Using Test & Measurement Toolbox to control Keithley 6517b via ICS 488-USB2 USB-to-GPIB, however Toolbox is not detecting hardware. Can anyone help?

I am using Using Test & Measurement Toolbox to control a Keithley 6517b electrometer via ICS 488-USB2 USB-to-GPIB, however Toolbox is not detecting hardware.

I am able to control the hardware via the ICS driver software 488.2V4 and labview. I would ideally like to use matlab as I am not very familiar with labview.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Stephen

Answer 1

[Friedrich]

Hi

did you took a look here. It seems like you need Instrument Control Toolbox rather than Data Acquisition Toolbox. Also in the case Data Acquisition Toolbox is suited it seems like you need a 32bit Data Acquisition Toolbox + MATLAB and maybe some addition driver from the file exchange. For Instrument Control Toolbox see here for the driver version you need to install in order to communicate over GBIP.

[Stephen]

Hi Friedrich,

Thanks for the response. I have the Instrument toolbox and the appropriate driver however, the Instrument toolbox cannot detect any hardware. The ICS driver detects the Keithley electrometer and I can communicate with it. If you have any other ideas they will be greatly appreciated.

kind regards, Stephen

[Friedrich]

Can you run the instrsupport function and post the output here?

[Stephen]

 ------------- CURRENT DATE AND TIME -------------

ans =

13-Aug-2013 08:26:35

 ------------- MATLAB AND INSTRUMENT CONTROL TOOLBOX VERSIONS -------------

OK.

 ------------- SERIAL LIBRARY VERSION -------------

ans =

RXTX-2.2pre2

 ------------- INSTALLED ADAPTORS -------------

info =

          MATLABVersion: '8.0 (R2012b)'
    SupportedInterfaces: {1x7 cell}
       SupportedDrivers: {'matlab'}
            ToolboxName: 'Instrument Control Toolbox'
         ToolboxVersion: '3.2 (R2012b)'

ifaces =

Columns 1 through 5

    'gpib'    'serial'    'tcpip'    'udp'    'visa'

Columns 6 through 7

    'Bluetooth'    'i2c'

 -------- GPIB --------

adaptors =

    InstalledAdaptors: {'ni'}
       JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'

devinfo =

             AdaptorDllName: [1x87 char]
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 3.2'
                AdaptorName: 'ni'
          InstalledBoardIds: []
      ObjectConstructorName: {}
              VendorDllName: 'gpib-32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'NI-488'

 -------- SERIAL --------

adaptors =

     AvailableSerialPorts: {0x1 cell}
           JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'
    ObjectConstructorName: {0x1 cell}
              SerialPorts: {0x1 cell}

 -------- TCPIP --------

adaptors =

         LocalHost: {4x1 cell}
    JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'

 -------- UDP --------

adaptors =

         LocalHost: {4x1 cell}
    JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'

 -------- VISA --------

adaptors =

    InstalledAdaptors: {'ni'}
       JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'

devinfo =

             AdaptorDllName: [1x87 char]
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 3.2'
                AdaptorName: 'NI'
           AvailableChassis: []
       AvailableSerialPorts: ''
          InstalledBoardIds: []
      ObjectConstructorName: []
                SerialPorts: ''
              VendorDllName: 'visa32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: [1x32 char]
        VendorDriverVersion: 5.0300

 -------- BLUETOOTH --------

adaptors =

        RemoteNames: []
          RemoteIDs: []
    BluecoveVersion: 'BlueCove-2.1.1-SNAPSHOT'
     JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'

 -------- I2C --------

adaptors =

    InstalledAdaptors: 'Aardvark'
       JarFileVersion: 'Version 3.2'

hello

 ------------- INSTALLED DRIVERS -------------

drivers =

    'matlab'

 -------- MATLAB --------

driverType =

    InstalledDrivers: {1x9 cell}

 -------- INSTALLEDDRIVERS --------

ans =

    'agilent_33120a'
    'agilent_34401a'
    'agilent_e3648a'
    'generic_agilent_33120a'
    'generic_agilent_e3648a'
    'lecroy_8600a'
    'lecroy_lt344l_ex'
    'tektronix_tds2024'
    'tektronix_tds210'

[Friedrich]

The only installed adaptor for gpib is NI. So it seems like your Keithley driver is not recognized. Did you really install Keithley-488 version 5.08 or higher? In which bittedness did you install them? Make sure the bittedness of the driver is the same as the bittedness of the MATLAB version you are using.

