for use in future steps.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 15

PC I_ O

Cards

LAN/HP-IB E205 0 A

HP-IB 82335B 82341C 82341D 82350A

IEEE -1 3 94 PCI C a rd

Inter fa ce s

HP-IB

IEEE-1394*

MXIbus*

VXI

Controllers

HP-IB Cmd E130 6 A

HP-IB Cmd E140 6 A

IEEE-1394 E849 1 A

VXIb u s Ext

E148 2 B

Mainframes

E130 0 B E130 1 B

E130 2 A

E140 1 B E142 1 B E840 1 A E840 2 A E840 3 A E840 4 A E840 8 A Othe r

To Next Mainframe

* IEEE-1394 (HP E8491A) and M X Ibus (HP E14 82B) systems allow for multiple mainframes.

Figure 8. Typical External PC VXI Hardware

16 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Configure Your PC

Step 2 Overview What’s in This Step?

This step gives guidelines to configure an external PC for use with a VXI system. Figure 9 shows the parts of the VXI system that are installed when this step is completed.

Peripherals

2-1. Install Applications

2-2. Install PC I_O Car d

Network

Figure 9. Steps to Configure Your PC

What You Will Need for This Step:

2-3. Connect Peripherals to PC

External

2-4. Connect PC to Network

• Your PC

• PC I_O Cards

• Peripherals to be connected to PC (printers, plotters, etc.)

• ESD Wrist Strap (supplied with some pre-configured systems)

• Standard Torx (or equivalent) Screwdriver

• PC I_O Card Installation Guide

• PC User’s Manual

• Peripherals Installation Manuals

2-1: Install

Application

Programs

Install Application Programs in Your PC

If you have not already done so, turn the PC ON and install the application programs to program the VXI system, such as Visual

C/C++®, HP VEE, Vi sual Basic®, etc. Then, turn the PC OFF.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 17

2-2: Install

Install PC I_O Cards in Your PC

PC I_O Cards

Caution To avoid potential damage to your PC, we suggest you wear an

Note Before you can use the PC I_O card with a VXI system, you must configu re

1 Install required PC I_O card(s) into your PC. See the applicable

PC I_O Card Installation Guide for instructions.

ESD wriststrap and observe all ESD precautions when installing (or removing) PC I_O cards.

2 Turn the PC ON and verify proper operation of the PC.

the interface. We will do this in Step 4-1: Install HP I_O Libraries.

Example: Installing an HP 82350A PC Card

For example, you can use the instructions in the HP 82350 PCI HP-IB Interface Installation Guide to install an HP 82350A card

into a PCI slot in the PC (see Figure 10).

2-3: Connect

Peripherals to PC

2-4: Connect PC to

Network

ESD

Wrist Strap

External PC

Chassis

PCI Slot

Figure 10. Example: Installing HP 82350A Card

Connect Peripherals to PC (OPTIONAL)

If not already done, connect peripherals (printer, plotter, etc.) to the PC as required. See the applicable peripherals documentation for installation instructions .

Connect PC to Your Network (OPTIONAL)

As required, connect the PC to your network. See your System Administrato r for connection requirements.

HP 82350A

18 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Install VXI Hardware

Step 3 Overview What’s in This Step?

This step gives guidelines to install the VXI hardware. Figure 11 shows the parts of this st ep, and shows the hardware installed after this step is completed. For pre-configured systems, you can skip the steps that do not apply to your system.

3-1. Install Mainframes in Rack

3-2. Install Slot 0 Card

3-4. Connect Interface Cable

3-3. Install VXI Instruments

3-5. Interconnect Mainframes (Optional)

Figure 11. Steps to Install VXI Hardware

Installing External PC VXI Systems 19

What You Will Need for This Step:

• VXI Mainframe(s)

• Rack Mount Installation Kit (as required)

• VXI Slot 0 Card(s)

• VXI Instrument s to be installed

• Mainframe User’s/Service Manual

• Rack Mount Installation Instructions (as required)

• Slot 0 Controller User’s Manual

• User’s Manuals for each VXI instrument to be installed

3-1: Install

Mainframe(s)

Rack Mount VXI Mainframe(s) (OPTIONAL)

As required, rack mount the mainframe(s) for your VXI system using the procedures in the applicable Rack Mount Installation Guide. If rack mounting is not required, go to the next step Configure the

VXI Mainframe(s).

Configure the VXI Mainframe(s)

1 If rack mounting is not required, place the mainframe on a bench or

table as desired.

2 Install the ground conne ctor (for 66 Hz and abo ve operation ONLY),

connect the power cord, and configure each mainframe as required as shown in the applica ble M ainfr ame User/ Servi ce Man ual. Fi gure 12 shows the hardware installed after this step.

3 Turn mainframe(s) power ON and observe the power-on sequence

(if any) for the mainframe(s). See the applicable Mainframe User/Service Manual for details.

4 Turn mainframe(s) power OFF.

Peripherals

Network

Figure 12. Installing/Configuring Mainframes

20 Installing External PC VXI Systems

PC I_O

Card

VXI

Mainframe

External

Example: HP E8404A Power-On Sequence

To observe the HP E8404A C-Size mainframe power-on sequence, plug the power cord into an AC outlet. The amber Standby Indicator (see Figure 13) should turn ON. Then, press the Power switch. The Green Light should turn ON, and the Amber Light should turn OFF.

Power Switch OFF: Amber Light ON, Green Light OFF

Power Switch ON: Green Light ON, Amber Light OFF

3-2: Install Slot 0

Card

0 1

Power

System Backplane

Power Supply

Status

Fans

TempOnStdby

Full

Var

SYSFAIL

Activity

4 56

Diagnostic

HP E8404A Front Panel

Figure 13. Example: HP E8404A Power-On Sequence

Install Slot 0 Controller Card in Mainframe 1

1 Set the VXI Slot 0 Controller Card switch settings as required

for your system. See the applicabl e Slot 0 Contro ller Use r’s Manual for details. In general, you will not need to change the Slot 0 card switches from the default settings.

2 Install the VXI Slot 0 card in VXI Mainframe 1. See the applicable

Slot 0 Controller User’s Manual for installation steps. Figure 14 shows the hardware install ed after this step.

