KEPCO BHK-MG VISA User Manual

TECHNICAL MANUAL

BHK-MG 200 WATT (FULL RACK)

KEPCO INC.

An ISO 9001 Company.

BHK-MG 40 WATT (1/2 RACK)

VISA INSTRUMENT DRIVER

MODEL

BHK-MG

VISA INSTRUMENT DRIVER

ORDER NO. REV. NO.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1) This manual is valid for the following Model and associated serial numbers:

MODEL SERIAL NO. REV. NO.

2) A Change Page may be included at the end of the manual. All applicable changes and
revision number changes are documented with reference to the equipment serial num­bers. Before using this Instruction Manual, check your equipment serial number to identify
your model. If in doubt, contact your nearest Kepco Representative, or the Kepco Docu­mentation Office in New York, [phone], requesting the correct revision for your par­ticular model and serial number.

3) The contents of this manual are protected by copyright. Reproduction of any part can be
made only with the specific written permission of Kepco, Inc.

Data subject to change without notice.

KEPCO®

©200, KEPCO, INC
P/N 243-1089

KEPCO, INC. ! 131-38 SANFORD AVENUE ! FLUSHING, NY. 11352 U.S.A. ! TEL [phone] ! FAX [phone]

email: [e-mail] ! World Wide Web: http://www.kepcopower.com

THE POWER SUPPLIER™

BHK-MG 200 WATT (FULL RACK) AND 40 WATT (1/2 RACK)

VISA INSTRUMENT DRIVER

The VISA instrument driver supplied with the BHK-MG 200 Watt (Full Rack) and 40 Watt (1/2 Rack) Power
Supply is provided to simplify programming with a VISA compatible GPIB controller. The latest driver can
be downloaded from the Kepco website (http://www.kepcopower.com/drivers.htm). The driver includes the
source code (C) for all VISA functions (kp_BHK.c).

Since the software drivers supplied by Kepco are VISA compliant, they require the installation of the proper
VISA driver from your GPIB card supplier. The Kepco website (http://www.kepcopower.com/drivers.htm)
provides links to various vendor sites for these drivers.

1. VISA INSTRUMENT DRIVER FUNCTIONS

Kepco’s BHK-MG VISA instrument driver provides programming support for Kepco’s BHK-MG 40 Watt (1/2
Rack) Series Power Supplies (VISA I/O). It contains functions for opening, configuring, taking measure­ments from, test, calibration and closing the instrument. To successfully use this module, the instrument
must be connected to the GPIB and the GPIB address supplied to the initialize function must match the
GPIB address of the instrument.

Table 1 lists the functions that are available.

TABLE 1. BHK-MG VISA DRIVER FUNCTIONS

Purpose Function Name Description

INITIALIZE FUNCTION

Initialize KpBhk_init Initializes the instrument and sets it to a default configuration.

APPLICATION FUNCTIONS — This class of functions contains high-level test and measurement routines. These functions call
other instrument driver functions to configure, start, and get readings from the instrument.

Set and Measure KpBhk_ApplicSetMeas Used to either set and read back, or just read back the output voltage,

current and operating mode of the power supply

Get/Set Memory Value KpBhk_GetSetListValue This function can either get or set the values stored in any one of the 40

CONFIGURATION FUNCTIONS — This class of functions configures the instrument by setting system configuration parameters.

Get Current Range KpBhk_getCurrRange FULL RACK units only. Gets the current range:

Set Current Range KpBhk_setCurrRange FULL RACK units only. Sets the current range:

Set Maximum Limit
Val ue

Get Maximum Limit
Val ue

Get Minimum or Maxi­mum Value

KpBhk_SetMaxLimValue Sets the temporary voltage limit or current limit of the power supply.

KpBhk_GetMaxLimValue Gets the maximum limit value of the power supply.

KpBhk_GetMinMaxValue Gets the minimum or the maximum output voltage, output current,

available memory locations. Six parameter values can be stored in any
one of the 40 locations: voltage level, current level, overvoltage level,
overcurrent level, duration of the setting (if used in a program) and next
memory address (if used in a program). Depending on the slide selec­tion position, and the value of get/set switch, one of these values is
read or set. The values are checked against the maximum acceptable
values for the corresponding power supply.

