SRInstComms ActiveX Software Development Kit

SRInstComms Software Toolkit

The control takes care of all communication between the user-developed program and the instrument, performing the necessary handshaking and decoding status signals over the selected interface, which is either GPIB, USB, Ethernet, or RS232. With the exception of speed, the interface type is essentially transparent to the user, making programs portable between systems with different interfaces.
It includes an automatic search routine which will find any compatible instruments that are attached to the computer’s GPIB, USB, Ethernet, or RS232 ports. In most cases, this eliminates the need to adjust the communications settings controls on the instrument. The complete "profile" of connected instruments, together with any user-entered descriptive comments, is then securely saved in the system registry. Subsequent data transmissions to and from the instrument use this information to give the fastest possible communication.

Instrument Connections Dialog
Instrument Connections Dialog

Up to ten compatible instruments can be controlled independently or simultaneously, so that for example in a system measuring impedance one lock-in amplifier can measure the sample current while a second measures the voltage. Both instruments can be read via the control and the output readings combined to determine the impedance.

VB.Net Sample Program
VB.Net Sample Dialog

The package includes a full instruction manual, as well as on-screen help so that programming information is always easily available. In addition, five sample applications in LabVIEW 2014, Visual Studio 2010 (C# and VB.Net), VBScript, and Excel via VBA.are supplied. The VB.net and C#examples include a working executable as well as a full project workspace and all the corresponding source files. Similarly the LabVIEW and Excel demonstration programs are complete with all source code information so that they can be easily edited by the user. These offer a quick way to start developing a program. Unlike some software toolkits, this ensures that you have access to code that is known to work with a wide range of hardware.

Excel Sample Workbook
Excel Sample Workbook

Example Programs
The Excel spreadsheet and LabVIEW VI demonstrate perfectly the power of the control, allowing data to be taken directly from the instrument and plotted to a graphical display. The HTML webpage, on the other hand, shows how the control can be used to create programs using very user-friendly interfaces, with all the power and convenience that comes from working from within the browser environment.

Technical Requirements
In addition to a compatible operating system and suitable programming software, the control requires at least one method of connection to the instrument. Depending on the type of communication port fitted to the instrument this can be an RS232, USB, GPIB or Ethernet, with the last three generally giving the fastest communication.

If using GPIB, the computer must be fitted with a National Instruments GPIB Interface card or cable. Other manufacturer’s cards will not work.

In order to operate our instruments that have USB interfaces via that interface the controlling computer needs to have a suitable USB driver installed in addition to SRinstComms.

Ordering Information
The SRInstComms software pack includes the software supplied on CD or USB pen drive and a 57 page printed instruction manual. The package is licensed for use on a single computer; for multiple or redistribution licenses please contact us first.

SRInstComms Instruction Manual
SRInstComms Instruction Manual