7.2 GPIB Interface
7-5
7.2 GPIB Interface
The GPIB is an interface standardized by IEEE488.1 and IEEE488.2 which is in
widespread use to control measuring instruments and peripherals (such as disks,
printers and plotters) by computer.
7.2.1 Device
GPIB equipment connected via the GPIB interface bus is called a device. Such de-
vices include measuring instruments, computer as controller, and peripherals.
MT8820A is also a device.
7.2.2 Communications between devices
Communications between devices are performed by exchanging device messages and
interface messages.
The device message is also called data or data message that contains information on
the device such as an instruction to a device, measurement results and device status.
The interface command controls the GPIB bus. Bus control includes initialization
of the bus, setting/canceling a device address, and setting of local control or remote
control.
In this manual, device messages and interface commands are generically called “re-
mote control commands” or simply “commands”.
7.2.3 Talker and Listener
When devices exchange device messages, the device that sends a device message is
called a “talker” and the device that receives the message is called a “listener.”
However, a device may be neither of them (sleep status).
7.2.4 Controller
The controller controls the bus by performing talker/listener addressing and by
sending interface messages to the interface bus.
In the computer-based control, the computer is a controller. Any other device hav-
ing the control function can act as a controller that controls other devices.
MT8820A is not equipped with a control function. Therefore, a device that has at
least one controller on the GPIB bus is required.
To Next Page
Loading...
