Chapter 1

Introduction

Using the IEEE 1394 Serial Bus in VXI Systems

Component

Overview

The HP E8491A PC Link to VXI Interconnect

The Adaptec® AHA-8940 1394-to-PCI Host Adapter

The IEEE 1394 Serial Bus (FireWire) is a high-speed bus that has been implemented as an I/O interface between external PCs and HP VXI systems. The bus links the PC backplane to the VXI mainframe backplane. This manual describes the implementation, configuration, and use of this interface.

Implementation of the IEEE 1394 serial bus as an I/O interface for HP VXI systems is provided through three components:

•HP E8491A PC Link to VXI Interconnect

•Adaptec® AHA-8940 1394-to-PCI Host Adapter

•HP I_O Libraries

The HP E8491A is the VXI hardware that links the VXI mainframe backplane to the IEEE 1394 serial bus. The E8491A is a 1-slot, C-size, message-based device that is installed in mainframe slot 0.

The Adaptec® AHA-8940 1394-to-PCI Host Adapter card is installed in the PC and links the computer’s (PCI) backplane to the IEEE 1394 bus. The AHA-8940 has one internal and two external IEEE 1394 ports and can support up to 16 HP E8491As.

The HP I_O Libraries The HP I_O Libraries provide the HP VISA and HP SICL drivers required to use the HP E8491A. Included with the libraries are the drivers for the

Adaptec® AHA-8940 host adapter.

Using this Manual This manual is organized to help you install, configure, and begin using the IEEE 1394 serial bus as quickly and efficiently as possible. The following information outlines the contents of the other chapters, and identifies the areas of programming a VXI system that are NOT covered in this manual.

Chapter 2: Interface

Installation and

Configuration

This chapter contains information on installing the HP E8491A hardware and its drivers (the HP I_O Libraries). Also included is information on installing VXI instruments, installing HP VXIplug&play drivers, and on verifying the system.

Chapter 1

Introduction 11