programimg [HELP] Program the impedance analyzer

[Seamus X]

Hi, everyone.

I am a student that's doing some research. I got an impedance analyzer that I use to do some tests for materials.

 

These tests are the same for different samples. But there are a lot of them. So I hope to write a program to automate this process.

But I got no idea where to begin or even which forum to ask.

I know Matlab, C (with keil), and a bit of Python. But I go no idea where to start.

 

There is a program on matlab that can read the data. But it can't control the analyzer.

 

Can anyone give me any suggestions? Anything would be helpful.

 

The impedance analyzer I use is Agilent 4294A Precision Impedance Analyzer.

I consulted the programming manual. It can be connected to a laptop with GPIB to USB port. It uses Basic language.

[Eigenvektor]

How exactly do you plan on automating things? I assume you have to move materials in and out of the analyzer? Does it have some type of mechanism to do that? Like a conveyor belt or a robotic arm. Or would that still be done manually and something else should be automated?

 

Not sure I can help you, but you should probably provide more details about the whole process, so people can get an idea what can and cannot be automated about the process and maybe provide suggestions how it could be achieved.

[ImorallySourcedElectrons]

Quite easy to do if you have access to the right MATLAB toolboxes in the current release: https://nl.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/12595-gpib-example-for-matlab or https://nl.mathworks.com/help/instrument/working-with-the-gpib-interface.html (both work, it's personal preference) But I would recommend just using the NI MAX viewer to find the address (vendor, index, address) for calling gpib() and to try out commands if you already have NI VISA on the machine you're planning to use for automation, since it also includes a nice interactive terminal of sorts.

 

As to how to control the instrument instead of just reading it out, you're probably looking in the wrong spot. You can control the instrument through GPIB without a problem, in fact, everything accessible through the user interface and additional options are exposed through the HPIB/GPIB on most HP/Agilent/Keysight instruments. You can find the programming guide through the resources tab on the Keysight website here: https://www.keysight.com/be/en/product/4294A/precision-impedance-analyzer-40-hz-to-110-mhz.html#resources (Specifically this one 4294A Precision Impedance Analyzer Programming Manual (.pdf 3.52 MB))

 

But in terms of setting up the impedance analyser, please read the instrument's manual, the Keysight Impedance Measurement Handbook ( https://www.keysight.com/be/en/assets/7018-06840/application-notes/5950-3000.pdf ), and the Keithley Low Level Measurements Handbook ( https://www.tek.com/en/documents/product-article/keithley-low-level-measurements-handbook---7th-edition ), otherwise you will make mistakes. These are complicated machines that assume you're a competent user, they have a million and one settings, and you got to make a whole load of considerations about your measurement setup if you wish to measure very large (>1 megaOhm) or very small values (<0.1 Ohm).

 

Do not be afraid to ask questions if you feel you might be making a mistake!

[Seamus X]

Thanks!