1 = High range, 0 = Low range

1 = High range, 0 = Low range

The limit reduces the output range of the power supply. For example,
the output voltage range of a 0 to 10V power supply can be limited to
the range of 0 to 5.25V by setting the voltage limit to 5.25V.

overvoltage level, or overcurrent level of the power supply depending
on the min_max switch and slide selection position.

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 3

TABLE 1. BHK-MG VISA DRIVER FUNCTIONS (CONTINUED)

Purpose Function Name Description

Set Trigger Voltage and
Current

Set Trigger Value KpBhk_SetTrigValue Sets the trigger voltage or trigger current level, depending on the switch

Get Trigger Value KpBhk_GetTrigValue Gets the trigger voltage or the trigger current level, depending on the

Set Overvoltage and
Overcurrent

Set Protection Delay KpBhk_setProtDelay Sets the protection delay: the delay between the moment the output

Get Protection Delay KpBhk_getProtDelay Displays the protection delay count for the power supply. A count of 30

ACTION/STATUS FUNCTIONS — This class of functions executes commands and queries. It also provides functions which allow
the user to determine the current status of the instrument.

Set Voltage and Current KpBhk_Set_Volt_Curr Sets the output voltage and current at the same time.

Set Value KpBhk_SetValue Sets the output voltage, the output current, the overvoltage level, or the

Get Value KpBhk_GetValue Gets the output voltage, the output current, the overvoltage level, or the

Trigger KpBhk_Trig Triggers the instrument once. The output will go to the trigger voltage

Measure Output Value KpBhk_MeasValue Measures the value of output voltage or current depending on the

Get Source Mode KpBhk_GetSourceMode Gets the operating mode of the power supply.

Output On/Off KpBhk_OutputOnOff Sets the output on or off.

Get Output Status KpBhk_getOutputState Returns the output status (on or off).

Get Current Range KpBhk_getCurrRange Gets the operating current range of the power supply.

Set Current Range KpBhk_setCurrRange Sets the operating current range of the power supply

Abort Measurement KpBhk_abortMeas Sends the abort command.

Beep KpBhk_beep The selected BHK-MG power supply will emit a beep.

DATA FUNCTIONS — This class of functions transfers data to or from the instrument.

Questionable Data KpBhk_StatQues Tests for questionable data, then gets the condition.

Run/Stop LIST Program KpBhk_Prog Sends a RUN or STOP LIST program command.

Get Status of LIST Pro­gram

Send Direction of LIST
Program

Send Loop Count of
LIST Program

KpBhk_SetTrig_Volt_Curr Sets the trigger voltage and trigger current at the same time

position.

switch position.

KpBhk_Set_OVvolt_OVcurr Sets both the overvoltage and overcurrent values.

voltage and current are changed and the moment the overvoltage and
overcurrent protections are enabled.

represent ~ 1 second. The protection delay is the delay between the
moment the output voltage and current are changed and the moment
the overvoltage and overcurrent protections are enabled.

overcurrent level of the power supply, depending on the slide selection
position. The values are checked against the maximum acceptable val­ues for the corresponding power supply.

overcurrent level of the power supply depending on slide selection
position.

and current values.

switch position.

KpBhk_Prog_Stat Gets status of program: 0 = stopped, 1 = running

KpBhk_Prog_Dir Sends direction to run LIST program (UP or DOWN). Does NOT apply

to 40-step LIST programs available from front panel.

KpBhk_Prog_Count Sends loop count value - how many times the LIST program will run.

Value of 0 = run continuous. Does NOT apply to 40-step LIST pro­grams available from front panel.

4 BHK-MG-VISA 010906

TABLE 1. BHK-MG VISA DRIVER FUNCTIONS (CONTINUED)

Purpose Function Name Description

Send Loop Count Skip
Value of LIST Program

Save/Recall Settings KpBhk_SaveRecSet Saves the current settings to the selected memory location or restores

UTILITY FUNCTIONS — This class of functions provides lower level functions to communicate with the instrument and to change
instrument parameters.

