WinGPIB - Windows GPIB App (multi-purpose)

[IanJ]

Hi all,

New version V3.44 in Post #1 available for download.
[Virus acanned using Kaspersky Antivirus & Malwarebytes Premium]

I added the ability to have the PLAYBACK CHART auto-refresh the currently loaded CSV file.
If you are currently logging to a CSV file and then point the Playback Chart to it then the chart will open and show the entire CSV contents at that moment in time.
However, as logging is obviously on-going if you refresh the Chart then you will get more data points.
The auto-refresh is fixed at 5sec intervals.....thus you can watch your chart update against the live data available.
You can opt to Manually Refresh if you want.



Ian.

[vsmith]

Hi IanJ
Very nice application you have written and posted here. I am just beginning to explore it, and because I am not very experienced with GPIB communications, I have run into a problem, I hope you can help with

I am trying to control a Keithley 2001 DMM. When I create the device, that is successful. And also, I am able to send and receive commands using the Keysight Connection Expert. But when I try too execute the same command using WinGPIB, I get an error message saying "Poll timeout: MAV not set, status byte=4.

By the way, I have successfully used your program to send and receive commands from a HP 34401a, so the problem seems to be with the way I have the K2001 configured.

Have you been able to get a K2001 to work with the program?

Thanks!

[IanJ]

Hi IanJ
Very nice application you have written and posted here. I am just beginning to explore it, and because I am not very experienced with GPIB communications, I have run into a problem, I hope you can help with

I am trying to control a Keithley 2001 DMM. When I create the device, that is successful. And also, I am able to send and receive commands using the Keysight Connection Expert. But when I try too execute the same command using WinGPIB, I get an error message saying "Poll timeout: MAV not set, status byte=4.

By the way, I have successfully used your program to send and receive commands from a HP 34401a, so the problem seems to be with the way I have the K2001 configured.

Have you been able to get a K2001 to work with the program?

Thanks!

I don't have any Keithley devices any more but I used to have a 2015THD and thats detailed in the NOTEPAD text file. Looking at the notes there it was pretty straight forward with the default settings.
See also the sample commands I had played with detailed there.

However, assuming there are differences then you probably need to play with some of the check boxes on the DEVICE tab. You can do this after you CREATE DEVICE.
Don't try logging just yet, i.e. the first thing to try is SEND ASYNC and make sure you can send a command successfully that doesn't require a response such as setting NPLC or putting the device in a particular mode etc.
Once you get that working then try a READ via or any other command that expects a response.

PS. Out of interest, are you running your 34401A with WinGPIB with the serial cable or using the GPIB connector?

Ian.

[vsmith]

Ian, thanks for your quick reply!
I am using an 82357 HPIB adapter

I can't seem to send any commands successfully (viaWinGPIB).

[vsmith]

Oh, and I did try the 2015THD settings to begin with, but when that wasn't successful, I started to experiment.
I will keep trying settings. It's got to be something simple, since the device is present and responsive (to Command Expert) a=nd I was able to successfully create the device in WinGPIB.

[IanJ]

Oh, and I did try the 2015THD settings to begin with, but when that wasn't successful, I started to experiment.
I will keep trying settings. It's got to be something simple, since the device is present and responsive (to Command Expert) a=nd I was able to successfully create the device in WinGPIB.

I've put just about all the options in WinGPIB that I can that I know are available to do so in WinGPIB.
Without at K2001 to hand I can't test....very nice meter but cheap or faulty ones don't come up often.....LOL!

Ian.

[vsmith]

I have to say that working with it over the bus is very different than what I am used to with fluke or the hp 34401a. For example, sending the meas? command returns a string that not only contains the currently configured measurement value, but also a time and "rdng" quantity and "00extchan" all delimited by commas. So four separate parameters are returned. I have to learn what those are and why, but I don't think it's what WinGPIB isn't happy with, since even commands like *idn? are not being answered. The meter does, however, enter remote mode.

If anyone else on the thread has a 2001 or even any of the other Keithley 2000 series meters and can give WinGPIB a try, please let me know what you are seeing? I would really like to characterize (in a chart) the warm up performance and noise performance for this meter, and WinGPIB seems to be an inexpensive and convenient way to do it!

[vsmith]

IanJ
Hello again. Your program is fine. It was my very tenuous grasp of GPIB fundamentals, and of how Keithley implemented their version of GPIB command programming that was tripping me up. And your 2015THD batch commands (to take a series of DCV readings) works just fine. My main mistake was to lump all the code in your example text file in the at Run box. Once I separated the :READ? command and placed it in the at Run box, and the previous 3 lines into the PreRun box, everything began to work properly.

Also (and I don't know but this may have made a difference) I inadvertently left the line terminator checkboxes unchecked. The K2001 seems to like this.
I am currently generating a very interesting warm up chart of DCV readings vs a 10V standard.

I do have another question though! You mention being able to play back saved csv files using a button? I can't find that feature. How do I playback a saved csv file? screenshot maybe? Thank you!

