Keithley 2420, help.......

[Salazar]

How can we set this intrument up, either with MATLAB, LABVIEW or
VISUAL BASIC. We cant even get it to talk to the computer through the
serial port. Is a GIPB card totally required.

Our purpose is to measure resistance in a timeline.

thanks

[Dennis_Knutson]

GPIB isn't necessary but it makes your life easier. Serial is real pain in the shorts because there's so many things that can go wrong. Verify your baud rates, stop bits, flow control. I took a quick look at the manual and it said you can't use a null modem cable - it has to be a straight through one.

[wha@atmel]

The first thing you should do:
Look for the selected Interface - press button "Menue"
Then select "Communication" and there "RS-232". Typically these instruments are delivered in "GPIB"-mode - and nothing will happen at serial Interface until you change it !!
Next step: You have to go again into the same Menue and now specify the "RS232-setup"
(baudrate,bits,parity,terminator,flow-ctrl).

Find attached a simple serial vi, how I have tested a K2400-SMU to go into V-mode. Complete sweep programs available; if needed write to: werner.hasche@web.de

regards
wha

P.S. You should select the baudrate etc. like in example program or edit the vi !!!