Identify Power Supply KpBhk_identify Returns the full message returned by the power supply to the *IDN?

Revision Query KpBhk_RevisionQuery Returns the revision numbers of the instrument driver and instrument

Model Query KpBhk_ModelQuery Return the model number of the BHK-MG power supply.

Serial Number Query KpBhk_SerialnQuery Returns the serial number of the BHK-MG power supply. The serial

Query SCPI Version KpBhk_GetScpiVersion Returns the power supply answer to the Query SCPI Version com-

Set/Reset Keypad Lock KpBhk_setResetKeybLock Locks or unlocks keypad operation. Used to prevent changing the set-

Keypad Lock Status KpBhk_keybLockStat Return the status of the local keypad access: 0 if local access enabled;

Display Text KpBhk_display Configures the front panel display of the instrument. In normal mode

Get Display Text KpBhk_getDisplay Gets the string which is displayed on the second line of the display.

Get Display Contrast KpBhk_getContrast Gets the contrast value of the front panel display of the instrument

Set Display Contrast KpBhk_setContrast Configures the contrast of front panel display of the instrument (value

Write To Instrument KpBhk_writeInstrData This function writes commands and queries to the instrument to modify

Read Instrument Data KpBhk_readInstrData This function reads data from the instrument's output buffer and returns

Reset KpBhk_psReset Resets the instrument to a known state and sends initialization com-

Self-Test KpBhk_selfTest Runs the instrument's self test routine and returns the test result(s).

Error-Query KpBhk_errorQuery Reads an error code from the instrument's error queue.

Error Message KpBhk_errorMessage Takes the Status Code returned by the instrument driver functions,

KpBhk_Prog_Count_Skip Sends skip value used after first pass through LIST program. Repre-

sents loop-back point from which program will be repeated after the
first pass through.

previously stored settings from a memory location. The memory loca­tion range is from 1 to 40.

query. This message contains four fields: manufacturer, power supply
type, serial number and firmware version.

firmware version from the *idn? query. This instrument driver's Revision
Number is "Rev 1.0, 9/95, CVI 3.1" and the BHK-MG firmware version
is Firmware Version "1.0". This data is necessary when requesting
technical support.

number is extracted from the answer to the *idn? query.

mand. Checks the Standard Commands for Programmable Instru­ments (SCPI) language version.

tings of the power supply from the local keypad.

1 if local access is disabled.

the values measured at the output of the power supply are displayed.
In text mode a user defined string can be displayed on the second row
of the display.

(between 0.1 and 0.9).

between 0.1 and 0.9).

parameters and query device settings.

it to the specified variable in memory. Because the instrument may
return both numeric and text data in response to queries, this function
returns the data in string format. NOTE: If valid data is not available at
the instrument's output buffer when this function is called, the instru­ment will hang up and the function will not return until it times out. If the
time-out is disabled,` this function will hang indefinitely and it may be
necessary to reboot the computer to break out.

mands to the instrument.

interprets it and returns it as a user readable string.

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 5

TABLE 1. BHK-MG VISA DRIVER FUNCTIONS (CONTINUED)

Purpose Function Name Description

Calibration Status On/Off KpBhk_CalStatus Used to enter or exit the calibration state. To enter the calibration state

a 4 digits password is required. When the instrument is shipped from
the factory the calibration password is the 4 digit model number. The
password protects the instrument against unauthorized calibrations.

Calibration Mode KpBhk_CalMode Allows the user to select the calibration mode (either voltage or current

calibration) and also allows selection of 0 (min) or full scale (max) cali­bration.

