Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1

What's New in Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1 Update 1 Release?

·         This update fixes a defect that could cause a system crash when using the viMemAlloc/viMemFree VISA functions in PXI0::MEMACC.

·         64-bit versions of Windows now have both a 32-bit and a 64-bit version of Siclland.exe. Previously, only the 64-bit version was installed.

Previous Version Information - Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1

·         Support for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1* Enterprise and Standard Editions.
Note: When installing on Windows Server 2008 R2, you must install and enable the .NET Framework 3.5 before installing the Agilent IO Libraries Suite. Refer to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2027770 for more information.

·         Support for Windows 7 SP1*.

·         Support for 64-bit VXI - VXI products are now fully supported on 64-bit operating systems.

^* SP1 (Service Pack 1) is supported, but not required, for this operating system.

VISA:

·         viMoveAsync, viReadAsync and viWrite Async are now truly asynchronous. In prior IO Libraries releases these functions were implemented synchronously.

·         viMemAlloc and viMemFree are now implemented on PXI0::MEMACC sessions. This makes user-mode DMA possible.

VISA COM:

·         A new PXI VISA-COM server implements all the interface properties and methods for IPxi, IRegister, IRegister64, and IVisaSession (except IRegister64::MoveOut16Ex and IRegister64::MoveOut32Ex).

Defect Fixes:

·         PXI-related and HiSLIP-related defects are fixed in the 16.1 release.

·         Installer Changes: For Agilent IO Libraries Suite versions 16.0 and earlier, the associated programs Agilent LXI Mdns Responder and, for 64-bit installations, Agilent IO Libraries Suite 64-bit, appeared as separate programs in Windows Control Panel. This caused some confusion when repairing or removing programs. In Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1, these associated programs are no longer shown in Windows Control Panel. After installing version 16.1, only the single entry, Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1, appears in the program list under Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows 7/Windows Vista).

16.1 Known Issues:

·         Large block read performance on the Agilent E8491B IEEE-1394 PC Link to VXI Interface (FireWire) is slower on 64-bit systems because of a problem with the IEEE-1394 DMA subsystem.

·         A problem can occur when opening both the VISA and LXI help files from the Agilent Connection Expert help menu. Clicking Help > Documentation > API Documentation > VISA Documentation followed by clicking Help > Documentation > API Documentation > LXI Documentation, causes the help window to hang and eventually causes Agilent Connection Expert to crash.

Previous Version Information - Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.0 and 16.0 Update 1 offered these new features:

·         Support for modular instruments. Agilent VISA and Connection Expert supports PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation), PXIe (PCI eXpress eXtensions for Instrumentation), and PCIe^TM (PCI EXPRESS®) devices. Modular instruments allow you to mix or match devices from multiple vendors when designing and implementing a test system. For more information on modular devices and recommended PCs (coming soon) see www.agilent.com/find/modular.

·         Support for the HiSLIP protocol for LAN-based instruments. HiSLIP works at nearly the speed of raw sockets, allowing fast query/response transactions and fast bulk data transfers while still supporting the instrument-like capabilities of conventional test and measurement protocols. HiSLIP also has enhanced locking behavior and supports both IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) and IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) connections. The HiSLIP protocol is similar to VXI-11; you can convert an existing VXI-11 program to HiSLIP by simply changing the address string. Refer to chapter 6 in the VISA User's Guide for more information.

·         Built-in driver updates. Connection Expert now allows you to search for, verify, and update IVI® instrument drivers from the instrument properties view.

·         Automatic application updates. When enabled, you will be notified when a newer release of the Agilent IO Libraries Suite is available.

Note: You can easily disable the application update feature if you want to prevent unauthorized personnel (such as test system operators) from inadvertently updating system software.

·         A new IVI Foundation USBTMC driver. This driver replaces the Agilent driver that was installed in previous versions of the IO Libraries. This new IVI driver is signed/authenticated by Microsoft, and is compatible with VISA libraries from multiple vendors. The IVI Foundation USBTMC driver provides these benefits:

·         On Windows XP, you no longer need to have administrator credentials to add a new USBTMC device. The IVI USBTMC driver works in multi-vendor environments.

