Installation Guide
Test Script Builder Software
Version: KTS-850J04
Keithley Instruments
Dec-2019
4 Supported Communication Interfaces
6 Supported Virtual Instrument Programming Interfaces (VISA)
7 Test Script Builder (TSB) KTS-850J04 Software Installation..
7.1 Where can I find the installation files?
Test Script Builder is a tool for creating and managing scripts for Keithley’s Test Script Processor (TSP) enabled instruments. It includes built-in color coding, debugging tools, and error handling. This document provides information for the installation and removal of the Keithley Test Script Builder Software. For a list of items new to this release and a list of known issues, please refer to the Test Script Builder Release Notes.
Pentium III, 800 MHz class PC or better
500 MByte free disk space
A supported communication interface (See section 4) to communicate with the instrument.
NOTE: It is strongly recommended that your computer and instrument be powered by an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) when running a critical application.
§ Microsoft Windows 10 Pro & Enterprise (32-bit & 64-bit)
§ Microsoft Windows 8 Pro & Enterprise (32-bit & 64-bit) service pack 1 or later
§ Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (32-bit & 64-bit) service pack 1 or later
§ Microsoft Windows Vista Business & Enterprise & Ultimate (32-bit & 64-bit) service pack 2 or later
NOTE: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP operating systems are not supported.
Test Script Builder requires Internet Explorer version 6.0 or later
The following interfaces are supported:
§ Keithley Instruments PCI GPIB cards
o KPCI-488A with driver version 8.3 or higher
o KPCI-488LPA with driver version 3.13.2 or higher
§ Keithley Instruments USB-to-GPIB adaptors
o KUSB-488A with driver version 8.3 or higher
o KUSB-488B with driver version 3.13.2 or higher
§ NI VISA compatible GPIB controllers
§ Ethernet
§ USB (TMC Protocol)
§ RS-232
NOTE: Other than the Keithley Instruments or National Instruments USB-to-GPIB adaptors all other interfaces must be direct interfaces. Test Script Builder was not tested with USB-RS-232 adaptors or Ethernet-to-GPIB adaptors.
NOTE: The latest versions of Keithley drivers can be downloaded from http://www.keithley.com/support. At the Support page enter the model number of the GPIB card or interface, select Software Driver from the dropdown list and click Search (magnifying glass).
The following Keithley Instrument Models are supported by this release of Test Script Builder:
Model Number |
Minimum Firmware Version Recommended to Run Scripts(1) |
Minimum Firmware Version Required to Debug Scripts |
DAQ6510 |
1.0.0 |
1.0.0 |
DMM6500 |
1.0.0 |
1.0.0 |
DMM7510 |
1.0.0 |
1.0.0 |
DMM7512 |
1.6.6 |
1.6.6 |
2450 |
1.0.0 |
1.0.0 |
2460 |
1.0.0 |
1.0.0 |
2461 |
1.4.0 |
1.4.0 |
2470 |
1.6.8d |
1.6.8d |
2601, 2602, 2611, 2612, 2635, 2636 |
1.4 |
<not supported> |
2601A, 2602A, 2611A, 2612A, 2635A, 2636A |
2.2 |
2.2.2 |
2601B, 2602B, 2604B, 2611B, 2612B, 2614B, 2634B, 2635B, 2636B |
3.0 |
3.0 |
2606B |
3.3 |
3.3 |
2651A |
1.0.1 |
1.0.1 |
2657A |
1.1 |
1.1 |
3706, 3706-S, 3706-NFP, 3706-SNFP |
1.41 |
<not supported> |
3706A, 3706A-S, 3706A-NFP, 3706A-SNFP |
1.56 |
1.50 |
707B, 708B |
1.03 |
1.03 |
(1) Test Script Builder will work with instruments having older versions of firmware. The noted versions are recommended because they include numerous improvements made over time, and will generally offer optimal performance.
Test Script Builder uses VISA software to communicate with instruments.
