The N5106A PXB supports GPIB, LAN, and USB 2.0 interfaces. These interfaces, in combination with IO libraries and programming languages, are used to control the PXB from a remote PC.
The PXB can also control external instruments, such as signal generators, using LAN, the internal GPIB interface re-configured as a controller, or by using a USB/GPIB interface converter. PXB control of external instruments using the USB interface is currently not supported. The topic PXB Control of External Instruments contains information specific to each interface.
It is important to note that the PXB's internal GPIB interface cannot be configured as both an input and an output concurrently. However, there are multiple ways that the PXB can be configured as a listener and a talker concurrently using mixed modes of I/O interfaces between the PC, PXB, and external instruments. For example:
LAN interface from PC to PXB, then LAN interface from PXB to other external instruments
LAN interface from PC to PXB, then GPIB interface from the PXB to other external instruments. This requires configuration of the PXB's internal GPIB interface as the controller. See Using GPIB-Only Instruments in Controller-PXB Test Systems for detailed information.
LAN interface from PC to PXB and GPIB or USB interface (using a USB/GPIB interface converter) from PC to other external instruments. See Using GPIB-Only Instruments in Controller-PXB Test Systems for detailed information.
GPIB interface from PC to PXB, then USB interface from the PXB (using a USB/GPIB interface converter) to other external instruments
GPIB interface from PC to PXB, then LAN interface from the PXB to other external instruments
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Data transfer is fast because GPIB handles information in bytes with data transfer rates of up to 8 MBps. GPIB is physically restricted by the location and distance between the instrument/system and the computer; cables are limited to an average length of two meters per device with a total length of 20 meters. The GPIB interface in the PXB is shipped from the factory configured as a listener, which means that it is ready to be controlled over GPIB; however, it can be configured as the controller using the IO Libraries. For information on configuring the PXB to communicate over the GPIB, refer to Controlling the PXB Using GPIB. |
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Data transfer using the LAN is fast as the LAN handles packets of data. The single cable distance between a computer and the Agilent PXB is limited to 100 meters (100Base-T and 10Base-T). Where auto-negotiation is present, other 10Base-T LAN instruments can be connected to a 100Base-T LAN, but communicate at 10Base-T speeds. For more information on LAN communication refer to http://www.ieee.org. The PXB supports the following LAN protocols:
For information on configuring the PXB to communicate over the LAN, refer to Controlling the PXB Over LAN. |
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For data transfers > 1 kB, the USB 2.0 communication speed of 64 MBps is faster than GPIB. But for data transfers of £ 1 kB, the USB experiences longer latency. USB 2.0 connectors are available to communicate with the PXB.
For information on configuring the PXB to communicate over USB, refer to Controlling the PXB Using USB. |