VISA runtime
In order to use GPIB, USBTMC, or TCPIP, you need to install a visa runtime. This runtime consists of a visa library (typically visa.dll or similar) that will be used to handle the communication with your instruments.
Vendors
There exist different vendors that have their own visa runtimes, e.g.
- National instruments visa runtime: https://www.ni.com/de-de/support/downloads/drivers/download.ni-visa.html#409839
- Keysight IO Libraries 18.1.22x 32-Bit Keysight VISA https://www.keysight.com/en/pd-1985909/io-libraries-suite?nid=-33330.977662.00&cc=DE&lc=ger&cmpid=zzfindiosuite
- Tektronix TEKVISA CONNECTIVITY SOFTWARE https://de.tek.com/oscilloscope/tds7054-software/tekvisa-connectivity-software-v411
- Rohde&Schwarz RSvisa https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/de/applikationen/r-s-visa-application-note_56280-148812.html
If additional hardware is used, e.g. GPIB adapters, additional drivers must be installed and it is recommended to stay with one vendor.
- Tektronix/Keithley KUSB and KPCI manual: https://de.tek.com/keithley-accessories/test-fixtures-manual/models-kpci-488lpa-and-kusb-488b-reference-manual
Still, it is also possible to install the runtimes of two vendors side-by-side, e.g. as described here.
Troubleshooting
- To check whether SweepMe! was able to find a runtime, go to the menu 'Ports' -> 'Port manager'. If there are no error message, everything is alright.
- SweepMe! is based on python 3.6.8 (32bit) and the library of the visa runtime must have the same 'bitness'.
- If the visa library (e.g. 'visa32.dll') has not been found, but your are sure that the right file is installed, you can change the path that is used to load the runtime (see below)
- Try to use python 3.6 (32 bit) and pyvisa to see whether it is possible to load the correct visa library: Link
Individual runtime path
SweepMe! loads the visa library during the program start. If your visa library is not found, you can add an individual path. As SweepMe! relies on the library pyvisa, you can use the following link that describes how to create a configuration file '.pyvisarc' where the path to the visa runtime is given. An example .pyvisarc can be downloaded from the Download section of a SweepMe! account.