[IanJ]

Glad you got it sorted.

Some devices will work with different settings for terminators, others are very specific about what they need and won't work otherwise.

The Playback Chart button is on the right hand side of the display when you select the Chart tab. Actually, I was thinking about moving it last night, it is a bit lost there!

Ian.

[vsmith]

IanJ

OK I found it....the problem is that on my screen (its a Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 with a practically square screen format) all I get is a sliver of that playback button. I get the tooltip when i mouse over it. Now that I know what that sliver is, I can use it! Moving it seems like a good idea to me!

[IanJ]

Hi all,

New version V3.45 in Post #1 available for download.
[Virus acanned using Kaspersky Antivirus & Malwarebytes Premium]

Have moved the PlayBack Chart to a tab of it's own rather than hidden away on the CHARTS tab......so it's easier found.
Clicking on the tab will automatically load the Playback Chart.

The CHART tab has been renamed LIVE CHART.



Ian.

[IanJ]

IanJ

OK I found it....the problem is that on my screen (its a Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 with a practically square screen format) all I get is a sliver of that playback button. I get the tooltip when i mouse over it. Now that I know what that sliver is, I can use it! Moving it seems like a good idea to me!

Ouch!.....if you just get a sliver of then PlayBack button then you are in for a shock when you see the PlayBack Chart.....it's big.
The entire app needs a reasonable desktop resolution. Not really suited to older low res 4:3 displays if thats what you are running.

Ian.

[vsmith]

That laptop is my "bench" machine...it has a real serial port for one thing. AND IT LOOKS COOL! But I will can an instance of WINGPIB on my big screen laptop for viewing the charts. All very useful, thanks again!

[Labrat101]

Hi all,

New version V3.45 in Post #1 available for download.
[Virus acanned using Kaspersky Antivirus & Malwarebytes Premium]

Have moved the PlayBack Chart to a tab of it's own rather than hidden away on the CHARTS tab......so it's easier found.
Clicking on the tab will automatically load the Playback Chart.

The CHART tab has been renamed LIVE CHART.



Ian.

Hi Ian can I ask really small favor .Can you included the version number in the Zip name .  I have wound up with a Whole load of your zips with the same Name . I forget to delete the old ones so now I have 2 with the same . I use Linux and it just adds 2 after it .
 Thanks . great updates . 

[IanJ]

Hi all,

New version V3.46 in Post #1 available for download.
[Virus acanned using Kaspersky Antivirus & Malwarebytes Premium]

Just some general/minor tweaks:-

- Data Log screen has a longer CSV Filename field, I found my long file names were going beyond what was available to see!
- When selecting the PlayBack Chart tab the previously used tab is set to focus rather than just skipping back to the Device 1/2 tab. More friendly.
- On the PlayBack Chart page moved some items around and made more space for long CSV file path/name.
- Live Chart screen now has a longer live chart now that the old PlayBack Chart button is removed.
- Removed ACAL DCV button on the PDVS2mini page as it's too easy to use!.....and if done when GPIB is active or vice versa it can mess up the 3458A thus requiring a full ACAL which takes 20mins!

Note:
General Usage Hint: You can open as many PlayBack Charts as you like if you want to compare different CSV's. I didn't design the code this way, but it seems to work just fine. Haven't seen any problem doing so.

Zip file now has version number in it.....:-)

Ian.

[Labrat101]

Thanks Ian for the version number add to the Zip..
I haven't updated to the newer version yet . As the setup asked to uninstall the previous version and it took me a long time getting all the GPIB setting
right . and not being one of my best specialty I always get those setting wrong  .
 are all the setting saved when its uninstalls the previous version and re-installs the newer version ??
Or should I save all before . or print screen . as it does not  just do an update . Just love Windows  . I only use it in virtual Box being a Linux person.
    Your program is the only thing I like and it works great so I don't want to     it up
        Sorry for stupid questions     
 
My opinion on windows is   

[IanJ]

Thanks Ian for the version number add to the Zip..
I haven't updated to the newer version yet . As the setup asked to uninstall the previous version and it took me a long time getting all the GPIB setting
right . and not being one of my best specialty I always get those setting wrong  .
 are all the setting saved when its uninstalls the previous version and re-installs the newer version ??
Or should I save all before . or print screen . as it does not  just do an update . Just love Windows  . I only use it in virtual Box being a Linux person.
    Your program is the only thing I like and it works great so I don't want to     it up
        Sorry for stupid questions     
 
My opinion on windows is 

Actually I haven't tried uninstall/re-install in a long while so not sure if the settings are saved. I am running the development system so I never need to re-install between changes to my code.
Anyways, I wouldn't have thought they would be saved actually based on my experience with another app I have written. Maybe some other folks that have upgraded can try it.....or I can hook up another PC and try it.
If they are NOT saved then maybe I can write and Export/Import settings routine so that will be easier for folks. It would be fairly easy to implement.

Just tried a full uninstall/re-install to latest version on my Win10 laptop and the Profiles all seemed to be retained without issue.
However, I would take screenshots just incase.........