Calibration DigPot KpBhk_CalDigPot Allows a more accurate full scale calibration in both voltage or current

Calibration Output KpBhk_CalOutput Allows the user to perform the power supply calibration in both voltage

Calibration Zero KpBhk_CalZero Used to zero the output of the power supply before switching from volt-

Calibration Save KpBhk_CalSave Stores the calibration results in the nonvolatile calibration memory of

Security Code KpBhk_CalCode Allows the user to change the password to prevent accidental or unau-

Close KpBhk_close This function takes the instrument off-line.

mode. Moving the digital potentiometer allows the user to approach the
nominal full scale value of the corresponding power supply. This is a
coarse adjustment for the full scale value which must be followed by a
fine adjustment done with the Calibration Output function.

or current mode. By moving the digital to analog converter the number
of LSB's specified in the repeat count, the user can approach the 0 or
full scale value of the corresponding power supply. This is a fine adjust­ment for the 0 or full scale value. The user can specify a repeat count
between 1 and 9 in order to avoid having to repeat sending the com­mand

age calibration to current calibration (to allow a calibration resistor to be
connected between the power supply output terminals.

the instrument. Calibration date must be passed using the format: MM­DD-YYYY (MM = month, DD = day, YYYY = year)

thorized calibrations of the instrument. The password is stored in non­volatile memory, and does not change when power has been off or
after a reset. To change the password, the instrument must already be
in calibration status, ensuring that the user knows the current pass­word. If the password is lost, call the factory for support.

TABLE 2. FACTORY DEFAULT CALIBRATION PASSWORDS

MODEL PASSWORD

BHK 300-0.6MG BHK 300-130MG 0300

BHK 500-0.4MG BHK 500-80MG 0500

BHK 1000-0.2MG BHK 1000-40MG 1000

BHK 2000-0.1MG BHK 2000-20MG 2000

2. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM USING THE VISA DRIVER

The demonstration program is intended to illustrate the use of the VISA functions included with the BHK­MG power supply. The demonstration program is installed under Windows by running SETUP.EXE. The
program as written presents a virtual front panel for control of a single BHK-MG Power Supply.

The following paragraphs describe the windows and the associated controls and indicators provided with
the demonstration program. For additional details regarding operation of the BHK-MG, refer to the operat­ing instructions for local and remote mode found in the associated Technical Manual for the BHK-MG 40
Watt (1/2 Rack) or 200 Watt (Full Rack) Series.

6 BHK-MG-VISA 010906

2.1 GPIB SETUP

After the program is installed, double click on BHK-CTRL.exe to run the program.When the GPIB Setup
window opens, enter the GPIB address of the BHK power supply to connect to the VISA interface. If the
power supply type is correct, the Continue button will open the Main Panel (Figure 2).

FIGURE 1. GPIB SETUP WINDOW

. Once you are connected, you will see the Main Panel (Figure 2 for 1/2 Rack, Figure 3 for Full Rack).

FIGURE 2. MAIN PANEL WINDOW (!/2 RACK)

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 7

FIGURE 3. MAIN PANEL WINDOW (FULL RACK)

2.2 MAIN PANEL

The main panel window allows access to all power supply parameters without having to execute local con­trols and read the corresponding display. The main panel is a real-time display of output values and pro­grammed parameters. All functions are available from the main panel.

The operating mode (CV or CC); Mode indicators light to indicate whether the power supply is operating in
either CV (constant voltage) or CC (constant current) mode.

The analog meters read actual output voltage and current; Two windows beneath the meters are provided
to enter voltage and current setpoints.

2.2.1 (FULL RACK ONLY) The Range switch selects the current range, either High or Low.

2.2.2 The Output button applies the programmed settings to the output terminals when set to ON or
keeps the output voltage at zero and current at minimum when set to OFF.

2.2.3 Set Voltage and Set Current windows are used to program the output voltage and current for the
unit; settings can be changed either by clicking on the arrows to the left of the display window, or by using
the mouse to highlight the setting, then typing in the new value.

2.2.4 The Protection button opens the Protection Window (Figure 4) which allows changing of the over­voltage and overcurrent settings.

FIGURE 4. PROTECTION WINDOW

2.2.5 The Store/Recall button displays the Store/Recall window (Figure 5which can be used to store or
recall up to 40 different power supply settings. After selecting a location, the Store button saves the follow-

8 BHK-MG-VISA 010906

ing power supply settings. Voltage Setpoint, Current Setpoint, and Output On/Off status. Whenever the
same location is selected, the Recall button restores the saved settings.

