California Instruments P Series Installation guide

PGUI or PGUI32
TRAINING MANUAL
P Series, RP Series
Graphical User Interface
Software
1251RP Programmable AC Source
Revision: 1.1
Date: June 24, 1998

PGUI / PGUI32 Training Manual
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PGUI / PGUI32 Training Manual
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Program Purpose.........................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Training Manual Purpose............................................................................................................................5
1.3 Requirements...............................................................................................................................................6
2. PGUI Installation ..............................................................................................................................................9
2.1 Windows 95Installation procedure...........................................................................................................9
2.2 Windows 3.1Installation procedure........................................................................................................13
3. PGUI Main Window.......................................................................................................................................15
3.1 Steady State Control..................................................................................................................................16
3.2 Front Panel Lock.......................................................................................................................................17
3.3 Status Bar..................................................................................................................................................17
3.4 Command Menu........................................................................................................................................18
3.5 Toolbar......................................................................................................................................................18
3.6 Next...........................................................................................................................................................18
4. System Menu...................................................................................................................................................19
4.1 Interface ....................................................................................................................................................19
4.2 Configuration Settings...............................................................................................................................21
4.3 Power-On Settings.....................................................................................................................................22
5. Measurements .................................................................................................................................................23
5.1 Enable and Disable Measurements............................................................................................................23
5.2 Recording Measurement Data to disk. ......................................................................................................24
6. Transient Programming...................................................................................................................................27
6.1 Voltage Transients ....................................................................................................................................27
6.2 Frequency Transients ................................................................................................................................29
6.3 Voltage and Frequency Transient..............................................................................................................30
6.4 Data Entry Mode Options .........................................................................................................................31
6.5 Saving Transient programs........................................................................................................................32
7. AC Source Setup Files ....................................................................................................................................33
7.1 Saving front panel setups ..........................................................................................................................33
7.2 Recalling front panel setups......................................................................................................................34
8. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................35

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1.
Introduction
This training manual was designed to help a new user of California Instruments‘ P or RP Series AC
power sources become familiar with the operation of the PGUI / PGUI32 Graphical User Interface
software. This program is included with the interface option for this product line.
To work through this training manual, it may be useful to have an actual AC source connected to the
PC. This is not required however as the PGUI / PGUI32 will operate in simulation mode in the
absence of a connection to an AC source. In the remainder of this training manual, the term PGUI will
be used to denote both the PGUI (16 bit) and the PGUI32 (32 bit) version of this program.
1.1 Program Purpose
The PGUI can be used to control all aspects of the AC power source over the IEEE-488 bus (RP
Series only) or RS232C (all models). This allows full PC control without the need to use the front
panel of the instrument. The PGUI automatically adjusts to the connected AC Source configuration.
The PGUI is NOT a replacement for a custom Automated Test program that requires the use of
multiple IEEE-488 or VXI based instruments. This program only operates a single AC source and will
ignore all other types of instruments connected to the same bus. It is possible however for other
Windows programs to run at the same time as the PGUI and control other instruments. If your
application requires an integrated test program involving multiple instruments from different vendors,
we suggest you consider developing your own software. Instrument drivers for National Instruments
LabView are available free of charge from California Instruments to support this effort.
1.2 Training Manual Purpose
This training manual serves as an introduction to the use of the PGUI program. It does not replace
the on line help system included in the PGUI program. Not all aspects of the program’s operation are
covered in this training manual.
You can work through this manual at your own pace by following the steps and examples used to
point out the operation of various program aspects. It is important to have the program installed and
available while working through this manual. The presence of an AC source is not required however.
First time users of the PGUI that need to control the AC source from a PC may find it useful to work
through this training manual first. If you have not used the PGUI for a while and need to get back to it
for a new project or requirement, you may also benefit from working through this manual as a
refresher.

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1.3 Requirements
In order to use the PGUI program, you will need the following hardware and software items. You
will also have to install the PGUI software and any IEEE-488 interface driver software on your PC if
you have an RP model and intend to use the IEEE-488 interface. All units can be operated over
RS232C using an available PC com port.
•PC running Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
The PGUI is a 16 bit Windows program and will not operate under Windows NTor any other true
32 bit operating system. The PC you plan to use should have enough CPU processing power and
memory (DRAM) to run any of the Windows versions listed above. We recommend at least a 486
class PC with 8 Mbytes of RAM. The PGUI will run on 386 class PC’s with as little as 4 Mbytes of
RAM but performance will be less than satisfactory.
•PC running Windows 95/98™or Windows NT™.
The 16 bit version, PGUI, will operate under Windows 95/98as well. A 32 bit version of this
program is available as well - PGUI32 - and is recommended for users of Windows 95/98. Users of
Windows NT have to use the 32 bit PGUI32. The 16 bit program will not run under NT.
•PC Based IEEE-488 Interface Controller.
RP Series AC sources can be controlled remotely using either the IEEE-488 General Purpose
Instrumentation Bus (GPIB) or an RS232C serial interface.
For IEEE-488 control, you will need to install a suitable National Instruments IEEE controller in
your PC. Other vendor IEEE controller cards have not been tested with the PGUI and may not
function.
One of the following IEEE controller cards is recommended:
National Instruments
•GPIB-PCII/IIA
•AT-GPIB/TNT
•PCMCIA-GPIB
Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for card installation. Make sure to install both the hardware
(controller card) and any software that is supplied with the card. If you do not, you will only be able to
use the PGUI program in its simulation mode.
•PGUI Program.
Make sure you have the latest version of the PGUI for Windows. If not, some of the features
covered in this training manual may not be available to you. You can check your version by selecting
the Help About menu which will show you the program’s release number. The latest version is
available from California Instruments’ website at www.calinst.com. This manual was created using
PGUI version 2.12 / PGUI32 version 1.00.

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Figure 2Version information PGUI 16 bit
•Supported AC Sources.
Supported models are :
P Series RP Series
1001P 801RP
1251P 1251RP
2001RP
(PGUI32 only)
If you do not have one of these units connected to your PC or have a suitable interface in your PC
yet, you can still proceed with this training session as the PGUI program will operate fully in
simulation mode.
Figure 1Version information PGUI32 32 bit

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2.
PGUI Installation
This section covers installation of the AC source control software under Window 95. If you are
using Windows 3.1or Windows for Workgroups 3.11, the installation procedure is very similar
except you use the Program Manager’s File, Run menu to start the SETUP program located on the
installation disk.
2.1 Windows 95 Installation procedure
To install the AC source control software under Windows 95, proceed as follows:
1. From the Start menu, select Settings.
1. From the Settings options, select Control Panel
2. In the control panel folder, locate the Add/Remove Programs icon

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3. Double click on the Add/Remove Programs icon to launch the Windows 95
Add/Remove Programs property dialog.
4. Click on the Install button located in the top right corner of this dialog box.
5. Insert the first installation disk in drive A and click on the Next button at the bottom of
the dialog box.