3 Turn mainframe power ON and observe the Slot 0 card front panel

power-on display sequence. Then, turn mainframe power OFF. If required, correct hardware errors and retest.

HP E1406A, HP E8491A, etc.

PC I_O

Peripherals

Network

Card

VXI

Mainframe

External

Figure 14. Installing Slot 0 Card in Mainframe

Installing External PC VXI Systems 21

3-3: Install VXI

Ways to Install VXI Instruments

Instruments

This step shows two ways to install VXI instruments in mainframes. The first way is to use the HP VXI Installation Consultant (HP VIC). The second way is to install using the procedures in this step.

• If you want to use HP VIC, go to “Installation Using HP VIC”.

HP VIC is a utility that provides a structured way to configure and install VXI instruments, and to check the installation.

• If you do not want to use HP VIC, go to “Installation Without

Using HP VIC”.

Installation Using HP VIC

To use HP VIC: 1 Turn mainframe and PC power OFF. Connect the interface cable

(HP-IB or IEEE-1394) from the Slot 0 card (in the mainframe) to the PC I_O card (in the PC). Turn PC power ON (leave mainframe power OFF).

2 Insert the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD into

the CD-ROM drive and wait a few seconds for the setup instructions to appear.

3 If the setup screen does not appear in a few se conds, clic k Start|Run

and then type <drive>: setup.exe in the Run box , where dr ive is your CD-ROM drive.

4 When the main menu appears, click Launch Installer or View

Manuals. Click Next on the next screen and Yes on the third screen

to go to the Choose Type of Installation screen (see Figure 15).

22 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Figure 15. Choose Type of Installation Screen

5 From the Choose Type of Installation screen, click the RUN

HP VIC... icon to display the Welcome to HP VIC screen.

6 From this screen, click Ne w--> and follow t he on-screen i nstructions

to install and check your VXI instruments and to (optionally) print the results.

7 If you have HP-IB Rack & Stack instruments or a termina l to install,

go to St ep 3- 4: Connect Interface Cable . Otherwise, go to Step 3-5: Interconnect Mainframes.

Installation Without Using HP VIC

1 The first step to install VXI instruments is to select the mainframe

slot to use for each VXI instrument. See the applicable Mainframe

User’s/Service Manual or Instrument User’s Guide for guidelines.

2 When you have selected a slot for an instr ument, enter the instr ument

model number , n ame, a nd serial number for the in st rument in Table

1. (The instrument serial number is located on the side of the instrument.) Do this for all instruments to be installed.

Note For pre-configured systems, the Installed VXI Instruments List in the

Owner’s Pack lists instrument model number, name, logical address, and serial number for each installed VXI instrument.

Table 1. VXI Instruments Installed in Mainframe

Slot Model Number Instrument Name Logical Address Serial Number

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Installing External PC VXI Systems 23

Set VXI Instrument Logical Addresses

1 When you have selected the slot for each VXI instrument, the next

step is to set the i nstrument logical addresse s (LADDR) as re quired. In general, you can use the factory-set (default) logical addresses.

2 If you need to set other logical addresses, use the following

guidelines. See the applicable Mainframe User’s/Service Manual or Instrument User’s Guide for details.

• The logical address for each VXI i n st ru ment is set by the Logical

Address (LADDR) switch on the ins trument. The logic al addr ess value is the sum of the values of the logical address switches set to the closed position (see Figure 16).

• For HP-IB (HP E1406A Command Module) systems, each VXI

instrument must have a separate logical address and the logical address must be a multiple of 8 (8, 16, 24, etc.).

• For IEEE-1394 (HP E8941A Interconnect) systems, each VXI

instrument must have a separate logical address but the logical address does not have to be a multiple of 8.

• A multimeter and one or more multiplexers can be used to form

a scanning multimeter. In this case, the instruments must be in adjacent mainframe slots and must have sequential logical addresses (see Figure 17). In addition, for HP E1406A systems the multimeter must have a logical address that is a multiple of 8.

3 When you have selected the logical address for an instrument, set

the address using the LADDR switch on the instrument. Then, record the logical address in Table 1. Repeat for each instrument.

Example: Setting Multimeter Logical Address

Figure 16 shows an HP E1411B multimeter with the Logical Address switch set to 24. Since switch 3 (logical value = 8) and switch 4 (logical value = 1 6 ) a re b o th closed, the sum of the lo gic al values (24) is the logical addres s for t he HP E1411B. See the HP E1326B/E1411B User’s Guide for details.

24 Installing External PC VXI Systems

16+8=24

128

1 0

Switch Address set to 24

1 0

Address

Switch

Location

Figure 16. Example: HP E1411B Logical Address Switch

Example: Scanning Multimeter Logical Addresses

Figure 17 shows an HP E1406A installed in Slot 0 and VXI instruments installed in slots 1 through 4 of an HP E8404A VXI mainframe. The HP E1411B multimeter and the two HP E1460A multiplexers form a scanning multimeter since they are in adjacent mainframe slots, and they have sequential (24, 25, 26) logical addresses.

Since this is an HP-IB (HP E1406A) system, the HP E1411B multimeter must have a logical address that is a multiple of 8 (24 in this case). For an IEEE-1394 (HP E8491A) system, the three instruments must still be in adjacent mainframe slots, but could have any three sequential logical addresses (such as 17, 18, 19).

HP E1441A

Scanning

Multimeter

Figure 17. Example: Scanning Multimeter Logical Addresses

HP E1460A HP E1460A HP E1411A HP E1406A

LADDR

0 24 25 26 80

HP E8404A

VXI Mainframe

210 43

Installing External PC VXI Systems 25

Install VXI Instruments in Mainframe

1 As required, perform Logical Address switch (and other switch)

setting changes for each VXI instrument. See the previous step and

the applicable Instrument User’s Guide for details.

2 Turn mainframe power OFF. Then, install each VXI instrument

in the slot(s) you previously identified. Figure 18 shows the hardware connected at the end of this step.

3 Turn mainframe power ON and observe each instrument’s power-

on display sequence (if any). See the applicable Instrument User’s Guide for details. Then, turn mainframe power OFF.