Other than that, until I write an proper Export/Import function to WinGPIB then the data is stored in a file. It's different to each user so here's the location of mine as an example:
File is called user.config
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\PDVS2_GPIB.exe_Url_1fxxlhds3ahlv2dah4q0c4ffag3qgfaa\1.0.0.0
By locating this file you should be able to copy it out and move it to a new installation if say you want to move WinGPIB's saved profile data to a new PC.
The easiest way to locate the file is to search C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft and all subfolders for a file called user.config

One thing I do advise however is to save away the GPIBchannels.txt file that you may have updated with your own musings/notes......that WILL be deleted along with Log.csv file. Any other files such as your own .csv files will be left alone.

Ian.

[pwlps]

Hi,
 Regarding the message "Poll timeout: MAV not set, status byte=4" you should check the manual to see where the MAV is coded in the status byte and set the MAV mask accordingly.  That said since in 4 there is only one bit set it is probably the right one so try setting 4 as the MAV mask.  ( It seems K2001 is not quite 4882 compliant, the standard value is 16).  If it still doesn't work the only option is to disable polling altogether although you then might experience delays if you have more than one device connected on the GPIB.

[IanJ]

Hi all,

New version V3.47 in Post #1 available for download.
[Virus acanned using Kaspersky Antivirus & Malwarebytes Premium]

On the ABOUT tab I have added a couple of buttons to allow backup/restore of your custom Profiles.
The backup button creates a file called ProfilesData.txt in the WinGPIBData folder.
The restore button reads the Profile data back into WinGPIB.
You would use this if you want, for example, to move WinGPIB to a new PC or just for peace of mind that you have a copy stored away.



The file is not designed to be modified by hand, not to say it cant be done though, at least some light mods anyways.

PS. For now the buttons live on the ABOUT tab until I find a better place for them.

EDIT: Re-uploaded 07/02/22, I forgot to set the tooltips for the new buttons.

Ian.

[leighcorrigall]

Hi Ian,

Thank you for this convenient data logger. With a bit of brute force, I was able to communicate with the Datron/Wavetek 1281. I am happily logging a Fluke 742A that I picked up the other day. 

I noticed that there are a few humidity sensors made by Sensirion that I have used in the past for research-related activities. I would like the SEK-SensorBridge (https://sensirion.com/products/catalog/SEK-SensorBridge/) available which provides up to 2-channels of temperature and humidity measurements with a variety of their interchangeable products. Sensirion provides its own logging software (SEK-ControlCenter). However, it would be nice to have access to data in your program to avoid post-processing. Maybe it is a bit ambitious.

Regards.

[IanJ]

I'll take a look. If they supply sample code etc or an API then i should be able to integrate it.
I'd really like to add other temp/humidity options.

Update 04/02/22: I have contacted the company for info/API etc.

Ian.

[martinr33]

Ian, I am trying to get reads with a K182. I can't connect. I have attached a screenshot from the KS monitoring tool.

The first two lines are from WinGPIB, you can see the failure in the second line.

The next 5 lines are from the KS interactive tool.

Then, WinGPIB again.

I think the fix is to drop the viClear command that is tripping up WinGPIB. Any easy way to do this?

Another approach would be for WinGPIB to be able to ride over the error.

[IanJ]

Hi,

Generally, it's always a problem with the set up the various options in WinGPIB that cause instruments not to connect properly. We've tried to cover all eventuallities and so far we have.

I don't have a Keithley device that I can try to replicate the problem so all I can do is suggest you try the various options/checkboxes.
The GPIB section in the 182 manual seems to be quite extensive.....anything in there to help?

viClear - VI_ERROR_TMO = Timeout expired before operation completed.

Using my 3457A under WinGPIB as a test I get a viClear just after I connect. See screenshot below.

Ian.

[martinr33]

Thanks, Ian.

The problem I have is that I have no options available until the instrument connects. As the K181 will not connect because of the viClear error, I cannot get that far.

Any thoughts as to where the viClear is coming from?


The K182 is a very simple GPIB instrument. It coughs up a result for no more than a carriage return, and has very few commands.

[IanJ]

Hi,

I didn't write the actual DLL that communicates with the Keysight Visa driver so can't delve too deep.

Have you tried check/uncheck "EOI Incapable Instruments" checkbox in WinGPIB before hitting Connect...?

I assume that if viClear is failing then even if you get beyond that then you'll just get more errors due to some other underlying problem.

INFO:
Description
The viClear() operation clears the device input and output buffers. The bus-specific details are:
Clear for 488.2 Instruments (GPIB, VXI, TCPIP, and USB)
For a GPIB device, VISA sends the Selected Device Clear command.
Invoking viClear() also discards the read and write buffers used by the formatted I/O services for that session.

Looks like a pretty basic command that shouldn't fail unless there is some other underlying problem.

PS. If Pawel reads this the hopefully he'll chime in - he wrote the DLL.

Ian.