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While
this GPIB-USB controller provides many of the same features as
GPIB-USB controllers from other vendors, it is much easier to use.
Prologix GPIB-USB controller provides a virtual serial interface to
communicate with instruments, while handling all GPIB protocol
details for you. As a result, you can communicate easily with
instruments using any terminal program instead of having to write
custom programs using the vendor supplied library
The
GPIB-USB controller can operate in two modes – CONTROLLER and
DEVICE.
Controller
Mode
In
Controller mode, the GPIB-USB Controller acts as the
Controller-In-Charge (CIC) on the GPIB bus. When the controller
receives a command over the USB port it addresses the GPIB instrument
at the currently specified address to listen, and then returns the
received data to the PC.
Controller
mode is used to remotely control instruments and to download screen
plots by sending plot commands from a host computer.
Device
Mode
In
Device mode, the GPIB-USB Controller acts as another peripheral on
the GPIB bus. In this mode, the controller can act as a GPIB TALKER
or GPIB LISTENER only. Since the GPIB-USB Controller is not the
Controller-In-Charge while in this mode, it expects to receive
commands from a GPIB controller. When Device mode is enabled the
GPIB-USB controller configures itself as a GPIB Listener. All data
received by the controller over the GPIB port is passed to the USB
port without buffering.
Device
mode is used to download screen plots from the instrument front
panel for rendering using plotter emulation software.
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