Tektronix OpenChoice Software Release Notes (TekVISA V2.0)

Welcome to the release notes for Tektronix OpenChoice software. The sections below contain detailed information on installation along with additional information on selected features of Tektronix OpenChoice software. In addition to an updated version of TekVISA, this distribution includes related software that can be used stand-alone or in combination with TekVISA. Software that operates above the VISA API, such as the TekVISA ActiveX® Control, is typically compatible with other VISA API implementations.

# New Features

· Better LAN Support

o Automatic Discovery of LAN based instruments on your local network.

o An easy way to specify searches of non-local networks for LAN based instruments.

o Conformance with the LAN support described in the VISA 2.2 specification.

· Enhanced VISA Compatibility

o viPrintf, viScanf and related VISA functions are fully supported.

o viBufWrite, viBufRead, and related VISA functions are fully supported.

o viWriteAsync, viReadAsync, and related VISA functions are fully supported.

· Support For Software Troubleshooting

o A TekVISA Call Monitor has been added which shows VISA and TVC (TekVISA ActiveX Control) calls as they are made.

o All VISA and TVC functions recorded in the Call Monitor include information showing the time the function required for completion.

o Call Monitoring works with existing user executable code.

· Enhanced Microsoft Office Support

o An enhanced Toolbar for Microsoft Excel

# Installation

· Platforms supported by this software distribution include Tektronix Windows-based oscilloscopes and conventional PCs running a 32-bit Windows operating system. The installer detects the platform and installs appropriate software components.

· In many cases, Tektronix OpenChoice software will be installed in conjunction with another software installation or will come as part of the initial factory software installation on a Tektronix Windows-based oscilloscope. Taking full advantage of this software often requires installation on a conventional PC. For example, configuring a client connection for the VXI-11 LAN server (see below) will typically involve installation of the TekVISA software on the PC that is to serve as the client connection. TekVISA is a major component of Tektronix OpenChoice software. The installation program for Tektronix TekVISA software is located in the TekVISA directory in the root of the CD-ROM containing Windows-based oscilloscope software or other Tektronix software. Run the ‘setup.exe’ program found in the TekVISA directory to install TekVISA software on a conventional PC.

· The installation program deals with existing installations of the VISA API in ways that depend on the specific version of VISA already installed:

If Tektronix OpenChoice has already been installed, then the installation program enters maintenance mode. Options to modify the previous installation, repair (reinstall) the previous installation, or remove Tektronix OpenChoice software are presented. If running setup in maintenance mode is unintentional, exit maintenance mode by pressing the Cancel button. If the installation program running in maintenance mode is a different version from that used to install Tektronix OpenChoice software, it is recommended that an uninstall via the Control Panel “Add/Remove Programs” applet be done. An uninstall / reinstall sequence is the best way to avoid mixing files and side effects that may occur from running a version of the installation program in maintenance mode that differs from the one currently installed.

Note: Old versions of TekVISA, installed as part of different applications, are handled differently than previous installations of Tektronix OpenChoice software. The installation program removes previous releases of TekVISA by automatically running the uninstaller for the old TekVISA release prior to installing Tektronix OpenChoice software.

As of the date of this document, NI-VISA 2.5 or newer are the only non-Tektronix VISA API implementations that are compatible with OpenChoice software features such as the TekVISA ActiveX® Control and the VXI-11 LAN server. The installer will detect the NI-VISA installation and offer the option of skipping the installation of TekVISA. If the option to keep the current VISA is selected, the installer will retain the NI-VISA installation and will install all of the other Tektronix OpenChoice features—other than TekVISA.

Other, potentially incompatible, non-Tektronix VISA implementations should be uninstalled prior to the installation of Tektronix OpenChoice software. If this is NOT done, the installer will warn the user to select between exiting the installation and overwriting the existing VISA installation.

· All files, with the exception of VISA32.DLL and some support files, are installed under the C:\VXIpnp\Win95 directory (Win9x OS) or the C:\VXIpnp\WINNT directory (WinNT / Win 2K OS).

# Virtual GPIB Resource

· Virtual GPIB (V-GPIB) resource modules are provided for all supported Tektronix Windows-based scope models. The V-GPIB resource is a functional equivalent of the external hardware GPIB connection, but is implemented using internal hardware / software data paths. Typically, use of the V-GPIB connection results in improved convenience and performance. For example, V-GPIB enables applications running on the scope to access Tektronix scope control and data. V-GPIB is also the connection used by the VXI-11 LAN server (see below).

