Agilent Technologies Model A.08.xx Overview of Gpib Option A4H, Gpib Instrument Nomenclature

Programming Fundamentals

Overview of GPIB (Option A4H)

Overview of GPIB (Option A4H)

GPIB Instrument Nomenclature

An instrument that is part of a GPIB network is categorized as a listener, talker, or controller, depending on its current function in the network.

Listener	A listener is a device capable of receiving data or commands
	from other instruments. Any number of instruments in the GPIB
	network can be listeners simultaneously.
Talker	A talker is a device capable of transmitting data or commands to
	other instruments. To avoid confusion, an GPIB system allows
	only one device at a time to be an active talker.
Controller	A controller is an instrument, typically a computer, capable of
	managing the various GPIB activities. Only one device at a time
	can be an active controller.

GPIB Command Statements

Command statements form the nucleus of GPIB programming. They are understood by all instruments in the network. When combined with the programming language codes, they provide all management and data communication instructions for the system. Refer to the your programming language manual and your computers I/O programming manual for more information.

The seven fundamental command functions are as follows:

•An abort function that stops all listener/talker activity on the interface bus, and prepares all instruments to receive a new command from the controller. Typically, this is an initialization command used to place the bus in a known starting condition (sometimes called: abort, abortio, reset, halt).

•A remote function that causes an instrument to change from local control to remote control. In remote control, the front panel keys are disabled except for the Local key and the line power switch (sometimes called: remote, resume).

•A local lockout function, that can be used with the remote function, to disable the front panel Local key. With the Local key disabled, only the controller (or a hard reset by the line power switch) can restore local control (sometimes called: local).

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