Keithley 708B Reference Manual page 44

Models 707B and 708B Switching Matrix Reference Manual
When a USB device that implements the USBTMC or USBTMC-USB488 protocol is plugged into the
computer, the VISA driver automatically detects the device. It is important to note that only USBTMC
and USBTMC-USB488 devices are automatically recognized by the VISA driver. Other USB devices,
such as printers, scanners, and storage devices, are not recognized.
In this section, "USB instruments" section refers to devices that implement the USBTMC or
USBTMC-USB488 protocol.
The full version of National Instruments VISA provides a utility to create a USB driver for any other
kind of USB device with which you might want to communicate with VISA. For more information, see
the NI VISA website
Connecting USB instruments to the computer
To connect the instrument to the computer with USB, you will use a USB cable with a USB Type B
connector on one end and a USB type A connector on the other end.
To connect the USB cable to the computer:
1. Connect the Type A end of the cable to the host computer.
2. Connect the Type B end of the cable into the instrument.
3. Turn power to the instrument on.
4. When the host computer detects the new USB connection, the Found New Hardware Wizard
starts.
5. On the "Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software?" dialog box, click No,
then click Next.
6. On the "USB Test and Measurement device" dialog box, click Next, then click Finish.
Communicate with the instrument
To communicate with the USB device you need to use VISA. VISA requires a resource string to
connect to the correct USB instrument of the format:
USB[board]::manufacturer ID::model code::serial number[::USB interface number][::INSTR]
This requires you to determine the parameters. You can gather this information by running a utility
that automatically detects all instruments connected to the computer.
If you installed the Keithley I/O Layer, the Keithley Configuration Panel is available from the Windows
Start menu in the Keithley Instruments menu.
To use the Keithley Configuration Panel to determine the VISA resource string:
1. Start the Keithley Configuration Panel. The Select Operation dialog box is displayed.
2. Select Add.
707B-901-01 Rev. A / August 2010
http://www.ni.com.
NOTE
Section 2: General operation
2-25