Introduction Chapter 1
STD-GPIB for Windows 1-2 © National Instruments Corp.
What You Need to Get Started
STD-GPIB
STD-GPIB feedthrough front panel assembly
3.5 in. high density (1.44 MB) distribution disk:
NI-488.2 Software for Windows and the AT-GPIB/TNT+, AT-GPIB/TNT (PnP),
EISA-GPIB and AT-GPIB/TNT
Microsoft Windows version 3.1 installed on your system
Hardware Description
The STD specification, IEEE 961, is an 8-bit microprocessor bus standard that combines
small card size, flexibility, and expandability for industrial and commercial applications
that require dependable and expandable resources. Beyond the IEEE 961 specification,
the STD bus Manufacturers' Group (STDMG) maintains the STD-80 Series specification,
which includes recent STD bus enhancements. The changes and additions enable the
STD bus to support 16-bit data transfers for memory and I/O cards, by multiplexing the
high data byte with eight address lines. STD 32, an extension of the original STD bus,
employs EISA technology to provide 16- and 32-bit data transfers across the backplane
without the multiplexing of signals.
The STD-GPIB, equipped with a TNT4882C ASIC, transforms any STD/STD32 system
into a full-functioning GPIB Talker/Listener/Controller. The TNT4882C chip combines
the circuitry of the NAT4882 ASIC, the Turbo488 performance-enhancing ASIC, and
GPIB transceivers to create a single-chip IEEE 488.2 Talker/Listener/Controller
interface. The TNT4882C also implements the HS488 high-speed protocol, which
increases the maximum data transfer rate of the STD-GPIB to over 1 Mbyte/s. For more
information about HS488, refer to Chapter 7, GPIB Programming Techniques, in the
NI-488.2 User Manual for Windows.
The STD-GPIB is functionally identical to the AT-GPIB/TNT and can run any NI-488.2
driver software for the AT-GPIB/TNT. The STD-GPIB can be plugged into a Ziatech
(STD-32) or WinSystems (STD-80) backplane. The STD-GPIB automatically detects the
type of system it is plugged into and configures itself for either multiplexed
(WinSystems) or non-multiplexed (Ziatech) 16-bit data transfers. The STD-GPIB is
equipped with a feedthrough front panel assembly for easy user access to the GPIB port.
You can use standard GPIB cables to connect the STD-GPIB with up to 14 instruments.
If you want to use more than the maximum number of instruments, you can order a bus
extender or expander from National Instruments. Refer to Appendix A, Hardware
Specifications, for more information about the GPIB hardware specifications and
recommended operating conditions.