DAQ with keithley 6221 and 2182a

[Techer]

Hi,

I am trying to record the voltage and current measured by the Keithley 6221 and 2182a boxes using SignalExpress 2011. However, I am unable to get the program to recognize these devices. I know that the boxes are connected to the computer propely because I can operate them with the sample software (KI6220) provided with the instruments. Right now I've been trying to install different drivers and such, but any Labview program that I run won't recognize the devices. 

Help??

Thanks in advance!

The techer

[Jackie_B]

Hi Techer,

There is a driver available for interface with LabVIEW (includes LabVIEW Signal Express) for the Keithley 6221 found here and for the Keithley 2182, a driver is found here. To find drivers to interface with LabVIEW software, go to ni.com/idnet and search for your product. Once you install these drivers, confirm that these drivers can be seen in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX). If this shows up in MAX, it should automatically update under View "Hardware" in Signal Express. Please post back if you are unable to do this. Good luck and have a great day!

Regards,

Jackie 

[Techer]

Hi Jackie,

I tried installing those drivers, which are from the Keithley website, however they did not show up on the MAX. Is there some compatibility issue between the boxes and Labview, or do the drivers need to installed in a specific location?

Thanks

[DFGray]

Short Answer:

Keithly instruments are not supported in SignalExpress.

Long Answer:

Devices which are not from National Instruments usually only show up in MAX if they are interfaced through standard protocols (e.g. USB, serial, GP-IB).  If the devices do not use standard protocols, they will probably not show up in MAX.

This does not mean they will not work in LabVIEW.  If the manufacturer provides VIs to run the instruments, they should work fine in LabVIEW.  However, support for SignalExpress is separate from LabVIEW support.  LabVIEW is a programming environment and SignalExpress is an interactive application.  You can use LabVIEW support to create SignalExpress support using a User Step (see documentation).  Some manufacturers (e.g. Tektronix) provide both LabVIEW and SignalExpress support, but I don't think Keithly is one of them.

If you need help writing a user step, let us know.

[Jackie_B]

Hi Techer, 

DFGray is correct. I apologize for leading you astray. If you refer to the following article, SignalExpress can only support 3rd party hardware via IVI drivers. If you narrow down the search to IVI drivers on ni.com/idnet and search for these devices, there are no search results. It seems that your only option is going to be custom SignalExpress support via LabVIEW. Feel free to post back with any questions and good luck!

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/BECA073FB999797686256F340074C442?OpenDocument

Regards,

Jackie

[Techer]

I am still unable to get the boxes to be recognized by MAX. I'm running Labview 7.1 on a Windows XP computer but the drivers for Keithley only support v8 and above. Is there a way I can get around this?

Thanks

[Jackie_B]

Hi Techer, 

Unfortunately, the only way to get around this is going to be to upgrade to the supported version. There is not really a way to downconvert drivers. 

Regards,

Jackie