THORLABS ERM100, Operation Manual, Page: 18 / 59

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ERM100
4 Remote Operation
The ERM100 optical power meter provides a USB 2.0 Full Speed link that allows to remote
control the instrument by a host computer (USBTMC Interface) or upgrade the instrument firm-
ware (DFU Interface). The connection between PC and ERM100 is accomplished by a USB
cable with a male type ‘A’ connector at the PC side and a type ‘B’ connector on the instrument
side.
USBTMC Interface:
The USB link provides an interface according to the USBTMC specification (Universal Serial
Bus Test and Measurement Class Specification (USBTMC) Revision 1.0 April 14, 2003) and
the
USBTMC-USB488 specification (Universal Serial Bus Test and Measurement Class, Sub-
class USB488 Specification (USBTMC-USB488) Revision 1.0 April 14, 2003).
There are two categories of command types:
- Set commands that bring the ERM100 to the desired configuration
- Query commands that get data from the ERM100. These commands are always terminated
by a question mark (?).
These commands are described in chapter 'Command Reference' of this document.
Additionally the ERM100 USB driver comes with a VISA Instrument Driver DLL. Details please
see in section
Write Your Own Application
Attention
Prior to connect the ERM100 first time to a PC, please install the software from the delivered
with the ERM100 CD! Otherwise, a proper operation is impossible.
4.1 Installing Software
The delivered with ERM100 CD includes:
·
Remote Control Application : an application to display and record data over time
·
VISA Instrument Drivers : These are drivers to write your own application.
·
Instrument Communicator : Basic communication with the instrument
·
Device Firmware Upgrade Wizard : Upload a ERM100 firmware update to the instrument
·
Install NI VISA : NI VISA Runtime is mandatory to remotely control the ERM100.
Hereinafter the software installation to a Windows XP operating system is described.
Note