IVI DMM and Switch drivers for a single DMM/Switch instrument

[Mark_Ireton]

I would like to use IVI DMM and Switch class drivers for controlling a DMM/Switch instrument. I'm using a Keithley 2700, which is similar to an Agilent (HP) 34970A. It is basically a DMM with optional switch modules. The 2700 has an IVI DMM driver, but not an IVI switch driver. Are there any problems with pointing two different IVI drivers at the same device? I don't expect problems with state caching since the DMM and switch functions should be independent. What about event (SRQ) handling? My goal is to create software that is not dependent on a particular model or switch. I'd like to be able to run the same software regardless of whether I'm using the Keithley 2700 or two separate instruments; a
DMM and a switch. Any ideas?

[Randy Solomonson]

It may be possible to use two different IVI sessions for each part of the instrument. However, there is no instrument driver for that specific switch. It is possible to create an IVI driver for the switch in CVI . The IVI Driver Toolset (IDT) supplies some nice development tools like extended NI-Spy (spy on IVI/VISA/GPIB calls and errors) and Soft front panels.

The first step in getting these drivers made would be to work would be to see the idnet website at ni.com/idnet. It does give some suggestions on getting a driver built in the "Other Driver Resources" section.

Randy Solomonson
Application Engineer
National Instruments