Autolab pgstat302 LCRmeter

Hello!

I’m currently trying to connect an older pgstat302 autolab with sweepme to do impedance spectroscopy and the device class says that the current driver version for 2.1.7 may not work. What does that mean specifically?

I installed the driver according to the comments in the device class and got this error message:

  • FRA calibration not found (occurs in line 223 at switchfra.on).

Where should I put the cal file? I tried a couple of folders that looked reasonable but always got this error.

Thank you for your support!
Anton

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The error occurs in line 223 of the driver and comes alongside with the “fra calibration not found” window.

Python Error:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File “MeasClasses.py”, line 2660, in wrapper
File “C:\Users\Public\Documents\SweepMe!\CustomDevices\LCRmeter-Metrohm_AutolabPGSTAT\main.py”, line 223, in configure
InstrumentExtensions.SwitchFraOn(self.autolab)
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at EcoChemie.Autolab.SDK.Extensions.InstrumentExtensions.SwitchFraOn(IInstrument instrument)

Hello Anton,

The error you describe occurs because the Autolab.SDK.Extensions.dll cannot be correctly imported by the driver. We received the same error you described during the development of the driver. In cooperation with Metrohm we discovered that the current Nova version at that time (Nova 2.1.7 and Autolab SDK 2.1.7, June 2024) did not support Cf measurements for older FRA modules, meaning the FRA functionalities did not work as described in the manual. Metrohm provided us with a new Beta version of the Autolab SDK that solved the issue.

The latest SDK version can be found here: https://www.metrohm.com/de_de/service/software-center/autolab-sdk.html
I am not sure if the SDK installation is needed or if Nova is sufficient. Can you please update Nova (https://www.metrohm.com/de_de/service/software-center/nova.html) and, if it still does not work, install the SDK?
If the error remains, we can contact Metrohm and ask if they can publish the bug fix or provide you with the beta SDK version as well.

Best,
Franz

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Thank you Franz!
Do I have to somehow adapt the LCRmeter-Metrohm_AutolabPGSTAT.ini file or is it just the Nova 2.1.8 installation? The SDK was already up-to-date (2.1.7).

Just updating Nova does not solve the error.

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So, it seems the same error remains. Could you please give me an email address to the Metrohm person you had contact with or contact him for the beta version?

We will contact Metrohm so we can find a solution for all other users who might have this problem as well. We will put you in the loop for the communication.

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The updated version 2.1.8 is now available for Nova and the Autolab SDK, which fixes the FRA module errors: https://www.metrohm.com/en/service/software-center/autolab-sdk.html

Hello Franz, when I follow the link, it still shows me the 2.1.7 version…

Ah funny, one needs to change the region. Germany works. Sweden didn’t

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Thank you! Operating the Autolab as LCR meter works now (in principle!)

However, the error message “Fra Calibration file not found” popping up after starting the measurement remains. There is no message in the debug window, though.

It think it happens in the “connect(self)” procedure when calling “self.autolab.Connect()”

I guess it is the “FRA2CAL.ini” file it is looking for? Where should I put it? I copied it pretty much everywhere already…

Thank you for your help!

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Hello Anton,
The driver needs access to both the Adk.x file and the HardwareSetup.YourModellNumber.xml file. Have you set up the drivers config.ini file according to the Driver Information?

Hi Franz!
Yes, I did.

I think I found the solution. Perhaps, you can update the comment in the device class accordingly, Franz:

You need to copy the file
C:\ProgramData\Metrohm Autolab\13.0\HardwareSetup.AUT72737.xml
(insert your device number instead) to the respective hardware setup files folder of your Autolab version, in my case
C:\Program Files\Metrohm Autolab\Autolab SDK 2.1\Hardware Setup Files\PGSTAT302

Then you update the LCRmeter-Metrohm_AutolabPGSTAT.ini file which is stored under C:\Users\Public\Documents\SweepMe!\CustomFiles

[Autolab HardwareSetup]
sdk_path = C:\Program Files\Metrohm Autolab\Autolab SDK 2.1
adk_path = C:\Program Files\Metrohm Autolab\Autolab SDK 2.1\Hardware Setup Files\Adk.x
hardware_setup_files =
C:\Program Files\Metrohm Autolab\Autolab SDK 2.1\Hardware Setup Files\PGSTAT302\HardwareSetup.AUT72737.xml

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Hello Anton,
thanks for sharing your solution. I have updated the description on the driver page.