Problem in communicating with Keithley 619 Electrometer/Multimeter

[FELIX MEDINA]

YOU FORGIVE, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLY THAT YOU WILL PASS TO ME PLEASE YOUR DRIVER I AM A STUDENT AND NEED TO USE THIS INSTRUMENT, YOU HELP ME SO MUCH IF YOU DO.

[mw13]

Hi folks -- I know this is an old topic, but perhaps out there can help me with the 619. I am also trying to get the 619 up and running via GPIB.  I cannot seem to get it out of continuous talk mode, which -- besides meaning that I can't send it any commands -- is effectively disabling the GPIB bus by drowning out all my other instruments.   

I have read the manual, and it mentions that one must issue a "REN" command to put the 619 into remote programming mode.  I have tried to send this command using the "GPIB write" function in Labview, and addressing the instrument using both primary and secondary addresses; i.e:

Address string:  "6+1"

Data: "REN"

This does not help things, and generates a GPIB error 2, which (surprise surprise) suggests that the device is not listening.  Although old, the device works perfectly, and I'm fairly certain I can program it if I can just get it into a mode in which it accepts commands via the "GPIB write" function.    I'm not sure how things should be done, but I communicate with all of the instruments on my bus (some very old, some very new) using the "GPIB write" and "GPIB read" commands without any problem.

Any chance someone can help?  Is the "REN" command a more basic GPIB bus control?  Thanks in advance!  

[Dennis_Knutson]

Yes, it's a basic GPIB command and you cannot just do a GPIB or VISA Write. There is the 'VISA GPIB Control REN' function and the 488.2 command called 'EnableRemote'. You just had to browse the palettes to find both.

[mw13]

Many thanks!

[mw13]

Many thanks!

[sth]

Denis is right.  You need to set the REN with an explicit VISA call.  However, many of those older instruments had a dip switch for setting the address.  The upper end of the switch also included an option for "Talker Only" or "Addressable".  I don't have the manual right now.   Whoops.  Yes I do.

See section 2.13 on address selection.  You need to not only use the primary but secondary addressing to set the correct channel (a or b) on the 619.  See the part in VISA about primary and secondary addressing.  Secondary address c or d will give you the instrument status.  The format for the VISA address is

GPIB[board]::primary address[::GPIB secondary address][::INSTR]

So for GPIB Bus 0, primary address 19, and channel a, you have

GPIB0::19::1::INSTR

as your VISA address.

The REN (Remote enable line is only to make it accept commands)

In section 2.28 of the manual it discusses "Talk Only" mode.   The switch sets it to continuously send data over the interface.  This seems to be the behavior you observe.  This is selected by sw7 on the address switch.

Also make sure that you do not set trigger type "T0" which is continuous data on "Talk" since as soon as you address it, it will start flooding the bus with data.

[mw13]

sth -- my sanity is now restored!  The REN command was also failing me without changing the switch on the back.  Now that you point out section 2.6 it seems obvious, but I totally missed this.  Apologies and thanks!

[bala kumar]

I want to communicate with Keithley196 multimeter.The Gpib address is 11.I am using the GPIB-Labview VI present in the example section of the LABVIEW 7.1.

But i am getting error message.

I am not sure if the address of GPIB is 11.

But some garbage value is read when i select address as  11.

How to do the communication with this type of GPIB.

thanks.

[sth]

Bala,

Please start a new thread if you are trying to communicate with a different instrument.

Second, you need to be a lot clearer of what your problem is.

Third, make sure that the instrument is GPIB 11.  Remove all the other instruments from the bus and just try that single instruement.

Tell us what your problem is.  That is, what have you tried, what VISA address did you use, what error code are you getting, did you try setting the remote line?

This is not a "type" of GPIB.  It follows the GPIB 488.1 standard.

[jiafu]

Hi sth,

Your explanation is really clear and helpful. I found out the Trigger is on. However, I do not know how to switch off. Do you mind teach me how to switch off the trigger function? Many thanks.

Regards,

Jiafu