The following Virtual Instrument Software Architectures (VISA) are supported:
§ National Instruments VISA (NI VISA)
If another version of VISA is already installed, then it may be used, but its performance is not guaranteed.
Other VISAs can also be uninstalled and reinstalled as a secondary VISA, as follows:
1. Uninstall the non-NI VISA software
2. Install Test Script Builder.
3. If the pre-existing version of VISA was supplied by Tektronix or Agilent, you may safely reinstall that version of VISA once the Test Script Builder software installation is complete. When you reinstall Tektronix or Agilent VISA, it may prompt you to preserve current VISA version, which you should do. This will usually restore the operation of any dependent applications or drivers.
4. If the pre-existing version of VISA was supplied by a vendor other than Tektronix or Agilent, it is recommended that you do not reinstall it as this will likely cause the Test Script Builder software to malfunction.
NOTE: It is recommended that you install GPIB hardware and software drivers prior to installing Test Script Builder.
Test Script Builder software is included on a CD provided with the instrument, or it can be downloaded from http://www.keithley.com/support/keidoc_searchresult?keyword=TSB&item_type=Software
The latest version is always available from the website.
Install TSB from CD or download the self-extracting exe from the Keithley Website (http://www.keithley.com/support/keidoc_searchresult?keyword=TSB&item_type=Software). If you have any of the support components already on your system, the installation utility will detect these and update them, where applicable; otherwise it will not install the existing support component.
Test Script Builder software installs the following components:
Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile
Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Runtime SP1
IVI Compliance Package (ICP) 17.0
National Instruments VISA Runtime 17.5
Keithley KESCPI IVI Instrument Driver (SCPI-856C07)
Keithley I/O Layer C06 (KIOL-850C10)
Keithley Test Script Builder KTS-850J04
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 70xB (KTS-853J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 2450 (KTS-856J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 2460/2461 (KTS-858J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 2470 (KTS-860J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 2600S (KTS-851J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 2651A/2657A (KTS-854J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for 3700AS (KTS-855J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for DMM7510 (KTS-857J04)
Keithley Test Script Builder Add-In for DMM/DAQ65XX (KTS-859J04)
NOTE: DO NOT uninstall any other versions of Microsoft .NET Framework.
Unless you have special requirements, accept all the default options for the software installation. Depending on your computer’s operating system and configuration, some installation utilities prompt you to reboot your computer one or more times during the installation process. The installation utilities resume automatically following each requested reboot.
To launch Test Script Builder, select Start → Programs → Keithley Instruments → TestScriptBuilder.
The Welcome page of the software provides access to tutorials and help files that will help you learn and use the Test Script Builder software.
Perform the following steps to upgrade TSB:
1. Save Your Workspace. Backup your TSB workspace to a secure location. These are normally found in the following directories:
Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10:
C:\Users\<yourLoginName>\My Documents\Keithley Test Script Builder\Workspaces\workspace
2. Upgrade your GPIB driver (if applicable). If you have a KPCI-488LP, KPCI-488LPA or KUSB-488B GPIB card or interface with driver version 3.12.1 or older, then uninstall the GPIB driver and then install the latest GPIB driver (version 3.12.1 or newer). You can check the version and/or uninstall the driver using the Windows Add or Remove Programs wizard. The latest driver can be downloaded from http://www.keithley.com/support. At the Support page enter the model number of the GPIB card or interface, select Software Driver from the dropdown list and click Search (magnifying glass).
3. Install TSB J04 over the existing J03 version. Refer to section 7.2 of this guide for TSB J04 installation details.
TSB versions older than J03 must first be removed before installing the new version J03. To uninstall the components please refer to section 7.4 of this guide, then refer to section 7.2 for installation details.
To uninstall the Test Script Builder and all of its software components, use the Windows Add or Remove Programs wizard (called Programs and Features in Windows 10) to remove each of the individual software components:
NOTE: Test Script Builder software can also install Microsoft .NET Framework. As this software component is used by a wide variety of programs on non-Keithley software, it is suggested that you do not uninstall this component.