Communication with a Keithley 617

[emmanuelpean]

I'm currently trying to use an old Keithley 617 using the National Instrument UBS-GPIB HS adapter.

I installed all the required NI drivers required to use it. However, whatever command I use (e.g. "*IDN?\n"), it returns the value that is displayed on the screen of the Keithley 617.

I attached a print screen showing the problem.

It would be of much help if anyone knows how to solve this problem.

Emmanuel

[Albert.Geven]

Try /r/n first.

Where did you find this driver?

[Minions]

Emmanuel,

This being an older piece of equipment that does not understand the newer

*IDN?\n

format and needs the previous

ID?\n

command to be used instead.

[emmanuelpean]

Dear both, 

Thank you very much for your replies. I've tried both solutions (and combinations of these solutions) and it still returns what is displayed on the K617 screen. Regarding the driver, it is the GPIB-USB HS driver downloaded here http://sine.ni.com/psp/app/doc/p/id/psp-354/lang/en.

Emmanuel

[GuentherS]

Hi Emmanuel

the K617 does not recognize *IDN? or ID commands at all. The closest thing would be U0 (Status Word), which will respond with the model number and the current settings

The manual should still be available for download at the Keithley website, you will find all commands in there.

Guenther

[emmanuelpean]

Dear Guenther, 

Thanks for your reply. The K617 did not recognize neither '*IDN?' or 'ID' commands. I also tried "U0" and it didn't worked. In fact, I can "write" everything I want, and when I try to "read", it just return what's displayed on the K617.

The manual is available here, but to be fair, it doesn't really help.

Emmanuel

[Minions]

OK, This gets into the original IEEE-488-1975 code where you will need to set talk and listen addresses.

CMD (Value in Hex)

TA1
UNL
LA7
DAB 43
DAB 30
DAB 50
DAB 2B
DAB 31
DAB 34
DAB 37
DAB 30
DAB 30
DAB 25
DAB 57
DAB 2B
DAB 31
DAB 25
DAB 43
DAB 31
DAB 4E
DAB 33
DAB 0D
UNL
LA1
TA7

All of that code to set a pressure controller at GPIB address 7 to 14.7PSIA.

[emmanuelpean]

Dear Minions, 

Thanks for your help.

Unfortunately I am not very familiar with the IEEE-488-1975 code (not familiar at all to be honest). If I do not abuse your kind help, could you please tell me how to set a pressure controller?

Emmanuel

[Minions · Accepted solution]

It has been way too long since I have programmed like that.  Section 3 of the manual especially Figure and Table 3-11 are most helpful.

I am not sure if the VISA Write and Read commands will work properly.  Try writing the following to your instrument:

U0X\r\n

If it does work, you should receive a default response of

617000100600007000\r\n
617FRRCZNTOBGDQMMKYY\r\n

Where:

617 is the model number

F is the Function (0-5)

RR is the Range (00-12)

C is for Zero Check (0-1)

Z is for Zero Correct (0-1)

N is for Suppress (0-1)

T is for Trigger (0-7)

O is for Voltage Source Operation (0-1)

B is for Read Mode (0-4)

G is for Data Prefix (0-2)

D is for Display (0-1)

Q is for Data Store (0-7)

MM is for SRQ (00-02, 08, 16, & 32)

K is for EOI & Bus Hold-Off (0-3)

YY is for the ASCII Terminator (\r\n, \n\r, or custom)

[emmanuelpean]

Dear Minions, 

Thank you very much for your answer, it works very well.

I am now able to change settings of the K617 using the command of table 3-11.

If I may ask a last question: I would like to know and change the integration time/NPLC. Is there a way I can do that?

Emmanuel