Agilent 415x time data

[CapnPez]

I'm trying to get the measurement data from the Agilent 4155c Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer.  Through the VI that I put together (using the driver library), I can perform a Sampling measurement using the voltages (source, drain, gate), sampling interval, and sampling time that I input.  I have no problem getting the current data for any of the SMU's, but I can't get the Time Stamp data that each of those current measurements were taken at (so I can plot the currents as a function of time).  I am using the Op-download-trace.vi from the driver library to get the current data, but it won't give me the time data.

How can I get the time stamp data?  When I configure the instrument with my VI, I can tell which variables I want displayed on the instruments display (as a list or graph).  I know it recognizes the variable "@TIME" to indicate the time stamp because it displays that as one of the columns on the list.

My fix for this so far has been to construct an array using a starting time of 0 and the sampling interval.  However, there seems to be slight variations in the actual time measurements on the instrument.  The error usually isn't significant, but I'm hoping to get the true time stamp data.

Let me know if more information is needed to answer this (this is my very first post! I'm still fairly new to using LabView).

Thanks!

[JÞB]

Check out pg 1-44 in the Manual. & Pg 1-11.  Depending on the output format you set with FMT and the enable state of the timestamp set with TMC the timestamp will be in the return value as seen on pg 1.22.

Nice Job Agilient- Clear as mud!

[CapnPez]

Thank you very much for your quick response.  Unfortunately, I am still a little too ignorant to fully take advantage of your help.

How do I change the format (with FMT) to enable the timestamp data?  From what I've found, it needs to be in US mode as opposed to US42.  I am lost from there.  How do I enter FLEX commands from within LabView?  Can you clarify what I need to do with the terminator of the command?

I apologize for my ineptitude.  I have been trying to educate myself, but I feel like I'm wasting time at this point.  Is there a good tutorial for using these types of commands within LabView?

Thanks!

[David_A]

From what it looks like to me is that to enter in the necessary commands through LabVIEW, you will need to use the NI-VISA driver. You can actually do some small testing in Measurement and Automation Explorer by opening the VISA Test Panel for your device and enter in some commands to see if you are communicating and if the device is sending the correct commands back. Some commands that you can try is *IDN?. If you look at the manual on page 1-108, it gives you a response that should happen.

I am not sure on the format to enable the timestamp data as I am not finding information in the manual with this.

David A.

[nisk]

I'm trying to put together a similar VI to test organic field effect transistors.  I stumbled across your post looking for example VIs as a starting point.  Would you be willing to post/email me your VI as a place to begin my own program?  I figure it doesn't hurt to ask 🙂

Jeremy