HP E1406A, HP E8491A,

etc. in Slot 0

PC I_O

Peripherals

Network

Card

External

S L O T

VXI

Mainframe

VXI Instruments in Slots

L O T

3-4: Connect

Interface Cable

Figure 18. Installing VXI Instruments in the Mainframe

Connect Interface Cable

1 Connect one end of the interface cable to the PC I_O card you

installed (in Step 2). Connect the other end of the cable to the Slot 0 Controller card. Figure 19 shows the hardware connected at the end of this step (not including terminals or Rack & Stack equipment).

HP E1406A, HP E8491A,

etc. in Slot 0

Peripherals

External PC (Rear View)

Network

Figure 19. Connecting the Interface Cable

Interface Cable

from PC I_O Card

to Slot 0 Card

L O T

VXI

Mainframe

VXI Instruments in Slots

L O T

26 Installing External PC VXI Systems

2 (OPTIONAL - HP-IB ONLY) If you have HP-IB Rack & Stack

equipment in your system, you can also connect the HP-IB cable to the Rack & Stack instruments (see Figure 20).

3 (OPTIONAL - HP-IB ONLY) For a system with an HP E1406 or

HP E1306, you can also c onne ct a t er m ina l to the RS-232 port (see Figure 20). See the HP E1406A User’s Guide or the HP E1306A User’s Guide for details.

3-5: Interconnect

Mainframes

(Optional)

Connect HP-IB Cable from

PC I_O Card to Command Module

VXI Mainframe

Your PC

Figure 20. Connecting the Interface Cable

Interconnect VXI Mainframes (IEEE-1394/MXIbus ONLY)

If your system includes an IEEE-1394 and/or MXIbus interface and multiple mainframes, interconnect the mainframes by connecting interface cables between each mainframe.

HP-IB

Connect RS-232 Cable from

Command Module to Terminal

• See the HP E8491A Configuration and User’s Guide to

interconnect mainframes for IEEE-1394 systems.

• See the HP E1482B VXI-MXIBus User’s Manual to

interconnect mainframes for MXIbus systems.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 27

Install Libraries/Drivers

Step 4 Overview What’s in This Step?

This step gives guidelines to install HP I_O Libraries and HP VXIplug&play drivers for a VXI system. Figure 21 shows the software installed at the end of this step.

External

4-1: Install HP I_O

Libraries

HP I_O

Libraries CD

Instrument Drivers CD

Figure 21. Steps to Install Libraries/Drivers

What You Will Need for This Step:

4-1. Install HP I_O Libraries

Drivers

4-2. Install VXI

4-3. Download SCPI Drivers (HP-IB ONLY)

• HP Universal Instrument Drivers CD

• HP I_O Libraries for Instrument Control CD

• HP I_O Libraries Installation and Configuration Guide for

Windows

Install the HP I_O Libraries on the PC

Note If you have already installed the HP I_O Libraries as part of the HP VEE

installation pr ocess , skip this step and go to Step 4-2: Install VXIplug&play Drivers.

28 Installing External PC VXI Systems

1 Turn the PC ON and close all open applications. 2 Insert the HP I_O Libraries for Instrument Control CD into the

CD-ROM drive, and wait a few seconds for the application to run.

3 The installer should automatically start when the CD is inserted.

If not, select Start|Run and type <drive>:setup.exe.

4 Click Next on the first screen and Yes on the second screen. 5 When the Install HP E8491 VXI Components screen appears

(see Figure 22), check the “Install HP E8491 VXI Components” box if your system has an HP E8491A (IEEE-1394 to VXI interface) and you want to install drivers for it. Then, click Next.

Figure 22. Install HP E8491 VXI Components Screen

6 Follow the instructions to go through the next two screens to select

a destination directory and to copy files to the selected directory.

7 When the Vi ew Readme and Configure I nter fa ce screen appears,

be sure the Configure interfaces box is checked. (You can uncheck the View Readme box if desired.) Then, click Next to display the I_O Config screen (see Figure 23).

Figure 23. Typical I_O Config Utility Screen

Installing External PC VXI Systems 29

8 Select the interfac e you want to configure, a nd the I_O Config utility

will help you configure each interface. Click the Help button for information on using Installation and Configuration Guide f or Windows.

9 When you have completed I_ O configuration, follow t he instructions

to display the Restart Windows screen. Select Yes, I want to rest art my computer now, and then click OK.

10 After the computer has re-started, remove the HP I_O Libraries

CD.

What Program Groups Are Created?

During installation, an HP I_O Libraries program group is created. Also, a Vxipnp (VXIplug&play) program group is created where VXIplug&play drivers can be installe d.

Note When you install the I_O libraries, both VISA and SICL directories are

automatically installed on your system. Do NOT delete the SICL directory as some parts of VISA are dependent on SICL.

I_O Config, or see the HP I_O Libraries

4-2: Install

VXI

plug&play

Where are the VXI

VXIplug&play drivers can be installe d in the Vxipnp directory

Drivers

Note The Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD you received

(created when you loaded the Hewlett-Packard I_O Libraries for Instrument Control CD) from the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD.

should contain the latest version of the instrument drivers. See the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/go/inst_drivers for driver informa tion.

Install VXI

1 Insert the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD into

the CD-ROM drive and wait a few seconds for the setup instructions to appear.

2 If the setup screen does not appear in a few seconds, click Start|

Run and type <drive>:s etup.e xe in t he Run bo x, where drive is your

CD-ROM drive.

plug&play

Drivers on Your PC

Drivers?

30 Installing External PC VXI Systems

3 When the main menu appears, click Launch Installer or View

Manuals. Click Next on the next screen and Yes on the third screen to go to the Choose Type of Installation screen (see Figure 24).

Figure 24. Choose Type of Installation Screen

4 Select INSTALL DRIVERS and choose whether or not to view the

README.TXT file. Click No to display the Choose Item to Install screen (see Figure 25).

Figure 25. Choose Item to Install Screen

5 For Windows ® 95/Windows NT®, click Windows NT Drivers

(32-bit). For Windows ® 3.1, click Windows 3.1 Drivers (16-bit). Click Next to display a list of available VXIplug&play drivers.

