B1530A Instrument Library
Rev A.02.00.2011.0815
The B1530A Instrument Library consists of the following files.
B1530A Instrument Library
[SystemFolder]
• wgfmu.dll
B1530A Instrument Library Import Library for Microsoft Visual C++ .NET
[ProgramFilesFolder]\Agilent\B1530A\lib
• wgfmu.lib
B1530A Instrument Library API and Constant Definitions
[ProgramFilesFolder]\Agilent\B1530A\include
• wgfmu.h for Microsoft Visual C++ .NET
• WGFMU.cs for Microsoft Visual C# .NET
• wgfmu.vb for Microsoft Visual Basic .NET
• wgfmu.bas for Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0
• wgfmu.htb for HTBasic for Windows Release 8.3 or later
System Requirements
The following system environments are required for the instrument controller.
• Computer and peripherals
Required specifications depend on the application development environment
(programming software). See manual of the programming software you use.
• GPIB (IEEE 488) interface
Agilent 82350B GPIB interface
• Operating system
Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 or later and Windows Vista Business SP2 or later (32bit only), and Windows 7 Professional SP1 or later (32bit and 64bit)
• Software
Agilent IO Library Suite 16.1 or later
• Application Development Environment
Microsoft Visual C++ .NET, Visual C# .NET, Visual Basic .NET, Visual Basic
6.0, VBA, or TransEra HTBasic for Windows (release 8.3 or later)
Before Programming
Before starting the programming using an instrument controller, perform following.
1. Terminate the Agilent EasyEXPERT software on the B1500A as follows.
a. Select File > Exit on the EasyEXPERT main window.
b. Click [x] at the upper right corner of the Start EasyEXPERT button.
2. Open the Agilent Connection Expert window on the B1500A by clicking Agilent
IO Control icon on the Windows task bar and selecting Agilent Connection
Expert.
3. Change the following setup items as shown below. The setup window can be
opened by highlighting GPIB0 in the Instrument I/O on this PC area, and
clicking Change Properties... button.
GPIB address B1500A’s GPIB address (ex: 17)
System Controller No
Auto-discover No
The factory shipment initial values are 17, No, and No, respectively.
4. Reboot the B1500A if the System Controller setting is changed from Yes to No.
NOTE Start EasyEXPERT button
After rebooting the B1500A, leave the Start EasyEXPERT button on the B1500A’s
screen. The button must be displayed on the screen or minimized to the Windows
task bar. The Start EasyEXPERT service must be run to control the B1500A from an
external computer.
NOTE B1500A in Remote Mode
Once the B1500A receives a GPIB command, the Start EasyEXPERT button is
minimized to the Windows task bar, and the FlexGUI window is opened. This
window is the status indicator of the B1500A in the GPIB remote state and provides
some graphical user interface. For details, see Agilent B1500A Programming Guide.
To Create Your Project Template
This section explains how to create a project template using Microsoft Visual C++
language. Before starting programming, create your project template, and keep it as
your reference. It will remove the conventional task in the future programming.
Step 1. Connect the B1500A to computer via GPIB.
Step 2. Launch the programming software and create a new project. Then, select the Win32
project or the console application for the new project template selection. They will
simplify the programming. Of course, other project template can be used.
Step 3. Define the following to the project properties or the project options. See manual or
on-line help of the programming software for defining them.
1. Additional include file search path:
• directory (e.g. \Program Files\Agilent\B1530A\include) that stores the wgfmu.h
file and the VISA related include files
2. Additional library search path:
• directory (e.g. \Program Files\Agilent\B1530A\lib for Microsoft Visual C++
that stores the wgfmu.lib file and the VISA related library files
3. Additional project link library:
• wgfmu.lib
Step 4. Open a source file (.cpp) in the project, and enter a program code as template. See
Table 3-7 for example.
Step 5. Save the project as your template (e.g. \test\my_temp).
Revision History
A.01.00.2008.1030 Initial Revision
P.A.01.00.2009.0114 VISA Timeout is extended to 30,000 ms
A.02.00.2011.0815 Windows 7 support