3-2
3
The 4863 is an IEEE-488.2 compatible device. Its Status Reporting
Structure lets the user monitor up to fifteen digital I/O lines, the EDR Flip-
flop and two status inputs for changes and generate an SRQ when the
enabled changes occur. SRQs can also be generated when external data is
ready or when the output data handshake is not received.
The 4863 uses SCPI commands which are a subset of the Standardized
Commands for Programmable Instruments Standard. The advantage of the
SCPI commands is that they are common to a wide variety of instruments
and are self documenting in the program listing. Most of the 4863's SCPI
commands or queries have a corresponding short form command for easy
programming. Where possible, the short form commands are the same as
those used in ICS's earlier Model 4833 GPIB-to-Parallel Interface. Because
most of the command settings may be individually queried, the 4863 does
not provide a combined configuration message output.
The 4863 has three GPIB address modes: a single primary address, two
consecutive primary addresses or a primary address with two secondary
addresses. The data transfer capabilities of the different address modes are
shown below in Figure 3-1. The upper row shows that the single primary
or lower dual or secondary GPIB address is used for all 488.1, 488.2, SCPI
and short form commands, queries and responses and for transferring data
with commands. The second or upper GPIB address is only used only for
transparent data transfer and for 488.1 commands. The address mode is user
configured by a SCPI command. At power turn-on, the 4863 blinks the
address once if a primary address mode is enabled or twice if the secondary
address mode is enabled.
Address Mode
Data Transfer
and Command
Single Primary
Dual Primary Dual Secondary
Capabilities
Only GPIB
Lower GPIB
GPIB Address
All 488.1,
Address
Address
plus Secondary
488.2, Setup
address 0
commands
Address blinks
Lower GPIB
Primary address
and data as
in Selftest
address blinks
blinks twice in
command
in Selftest
Selftest
parameters
Higher GPIB
GPIB Address
Transparent
No capability
Address
plus Secondary
data and 488.1
(Lower + 1)
address 1
commands
Figure 3-1 4803 Address Modes and Data Transfer Methods