6 Highlight the driver(s) to be installed and press Next to begin

installation. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the VXIplug&play driver(s) for your VXI system.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 31

Note The list of drivers displayed is for VXI instruments (such as an HP E1411

multimeter , HP E1460A multiple xer , etc.) a nd does not incl ude Mainframes or Command Modules (HP E1406A, etc.). VXIplug&play drivers are not required for Mainframes and Command Modules.

7 When the Choose Program Folder Items screen appears (see

Figure 26), check the Soft Front Panel, Read Me and Help entries. Then, click Next. Follow the in structions to lo ad the driver(s).

4-3: Download

SCPI Drivers

(HP-IB Only)

Note You will need to use this step ONLY if your VXI system includes an HP

Figure 26. Choose Program Folder Items Screen

8 When installation is complete, click No when asked if you want to

select another option.

9 Close the taskbar icons (C:\WINNT\ profi les..., etc.) and then remove

the CD.

This step gives guidel ines to use the HP VXI Installation Consultant (HP VIC) to download SCPI drivers to the HP E1406A/E13 06A Command Module or to an HP E1300/E1301A mainframe.

E1406A Command Module, an HP E1306A Command Module, or an HP E1300/E1301 Mainframe. If these items are not part of your system, skip this step and go to Step 5: Verifying Instrument Communication.

32 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Using HP VIC to Download SCPI Drivers

SCPI drivers can be downloaded into the HP Command Module usi ng

HP VXI Installation Consultant (HP VIC). HP VIC will determine

the whether SCPI drivers are required and, if required, will download the drivers. To use

HP VIC to download SCPI drivers:

1 If not already done, connect an HP_IB c able a s shown in Fi gure 2 7.

To do this, turn PC and mainframe power OFF and make the connections. Then, turn PC and mainframe power ON.

HP E1406A

External PC (Rear View)

HP -IB Cable

HP-IB PC I_O Card

S L O T

VXI

Mainframe

S L O T

Figure 27. HP VIC Connections

2 Load the Hewlett-Packar d Universal Instrument Drivers CD into the

CD-ROM drive and wait a few seconds for the application to start.

3 The installer should automatically start when the CD is inserted.

If not, select Start|Run and type <drive>:setup.exe.

4 When the main menu appears, click Launch Installer or View

Manuals. Then, click Next on the next screen and Yes on the third

screen to move to the Choose Type of Installation screen.

5 From the Choose Type of Installation screen, click the RUN

HP VIC... icon to display the Welcome to HP VIC screen.

6 From the Welcome to HP VIC screen, click D

ownload --> and

follow the instructions. Click the Help menu for informat ion

HP VIC.

7 When you have completed the download, exit

HP VIC and remove

the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 33

Verify Instrument Communication

Step 5 Overview What’s in This Step?

This step gives guideline s to use the tool s shown in Figure 28 to veri fy communication with VXI instruments. Although several tools are described in this step to verify communica tion with instruments, no specific order is implied. You can use any one (or all) of the methods as desire d.

Note For troubleshooting purposes, we suggest you first use the Resource

Manager (see Step 5-4: Use Resource Manager). The Resource Manager

displays what the syste m “thinks” is in stalled. This information i s useful for identifying problems such as duplic ate logical address es or instr uments not correctly installed.

5-1: Use Soft Front Panels

5-2: Use VISA Assistant

External

5-3: Use HP VEE Instrument Manager

5-4: Use Resource Manager

Figure 28. Some T ools to Verify Instrument Communication

What You Will Need for This Step:

• Your VXI hardware system with configured PC connected

• Mainframe User’s Manuals

• Slot 0 Controller User’s Manuals

• User’s Manual for each installed instrument

• Controlling Instruments with HP VEE manual

34 Installing External PC VXI Systems

5-1: Use Soft Fro nt

Verify Communication Using Soft Front Panels

Panels

Note To use an Instrume nt Soft Front Panel, the instrument must have a Soft

Instrument Soft Front Panels (SFP) are included as part of the instrument VXIplug&play drivers, and provide a virtual “front panel”

for selected instruments. A soft front panel is activated from the Vxipnp program group when you click the applicable SFP icon (Start|Programs| Vxipnp|<instrument> (SFP)).

Front Panel file loaded in the Vxipnp program group. See Step 4-2: Install VXIplug&play Drivers for information on loading Soft Front Panels.

Some features of Soft Front Panels (SFP) are:

• A SFP is a virtual “front panel” for the instrument. Thus, you

can use the SFP to communicate with the instrument and to return results.

• SFPs return the slot number (for some instruments) and the

instrument description, including the logical address.

• You can use SFPs to set instrument functions, ranges, and other

features without writing a single line of code.

Example: Communicate Using HP E1411B Soft Front Panel

For this example, we will use an HP E1411B multimeter and the HP E1411 Soft Front Panel to measure the voltage of a 9V battery connected to the HP E1411B terminals. To run this example:

1 Turn mainframe power OFF and connect the battery to the HI and

LO terminals of the HP E1411B as shown in Figure 29. Then, turn mainframe power ON.

HP E1411B

Battery

HI LO

Figure 29. Example: HP E1411B Connections

Installing External PC VXI Systems 35

2 To display the HP E1411B Soft Front Panel, turn the PC ON and

click Start|Programs|Vxipnp|HP E1411 DVM (32-bit SFP). Then, to measure the 9V battery value, click the System|Auto Update menu item. See Figure 30 for a typical display.

Figure 30. Example: HP E1411B Soft Front Panel Display

3 Some features of the Soft Front Panel display in Figure 30 are:

• Since this is a GPIB environment, the -1 in the Slot box indicates

no slot information is returned. (Slot info rmation is retu rned for a GPIB-VXI environment).

• The green Active light shows that communication is established

with the HP E1411B.

• The Instr Desc box (GPIB0 ::9::3::INSTR) shows this is a GPIB

environment, 9 is the HP-IB inte rface , 3 is the second ary addre ss (logical address/8) of the instru ment, and INSTR shows th is is an instrument.

• The measured value (9.0224690E+0 VDC) is displayed in the

Display Panels.