[Stephen]

Do I need the Keithley 488 driver as well, not just the ICS driver for the GPIB-USB connector I am using?

[Friedrich]

Haven't you taken a look at the links I posted in my first replay? If so, you wouldn't ask that question. Install it and try again.

Answer 2

[Stephen]

Yeah I have looked at the links. My GPIS interface is ICS not Keithley. I have the ICS driver downloaded and can control the Keithley electrometer using it.

[Friedrich]

I would have expect the ICS 488-USB2 USB-to-GPIB works as a simple USB<=> GPIB converter but you still need the driver from Keithley in order to control the device. I would still try installing it. If it does not work, contact the MathWork technical support in order to figure out if that works at all with Data Acquisition Toolbox or Instrument Control Toolbox.

[Stephen]

Still not working unfortunately. Thanks for all the replies

[Friedrich]

Does instrsupport now shows Keithley as InstalledAdaptor for GPIB? At least it should now pop up if installed correctly.

[Stephen]

No it doesn't show as an installed adaptor

[Friedrich]

that could be why it still doesnt work. which bittedness does your matlab have? which bittednesss does the driver you installed have?

[Stephen]

My Matlab is 64-bit and the ICS driver claims to be for 64 or 32-bit

[Friedrich]

Its about the Keithley driver not ICS.

[Stephen]

The Keithley driver does not detect any hardware which I imagine is because my interface is ICS and that driver works. I think the keithley 488 software is for their GPIB equivalent.

Answer 3

[Alban MORALI]

Hello,

I've exactly the same need as you @Stephen. Did you finally succeed in using matlab with the 6517B electrometer ?

As far I'm concerned I thnink I've installed all the drivers and tollbox needed but still I can't succeed in communicating with the electrometer. Here is the answer of the instrsupport command, if anyone could help me to find the problem that would be awsome. Thanks in advance.

Alban

 ------------- CURRENT DATE AND TIME -------------


ans =

    '07-Feb-2023 11:39:43'


 ------------- MATLAB AND INSTRUMENT CONTROL TOOLBOX VERSIONS -------------


matlabVersion =

    '9.11.0.1769968 (R2021b)'


toolboxVersion = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup struct" style="font-weight:bold">struct</a> with fields:

       Name: 'Instrument Control Toolbox'
    Version: '4.5'
    Release: '(R2021b)'
       Date: '14-May-2021'


 ------------- SERIAL LIBRARY VERSION -------------


ans =

RXTX-2.2


 ------------- INSTALLED ADAPTORS -------------


info = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

          MATLABVersion: '9.11 (R2021b)'
    SupportedInterfaces: {'gpib'  'serial'  'serialport'  'tcpip'  'udp'  'visa'  'Bluetooth'  'i2c'  'spi'  'modbus'}
       SupportedDrivers: {'matlab'  'ivi'  'vxipnp'}
            ToolboxName: 'Instrument Control Toolbox'
         ToolboxVersion: '4.5 (R2021b)'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



ifaces =

  1×10 <a href="matlab:helpPopup cell" style="font-weight:bold">cell</a> array

    {'gpib'}    {'serial'}    {'serialport'}    {'tcpip'}    {'udp'}    {'visa'}    {'Bluetooth'}    {'i2c'}    {'spi'}    {'modbus'}


