SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

Jan Cumps — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:07:12 GMT

I've made SCPI/LabVIEW driver compatible firmware for the Raspberry Pico: [mention:a5ca1d0cfb37416faf3225b7df294ad3:46448885d0e64133bbfbf0cd7b0fd6f7]

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

Jan Cumps — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 15:54:57 GMT

I'm using the project in a lab setup here.

A Keithley DMM6500 is used for both voltage and curren t measurement.

When I'm measuring voltage, the current shunt is removed, by first bridging the current meter with relay 1 to keep the design powered, then taking the current leads out of the cirrcuit via relays 2.

The video below shows this, with animation enabled in LabView. (The camera an animation view aren't fully synched)

[View:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82tcwf1QZfw:1110:699]

Open connection to SCPI enabled RPi and Keithley DMM6500 (both TCP/IP)
You first see the current meter being bridged then removed (the standard start position - the relais in their NC position).
then a voltage measurement is done over a 150 K resistor powered by 25 V.
then the current meter is brought into the circuit, and the bridge removed (both relais engaged).
a current measurement is done
both relais are brought back to the initial position
close resources.

[View:/resized-image/__size/236x212/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-7ca0a724-96bc-4e74-b8e3-59315f8fbc6f/1050.contentimage_5F00_206710.png:236:212]

For high definition: right click and open in a new tab:

[View:/resized-image/__size/754x103/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-7ca0a724-96bc-4e74-b8e3-59315f8fbc6f/8816.contentimage_5F00_206711.png:754:103]

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

Jan Cumps — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:39:19 GMT

To make it easier to start and stop this (can be used in a daemon service wrapper too) , here are two scripts:

scpi_face_start.sh

[embed:dc8ab71f-3b98-42d9-b0f6-e21e02a0f8e2:3ef06e6b-9b7d-4651-b12d-db8be7f5e991:type=text&text=%23%21%2Fbin%2Fbash%0Aecho+%22start+piface.+Wait+5+seconds+to+complete+...%22%0A.%2Flinux_piface_digital_service_cpp+2223+%26%0Asleep+5%0Aecho+%22start+scpi.%22%0A.%2Flinux_scpi_socket+2222+2223+%26%0Aecho+%22start+sequence+completed%22]

scpi_face_stop.sh

[embed:dc8ab71f-3b98-42d9-b0f6-e21e02a0f8e2:3ef06e6b-9b7d-4651-b12d-db8be7f5e991:type=text&text=%23%21%2Fbin%2Fbash%0Akillall+-9+%22.%2Flinux_scpi_socket%22%0Akillall+-9+%22.%2Flinux_piface_digital_service_cpp%22]

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

kabatom — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 14:49:09 GMT

Hey Jan,

I'm currently investigating the possiblitity to use LabVIEW coupled with a RBP 3B and PF2 for an ad-hoc supervising solution. The time I can devote to this is extremely limited, so I'd like to replicate your demo setup and proceed from there on.

Likely due to having virtually zero experience in linux based systems, I'm having a hard time getting the services on the RBP to run. Do I need to recompile them on my RBP and if so, what additional resorces besides libmcp23s17 and libpifacedigital do I require?

I hope this thread necromancy works.

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

jack.chaney56 — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 20:28:53 GMT

Hokie smokes!!! I might have some relevant information on this topic. I have written a SCPI parser that actually runs on an Arduino Nano (reprogrammed). I was using it for a small engine controller that I am playing with. I would love to get a chance to work with someone that is operating on the LabView side of things. The system uses a serial parser, so there is no need for a message buffer (it parses the command a character at a time). If you are interested, let me know, and we can take the exchange off line.

Jack.

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

14rhb — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:30:54 GMT

Hi Jan,

You can't beat a good bit of Labview automation and remote interfacing [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-7ca0a724-96bc-4e74-b8e3-59315f8fbc6f/contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]. I'm realling enjoying your series of blogs and am learning along the way also - thank you.

I used Labwindows CVI in the past (effectively a C version of Labview ) and managed to speed up many turgid and error prone measurement tasks plus, it never failed to impress the boss, when he visited the lab.

Rod

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

DAB — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 18:15:20 GMT

Very good update Jan.

DAB

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

Jan Cumps — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 17:07:27 GMT

The Pi can drive a series of these PiFace Digital boards. I believe they can take 4 addresses, and the code would be able to adopt to that with little change

For lab usage this will work in many settings...

.... if one would be looking for an industry ready device: the Hercules family is industry sturdy, with redundant hardare for everything used here, and can drive at least as many devices.

I've published SCPI code for that family before over here.

If USB or UART communication is needed, the very low end of that family will do. If TCP/IP communication is needed, we'd need a higher family member.

If you need a few controllable switches/relays and no industry hardiness is required, I've published an Arduino sketch + LabVIEW drivers here : Arduino in Test Instrumentation - Intro: SCPI Programmable Switch.

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

genebren — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 16:05:24 GMT

Hi Jan,

Very nicely done. You have developed some great tools and great LabVIEW skills!

Gene

RE: SCPI on a Linux Board - Part 5a: LabVIEW Driver for LAB Switch: Open, Close and Switch functions

shabaz — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 15:59:23 GMT

Hi Jan,

Awesome project : ) That's a unique demo too! I like how your computer desktop actually becomes a desktop [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-7ca0a724-96bc-4e74-b8e3-59315f8fbc6f/2781.contentimage_5F00_1.png:16:16]