• You can set the Function, Range, Resolution, and Sample

parameters of the instrument using the boxes at the bottom of the display.

36 Installing External PC VXI Systems

• The System menu items allow you to control instrument

operation. The Panel menu items allow you to sel ect six dif ferent display panels. See the Help menu for help on using the Soft Front Panel. Click the Close [x] box to exit.

5-2: Use VISA

Verify Communication Using VISA Assistant

Assistant

VISA Assistant is an application program that uses the VISA I_O

Library to communicate with and control VXI (GPIB-VXI), HP-IB (GPIB), and Serial (ASRL) Instruments. Some features of VISA Assistant are:

• VISA Assistant can automatically detect and assign

VXIplug&play instrument drivers to instruments.

• VISA Assistant can also be used to send and receive I/O

strings to ins truments that support formatted I/O. You can execute an y SCPI command from VISA Assistant.

• For other instruments, VISA Assistant allows you to read

from and write to memory areas. attributes associated with instruments.

To use

VISA Assistant, turn the PC ON and click the VISA Assistant

icon in the Vxipnp program group (Start|Programs|HP I_O Libraries|VISA Assistant).

Example: Communicate Using VISA Assistant

For this example, we will use an HP E1411B multimeter and VISA Assistant to measure the voltage of a 9V battery connected to the HP E1411B terminals. To run this example:

VISA Assistant also describes

1 Turn mainframe power OFF and connect the battery to the HI and

LO terminals of the HP E1411B as shown in Figure 31. Then, turn mainframe power ON.

HP E1411B

Battery

Figure 31. Example: HP E1411B Connections

HI LO

2 To display the VISA Assistant Main Menu, click Start|Programs|

HP I_O Libraries|VISA Assistant) for a display similar to that i n

Figure 32. (For this example, we will assume only the HP E1406A Command Module and HP E1411B DVM are installed in the mainframe.)

Installing External PC VXI Systems 37

Figure 32. VISA Assistant Main Menu

3 T o measure the 9V battery voltag e, we will se nd the SCPI command

MEAS:VOLT? from the Formatted I/O tab, and disp lay the results and equivalent C-language code for MEAS:VOLT?. To do this:

• Highlight the GPIB0::9::3::INSTR entry

• Select the Formatted I/O tab

• Select SCPI in the Instr. Lang. box

• Click the *RST box to reset the HP E1411B

• Type MEAS:VOLT? in the Enter String to Print or Query: box

• Click the viQueryf box to display the SCPI command and result

• Check the Show C Code box

• Click the viQueryf box again to display the equivalent C code

• The result should be similar to that in Figure 33.

38 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Figure 33. Example: Typical VISA Assistant Display

5-3: Use HP VEE

Verify Communication Using HP VEE Instrument Manager

Instrument Manager

You can use the VXI instruments. See the Controlling Instruments with HP VEE manual for information on

Example: Communicate Using Instrument Manager

For this HP-IB example, we will use the HP VEE Instrument Manager to communicate with an HP E1411B 5.5-Digit Multimeter at logical address 70903. The instrument name we will use is dmm_scan.

1 To run this example, turn PC and mainframe power ON and open

HP VEE. Then, select the I/O|Instrument Manager... menu item to display the default Instrument Manager screen (see Figure 34).

HP VEE Instrument Manager to communicate with

using Instrument Manager.

Figure 34. HP VEE Instrument Manager - Default Screen

2 Be sure My configuration is highlighted. Then, click the Find

Instruments button to find all instruments (see Figure 35).

Figure 35. Instrument List Screen

Installing External PC VXI Systems 39

3 For an instrument at Logical Address 70903, highlight

newDevice2(@70903). Then, click Edit Instrument and set the instrument name to dmm_scan (see Figure 36).

Figure 36. HP VEE Instrument Manager - Configuration

4 To verify communication with the HP E1411B, highlight the

dmm_scan (@70903) line and then click Auto Configure to display an *IDN? message box similar to Figure 37.

40 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Figure 37. HP VEE Instrument Manager - Auto Configure

5 Click OK to send *IDN? to the HP E1411B. If the query is

successful, instrument communication is verified and the instrument model number (hpe1411b) appears (see Figure 38).

6 Click Save Config to return to the HP VEE main menu.

Figure 38. Typical HP VEE Instrument Manager Display

5-4: Use Resource

Manager

Verify Communication with Resource Manager (HP-IB)

For an HP-IB (HP E1406/E1306A) system and a PC with Windows

NT/95, you can use the HyperTerminal ® utility to display the Resource Manager results. To use HyperTerminal:

1 Turn mainfr ame and P C power OFF and c onnect an RS-23 2 (9-p in)

cable from the HP E1406A/E1306A RS232 port to a COM port on the PC.

2 Turn PC power ON (leave mainframe power OFF) and click

Start|Programs|Accessories|Hyperterminal|HyperTerminal to display the HyperTerminal Connection Descrip ti on screen.

3 From the Connection Description screen, enter a connection

(session) name and click OK to display the Connect to screen.

4 From the Connect to screen, enter a phone number and the

name of the COM port used (COM1 or COM2). Click OK to display the COM{1|2} Properties screen.

5 From the COM{1|2} Properties screen, sele ct 9600 Bits per second

and the COM port (COM1 or COM2) connected in St ep 1 and leave the default values for the other properties. Then, click OK to display the session name - HyperTerminal screen.

6 When the session n ame - HyperTerminal screen is displayed, turn

mainframe power ON and observe the (Res ource Man ager) displa y. See the HP E1406A Command Module User’s Guide for details on

the display. See Figure 39 for a portion of a typical Resource Manager display.

7 Use File|Print to print a copy of the display if desired.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 41

Figure 39. Typical Resource Manager Display

Verify Communication with Resource Manager (IEEE-1394)

For an IEEE-1394 system with an HP E8491A Interconnect, you can communicate with instruments using the view the

Resource Manager output, run the I_O Config utility (Start|

Resource Manager. To

Programs|I_O Libraries|I_O Config). See the HP E8491A

Configuration and User’s Guide for details on using the

Manager

Resource

42 Installing External PC VXI Systems

6 Program Your System

Step 6 Overview What’s in This Step?

