KEPCO KLP Series Developers Guide, Rev 3 - Manual (Page 11)

KLP-DEV 041213
1-1
SECTION 1 - INTRODUCTION
This manual contains instructions for digital programming of the KLP series of 1200W output
power, stabilized voltage or current, d-c power supplies manufactured by KEPCO, Inc., Flush-
ing, New York, U.S.A. Basic operation of the front panel controls as well as analog programming
of the KLP Series is covered in the KLP User Manual. (When analog programming is in use, the
unit will still respond to digital queries related to status and readback.) Refer to the KLP User
Manual (see www.kepcopower.com/support/opmanls.htm#klp) for all other installation and oper-
ating instructions.
1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The KLP is a power supply class of instrument. The KLP supports all Power supply class func-
tionality including measurement and trigger. The KLP has additional functionality beyond the
class requirements, including a 250 step list, state storage, and hyperbolic power capability. The
KLP Power Supply Series can be digitally programmed using SCPI commands and queries sent
from a computer via one of two interfaces. Standard models (also referred to as -1200 models)
include the IEEE 488.2 (GPIB) and RS 232 interface. E-Series models (formerly referred to as -
1.2K models) include the IEEE 488.2 (GPIB) and LAN interfaces.
1.1.1 DRIVERS
Three instrument drivers are available which allow remote operation via virtual front panels.
• IVI-COM driver supplied with the unit [E-Series Models only] This is a state-of-the-art
driver which provides wrappers to allow use within Visual C, Visual Basic, LabView and
LabWindows/CVI environments to fully control the KLP power supply. (see Section 3).
• LabView G driver supplied with the unit. This driver is written in native LabView code
using the VISA write and read functions. (see Section 4).
• VXI plug&play driver supplied with the unit. This driver is written in C using VISA write
and read functions. It is compliant with the VXI plug&play specification and can be used
in an ANSI compatible C program such as LabWindows /CVI. It is also portable to Linux
and Apple operating systems, however verification of these environments has not been
completed. (see Section 5).
The drivers (and the raw programming examples found in this manual), do not communicate
directly to the KLP. They use the operating system or vendor specific interface drivers to handle
the actual communication of the serial, Ethernet or GPIB cables. Vendors such as National
instruments, Agilent technologies and Keithley have created a VISA (Virtual Instrument System
Architecture) library. The VISA library uses consistent commands to open a connection, write
and read data, read the interrupt status and perform standard functions such as lock, unlock and
device clear.
The VISA libraries “open” command creates the handle for all other functions. The open com-
mand requires a resource string that provides the physical address of the unit and also specifies
the type of interface that will be used. Table 1-1 provides the resource strings for the four possi-
ble interfaces to the KLP. All KLP Models include the GPIB interface. The serial interface is
included only in standard Models; the LAN interface is included only in E-Series Models.
These drivers require a helper application (visa32.dll) to be installed on the computer being
used. VISA uses resource strings (see Table 1-1) to address the unit. The IVI-COM, and VXI
plug&play drivers require that all calls to an instrument be made through the VISA library. The