User`s guide

142 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.