Technical data

Agilent Signal Generators Programming Guide 29
Using IO Interfaces
GPIB Programming Interface Examples
GPIB Interface Terms
An instrument that is part of a GPIB network is categorized as a listener, talker, or controller,
depending on its current function in the network.
listener A listener is a device capable of receiving data or commands from other
instruments. Several instruments in the GPIB network can be listeners
simultaneously.
talker A talker is a device capable of transmitting data. To avoid confusion, a GPIB
system allows only one device at a time to be an active talker.
controller A controller, typically a computer, can specify the talker and listeners (including
itself) for an information transfer. Only one device at a time can be an active
controller.
GPIB Programming Interface Examples
NOTE The portions of the programming examples discussed in this section are taken from the full
text of these programs that can be found in Chapter 3, “Programming Examples.”
• “Interface Check using HP Basic and GPIB” on page 29
• “Interface Check Using NI–488.2 and C++” on page 30
Before Using the GPIB Examples
If the Agilent GPIB interface card is used, the Agilent VISA library should be installed along with
Agilent SICL. If the National Instruments PCI–GPIB interface card is used, the NI–VISA library along
with the NI–488.2 library should be installed. Refer to “Selecting IO Libraries for GPIB” on page 10
and the documentation for your GPIB interface card for details.
HP Basic addresses the signal generator at 719. The GPIB card is addressed at 7 and the signal
generator at 19. The GPIB address designator for other libraries is typically GPIB0 or GPIB1.
The following sections contain HP Basic and C++ lines of programming removed from the
programming interface examples in Chapter 3, “Programming Examples.” these portions of
programming demonstrate the important features to consider when developing programming for use
with the GPIB interface.
Interface Check using HP Basic and GPIB
This portion of the example program “Interface Check using HP Basic and GPIB” on page 29, causes
the signal generator to perform an instrument reset. The SCPI command *RST places the signal
generator into a pre–defined state and the remote annunciator (R) appears on the front panel
display.
The following program example is available on the signal generator Documentation CD–ROM as
basicex1.txt. For the full text of this program, refer to “Interface Check using HP Basic and GPIB” on
page 82 or to the signal generator’s documentation CD–ROM.
160 Sig_gen=719 ! Declares a variable to hold the signal generator's address