When your VXI system is assembled and VXI instrument communication is verified, the next step is to create programs to test/evaluate your pr oduct. Figure 40 shows suggested steps to connect your product to the VXI system and to program your VXI system.

6-1: Design Product Connections

6-2: Create Product Tests

6-3: Create Test Programs

6-4: Make Product Connections

6-5: Test Your Product

Figure 40. Steps to Program Your System

What You Will Need for This Step:

VXI

Mainframe

VXI

Mainframe

Inter-

Connects

• Your PC Programmer’s Manual

• Application Programming Manual

• User’s Guide for Each VXI Instrument

• Mainframe User’s Manual

• HP VISA Use r’s Guide

• Controlling Instruments with HP VEE manual

• HP Universal Instrument Drivers CD

Your

Product

Note This step assumes you have installed and configured your VXI hardware/

software and have verified communication between your PC and the VXI equipment.

Since your product to be connected will require individualized tests and connections, this step only provides general guidelines and shows where example programs are available. You will need to design the specific tests and/or programs for your system.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 43

6-1: Design Product

Define Mass Interconnects (OPTIONAL)

Connections

Note If you do not use mass interconnects, your product will be connected

The first step in designing your product (typically a Unit Under Test (UUT)) connections is to decide if you will use Mass Interconnects, such as a fixture syst em.

If your system uses interconnects, define the mass interconnect connections to the VXI mainframe and to your product. See the applicable Mass Interconnect Installation instructions to insta ll the interconnects.

directly to the VXI instruments in the mainframe, and you will need to define these connections. In this case, skip to Record Your Product

Connections.

Figure 41 shows one way mass interconnects (ICAs and ITAs) can be used to connect your product to the VXI instruments in the mainframe. You can use the table in the next step to record connections from your product to the VXI instruments via the ICAs and ITAs.

Your

Prod uc t

Connect Your Product to VXI

Ma infram e Via ICA/ITAs

VXI

Mainframe

Test System (ICA)

Fixture (ITA)

Figure 41. Typical Mass Interconnect Connections

44 Installing External PC VXI Systems

6-2: Create Product

Defining Tests for Your Product

Tests

6-3: Create Test

Programs

When you have defined connections from your product to the VXI instruments, the next s tep is to define the specif ic test(s) for your product. For example, tests could include voltage, current, or resistance measurements, strain measurements, etc. Create the specific product tests required for your product.

Getting Started Using Example Programs

When you have defined the tests for your product, the next step is to create programs to implement the tests. As desired, you can copy and use the example programs included on the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD to get started creating your test programs. In addition (for HP-IB) you can program your system using SCPI commands. See Programming Using SCPI Commands for details.

Where are the Example Programs?

Several example programs are included on the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD or in the Vxipnp directory. You can

copy and use or modify t hese progr ams for you r applic ation. Programs are in Visual C/C++, Visual Basic, and HP VEE.

1 For instruments that have an HP VXIplug&play driver, Visual

C/C++ and Visual Basic example programs are contained in the

instrument’s VXIplug&play Help File. To access these programs, click Start|Programs |Vxipnp| instrument help icon. See “Using Visual C/C++ and Visual Basic Programs” for details.

2 If you use HP VEE, some HP VEE example programs are

located in the examples directory of the Hewlett-Packard Univ ersal Instrument Drivers CD. This directory includes C and/or HP VEE

programming examples grouped by instr ument numbe r. See “Using HP VEE Example Programs” for details.

Using HP VEE Example Programs

1 Be sure all applicable VXIplug&play drivers have been installed

on the PC (see Step 4-2: Install VXIplug&play Drivers).

2 As required, configure the VXI instruments with the HP VEE

Instrument Manager (se e Step 5-3: Use HP VEE Instrument Manager).

3 Insert the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD

into the CD ROM drive and wait a few seconds for the setup instructions to appear.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 45

4 If the setup screen does not appear in a few seconds, click Start|

Run and type <drive>:s etup.e xe in t he Run bo x, where drive is your CD ROM drive.

5 To access HP VEE programs from the CD, use Windows NT

Explorer (or equivalent) to access the examples directory on the CD. This directory includes C and/or HP VEE programming examples grouped by instrument number. For example, to access the HP VEE E1411 example program, the path is <drive>:| examples\hpe1411\1411.

6 As required, see the applicable Instrument User’s Guide for details

on instrument addressing, operation, settings, modes, etc.

Note Online versions of most instrument manuals are included on the Hewlett-

Packard Universa l Instrument Driver CD. To access a specific online

instrument manual, run the CD and click VIEW PRODUCT MANUALS from the Choose Type of Installation screen. Then, select the manual you want to view.

7 Copy, run, and modify the example programs as desired. We

suggest you copy the HP VEE example programs from the CD to your HP VEE working direct ory se t up dur ing HP VEE insta llation.

8 When you run an example program, you may be prompted to add

device drivers and/or to save the instrument configuration. However, doing this ma y overwrite the default inst rument configuration file (vee.io). If you do not want the vee.io file to be overwritten, you can do one of two things:

• In Windows Explorer, re-name the vee.io file to another file

(such as vee_mine.io, etc.) BEFORE you run the example program. After you run the program, delete the new vee.io file and restore your configuration file to its original name (vee.io). You will need to do this if you want to run the example pr ograms shipped with HP VEE.

• Click NO when asked i f you want t o s ave t he changes. When you

exit HP VEE, the default configuration file (vee.io) will remain unchanged. For this action, you will not need to rename vee.io.

9 Repeat Steps 5 through 8 for each VXI instrument to be

programmed using HP VEE.

46 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Example: HP E1411 HP VEE Program

An HP VEE example program for the HP E1411B Digital Multimeter that is on the Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD is entitled 1411. To access this program, select <drive>:\examples\ hpe1411\1411, where drive is the CD-ROM drive letter.

For this example, we will copy the 1411 program to the HP VEE working directory. When HP VEE is run and the program is opened, a display similar to Figure 42 appears. If you have an HP E1411B DVM in your system, you can run this program and observe the results. (Be sure you have configured the instruments as shown in Step 5-3: Use HP VEE Instrument Manager.)

