Technical data

Agilent Signal Generators Programming Guide 61
Using IO Interfaces
Using RS–232 (ESG and PSG Only)
For More Information
For more information on using LXI see the Agilent website dedicated to LXI instrumentation:
www.agilent.com/find/lxi.
Agilent LXI Application Notes:
• Using LXI to go beyond GPIB, PXI and VXI (AN 1465–20)
• 10 Good Reasons to Switch to LXI (AN 1465–21)
• Transitioning from GPIB to LXI (AN 1465–22)
• How to Use VXI and PXI in Your New LXI Test System (AN 1465–23)
• Using Synthetic Instruments in Your Test System (AN 1465–24)
• Migrating system software from GPIB to LAN/LXI (AN 1465–25)
• Modifying a GPIB System to Include LAN/LXI (AN 1465–26)
Using RS–232 (ESG and PSG Only)
CAUTION For long strings of commands and waveform downloads, upgrading to Agilent IO
Libraries 15.0 and above decreases RS–232 performance, resulting in an Error –310.
NOTE Because GPIB, LAN, and USB offer better communication performance, Agilent recommends
that RS–232 only be used for interactive sessions or short commands.
The RS–232 serial interface is available on the ESG signal generators.
The PSG AUXILIARY INTERFACE connector is compatible with ANSI/EIA232 (RS–232) serial
connection but GPIB and LAN are recommended for making faster measurements and when
downloading files. Refer to the User’s Guide.
The RS–232 serial interface can be used to communicate with the signal generator. The RS–232
connection was once standard on most PCs but has now been replaced by USB. RS–232 can be
connected to the signal generator’s rear panel connector using the cable described in Table 2- 2 on
page 64. Many functions provided by GPIB, with the exception of indefinite blocks, parallel polling,
serial polling, GET, non–SCPI remote languages, SRQ, and remote mode are available using the
RS–232 interface.
The serial port sends and receives data one bit at a time, therefore RS–232 communication is slow.
The data transmitted and received is usually in ASCII format with SCPI commands being sent to the
signal generator and ASCII data returned.