R&S SMA100B - LAN Interface; VISA Resource Strings

Network operation and remote control
R&S
®
SMA100B
381User Manual 1178.3834.02 ─ 09
Interface
Protocols, VISA
*)
address string and library
Remarks
GPIB (IEC/IEEE Bus
Interface)
●
VISA
*
) address string:
GPIB::<address>[::INSTR] (no secondary
address)
VISA (optional)
The optional GPIB bus interface according to
standard IEC 625.1/IEEE 488.1 is at the rear
panel of the instrument.
For a description of the interface, see Chap-
ter 13.2.3, "GPIB interface (IEC/IEEE bus inter-
face)", on page 384.
*
) VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) is a standardized software interface library providing input and output functions to
communicate with instruments. A VISA installation on the controller is a prerequisite for remote control over LAN (when using
VXI-11 or HiSLIP protocol), USB and serial interface. When using socket communication or the GPIB interface, VISA installation is
optional. For basic information, see Remote control via SCPI.
http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/rsvisa provides the standardized I/O software library
R&S VISA for download at the Rohde & Schwarz website http://www.rohde-
schwarz.com/rsvisa.
How to: Chapter 13.8, "Controlling the R&S SMA100B remotely", on page 417
describes how to configure the remote control interfaces.
● LAN interface........................................................................................................ 381
● USB interface........................................................................................................383
● GPIB interface (IEC/IEEE bus interface)...............................................................384
● LXI browser interface............................................................................................ 385
13.2.1 LAN interface
To be integrated in a LAN, the instrument is equipped with a LAN interface, consisting
of a connector, a network interface card and protocols.
For remote control, the PC and the instrument must be connected over the LAN inter-
faces to a common network with TCP/IP network protocol. The instruments are con-
nected using a commercial RJ45 cable (shielded or unshielded twisted-pair category
5). The TCP/IP network protocol and the associated network services are preconfig-
ured on the instrument. Software for instrument control and, if necessary, the VISA pro-
gram library must be installed on the controller.
Identifying instruments in a network
If several instruments are connected to the network, each instrument has its own IP
address and associated resource string. The controller identifies these instruments by
the resource string.
13.2.1.1 VISA resource strings
The VISA resource string is required to establish a communication session between
the controller and the instrument in the LAN. The resource string is a unique identifier,
composed of the specific IP address of the instrument and some network and VISA-
specific keywords.
Remote control interfaces and protocols