 -------- GPIB --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

    InstalledAdaptors: {'agilent'  'keysight'  'mcc'  'ni'}
       JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwagilentgpib.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'keysight'
          InstalledBoardIds: 32
      ObjectConstructorName: {'gpib('keysight', 32, 0);'}
              VendorDllName: 'sicl32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'Keysight Technologies GPIB Driver'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: gpib('keysight', 32, 0);

   GPIB Object Using KEYSIGHT Adaptor : GPIB32-0

   Communication Address 
      BoardIndex:         32
      PrimaryAddress:     0
      SecondaryAddress:   0

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwagilentgpib.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'keysight'
          InstalledBoardIds: 32
      ObjectConstructorName: {'gpib('keysight', 32, 0);'}
              VendorDllName: 'sicl32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'Keysight Technologies GPIB Driver'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: gpib('keysight', 32, 0);

   GPIB Object Using KEYSIGHT Adaptor : GPIB32-0

   Communication Address 
      BoardIndex:         32
      PrimaryAddress:     0
      SecondaryAddress:   0

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwmccgpib.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'mcc'
          InstalledBoardIds: [1×0 double]
      ObjectConstructorName: {}
              VendorDllName: 'gpib488.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'Measurement Computing Corporation GPIB Driver'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwnigpib.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'ni'
          InstalledBoardIds: 0
      ObjectConstructorName: {}
              VendorDllName: 'gpib-32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'NI-488'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- SERIAL --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

     AvailableSerialPorts: {'COM1'}
           JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'
    ObjectConstructorName: {'serial('COM1');'}
              SerialPorts: {'COM1'}

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: serial('COM1');

   Serial Port Object : Serial-COM1

   Communication Settings 
      Port:               COM1
      BaudRate:           9600
      Terminator:         'LF'

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


 -------- SERIALPORT --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

           AllSerialPorts: "COM1"
     AvailableSerialPorts: "COM1"
    ObjectConstructorName: "serialport("COM1", 38400);"

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: serialport("COM1", 38400);

obj = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup internal.Serialport" style="font-weight:bold">Serialport</a> with properties:

                 Port: "COM1"
             BaudRate: 38400
    NumBytesAvailable: 0

  Show all <a href="matlab:if exist('obj','var')&&isa(obj, 'internal.Serialport'), obj = obj; displayAllProperties(obj); clear obj; else, error(message('testmeaslib:CustomDisplay:InvalidObject', 'all properties')); end">properties</a>, <a href="matlab:if exist('obj','var')&&isa(obj, 'internal.Serialport'), obj = obj; methods(obj); clear obj; else, error(message('testmeaslib:CustomDisplay:InvalidObject', 'all functions')); end">functions</a>


 -------- TCPIP --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

         LocalHost: {2×1 cell}
    JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- UDP --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

         LocalHost: {2×1 cell}
    JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- VISA --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

    InstalledAdaptors: {'agilent'  'keysight'  'ni'}
       JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwagilentvisa.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'KEYSIGHT'
           AvailableChassis: []
       AvailableSerialPorts: ''
          InstalledBoardIds: 0
      ObjectConstructorName: {'visa('keysight', 'GPIB0::10::INSTR');'}
                SerialPorts: ''
              VendorDllName: 'agvisa32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'Keysight Technologies VISA Driver'
        VendorDriverVersion: 18.2000

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: visa('keysight', 'GPIB0::10::INSTR');

   VISA-GPIB Object Using KEYSIGHT Adaptor : VISA-GPIB0-10

   Communication Address 
      BoardIndex:         0
      PrimaryAddress:     10
      SecondaryAddress:   0

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwagilentvisa.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'KEYSIGHT'
           AvailableChassis: []
       AvailableSerialPorts: ''
          InstalledBoardIds: 0
      ObjectConstructorName: {'visa('keysight', 'GPIB0::10::INSTR');'}
                SerialPorts: ''
              VendorDllName: 'agvisa32.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'Keysight Technologies VISA Driver'
        VendorDriverVersion: 18.2000

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: visa('keysight', 'GPIB0::10::INSTR');

