Tabor Electronics 5251, User Manual

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Configuring the Instrument
Installing IVI Drivers and ArbConnection
2-13
before you write your own code. ArbConnection has a command
editor feature that allows direct low-level programming of the 5251
using SCPI commands, just as you will be using them in your
program. Installation of ArbConnection is simple and intuitive and
only requires that visa32.dll runtime file be added to your Windows
system folder. Download the file from NI’s (National instrument)
web site
–
www.ni.com . Installation and operating instruction for
ArbConnection are given in Chapter 4.
The Device driver is mandatory to operate the 5251. If you do not
intend to use any of the IVI or ArbConnection software utilities, you
must copy the dll to your development folder. If you install the IVI
driver and ArbConnection, the dll is automatically installed in your
Windows->System32 sub-folder.
Installing IVI
Drivers and
ArbConnection
ArbConnection or the IVI drier are two software utilities that one of
them must be installed on your computer for you to be able to
operate and control the 5251. ArbConnection has three basic
function: 1) Control instrument setups, 2) Create, edit and download
complex arbitrary waveforms to your instrument and 3) Create, edit
and download complex (frequency) modulating waveforms.
Advanced users may want to write their own applications to control
the 5251 functions and features. For this purpose, C++ libraries and
DLL’s are available on the CD and can be copied to your
application folder. This is done automatically when installing the IVI
driver. However, if you are first time user and can’t wait to get your
hands on some controls and waveforms, it is recommended that
you install ArbConnection now. ArbConnection and waveform
generation aspects are covered in other sections of this manual.
To proceed with the installation process, insert the supplied CD into
your CD-ROM drive and wait for a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to
pop up on your screen. If you wait for a long time and the GUI fails
to load it is possible that your computer is not set up to load CD
programs automatically. In this case, Invoke Run and type:
N:\Autorun.exe (where N is your CD drive letter)
To install
the software click on “Install Software Utilities” and follow
the install program as shown in Figure 2-8. The preparing phase
will check few things such as if your computer has any previous
installations installed on.
If you are an advanced user and in preparation to write your own code
and application, you’ll have to copy support libraries and some DLL’s
from the installation CD. In this case, select the “Copy Developer
Libraries” option and specify the folder location for your application.
The function of the libraries and other programming aspects are cover
in the programming section of this manual.