[Beginner] Agilent HP6xxxa Support

[adim]

Hello,

I was referred here from the Labview board. I am brand new to Labview. I want to use Labview to help control an Agilent HP6xxxa power supply, by doing stuff like changing the fan speed. In addition, I would like to automate some tests (maybe utilizing thermocouples) while using the power supply. Are there any references I can use to get started?

I have downloaded the driver and NI-VISA. I just don't really know how to use the drivers to help me out. I have very little experience with Labview, but am trying to teach myself. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.

[Dennis_Knutson]

duplicate post.

You were not referred here from the LabVIEW board and you were pointed to the example that comes with the driver and the Instrument Driver Network.

The next step is learning how to manually control the instrument and do your tests. One you can do that, then actually calling the right functions in the driver is much simpler.

[adim]

Hey Dennis,

You are correct. I followed your link and felt that this was a better place to post this question, since it was more specific.

My issue arises with this: do I have to modify the VI's that come with the driver download? Or do I just call the VI's in a new VI whose purpose is to control the power supply? Also, how do I connect the power supply to my computer? Is it via serial?

[Dennis_Knutson]

You do not necessarily need to modify the VIs in the driver and until you become a bit more experienced, it would be a good idea not to modify them. Unless you find something that does not work, you call them in a new VI that you create.

How you connect to the instrument depends on what options you have for it. I'm not going to look up the manual for you. Perhaps it's serial, GPIB, USB, Ethernet?