·         As more vendors adopt this driver, you can avoid the driver incompatibilities commonly experienced when using multiple USBTMC drivers from multiple vendors.

·         Improved access to documentation. API user's guides and online help are consolidated, making access to related API documentation easier. New documentation menus make it easier to find the documentation you need.

·         Windows XP SP2 is no longer supported. Windows XP SP3 is still supported.

·         Update 1 provides a number of PXI-related and HiSlip-related defect fixes.

Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1 Update 1 Release

Table of Contents

What Is Agilent IO Libraries Suite?

System Requirements

Installing the Software

What's Changed?

Known Issues

Uninstalling the Software

License Grant

What Is Agilent IO Libraries Suite?

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Agilent IO Libraries Suite is a collection of libraries and utility programs. The IO libraries (SICL, VISA, and VISA COM) enable instrument communication for a variety of development environments (Agilent VEE Pro, Microsoft Visual Studio, etc.) that are compatible with GPIB, USB, LAN, RS-232, PXI, AXIe, and VXI test instruments from a variety of manufacturers. Several utility programs help you quickly and easily connect your instruments to your PC.

Establishing communication between your instruments and your PC is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Install the IO Libraries Suite: Get all the software you need to connect via GPIB, USB, LAN, and other standard interfaces.

2. Connect Your Instrument: Connect cables and apply power.

3. Run Agilent Connection Expert to Configure Your Connection: See your system graphically and send commands to your instruments.

If you received two CD-ROMs with your Agilent product, install the IO Libraries Suite first. Then browse the second CD to find instrument drivers, documentation, and other application software, depending on the product you have purchased.

System Requirements for Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1

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The following table lists the system configurations that Agilent tested IO Libraries 16.1 on and that are therefore guaranteed to work. In general, any x86 or x64 (except Itanium) processor should work but there may be a decrease in performance.

Operating System	Windows XP, Service Pack 3	Windows Vista®, SP1 and SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit), Business, Ultimate, Enterprise, Home Basic, and Home Premium	Windows 7 SP1⁴ (32-bit and 64-bit) Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, Enterprise	Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1⁴ (64-bit) Standard and Enterprise³
Processor speed	600MHz or higher required 800MHz recommended	1Ghz 32-bit (x86), 1GHz 64-bit (x64), no support for Itanium64	1Ghz 32-bit (x86), 1GHz 64-bit (x64), no support for Itanium64	1.4 GHz (x64 processor) or 1.3GHz (Dual Core) no support for Itanium64
Available Memory	256 MB minimum (1 GB or greater recommended)	1 GB minimum	1 GB minimum	1 GB minimum
Available Disk Space¹	1.5 GB available hard disk space, includes: · 1GB available for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 · 100MB for Agilent IO Libraries Suite	1.5 GB available hard disk space, includes: · 1GB available for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1² · 100MB for Agilent IO Libraries Suite	1.5 GB available hard disk space, includes: · 1GB available for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 · 100MB for Agilent IO Libraries Suite	1.5 GB available hard disk space, includes: · 1GB available for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 · 100MB for Agilent IO Libraries Suite
Display	Minimum of 1024 x 768, 96 or 120 DPI	Minimum of 1024 x 768, 96 or 120 DPI	Minimum of 1024 x 768, 96 or 120 DPI	Minimum of 1024 x 768, 96 or 120 DPI
Browser	Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater	Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or greater	Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or greater	Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or greater

¹ Note: because of the installation procedure, less disk space may be required for operation than is required for installation. The amount of space listed above is required for installation.
² .NET Framework Runtime Components are installed by default with Windows Vista. Therefore, you may not need this amount of available disk space.

³ When installing on Windows Server 2008 R2, you must install and enable the .NET Framework 3.5 before installing the Agilent IO Libraries Suite. Refer to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2027770 for more information.

