APT 8520 - Bus Remote Interface USB;LAN;GPIB (Programmable Option Only)

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7. Bus Remote Interface USB/LAN/GPIB (Programmable Option Only)
This section provides information on the proper use and conguration of bus remote interface. The USB and LAN
interfaces are standard on 8500 series models, an optional GPIB (IEEE-488) interface is also available. Please refer
to Section 10 Options of this manual for details on the 8500 series options.
The USB Type B interface requires the user to download a driver in order for the instrument to recognize the USB
interface. The driver can be found on the Associated Power Technologies website:
www.aptsources.com/instrument-drivers/
Click on the “Instrument Drivers” link above to start the driver download. This link contains an automatic extract
and install program. Follow the instructions of the installation program to initialize the driver install. NOTE: The
USB port acts as a USB to RS-232 converter using an FTDI chip. As a result, the PC will recognize the USB port as a
virtual COM port.
The USB and LAN interfaces use some of the same command set as the GPIB interface for setting of power source
parameters. However there are many functions of the GPIB 488.2 interface that are not available through USB
or Ethernet. The IEEE-488 interface included with the 8500 series conforms to the requirements of the IEEE-488.2
standard.
USB and LAN Interface
The USB and LAN interface provides all of the control commands and parameter setting commands of the GPIB
interface with the exception of the 488.2 Common Commands, Status Reporting Commands, and SRQ capability.
The identication command *IDN? is also available through USB/LAN.
7.1 USB Communication Port Configuration
The USB COM port should have the following conguration:
• 115000 baud (User adjustable using the front panel)
• 8 data bits
• No polarity
• 1 stop bit
This interface does not support XON/XOFF protocol and any hardware handshaking. The controller
should be congured to ignore the Handshaking Lines DTR (PIN 4), DSR (PIN 6) and RTS (PIN 9). If the port
cannot be congured through software to ignore the lines, the handshaking lines should then be jumped
together in two dierent sets. The PIN 4 and 6 should be jumped together while PIN 7 & 8 should be
jumped together at the controller end of the cable.