· Two distinct implementations of V-GPIB are provided: for NI-VISA version 2.5 or newer and for version 2.0 of TekVISA. The external behavior and performance provided by the two V-GPIB implementations are essentially identical (less than 10% performance difference was observed during benchmark testing). In both cases, the V-GPIB resource is opened via the resource string “GPIB8::1::INSTR”.

· The V-GPIB resource for NI-VISA 2.5 is a passport DLL. Passport DLLs are an I/O extension facility supported by newer versions of the National Instruments VISA implementation. NI-VISA version 2.5 or newer is required for passport DLL support.

· The V-GPIB resource for TekVISA 2.0 is a standard TekVISA resource module. It is therefore equivalent to other TekVISA resource modules such as those supporting asynchronous or hardware GPIB connections.

# VXI-11 LAN Server Setup

· INTRODUCTION: TekVISA provides LAN-based oscilloscope connectivity via client and server support of the VXI-11 network instrument protocol. The VXI-11 LAN server is a Tektronix OpenChoice software feature that may be run on the oscilloscope to provide TCP/IP network access for controlling and collecting data from the instrument. The TekVISA API provides a VXI-11 client as a VISA instrument resource. The resource must be configured in advance via the TekVISA Configuration program (VISAConf.exe), but it is otherwise virtually indistinguishable from any other instrument resource accessed by any standard VISA-based application.

· INSTALLATION: The VXI-11 LAN server is installed by default on supported oscilloscope platforms by the Tektronix OpenChoice installer. As part of the installation, the VXI-11 Server Control program is automatically configured to exist in the Windows system tray at system power up (except on PC/client workstation installations, which do not include the VXI-11 LAN server).

· STARTUP: To automatically start the VXI-11 LAN server with system power up, it must initially be manually activated via the Server Control program's "Start VXI-11 Server" menu selection. This is available via a popup menu from the system tray. However, using the Server Control program, a preference setting may be turned on that will automatically start the VXI-11 LAN server with any future system power up; select the "Server Properties" item from the system tray popup menu. Whether started manually or automatically, the VXI-11 LAN server can run without the Server Control program being active.

If the Server Control program is not running in the system tray, it also may be started manually. Locate the Server Control application under the Start -> Programs -> TekVISA menu and run it. It will appear as a new icon in the system tray.

· IDENTIFICATION: The VXI-11 server on a Tektronix instrument may be identified by right-clicking on the VXI-11 server in the system tray and selecting Server Properties. The text edit field “Location” may be changed to include information helpful in identifying this instrument from a network connect. The text in that field will be displayed in the “TekVISA Configuration Manager” in the information field for this VXI-11 device.

· CLIENT ACCESS: The VXI-11 LAN server may be accessed via any VXI-11 client implementation. For TekVISA clients, the server may be configured as a remote VISA instrument resource on the client workstation.

The VXI-11 devices on the local network will automatically be discovered in the “TekVISA Configuration Manager” during a Find operation. If you’ve placed a VXI-11 device on the network after the Find operation has occurred on the client, you can initiate a Find operation by selecting Start > Programs > TekVISA > TekVISA Configuration and then pressing the Find button. If the VXI-11 device is not on the local network for the client computer, it will be necessary to add the either the LAN based instruments hostname, IP address, or IP address range to the Remote Host list in the TekVISA Configuration Manager. This can be done by selecting Start > Programs > TekVISA > TekVISA Configuration and then pressing the Add button and adding the hostname or IP address.

· TROUBLESHOOTING: If your client application cannot access the VXI-11 LAN server, or if the TekVISA Configuration Manager does not find any instrument resources on the server, verify that the server is in fact installed and activated on the remote oscilloscope. If the Server Control program indicates that the server is already running, try stopping it and restarting it. If client access problems still persist, power down the oscilloscope and restart it.

# TekExcel Toolbar

· INSTALLATION AND TARGET DIRECTORY: The installer places the TekExcel Toolbar add-in file and supporting components in a directory named ExcelToobar. The full path will be C:\VXIpnp\Win95\TekVISA\ExcelToolbar (Win9x OS) or C:\VXIpnp\WINNT\TekVISA\ExcelToolbar (WinNT / Win 2K OS). The TekExcel Add-In file itself is named TekExcelToolbar.xla.

· Adding the Toolbar to Excel: To add the toolbar to Excel

o Select Tools | Add-Ins. A dialog box appears listing possible Add-Ins.

o Click on the Browse button, and navigate to the Excel Toolbar directory.

o Select TekExcelToolbar.xla.

o An hourglass cursor may appear as the toolbar loads and virtual GPIB devices are polled by the TekVISA control used by the Add-in.

o The TekExcel toolbar will appear and the TekExcelToolbar Add-in should appear selected in the Add-In dialog box.

