1.5  Using Applications

        1.  LabView Version 6
        2.  Agilent/HP VEE
        3.  HTBasic
        4.  Applications using the GPIB-32.DLL

The INES GPIB for Windows allows you to run applications designed for the GPIB-32.DLL interface, and several commercially available application development environments. This sections describes how to use this applications with the INES GPIB for Windows

1.5.1  LabView Version 6

You need to ensure that the system has access to the INES GPIB-32.DLL. Note that this DLL has the same name as other vendor's version. If you have installed such a GPIB library, you must remove or rename the other vendor's GPIB-32.DLL and make sure the INES version of GPIB-32.DLL is in the \Windows\System directory. Access to the INES GPIB-32.DLL will allow you to use the low level Labview GPIB I/O instructions.

Enabling the VISA drivers to recognise the INES GPIB hardware in Labview 6 requires the following procedure. Labview 6.0i uses a configuration program called "Measurement and Automation Explorer 2.0" or "MAX 2.0". You must use this program to install a NON Plug'N'Play type GPIB interface card from the list of National Instrument GPIB cards.

Select the "AT-GPIB/TNT" model. When you choose the AT-GPIB/TNT card you will be brought into a configuration procedure for the card setup. Accept the default choices.

When done, you will see a GPIB interface installed in the configuration tree of the MAX utility. If you highlight this item and then click "Scan for Devices" the program should detect the devices connected to your GPIB bus and they can now be addressed using the VISA instrument drivers.

1.5.2  Agilent/HP VEE

The INES GPIB-32.DLL library can be used with Agilent/HP VEE by following these steps:

  1. Ensure your system has access to GPIB-32.DLL - either via the path or by copying the DLL to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\GPIB-32.DLL.
  2. Activate Agilent-VEE
  3. Using the Agilent-VEE instrument manager, set your device addresses in VEE to a number of the form 14xx where xx is the GPIB address. So, for example, if your analyzer is at GPIB address 5 then set the address to 1405.

1.5.3  HTBasic

INES GPIB cards may be used with HTBasic version 7. Our GPIB-32.DLL is interchangeable with the like element from other vendors - and so, for GPIB support with your INES GPIB interface, you can simply use the NI driver that comes with the HT Basic package. Follow these instructions:

  1. Install your GPIB card and the GPIB software.
  2. Select the installation option which copies GPIB-32.DLL to your system directory.
  3. Activate HT Basic.
  4. Load the National Instruments GPIB driver (with which the INES driver is compatible) via the command: LOAD BIN "GPIBNI". Alternatively, add line LOAD BIN "GPIBNI" to your AUTOST file so that the GPIB driver is automatically loaded when you start HTBasic.
  5. Load ("GET") and run your program.

1.5.4  Applications using the GPIB-32.DLL

You need to ensure that the system has access to the INES GPIB-32.DLL. Note that this DLL has the same name as other vendor's versions. If you have installed an other vendor's GPIB library, you must remove or rename the other vendors GPIB-32.DLL and make sure the INES version of GPIB-32.DLL is in the \Windows\System directory. Access to the INES GPIB-32.DLL will allow you to operate these applications with the INES GPIB interfaces.