   VISA-GPIB Object Using KEYSIGHT Adaptor : VISA-GPIB0-10

   Communication Address 
      BoardIndex:         0
      PrimaryAddress:     10
      SecondaryAddress:   0

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwnivisa.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'NI'
           AvailableChassis: []
       AvailableSerialPorts: {2×1 cell}
          InstalledBoardIds: []
      ObjectConstructorName: {2×1 cell}
                SerialPorts: {2×1 cell}
              VendorDllName: 'nivisa64.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'National Instruments VISA Driver'
        VendorDriverVersion: 22.5000

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



Connecting using the constructor: visa('ni', 'ASRL1::INSTR');

   VISA-Serial Object Using NI Adaptor : VISA-Serial-ASRL1

   Communication Settings 
      Port:               ASRL1
      BaudRate:           9600
      Terminator:         'LF'

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


Connecting using the constructor: visa('ni', 'ASRL10::INSTR');

   VISA-Serial Object Using NI Adaptor : VISA-Serial-ASRL10

   Communication Settings 
      Port:               ASRL10
      BaudRate:           9600
      Terminator:         'LF'

   Communication State 
      Status:             closed
      RecordStatus:       off

   Read/Write State  
      TransferStatus:     idle
      BytesAvailable:     0
      ValuesReceived:     0
      ValuesSent:         0
 


 -------- BLUETOOTH --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

        RemoteNames: {4×1 cell}
          RemoteIDs: {4×1 cell}
    BluecoveVersion: 'BlueCove-2.1.1-SNAPSHOT'
     JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- I2C --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

    InstalledAdaptors: {'Aardvark'}
       JarFileVersion: 'Version 4.5'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



devinfo = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

             AdaptorDllName: 'C:\Program Files\MATLAB\R2021b\toolbox\instrument\instrumentadaptors\win64\mwaardvarki2c.dll'
          AdaptorDllVersion: 'Version 4.5'
                AdaptorName: 'Aardvark'
              BoardIdsInUse: [1×0 double]
          InstalledBoardIDs: [1×0 double]
       DetectedBoardSerials: {0×1 cell}
      ObjectConstructorName: 'i2c('Aardvark', BoardIndex, RemoteAddress);'
              VendorDllName: 'aardvark.dll'
    VendorDriverDescription: 'Total Phase I2C Driver'

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- SPI --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

    SupportedVendors: {'aardvark'  'ni845x'}
    InstalledVendors: []

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- MODBUS --------


adaptors = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

      SupportedProtocols: ["serialrtu"    "tcpip"]
               LocalHost: ["J5040-03/132.207.70.185"    "J5040-03/fe80:0:0:0:7505:d0da:ecce:9a7c%15"]
    AvailableSerialPorts: "COM1"

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 ------------- INSTALLED DRIVERS -------------


drivers =

  1×3 <a href="matlab:helpPopup cell" style="font-weight:bold">cell</a> array

    {'matlab'}    {'ivi'}    {'vxipnp'}


 -------- MATLAB --------


driverType = 

  <a href="matlab:helpPopup instrument.HardwareInfo" style="font-weight:bold">HardwareInfo</a> with properties:

    InstalledDrivers: {1×10 cell}

Access to your hardware may be provided by a support package. Go to the <a href="matlab:instrument.internal.supportPackageInstaller">Support Package Installer</a> to learn more.



 -------- INSTALLEDDRIVERS --------


ans =

  10×1 <a href="matlab:helpPopup cell" style="font-weight:bold">cell</a> array

    {'OceanOptics_OmniDriver'}
    {'agilent_33120a'        }
    {'agilent_34401a'        }
    {'agilent_e3648a'        }
    {'generic_agilent_33120a'}
    {'generic_agilent_e3648a'}
    {'lecroy_8600a'          }
    {'lecroy_lt344l_ex'      }
    {'tektronix_tds2024'     }
    {'tektronix_tds210'      }