Figure 42. HP VEE Example Program Screen

Using Visual C/C++ and Visual Basic Programs

You can program VXI instruments that have VXIplug&play drivers using Visual C/C++ or Visual Basic and the online VXIplug&play Help Files for VXI instruments. To use the example Visual C/C++ or Visual Basic programs:

1 Be sure all applicable VXIplug&play drivers have been in stalled on

the PC (see Step 4-2: Install VXIplug&play Drivers).

2 (HP-IB) Be sure all applicable SCPI instrument driver s have been

downloaded to the HP Command Module (see Step 4-3: Download SCPI Drivers).

Installing External PC VXI Systems 47

3 For the first VXI instrume nt to be programmed, ope n the appli cable

instrument VXIplug&play Help File (Start|Programs |Vxipnp| instrument help icon). Figure 43 shows a typical VXIplug&play

Help File main menu for the HP E1411 DVM that is displayed when you click Start|Programs|Vxipnp|HP E1411 Help (32-bit).

Figure 43. Typical VXI

plug&play

Help File Main Menu

4 Read the Programming Information sections for information on

using the instrument driver, an introduction to programming the instrument, and specific addressing for the instrument.

5 See the Referen ce Infor mati on sec tions for VXIplug&pl ay fu nction

references, examples, and equivalent SCPI commands.

6 See the Example Programs section for a list of example programs

that you can copy and use or modif y as d esire d. As r equir ed, se e the applicable Instrument User’s Guide for details on instrument operation, settings, modes, etc.

Note Online versions of most instrument manuals are included on the Hewlett-

Packard Universa l Instrument Drivers CD. To access a specific online

instrument manual, run the CD and click VIEW PRODUCT MANUALS from the Choose Type of Installation screen. Then, select the manual you want to view.

7 Repeat Steps 3 through 6 for each VXI instrument to be

programmed.

48 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Programming Using SCPI Commands

You can use HP VISA programming and SCPI/IEEE-488.2 Common Commands if your system has an HP E1406 or HP E1306 Command Module or an HP E1300/E1301 Mainframe, an d you have downloaded necessary SCPI instrument drivers (see Step 4-3: Download SCPI Drivers). Information on SCPI command programming, example programs, Command Reference, and register-based programming for each instrumen t is contained in the VXI instrument (paper) manual.

Note Online versions of most instrument manuals are included on the

Hewlett-Packard Universal Instrument Drivers CD. To access a specific online instrument manual, run this CD and click VIEW PRODUCT MANUALS from the Choose Type of Installation screen. Then, select the manual you want to view.

To use HP VISA and SCPI commands to program VXI instruments: 1 Be sure SCPI instrument drivers have been downloaded to the

HP Command Module (HP E1406A/E1306A), or to the HP E1300/01 mainframe) for each register-based instrument (see Step 4-3: Download SCPI Drivers).

6-4: Make Product

Connections

WARNING Be sure mainframe power is OFF, and observe all safety

6-5: Test Your

Product

2 Use the information in the HP VISA User’ s Guide and the appl icable

Instrument User’s Manual (or the online version) to select, copy, and modify program examples for your application.

3 Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each VXI instrument to be programmed.

Making Product Connections

When you have designed the tests and programs for your product, see the connection table entries (see Step 6-1: Design Product Connections), the applicable Mass Interconnect Installation Instructions, and the applicable Instrument User’s Guides to connect your product to the VXI instruments.

precautions when making the connections.

Testing Your Product

The final step in the getting start ed proc es s is to run the prog ra ms you have created to test your product. The procedures in this step are, of course, totally dependent on your application needs. This completes the Getting Started with VXI process for external PC VXI Systems.

Installing External PC VXI Systems 49

50 Installing External PC VXI Systems

Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems

Using This Chapter

Chapter 3

What’s in This Chapter?

This chapter shows a suggested six-step process to install, configure, and program an embedded PC VXI system. The chapter contents are:

• Step 1: Identify Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 53

• Step 2: Install VXI Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 56

• Step 3: Configure Your PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 64

• Step 4: Install Libraries/Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 65

• Step 5: Verify Instrument Communication. . . . . . . . .page 70

• Step 6: Program Your System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 78

What is an Embedded PC VXI System?

Peripherals

Network

In this guide, embedded PC VXI systems are defined to consist of a Windows-based PC installed in slots 0 and 1 of a C-Size VXI mainframe. The interface is the VXI backp lane. Your product (typically a Unit Under Test (UUT)) is connected via (optional) interconnects to VXI instruments in the mainframe. See Figure 1 for a typical embedded PC VXI system.

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 2 through n

Embedded PC

(HP E6234A, etc.)

Installed in Slots 0 and 1

VXI

Mainframe

Typically

Unit

(Optional)

Mass Interconnects

S L O T

Inter-

Connects

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

Figure 1. Typical Embedded PC VXI System

Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems 51

Steps to Install Embedded PC VXI Systems

Figure 2 shows suggested steps to install, configure, and program an External PC VXI system.

Note Since your VXI system may vary from that shown in Figure 1 you may

need to modify the steps in this guide. If you received a pre-configured system, skip any steps that have already been accomplished such as VXI instruments already installed in the mainframe, etc.

To do this step: And this

Identify Your System

Install VXI Hardware

Configure Your PC

Install Libraries/Dr ivers

You can use this

documentation:

Connection Diagram Packing List

Connection Diagrams Configuration Guides Hardware Manuals

PC Manuals Peripherals Manual s Network Manuals

Instrument Manuals HP VISA Manual HP SICL Manuals

software:

I_O Libraries CD Instrument CD

Verify Instrument Communication

Program Your System

Figure 2. Steps to Install Embedded PC VXI Systems

52 Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems

PC Manuals VXI Instrument Guides

Interconnect Manuals Your Product Manuals Programmi ng Manuals Instrument Manuals PC Manuals

Soft Fron t Panels VISA Assistant Instrument Mgr

Visual C/C++ Visual Basic HP VEE HP BASIC HP VISA HP SICL Other Applications

Identify Your System

Step 1 Overview What’s in This Step?

The first step i n in stall ing y our VXI syst em is to unp ack an d inve ntory the system, and to identify your specific VXI system type. This step includes the procedures in Figure 3.

