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National Instruments Corporation
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Introduction
This chapter describes the GPIB-232CV-A, lists what you need to get
started and optional equipment you can order, and describes the panels on
the GPIB-232CV-A.
GPIB-232CV-A Overview
The GPIB-232CV-A has a powerful 8-bit microcomputer tailored for use
as an IEEE 488-to-RS-232 protocol converter. Both the RS-232 serial port
and the GPIB (IEEE 488) port are interrupt-driven and feature extremely
fast response times to external data transfers. The GPIB-232CV-A can
transparently convert data between the two ports so that control codes or
special commands are not required. Data transfers in either direction are
possible at all times.
The GPIB-232CV-A microprocessor contains an integrated direct memory
access (DMA) controller for high-speed data transfers from the GPIB
circuitry. The GPIB-232CV-A also increases the efficiency of the interface
system by using a 256 KB RAM buffer to isolate the slower device from the
faster port. You can use the GPIB-232CV-A to interface either a GPIB
Controller or a GPIB device to a computer or instrument with a RS-232
port. The RS-232 serial port is fully compatible with all electrical
specifications in the RS-232 standard.
The operating system of the GPIB-232CV-A is contained in read-only
memory (ROM) and can address up to 256 KB of dynamic random-access
memory (RAM). The operating system programs and maintains the
LSI GPIB Controller chip, the NAT4882, which implements all IEEE 488
interface functions. The GPIB-232CV-A microprocessor contains an
integrated memory management unit, a dynamic RAM controller, a clock
generator, a programmable timer unit, a full duplex UART (Universal
Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter), and an interrupt controller.
