IVI Step Types

Purpose

This example demonstrates how to use IVI step types to configure and take measurements from IVI instruments with the following logical names: SampleDMM, SampleScope, SampleFGen, SamplePowerSupply, and SampleSwitch. This example contains Setup steps that initialize the logical names in simulation mode and prevent interactive simulation for measurement values. Visit ni.com/ivi for more information about IVI.
Note As of TestStand 2019, the TestStand IVIStepTypes package is not included in the default TestStand ISO image. It is now included in the AdditionalInstallers folder. You can still install this package using the TestStand offline installer or NI Package Manager.

Example File Location

<TestStand Public>\Examples\Built-In Step Types\IVI Step Types\IVI Step Types.seq

Highlighted Features

  • IVI step types
  • NI Session Manager

Major API

None

Prerequisites

Complete the following steps to install the required software and IVI-compliant instrument drivers.

  1. Install the following additional components from the NI Device Driver DVD that comes with TestStand:
    1. NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)
    2. IVI Compliance Package (ICP)
  2. Refer to the Instrument Driver Network at ni.com/idnet to download and install IVI-compliant instrument drivers for each of the IVI classes this example uses. Search for the manufacturer or type of instrument you want to download. Some basic IVI-compliant instrument drivers you can use with this example include the following:
    • Dmm—hp34401a
    • Scope—tkds30xx
    • Fgen—hp33120a
    • Switch—age1442a
    • PowerSupply—hp66xxbc
    In MAX, the driver installer automatically creates a driver session entry under the Driver Sessions item and populates the software module information under the Instrument Driver Software Module item in the Advanced folder.
  3. Complete the following steps to create a logical name for each instrument driver.
    1. In MAX, expand the IVI Drivers category to the left.
    2. Right-click the Logical Names item in the configuration tree and select Create New from the context menu.
    3. Complete the configuration panel for the new logical name. Logical names are case-sensitive.
Note Class drivers display simulation dialog boxes if interactive simulation is enabled. These dialog boxes might not have taskbar items and can go behind the TestStand Sequence Editor. In addition, the IVI soft front panels remain visible until you close the Execution window.

How to Use This Example

This example communicates with each type of instrument driver, one after the other. In each case, the sequence configures the instrument and takes a measurement. The sequence contains Label steps denote the beginning of steps that communicate with each type of IVI instrument.

Review the edit tabs on the Step Settings pane for each IVI step to see how the step configures the instrument and takes measurements.

TestStand stores the logical names the sequence expects as file global variables. Each variable name must match the logical name created for each driver in MAX.