Agilent Technologies 8720E Series Programmer's Guide

3-8 Chapter3
GPIB Programming
GPIB Operation
Controller
A controller is defined as a device capable of:
• managing the operation of the bus
• addressing talkers and listeners
There can only be one active controller on the interface at any time. Examples of
controllers include desktop computers, minicomputers, workstations, and the network
analyzer. In a multiple-controller system, active control can be passed between controllers,
but there can only be one system controller connected to the interface. The system
controller acts as the master and can regain active control at any time. The analyzer is an
active controller when it plots, prints, or stores to an external disk drive in the pass-control
mode. The analyzer is also a system controller when it is operating in the system controller
mode.
GPIB Bus Structure
Figure 3-1 GPIB Bus Structure

Agilent Technologies 8720E Series Specifications

General

Brand	Agilent Technologies
Model	8720E Series
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English