FIGURE 5. STORE/RECALL WINDOW

2.2.6 The Trigger button opens the Trigger window (Figure 6) which allows setting of trigger voltage and
current values. Clicking the Trigger button within the Trigger window causes the power supply output to be
programmed to the settings stored in the Trigger Voltage and Trigger Current displays. .

FIGURE 6. TRIGGER WINDOW

2.2.7 The Calibrate button The Calibrate button opens the Calibration Window (Figure 7), and is used to
recalibrate the unit (see Section 4 of the BHK Technical Manual).

FIGURE 7. CALIBRATION WINDOW (HALF RACK) FIGURE 8. CALIBRATION WINDOW (FULL RACK)

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 9

2.2.8 The ABOUT button displays the model, serial number, calibration date, firmware version number
and driver version number. Click OK to close the window

FIGURE 9. ABOUT WINDOW

2.2.9 The Limits button opens the Limits window (Figure 10).

FIGURE 10. LIMITS WINDOW

2.2.10 Running or generating a program (pattern) is accomplished by clicking the Program button on the
Main Panel, opening the Program Lists window (Figure 11). Programs can either be defined point-by-point
using the Pattern Generator Open button, or by using the Pattern Import File Select button to import a
file containing the program parameters.

2.2.10.1 The Pattern Generator Open button opens the Pattern Generation Window (Figure 13); the Pat-

tern Execution Open button opens the Pattern Execution window (Figure 14).

FIGURE 11. PROGRAM LISTS WINDOW

2.2.10.2 Patterns can be imported in comma-delineated text format using the Pattern Import File Select
button (Figure 11). The format, showing a single data point, is illustrated in Figure 12 and defined as fol­lows:

2.2.10.3 The first line is a header, that defines columns (separated by commas) with a corresponding
parameter. The column with a “C” or “c” is defined as Current, “V” or “v” is defined as voltage, “D” or “d” is
defined as Dwell Time followed by (CR,LF). The second line defines the first data point, with data sepa­rated by commas (in the same order as defined by the header), followed by (CR,LF). Additional data lines

10 BHK-MG-VISA 010906

define additional data points. The EOF defines the end of the pattern. A pattern produced using the Pattern
Generation window (Figure 13) can be saved in this format using the Pattern Export File Select button.

Current,Voltage,Dwell(cr,lf)

1.0123E+02,3.600E+02,1.0E-02(cr,lf)
(eof)

FIGURE 12. FORMAT FOR TYPICAL COMMA-DELINEATED PATTERN GENERATION FILE

2.2.10.4 The Pattern Generation window (Figure 13) allows a user-specified program of up to 250 points to
be generated. This method of generating complex patterns, allows rigorous testing of a UUT (Unit Under
Test), within the boundaries determined by the power supply and the load conditions.

2.2.10.5 The GENERATED POINTS window shows the number of points currently included in the list for
each of the three parameters, CURRENT, VOLTAGE and DWELL. The CLEAR LISTS button clears all
points in the list (individual points can be edited, but not deleted once they have been added).

FIGURE 13 PATTERN GENERATION WINDOW

2.2.10.6 There are three choices for DESTINATION: ALL, CURRENT or VOLTAGE.

• Destination of ALL means that all three parameters, CURRENT, VOLTAGE and DWELL
must be entered for each point. CURRENT and VOLTAGE must be within the operating
range of the Model settings in effect, otherwise they must be within the rated maximum
values of the power supply. DWELL, the amount of time that the programmed parame­ters will be in effect, can be set to any value from 0.01 to 655.36 seconds.

• Destination of CURRENT or VOLTAGE means that a waveform must be selected. The
three waveform choices are SINE, TRIANGLE and SQUARE. Waveforms may consist of
a single segment, or multiple segments, each defined separately (see PAR. 2.2.10.9 for
details).

NOTE: The values chosen for Amplitude and Waveform Offset must be within the limits estab-

lished by the Protection and Model settings windows.

2.2.10.7 With the MODE SELECT switch set to VIEW, the parameters for each point can be viewed, but
not changed. The values displayed apply to the point indicated in the Point Number window. Use the
and

> buttons to navigate through the list or enter a number directly in the Point Number window and

<

press ENTER on the computer keyboard to get to a specific point. By changing the MODE SELECT switch
to EDIT, values for existing points can be changed by entering a new value for any of the parameters.