1-1. Inventory/Gather Equipment

1-2. Identify System Hardware

Figure 3. Steps to Identify Your VXI System

WARNING During all phases of installation, operation, service or repair

of any equipment for any step in this guide, you must follow all safety instructions in the applicab le manual or guide, as well as the safety instructions in this guide.

Hardware

Software

Documentation

HP-IB

IEEE-1394

MXIbus

1-1: Inventory/

Gather Equipment

Inventory VXI Equipment/Gather Other Equipment

1 Unpack and inventory hardware, software, and documentation

for your VXI system (see Figure 4). For pre-configured systems, you can use the Packing List that accompanied this guide to check the equipment contents.

2 Gather other items not received with your system, such as your PC,

computer documentation, tools, etc., tha t you may need to assemble your system (see Figure 4).

Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems 53

1-2: Identify

System Hardware

1. Unpack Your VXI Equipment

Equipment

Software

Documentation

VXI System

2. Gather Other Items

Your PC

Tools

Documentation

Other Items

Figure 4. Inventory/Gather Equipment

Identify Your System Type

In this guide, embedded PC VXI systems are categorized as VXI Backplane (Figure 5) or MXIbus (Figure 6). Select the system that is closest to your system.

Peripherals

Network

VXI Instruments Installed

in Slots 2 through n

Embedded PC

(HP E6234A, etc.)

Installed in Slots 0 and 1

S L

VXI

Mainframe

Figure 5. Typical VXI Backplane System

Typically

Unit

(Optional)

Mass In te r c onnects

S L O T

Inter-

Connects

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

54 Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems

Peripherals

Network

VXI Instruments Installed

in Remaining Slots

Embedded PC

(HP E6234A, etc.)

Installed in Slots 0 and 1

VXI

Mainframe

HP E1482B

INTX and MXIbus Cables

VXI

Mainframe

Figure 6. Typical MXIbus System

Identify Hardware

Use Figure 7 to identify the hardware for your VXI system, including the PC controller, mainframe(s), and VXI instruments. You may want to copy this figure and highlight the specific components for your system for use in future steps.

(Optional)

Mass Interconnects

Inter-

Connects

Typically

Unit

Under

Test

(UUT)

Your

Product

Embedded

MainframesInterfaces

Embedded PC E6232A E6234A Other

Embedded

MXIbus*

* MXIbus (HP E1482B) systems allow multiple mainframes.

VXIbus Ext E1482B

E1401B E1421B E8401A E8402A E8403A E8404A E8408A Other

To Next

Mainframe

Figure 7. T ypical Embedded PC VXI Hardware Elements

Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems 55

Install VXI Hardware

Step 2 Overview What’s in This Step?

This step gives guidelines to install the VXI hardware. Figure 8 shows the parts of this step, and shows the parts of the system installed after this step is completed. For pre-configured systems, skip steps that do not apply to your system.

2-1. Install Mainframe(s)

2-2. Install PC in Mainframe 2-4. Interconnect Mainframes

HP-IB

Peripherals

CD-ROM

Figure 8. Steps to Install VXI Hardware

2-3. Install VXI Instruments

Embedded

VXI

O T

Mainframe

What You Will Need for This Step:

• VXI Mainframe(s)

• Rack Mount Installation Kit (as required)

• PC to be Installed in the Mainframe

• VXI Instrumen ts to be Installed

L O T

• Mainframe User’s/Service Manual

• Rack Mount Installation Instructions (as required)

• Your PC User’s Manual

• User’s Manuals for each VXI instrument to be installed

2-1: Install

Mainframe(s)

56 Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems

Rack Mount VXI Mainframe(s) (OPTIONAL)

As required, rack mount the mainframe(s) for your VXI system using the procedures in the applicable Rack Mount Installation Guide. If rack mounting is not required go to the next step, Configure the VXI

Mainframe(s).

Configure the VXI Mainframe(s)

1 If rack mounting is not required, place the mainframe on a bench or

table as desired.

2 Install the ground conne ctor (for 66 Hz and abo ve operation ONLY),

connect the power cord, and configure each mainframe as required as shown in the applicable Mainframe User/Service Manual.

3 Turn mainframe(s) power ON and observe the power-on sequence

(if any) for the mainframe(s). See the applicable Mainframe User/Service Manual for details.

4 Turn mainfra me(s ) power OFF. If required, correct hardware errors

and retest before installing the PC or any VXI instruments.

Example: HP E8404A Power-On Sequence

To observe the HP E8404A C-Size mainframe power-on sequence, plug the power cord into an AC outlet.The amber Standby Indicator (see Figure 9) should turn ON. Then, press the Power switch. The Green Light should turn ON, and the Amber Light should turn OFF.

2-2: Install PC in

Mainframe

Power Switch OFF : Am ber Light ON , Green Light OF F

Power Switch ON: Green Light ON, Amber Light OFF

0 1

HP E8404A Fron t Panel

Power

Power Supply

Status

Fans

System Backplane

TempOnStdby

SYSFAIL

Activity

Full Var

4 56

Diagnostic

Figure 9. Example: HP E8404A Power-On Sequence

Install PC in Mainframe

Set any required switches on the PC. Then, install the PC in Slots 0 and 1 of the mainframe (see Figure 10). See the applicable PC User’s Manual for details. Be sure to observe all ESD precautions when handling, installing, and removing the PC.

Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems 57

Set switches on PC as required. Then, install PC in Slots 0 and 1 of VXI Mainframe.

Mainframe

Figure 10. Installing the PC (non-MXIbus System)

Connect Interface Devices to PC

VXI

Connect interface devic es, such as monit or , keyboar d, mouse, exte rnal

CD-ROM, etc. to the inst alled PC. See the applicable PC User’s Manual for instructions.

Example: Typical Interface Device Connections

Figure 11 shows some typical connections for an HP E6233 PC.

CD-ROM

Monitor

C O M

KBD

HP-IB

Printer

Keyboard

Mouse

58 Installing Embedded PC VXI Systems

Figure 11. Typical PC Interface Device Connections

2-3: Install VXI

Determine Instrument Slot/Logical Address