Instrument Control

Instrument Control Software

The software architecture for instrument control using LabVIEW is similar to the architecture for DAQ. Instrument interfaces such as GPIB include a set of drivers. Use MAX to configure the interface.

MAX (Windows: GPIB)

Use MAX to configure and test the GPIB interface. MAX interacts with the various diagnostic and configuration tools installed with the driver and also with the Windows Registry and Device Manager. The driver-level software is in the form of a DLL and contains all the functions that directly communicate with the GPIB interface. The Instrument I/O VIs and functions directly call the driver software.

Open MAX by double-clicking the icon on the desktop or by selecting Tools»Measurement & Automation Explorer in LabVIEW. The following example shows a GPIB interface in MAX after clicking the Scan For Instruments button on the toolbar.

Fig.1 - GPIB Interface in Measurement and Automation Explorer

Configure the objects listed in MAX by right-clicking each item and selecting an option from the shortcut menu. You learn to use MAX to configure and communicate with a GPIB instrument in an exercise.