Technical data

62 Agilent Signal Generators Programming Guide
Using IO Interfaces
Using RS–232 (ESG and PSG Only)
The following sections contain information on selecting and connecting IO libraries and RS–232
interface hardware on the signal generator to a computer’s RS–232 connector.
• “Selecting IO Libraries for RS–232” on page 62
• “Setting Up the RS–232 Interface” on page 63
• “Verifying RS–232 Functionality” on page 65
Selecting IO Libraries for RS–232
The IO libraries can be downloaded from the National Instrument website, http://www.ni.com, or
Agilent’s website, http://www.agilent.com. The following is a discussion on these libraries.
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.
Because of the potential for portability problems, running Agilent SICL without the VISA
overlay is not recommended by Agilent Technologies.
HP Basic The HP Basic language has an extensive IO library that can be used to control the
signal generator over the RS–232 interface. This library has many low level
functions that can be used in BASIC applications to control the signal generator
over the RS–232 interface.
VISA VISA is an IO library used to develop IO applications and instrument drivers that
comply with industry standards. It is recommended that the VISA library be used
for programming the signal generator. The NI–VISA and Agilent VISA libraries are
similar implementations of VISA and have the same commands, syntax, and
functions. The differences are in the lower level IO libraries used to communicate
over the RS–232; NI–488.2 and SICL respectively.
NI–488.2 NI–488.2 IO libraries can be used to develop applications for the RS–232 interface.
See National Instrument’s website for information on NI–488.2.
SICL Agilent SICL can be used to develop applications for the RS–232 interface. See
Agilent’s website for information on SICL.