R&S ESR Series

Remote Control
R&S
®
ESR
558User Manual 1175.7068.02 ─ 12
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High performance as with raw socket network connections
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Compatible IEEE 488.2 support for Message Exchange Protocol, Device Clear,
Serial Poll, Remote/Local, Trigger, and Service Request
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Uses a single IANA registered port (4880), which simplifies the configuration of fire-
walls
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Supports simultaneous access of multiple users by providing versatile locking
mechanisms
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Usable for IPv6 or IPv4 networks
Using VXI-11, each operation is blocked until a VXI-11 device handshake returns. How-
ever, using HiSLIP, data is sent to the device using the "fire and forget" method with
immediate return. Thus, a successful return of a VISA operation such as viWrite()
does not guarantee that the instrument has finished or started the requested com-
mand, but is delivered to the TCP/IP buffers.
For more information see also the application note:
1MA208: Fast Remote Instrument Control with HiSLIP
Socket Communication
An alternative way for remote control of the software is to establish a simple network
communication using sockets. The socket communication, also referred to as "Raw
Ethernet communication", does not necessarily require a VISA installation on the
remote controller side. It is available by default on all operating systems.
The simplest way to establish socket communication is to use the built-in telnet pro-
gram. The telnet program is part of every operating system and supports a communi-
cation with the software on a command-by-command basis. For more convenience and
to enable automation by means of programs, user-defined sockets can be program-
med.
Socket connections are established on a specially defined port. The socket address is
a combination of the IP address or the host name of the instrument and the number of
the port configured for remote-control. All R&S ESR use port number 5025 for this pur-
pose. The port is configured for communication on a command-to-command basis and
for remote control from a program.
RSIB Protocol
The R&S defined RSIB protocol uses the TCP/IP protocol for communication with the
instrument. Remote control over RSIB is done on a message level basis using the
SCPI command set of the instrument. The RSIB protocol allows you to control the
instrument for example via Visual C++- and Visual Basic programs, via the Windows
applications Word and Excel, as well as via National Instruments LabView, LabWind-
ows/CVI, Agilent VEE and others. The control applications run on an external computer
in the network.
Remote Control - Basics