Xantrex Technology GPIB-XPD manual GPIB Operation, Introduction

Section 3. Operation

Introduction

This section covers GPIB interface programming, starting with IEEE-488 functions, continuing with an extensive set of device-dependent commands, and, finally, providing error codes, and status and fault register information.

GPIB Operation

A GPIB interface controller card enables you to control an IEEE-488 bus system via computer, identifying which of its interconnected devices are to send and receive data. Interconnected devices could include programmable AC or DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, signal generators, digital voltmeters, universal counters, readouts, relays, and printers.

Use the GPIB interface to relay GPIB instructions from a computer controller to a power supply located at a selected IEEE-488 address and then to return responses from the power supply to the computer. You will also use the computer controller to issue device-dependent commands such as output voltage level and status queries.

Note: This text employs National Instruments' IBIC (Interface Bus Interactive Control) program commands developed for their GPIB interface for computer controllers as examples only.

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