⁴ SP1 (Service Pack 1) is supported, but not required, for this operating system.

You may want the Adobe® Reader, which will allow you to read Agilent IO Libraries Suite manuals in PDF format. It can be obtained at http://www.adobe.com.

Who is licensed to install IO Libraries Suite 16.x?

See the License Grant at the end of this file to determine whether you are licensed to install this software.

What if I need support for an older operating system?

It is generally best to use the current version of the Agilent IO Libraries Suite. This version will support the newest interfaces and operating systems, and will have the most advanced features. However, you may need to install an earlier version of the IO Libraries Suite to support an older interface or operating system. Refer to http://www.agilent.com/find/iosuite to locate the version you need.

Installing the Software

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To install Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.x:

First, disconnect any USB instruments, USB/GPIB converters, and FireWire® (IEEE 1394)-VXI interfaces that are connected to your PC.

Shut down all other applications that are running on the PC.

Note: When installing on Windows Server 2008 R2, you must install and enable the .NET Framework 3.5 before installing the Agilent IO Libraries Suite. Refer to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2027770 for more information.

If you have the Automation-Ready CD in your CD-ROM drive:

1.     Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to your CD-ROM drive.

2.     Browse to the Autorun folder and double-click to execute auto.exe.

If you are downloading Agilent IO Libraries Suite from the Web:

1. Go to http://www.agilent.com/find/iosuite.

2.     Download the IO Libraries Suite self-extracting zip file (*.exe) to any location on your hard disk.

3.     Double-click the .exe file to extract all files and start the installation process. Follow the instructions as prompted during the installation.

You can select either a Typical or a Custom installation. In most cases, you can select a Typical installation which installs the IO Libraries Suite using the recommended settings. Select the Custom installation to:

·         Install the IO Libraries Suite in another directory (for 32-bit operating systems only).

·         Save disk space by not installing interface manuals.

·         Use Agilent 32-bit VISA with another vendor’s VISA on the same PC in side-by-side mode. Details on side-by-side mode are available at www.agilent.com/find/side-by-side-install and in the IO Libraries Suite Help following installation.

After the installation is complete, re-connect any devices that you disconnected prior to installing.

Uninstalling the Software

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Use the Windows Control Panel ("Add or Remove Programs" in Windows XP or "Programs and Features" in Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 R2) to remove the Agilent IO Libraries Suite. Do not delete files directly. To uninstall or modify the Agilent IO Libraries Suite, select Agilent IO Libraries Suite 16.1 from the list of installed programs. See the Agilent IO Libraries Suite Connectivity Guide for detailed instructions.

Removing the IO Libraries Suite does not delete the standard VISA directory, standard VISA COM files, standard IVI (Interchangeable Virtual Instrument Foundation) files, and IVI Shared Components. There is no reliable way for the IO Libraries Suite uninstaller to be sure that no other installed product (whether from Agilent or another vendor) is using these files and directories.

License Grant

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Agilent grants you one non-exclusive license of the Software at no charge pursuant to the terms of the License Agreement. The License Agreement is displayed when you install the software and is available in the IO Libraries Suite Online Help. You may download one copy of the Software, and store or run that copy of the Software for internal use and purposes in accordance with this Agreement and the documentation provided with the Software. Such documentation may include license terms provided by Agilent's third party suppliers, which will apply to the use of the Software and take precedence over these license terms. In the absence of documentation specifying the applicable license, you may store or run one copy of the Software on one machine or instrument. If the Software is otherwise licensed for concurrent or network use, you may not allow more than the maximum number of authorized users to access and use the Software concurrently.

Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Windows Vista is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

Visual Studio is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

IVI is a registered U.S. trademark of the IVI Foundation, Inc.

PCIe and PCI EXPRESS are registered trademarks and/or service marks of PCI-SIG.

PXI is a registered US trademark of the PXI Systems Alliance, Inc.

LXI is a registered U.S. trademark of the LXI Consortium, Inc.

FireWire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

Adobe, the Adobe Logo, Acrobat and the Acrobat Logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.