Using IO Libraries for Programmatic Control
The Agilent IO Libraries Suite includes four IO Libraries
that allow you to programmatically control instruments, send commands
to them, and receive responses and data. The Agilent IO Libraries Suite
Online Help provides guidelines
to help you choose among these libraries; in general, VISA and VISA COM
are recommended for new development. The IO libraries are included with
GPIB interface cards, or can be downloaded from the National Instruments
website or the Agilent website. The Agilent IO Libraries are pre-installed
on the PXB at shipment.
IO Libraries Utilities
The Agilent IO Libraries Suite includes a number of utilities to help
you connect, configure, and troubleshoot your test system, such as, Connection
Expert, Event Viewer, Interactive IO, VISA Assistant, and IO Monitor.
The IO Libraries Suite Connectivity
Guide, available from the Agilent website or by right-clicking
the IO icon in the lower task bar after installing the libraries, gives
detailed help on connecting instruments using GPIB, LAN or USB interfaces.
Selecting IO Libraries
for GPIB
To write programs to control your PXB, an IO library must be installed on a computer and the computer
configured for instrument control using the GPIB interface. The following
is a description of IO libraries available when using GPIB for instrument
connection.
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VISA
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VISA is an IO library used to develop IO applications and instrument
drivers that comply with industry standards. The NI-VISA and Agilent VISA
libraries are similar implementations of VISA and have the same commands,
syntax, and functions. The differences are in the lower level IO libraries;
NI-488.2 and SICL respectively. It is best to use the Agilent VISA library
with the Agilent GPIB interface card or NI-VISA with the NI PCI-GPIB interface
card.
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SICL
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Agilent SICL can be used without the VISA overlay.
The SICL functions can be called from a program. However, if this method
is used, executable programs will not be portable to other hardware platforms.
For example, a program using SICL functions will not run on a computer
with NI libraries (PCI-GPIB interface card).
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Because of the potential for portability problems, Agilent does not recommend running Agilent SICL
without the VISA overlay.
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NI-488.2
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NI-488.2 can be used without the VISA overlay.
The NI-488.2 functions can be called from a program. However, if this
method is used, executable programs will not be portable to other hardware
platforms. For example, a program using NI-488.2 functions will not run
on a computer with Agilent SICL (Agilent GPIB interface card).
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Return to topSelecting IO Libraries
for LAN
To write programs to control your PXB, an IO library must be installed on your computer and the computer
configured for instrument control using the LAN interface. The following is a description of IO libraries available when using
LAN for instrument connection.
VISA | VISA is an IO library used to develop IO applications and instrument
drivers that comply with industry standards. Use the Agilent VISA library
for programming the PXB over the LAN interface. |
SICL | Agilent SICL is a lower level library that is installed along with Agilent
VISA. |
Programming Languages
Along with Standard Commands for Programming Instructions
(SCPI) and IO library functions, you can use a programming language to
remotely control the PXB. Any programming language that can send commands
using Telnet LAN on port 5024 or Socket LAN on port 5025 can be used.
Selecting I/O Libraries
for USB
| The PXB’s USB interface requires Agilent IO Libraries Suite 15.0
or later to run properly. |
To write programs to control your PXB, an IO library must be installed on your computer and the computer
configured for instrument control using the USB interface. The following
is a description of IO libraries available when using USB for instrument
connection.
VISA | VISA is an I/O library used to develop I/O applications
and instrument drivers that comply with industry standards. It is recommended
that the VISA library be used for programming the PXB. The NI-VISA and
Agilent VISA libraries are similar implementations of VISA and have the
same commands, syntax, and functions. The differences are in the lower
level I/O libraries used to communicate over the USB; NI-488.2 and SICL
respectively. |
VISA COM | VISA COM is a COM (Microsoft Common Object Model)
implementation based on the Agilent VISA architecture. |
NI-488.2 | NI-488.2 IO libraries can be used to develop
applications for the USB interface. Refer to National Instrument’s
website for information on NI-488.2. |
SICL | Agilent SICL can be used to develop applications
for the USB interface. Refer to Agilent’s website for information
on SICL.
| Because of the potential for portability problems, Agilent does not recommend running Agilent SICL
without the VISA overlay. |
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