Week of 10/09/2017 - Progress Report 1

Topic Covered: Initiate Matlab software for Spectrometer Compatibility

Materials: Matlab (v. 2014b), Instrument Control Toolbox (Matlab), Yokogawa AQ6370D, Matlab Toolkit, 82357b Agilent GPIB/USB Interface, AQ6370D Yokogawa Telecom Optical Spectrum Analyzer

Summary: In order to begin implementation for a working Matlab software that is able to interface with the AQ6370D Spectrometer and analyze its waveforms, Matlab had to be configured properly on the user’s machine. First, a recent version of Matlab had to be installed (i.e. v. 2011a being the oldest) from the Mathworks website. Additionally, the supplemental Instrument Control Toolbox had to be installed. Instructions on the installation procedure can be found on the Mathworks website.

Based on the datasheet of the AQ6370D, Matlab compatibility with the spectrometer is possible through Ethernet and GPIB connections. Due to LMU’s senior lab availability of components, GPIB connection was chosen for the software. The 82357b Agilent GPIB/USB Interface library was installed on the machine per the CD installer provided in the LMU senior lab.

Once the machine was setup with the aforementioned software, linkage with the spectrometer to Matlab was ready to be implemented. The following issues/successes were encountered: (instructions for spectrometer Remote setup are included in the manual)

• Built-in Matlab functions generated from the Yokogawa AQ6370D Matlab Toolkit were unsuccessful in connecting to the device

• Agilent IO Connection support was successful in communicating with the device. However, this provided no Matlab usage. The good thing that this indicated was that the GPIB interface was installed correctly, and that remote control of the spectrometer was possible.

Shown is when spectrometer is disconnected. When connected, a GPIB port is reserved for the device, with corresponding addresses and locations. Serial commands are available upon connectivity.

• Matlab connectivity with the spectrometer is possible through VISA identification once GPIB connection is established.

• However, even when Matlab is able to open a connection to the spectrometer, the Yokogawa AQ6370D Matlab Toolkit built-in functions still do not read a device.

Progress Worth Noting: Though the Yokogawa AQ6370D Matlab Toolkit built-in functions still do not work, there are ways to find GPIB connections to the spectrometer. This indicates that serial commands can be sent to perform measurements on the spectrometer and collect data from it. The next steps are as follows:

• Understand the source code for the Yokogawa AQ6370D Matlab Toolkit built-in functions

• Use VISA identification to open connection to the spectrometer, and use normal Matlab functions to send commands.

• Dr. Asghari provided insight on usage of the C-Fiber 780 Custom Laser. This can help to start taking spectrometer data. Though there is no remote connection to the spectrometer through Matlab yet, simpler means of collecting data (e.g. USB drive) are available. Perhaps, Matlab code can be written to analyze waveforms since the same concept will apply later.