Programming instructions

Getting Started
Using GPIB
Chapter 1 7
2. Selecting IO Libraries for GPIB
The IO libraries are included with your GPIB interface card. These libraries can also be
downloaded from the National Instruments website or the Agilent website. The following is a
discussion on these libraries.
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; NI-488.2 and SICL respectively. It is best to use the
Agilent VISA library with the Agilent GPIB interface card or NI-VISA with
the NI PCI-GPIB interface card.
SICL Agilent SICL can be used without the VISA overlay. The SICL functions can
be called from a program. However, if this method is used, executable
programs will not be portable to other hardware platforms. For example, a
program using SICL functions will not run on a computer with NI libraries
(PCI-GPIB interface card).
NI-488.2 NI-488.2 can be used without the VISA overlay. The NI-488.2 functions can
be called from a program. However, if this method is used, executable
programs will not be portable to other hardware platforms. For example, a
program using NI-488.2 functions will not run on a computer with Agilent
SICL (Agilent GPIB interface card).
3. Setting Up the GPIB Interface
1. Press Utility > GPIB/RS-232 > GPIB Address.
2. Use the numeric keypad, the arrow keys, or rotate the front panel knob to set the desired
address.
The signal generator’s GPIB address is set to 19 at the factory. The acceptable range of
addresses is 0 through 30. Once initialized, the state of the GPIB address is not affected by
a signal generator preset or by a power cycle. Other instruments on the GPIB cannot use
the same address as the signal generator.
3. Press
Enter.
4. Connect a GPIB interface cable between the signal generator and the computer. (Refer to
Table 1-4 for cable part numbers.)
NI-VISA is a registered trademark of National Instruments Corporation