User`s guide

128 Agilent VISA User’s Guide
6 Programming via USB
USB Interfaces Overview
USBTMC/USBTMC-USB488 instruments are detected and
automatically configured by Agilent VISA when they are plugged into
the computer. The Agilent IO Libraries Suite Online Help describes the
USB instrument configuration process in more detail.
Due to the complexity of the VISA USB resource string, a VISA alias
(simple name) is assigned to each USB instrument when it is plugged
into the computer. You can use either the alias or the full VISA resource
string when opening a VISA resource, but using the alias is
recommended because it is simpler and because it allows substitution of
USB instruments without the need to change the VISA program.
You can also create VISA aliases for other (non-USB) instruments,
using the Agilent Connection Expert.
NOTE
Do not confuse the Agilent 82357 USB/GPIB Interface with a
USBTMC device. The 82357 is automatically configured as a GPIB
interface, not as a USBTMC device, when it is plugged into the
computer. Only USBTMC/USBTMC-USB488 devices are configured
as USB devices by Agilent VISA.