NI-DCPower Soft Front Panel

Use the NI-DCPower Soft Front Panel (SFP) to configure and enable channels, monitor voltage and current measurements, and test the functionality of an NI DC power supply or SMU. To launch the NI-DCPower SFP, navigate to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-DCPower»NI-DCPower Soft Front Panel.

When using the NI-DCPower SFP, you can make the following selections, based upon the measurement mode and functionality your application requires:

• Select the Output Function you want to use.
  
  
  
  
• When using the DC Voltage output function, use the Voltage Level and Current Limit controls to set the voltage level and the current limit for a channel.





• When using the DC Current output function, use the Current Level and Voltage Limit controls to set the current level and the voltage limit for a channel.





• If applicable, select a voltage and/or current range for the channel from the Range drop-down listboxes.






Available ranges depend upon the power supply or SMU and the selected function you are using. The Range drop-down listboxes display a list of available ranges for each function and device.

• If you are using a device with remote sense capabilities, you can use the Sense drop-down listbox to select either Local or Remote sense.





• After you have configured the channel, click Output Enabled to enable the channel and begin supplying power.

As power is supplied, the NI-DCPower SFP displays voltage and current measurements.

Note  When a channel is operating in Constant Current mode, the letters CC light up in the display. When a channel is operating in Constant Voltage mode, the letters CV light up in the display. When the channel is operating at the compliance limit, Cmpl lights up in the display. For more information about the compliance limit, refer to Compliance.

• When you are finished with your measurements, select File»Exit to close the NI-DCPower SFP.