Once the toolbar is loaded, its visibility may be controlled through the View | Toolbars menu.

· Testing the Toolbar: The toolbar has up to six icons (depending on the instrument selected). A quick review of these icons may be gained by clicking on the help icon (the one on the far right with a question mark). A tool tip identifying each of the tools is displayed in a tool tip if you let your mouse linger over the icon. The icon on the far left is named “TekExcel Connection” and should be tested first. It lists all detected devices. Select a device and click the OK button. Once connected, you may experiment with the other tools on the toolbar.

· Source Code: All source code for the TekExcelToolbar.xla file is available through the Microsoft Excel Visual Basic editor. No password protection has been placed on the file. For those with Visual Basic for Applications coding experience, please don’t hesitate in setting breakpoints and stepping through the code. The toolbar uses two compiled ActiveX components beyond the TVC.OCX control: p_ExcelInsert.exe and p_TimedMeas.dll.

· Excel Versions: The Toolbar was developed using Excel 2000 and runs under Office 2000. Preliminary testing indicates the Toolbar runs under Office XP. The testing under Office XP has been very limited. The Toolbar does not currently run under Excel 97.

# Sample Applications

· Two collections of sample applications are included with Tektronix OpenChoice software. Each of these sample applications is associated with one of the Tektronix OpenChoice books: Oscilloscope Analysis and Connectivity Made Easy or TekVISA Programming Manual.

· A typical installation includes Adobe Acrobat® (.pdf) versions of the books Oscilloscope Analysis and Connectivity Made Easy and TekVISA Programming Manual along with the TekVISA Quick Reference Card. These on-line documents are accessible via the Start -> Programs -> TekVISA menu once software development files have been installed. (Software development files are part of a typical installation.)

· Sample applications associated with Oscilloscope Analysis and Connectivity Made Easy are provided on the CD-ROM associated with printed versions of this book. To access the sample applications, browse the SAMPLES directory in the root of the CD and copy applications that are of interest.

· Sample applications associated with TekVISA Programming Manual are part of a typical Tektronix OpenChoice installation. These samples will appear in a directory hierarchy under the C:\VXIpnp\Win95\TekVISA\VISASamples directory (Win9x OS) or the C:\VXIpnp\WINNT\TekVISA\VISASamples directory (WinNT / Win 2K OS).

· Most of the sample applications associated with TekVISA Programming Manual are simple C-based command line applications that illustrate a specific VISA programming topic. In addition to a single source file, the directory containing each command line sample includes Visual C++ version 6 project files. A compiled version of the sample application is included in the Release sub-directory. The following command line samples are provided:

attraccess — demonstrates use of viGetAttribute() and viSetAttribute() to access a few common VISA attributes including VI_ATTR_TMO_VALUE to set the VISA timeout.

exlockexam — demonstrates use of viLock() with the VI_EXCLUSIVE_LOCK flag.

findrsrcattrmatch — demonstrates use of viFindRsrc() and viFindNext() to iterate through available resources that match a pattern that includes an attribute expression.

rwexam — demonstrates use of viWrite() and viRead() to perform a GPIB “*idn?” query.

sharedlock — demonstrates use of viLock() with the VI_SHARED_LOCK flag.

simple — demonstrates use of viWrite() and viRead() to perform a GPIB “*idn?” query.

simplefindrsrc — demonstrates use of viFindRsrc() and viFindNext() to iterate through available resources that match the pattern “GPIB?*INSTR”.

srq — demonstrates use of viInstallHandler() / viUninstallHandler() and viEnableEvent() / viDisableEvent() to set up a callback type handler for the VI_EVENT_SERVICE_REQ event (service request). Note: this example may be somewhat scope family specific due to the GPIB command set used.

srqwait — demonstrates use of viEnableEvent() / viDisableEvent(), viWaitOnEvent(), and viReadSTB() to set up a queued event for VI_EVENT_SERVICE_REQ (service request). Note: this example may be somewhat scope family specific due to the GPIB command set used.

· A somewhat more complex sample—an MFC dialog box application—is also associated with TekVISA Programmer Manual:

VISAApiDemo — supports interactive access to commonly used VISA operations including viOpenDefaultRM(),viFindRsrc(),viOpen(), viGetAttribute() / viSetAttribute(), viWrite(),viRead(), and viClear(). A release build of this application is in the Release sub-directory.