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 11

2.2.10.8 As an example, if a five point list was to be entered, where all the values were the same except
the voltage, the list could be initially generated by specifying 5 points (which will all be identical), then set-

ting the MODE SELECT switch to EDIT and using the
each point

2.2.10.9 Complex Pattern Generation. When the Destination is set to CURRENT or VOLTAGE, the pat­tern generator window (Figure 13) can be used to produce a complex waveform. The complex output is
built by adding segments from each of the four basic waveform types: LEVEL, SINE, TRIANGLE or
SQUARE. Each time the GENERATE button is clicked, the waveform selected is generated using the num­ber of points specified in the Points Window. Setting Destination set to CURRENT produces a current
waveform; a Destination of VOLTAGE produces a voltage waveform.

2.2.10.9.1 The SINE, TRIANGLE and SQUARE waveform types are defined by the following parameters ):

• Frequency (Hz) - Determines the dwell time of the waveform segment by 1/F (Hz) = Time (sec).

• Start Angle (deg) - Integer from 0 to 360 - The starting point for the waveform segment (e.g., to
start a sine wave at max positive excursion, the start angle = 90, to start at max negative excur­sion, start angle = 270).

• End Angle (deg) - Integer from 0 to 360 - The ending point of the waveform segment. E.g., for a
negative half cycle of a sine wave, the start angle = 180, end angle = 360.

• Amplitude (p-p) - The peak to peak amplitude of the complete waveform segment. E.g., if you
want a positive sine wave half cycle (start angle = 0, end angle = 180) from 0 to 15V, the p-p
amplitude for that segment must be set to 30V.

< and > buttons to view and edit the voltage for

• Waveform offset - The d-c level on which the waveform rides. If the negative excursion of the
waveform is used, the waveform offset must be sufficient to prevent the output from going below
zero, otherwise an error will result when Program RUN is attempted. E.g., if you want a full 15V
p-p sine wave cycle (start angle = 0, end angle = 360) from 10 to 25V, the p-p amplitude =15, and
the offset must be set to 17.5V (if the offset = 0 an error is produced when Program RUN is
attempted because the negative half cycle would require a negative voltage.

• Current (If VOLTAGE destination) or Voltage (if CURRENT destination) - establishes the output
current for a voltage waveform, or the output voltage for a current waveform.

2.2.10.9.2 When the segment parameters have been entered, pressing the GENERATE button adds the
number of points specified in the Points window to the list. Note that, particularly in the case of the SINE
and TRIANGLE waveforms, the accuracy of the waveshape is affected by the number of points, e.g., a tri­angle wave produced using 100 points will be close to a true triangle wave, while one produced using 5
points will resemble stair-steps.

2.2.10.9.3 Pattern Generation, Example 1. To generate a single cycle of a voltage sine wave comprised
of one cycle with an amplitude of 1 volt peak to peak riding on a 28 volt level, a fixed current of 1 mA, and
a total duration of 1 second, enter the parameters listed in Table 3.

12 BHK-MG-VISA 010906

TABLE 3. PATTERN GENERATION, EXAMPLE 1

PARAMETER ENTER RESULT

Destination VOLTAGE Press GENERATE button after all parameters entered to

Waveform SINE

Frequency (Hz) 1.000

Start Angle 0.000

End Angle 360.000

Amplitude (p-p) 1.000

Waveform Offset 28.000

Current 0.001000

Points 100

add 100 points to list which will produce the following out­put:

2.2.10.9.4 Pattern Generation, Example 2. To generate a 100 point voltage complex waveform com­prised of 1/4 cycle sine wave and 1/4 cycle triangle wave with an amplitude of 10 volt peak to peak riding
on 0 volt level, a fixed current of 1 mA, and a total duration of 1 second, enter the parameters listed in
Table 4.

