User manual

Getting Started 29Chapter 1
Programming the Multiplexer
The multiplexer modules are programmed using either a switchbox or
scanning multimeter configuration. To program the multiplexer modules
using SCPI commands, you must choose the controller language, interface
address, and SCPI commands to be used. Guidelines to choose SCPI
commands for the multiplexer follow.
NOTE This discussion applies only to SCPI programming. See Appendix B -
Register-Based Programming for details on multiplexer module registers.
Checking SCPI
Drivers
The E1460A operates with Switchbox Driver Revision A.08.03 or later or
with Scanning Voltmeter Driver Revision A.06.03 or later. The E1460A may
be recognized by earlier driver revisions, but will not operate properly.
Before using the E1406A, you should check your driver revision and, if
necessary, load a new driver.
This procedure shows a way to download SCPI drivers to the E1406A.
SCPI Instrument Drivers and the VXI Installation Consultant (VIC) are on
the Agilent Technologies Universal Instrument Drivers CD. For the latest
information on drivers, see the Agilent web site:
http://www.agilent.com/find/inst_drivers
What are SCPI Device
Drivers?
Agilent register-based modules are supported by Standard Commands for
Programmable Instruments (SCPI) drivers. These drivers reside in E1406A
Command Module non-volatile memory. If you add a new register-based
module to an existing VXI system and plan to program the module using
SCPI, the firmware in your command module may need to be upgraded to
accommodate the new module. You can download new drivers into
non-volatile memory from controllers running Windows, BASIC, or IBASIC.
Checking the SCPI Driver
Revision
This procedure describes how to decide which E1460A driver to use, how to
check the currently installed driver, and how to determine if you need to
download a new driver. If you determine that you need to install a new driver,
see "Downloading a New Driver".
1 Decide whether to use the VOLTMTR or SWITCH driver. Use the
VOLTMTR driver if you intend to use the E1460A in combination
with the E1326B or E1411B multimeter in a Scanning Voltmeter
configuration. In this configuration, the E1460A scans measurement
channels and sends the signals to the multimeter where the
measurements take place. Use the SWITCH driver for all other
applications (all non-Scanning Voltmeter applications).
2 Check the currently installed driver revision numbers by sending the
DIAG:DRIV:LIST? command to the command module (the command
module is usually at GPIB address 70900). A typical result follows.
The specific result depends on the specific drivers previously loaded
into your command module.