Programming Example: Python Power Supply Efficiency Example
June 21, 2021
Power supply efficiency is an important aspect of any power supply design. Using a few standard pieces of test gear, one can quickly build a modular system with enough resolution to measure the most demanding applications. This note describes a Python example that we created as part of an application note which describes the basics … Continued
Easy DC power supply efficiency measurements
January 28, 2021
Introduction Many electronic designs require a power supply that delivers a known voltage over a specific range of current loads and conditions. In many instances, the efficiency of the supply is an essential characteristic of the design. More efficient designs covert the input power into a higher percentage of output power than less efficient designs. … Continued
Power Supply Design: Load Step Response with a SIGLENT DC Electronic Load
April 3, 2020
Building a power supply that can handle various loads without oscillating can be a challenge. Computational models and computer simulations can help get your design headed in the right direction, but physical testing is essential to proving the performance of your design. One method of quickly determining stability is to use a load step response. … Continued
Programming Example: Identification String (*IDN?) return with LabVIEW 2018
December 16, 2019
This LabVIEW VI (version 2018) provides a simple platform to begin creating LabVIEW programs. You can download the VI here: VISA_IDN.ZIP In this example, the user can: Select the connected instruments from the VISA Resource List drop down menu: NOTE: USB devices will automatically appear. For LAN connections, you will need to add the device. … Continued
Testing Intrinsic Safety Barrier fusing and circuitry using an electronic load
December 16, 2019
From Wikipedia: Intrinsic safety (IS) is a protection technique for safe operation of electrical equipment in hazardous areas by limiting the energy, electrical and thermal, available for ignition. The idea is to minimize the risk of fire or explosion by physically eliminating any potential source of ignition. Many IS circuits utilize special fusing and elements that are designed to … Continued
Secure products without K-lock slots
May 20, 2019
Many products have Kensington, or K-lock slots to help provide a location to secure a cable lock or other device to help prevent theft. Some products do not have locations for cable lock connections. In this case, we recommend using a special glue or physical attachment system to secure the cable to the case of … Continued
Programming Example: Using VXI11 (LXI) and Python for LAN control without sockets
October 3, 2018
In an effort to meet the demands of remote monitoring and control, modern test instrumentation is leveraging more communications busses and than ever before. Each type of bus can also have numerous layers that can be utilized for specific advantages. The VXI bus and subsequent software drivers form a convenient software API that can make remote control … Continued
Programming Example: List connected VISA compatible resources using PyVISA
August 30, 2018
PyVISA is a software library that enables Python applications to communicate with resources (typically instruments) connected to a controlling computer using different buses, including: GPIB, RS-232, LAN, and USB. This example scans and lists the available resources. It requires PyVISA to be installed (see the PyVISA documentation for more information) *** ***** Here is the … Continued
Testing Open Socket Communications Using PuTTY
October 19, 2017
Many instruments include the ability to be controlled via a remote connection to a computer using an Ethernet connection. In many cases, these instruments require a special software library that can help establish and maintain the communications link between the instrument and controlling computer. This can be annoying for a few reasons… the software library … Continued
Verification of a working remote communications connection using NI – MAX
September 29, 2017
Automating a test can dramatically increase the productivity, throughput, and accuracy of a process. Automating a setup involves connecting a computer to the test instrumentation using a standard communications bus like USB or LAN and then utilizing code entered via a software layer (like LabVIEW, .NET, Python, etc..) to sequence the specific instrument commands and … Continued
