Instrument Communication tool

This tool allows basic communications with an instrument. It offers two possibilities for sending orders:

Connection

VISA Library: defines the VISA library used to communicate with instruments. (More information on this page: Getting Started : "Configure the VISA Library on the control PC")
Address: defines the address of the instrument
Note: if this tool is accessed using right click from Instrument Scanner interface, then the address field is already filled.
: allows to connect to the instrument
Note: Once the connection is established, the *IDN? command is automatically sent. (This configuration can be changed in the Advanced settings section)
: cuts the connection to the instrument

Allows to send one command at the time to the instrument.

History: History of commands sent to the instrument and data received.
- : clear the history
Command: enter the command to send
Note: the buttons arrows up/down on the keybord help choose among commands already sent
Predefined commands list:
- : sends *IDN? query to the instrument
- : sends *STB? query to the instrument
- : sends :SYST:ERR? query to the instrument
Operations:
- : sends a synchronized Write command
- : sends a synchronized Write command followed by a synchronized Read command

Allows to send a batch of commands to the instrument.

To Send: The area where to input the commands to send to the instrument.
Important: One command per line.
- : clear the area
- : load commands from a batch file (*.ib)
- : save commands in a batch file (*.ib)
: Send commands to instrument
Received: list of pages where sent commands and data received are displayed. A new page is created every time commands are sent to the instrument.
- : Scroll pages to the left
- : Scroll pages to the right

Advanced options to configure the send and receive operations.

Timeout (ms): Waiting time before sending an error when no answer from instrument
Line Return: End of command character
Symbol Dectection Query: Characterer defining the command as a query
"*IDN?" at connection:
- : *IDN? query will be sent automatically when the communication with an instrument is established (Only for GPIB, TCP/IP ou USB connections)
- : No command is sent after the communication is established with the instrument
Implicit "*:SYST:ERR?" after each command
- : *:SYST:ERR? query is sent automatically to the instrument after each command. If an error occurs, it will be displayed in the history.
- : Nothing to be done after sending a command, even if it fails.