TABLE 4. PATTERN GENERATION. EXAMPLE 2

STEP PARAMETER ENTER RESULT

Destination VOLTAGE Press GENERATE button after all parameters entered to

Waveform SINE

Frequency (Hz) 2.000

Start Angle 0.000

1

2

End Angle 90.000

Amplitude (p-p) 20.000

Waveform Offset 0.000

Current 0.001000

Points 50

Destination VOLTAGE Press GENERATE button after all parameters entered to

Waveform TRIANGLE

Frequency (Hz) 2.000

Start Angle 90.000

End Angle 180.000

Amplitude (p-p) 20.000

add first 50 points to the list:

add second 50 points to list which will produce the following
output:

Waveform Offset 0.000

Current 0.001000

Points 50

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 13

2.2.10.9.5 By using combinations of the four basic waveform types, complex waveforms can be generated,
and repeated using the Pattern Execution window (see PAR. 2.2.11) to provide great flexibility in determin­ing the output.

2.2.11 The Pattern Execution window (Figure 14) allows the program established by the pattern genera­tion window to be executed. If the Loop Direction is set to UP, the Loop From window establishes the
point in the loop that will start repeating. For example, if the list is 10 points, and Loop From is set to 3, the
first 2 points would only be executed once, and the points from 3 to 10 would be repeated the number of
times specified in the Loop Count Window. If Loop Count is set to 0 the program will run continuously until
stopped by the user. The RUN button starts the program. While the program is running the Running indi­cator is on and the RUN button changes to a STOP button used to halt the program. When the program is
halted, the unit reverts to the settings in effect prior to issuing the RUN command.

FIGURE 14. PATTERN EXECUTION WINDOW

2.2.12 The Front Panel button allows the front panel keyboard to be locked during remote operation.

2.2.13 The Utilities button opens the Utilities window (Figure 15). The Calibration Data Dump button
allows calibration data in hex format to be sent to the host computer via the GPIB. If the correct password
is entered, the calibration Data Restore button allows the unit to accept previously dumped calibration
data and replace the Factory, Working, or Prior calibration.

2.2.14 The Hardware Test button tests the validity of system parameters (e.g., CRC).

FIGURE 15. UTILITIES WINDOW

The Display Open button opens the Display Change window (Figure 16) which permits adjustment of con­trast display.

FIGURE 16. DISPLAY CHANGE WINDOW

14 BHK-MG-VISA 010906

2.2.15 The Update Firmware Open button opens the Update Firmware window (Figure 17) which allows
the unit’s firmware to be updated with updated information supplied by Kepco.

FIGURE 17. UPDATE FIRMWARE WINDOW

2.2.16 The Reset button resets the unit to the power up defaults: output voltage and current set to zero,
and output off.

2.2.17 The QUIT button on the virtual panel (Figure 2) is used to exit the sample VISA application.

2.2.18 Once the program is started, actual values of output current and voltage are displayed. If you exit
the program while the power supply is still on, the programmed settings in effect at that time are main­tained after exiting the program.

Errors will cause the Power Supply Event Window (Figure 18) to open which allows the user an opportunity
to correct the error condition and continue or quit the VISA application.

FIGURE 18. POWER SUPPLY EVENT WINDOW

BHK-MG-VISA 010906 15

3. PROGRAMMING EXAMPLES.

The following examples show the functions needed to set voltage to 15V, current to 2 Ma and output ON.

3.1 EXAMPLE 1:

ViByte ps_type;
ViSession BHK_Session;

Kpbhk_init ("GPIB0::6", 1, &ps_type, &BHK_Session); //init ps
Kpbhk_Set_Volt_Curr (BHK_Session, 15, 0.002); //voltage and current
Kpbhk_OutputOnOff ( BHK_Session, 1); //output on

3.2 EXAMPLE 2:

ViByte ps_type;
ViSession BHK_Session;

Kpbhk_init ("GPIB0::6", 1, &ps_type, &BHK_Session); //init ps
Kpbhk_SetValue (BHK_Session, 0, 15); //voltage
Kpbhk_SetValue (BHK_Session, 1, 0.002); //current
Kpbhk_OutputOnOff ( BHK_Session, 1); //output on

16 BHK-MG-VISA 010906