This page documents an automated test setup for evaluation of prototypes.

Long-Term Stability Test

This is a simple test to verify the long-term stability of the HV generator and feedback circuit. The plan is to connect the HV monitor output to a high-precision volt meter to measure the DC stability, and to a digital oscilloscope to check for AC transients.

'Code Outline

• Initialize GPIB interface and instruments
  • Volt meter: disable internal trigger, set to maximum resolution
  • Oscilloscope: Set to AC coupling, maximum input gain, segmented readout of 1k sample waveforms, AC trigger with low threshold
• Every 1 second:
  • Take AC and DC voltage readings with meter
  • Poll oscilloscope for number of triggers and readout if necessary
• Every minute
  • Trigger oscilloscope by software and readout

'Equipment

• ​HP 3748A
• LeCroy? WaveRunner? LT584 Oscilloscope (​Programming Manual
  • LT584_Programming_Notes
• ​GPIB Ethernet Interface

'GPIB Interface

This device provides access to the GPIB (aka IEEE-488) bus used by many instruments for remote control. See ​users manual 128.197.43.84 (freud.bu.edu). See sample program ​volt_meter.c download to a linux machine (i.e. ohm):

  $ wget http://ohm.bu.edu/~hazen/LBNE/software/volt_meter.c
  $ make volt_meter
  cc     volt_meter.c   -o volt_meter
  $ ./volt_meter 128.197.43.84
  Voltage: +05.1110E+0
  Voltage: +05.1110E+0
    ...
  $