User`s guide

2 Agilent 34980A Mainframe User’s Guide
1 Introduction to the 34980A
Data Acquisition Overview
You can use the Agilent 34980A as a stand- alone instrument, but for
most applications you will want to take advantage of its PC connectivity
and remote operation capabilities. A simplified data acquisition system is
shown below.
The system configuration shown above offers the following advantages:
• You can use the 34980A to perform data storage, data reduction,
mathematical calculations, and conversion to engineering units.
• You can use the PC to easily configure and present data.
• You can electrically isolate analog signals and measurement sensors
from the noisy PC environment and earth ground.
• You can use a single PC to monitor multiple instruments and
measurement points while performing other PC- based tasks.
The 34980A is shipped with Ethernet, USB and GPIB (IEEE- 488)
interfaces. For a detailed description of these connections, see
“Connecting the 34980A to Your Computer” on page 45.
Ideally, before selecting a PC interface mode and making physical
connections between the 34980A and your PC, you would first determine
what software tools you will be using to communicate with and control
the 34980A (see “Measurement Software” on page 3 for a brief
description of available software choices).
• If you will be using the 34980A's integrated Web Browser interface
(LAN only), no additional software is required for connection.
• If you will be using another software tool (e.g. BenchLink Data
Logger Pro, Agilent IO Libraries Suite), you will need to install both
that software and a device driver before connecting the instrument
over GPIB or USB. No device driver is required for LAN.
• If you install the IO Libraries Suite, USB device drivers should be
installed automatically.
Computer
and Software
Interface
Cable
34980A
Mainframe
(up to 8)
Modules
Plug-in
System
Cabling
Transducers,
Sensors and Events