User manual

Programmer’s Guide Page 7 of 64
2. Programming Environments & Getting Started
Agilent Technologies supplies sample programs as a starting point for the development of user-specific Acqiris
applications. For Windows systems there are samples for the Visual C/C++, and MATLAB.
The API has been split into three families:
 Acqrs Generic functions - AqBx - these can be used for all Acqiris Instruments
 AcqrsD1 Digitizer functions - AqDx - to be used for Digitizers and Analyzers
All of these functions are still contained in one library called AgMD1Fundamental. The LabView interface is split
into the two corresponding AqXX parts. The AcqrsD1 section includes redundant copies of the generic functions so
that backward calling compatibility can be maintained for existing code.
Preliminary remark: it is assumed in the following that the hardware and Acqiris software installations (see User
Manual chapter 2) have already been completed.
NOTE: Visual C/C++ relies on the standard VISA types defined by VXIplug&play Systems Alliance (VISA). The
visatype.h include file can be found in the include directory created at installation.
2.1. Visual C++
For digitizer users:
• Examine the code of the examples, *.cpp, to identify one which is most relevant
• Open the project file, .vcproj for Visual Studio 2008 of the example and build the project.
• Note that when writing your own application you should insert the line :
#include "AgMD1Fundamental.h"
at the beginning of every file that will access Acqiris D1 Driver functions.
• The project should link to the AgMD1Fundamental.lib or AgMD1Fundamental_64.lib file.
2.2. LabVIEW
NOTE: All new software development should use recent platforms, i.e. LV 8.x. Support for LV 7.1 will continue only
for the older models (the LLBs are frozen as of Release 3.2). New models/families will only be supported on LV 8.x.
The AqXX (Acqiris Digitizer) driver for LabVIEW conforms to National Instruments' Instrument Driver Standard. If
LabVIEW is installed on the target machine when the Acqiris software is installed, the AqXX driver interfaces will
be copied to the LabVIEW n\Instr.lib directory. The driver function VI’s can then be found on the Functions palette
(block diagram), Instrument Drivers subpalette. There is also a Getting Started VI, as well as some example VI’s.
The standard API help file is available from within LabVIEW. The Revision Query VI gives information on the
current version. There are actually many llb files, AqBx.llb, AqTx.llb, and AqDx.llb containing the routines shown
below. The AqDx_obs.llb has deprecated but still usable routines.
Under LabView8 the two families discussed above have been placed into two projects. Each project contains
Examples, Private, and Public Folders. The project folder also contains an Acqiris Xx Readme.html giving version
information.
The Example folder contains ready to use potential starting points for your own programs. Individual library
functions can be found at the Public level or in one of the 4 categories shown. Query functions are in the Utility
folder. The block diagram of the VI Tree.vi can be used to access individual functions. It allows quick and easy
access to all needed VI’s.