Chapter 4
Begin to Use the GPIB Software
PXI-GPIB/PMC-GPIB for Windows NT
4-2
©
National Instruments Corporation
the LabWindows/CVI Standard Libraries Reference Manual. To help you
use the GPIB functions, LabWindows/CVI provides function panels for the
GPIB Library. To access the function panels, select GPIB/GPIB 488.2
from the Library menu of the Project or Source windows. For
information about using function panels, refer to the function panels
chapter in the LabWindows/CVI User Manual.
If you need to program a GPIB instrument, you might want to use an
instrument driver. An instrument driver is a set of high-level C functions for
controlling a specific instrument. The low-level steps to control the
instrument and read data are encapsulated in the high-level functions. You
can write an instrument driver yourself, or you can use one that is already
written. When you purchase LabWindows/CVI, you get free access to a
library of drivers for hundreds of instruments. For more information about
instrument drivers, refer to the project window chapter in the
LabWindows/CVI User Manual.
For more information about NI products, please refer to our web site at
http://www.natinst.com/products/
.
Introduction to the Win32 Interactive Control Utility
You can use the interactive control utility to enter NI-488 functions and
NI-488.2 routines interactively and see the values returned by the function
calls. You can use this utility to do the following:
•
Verify GPIB communication with your device quickly and easily.
•
Learn the NI-488 functions and NI-488.2 routines before you write
your application.
•
Become familiar with the commands of your device.
•
Receive data from your GPIB device.
•
Troubleshoot problems with your application.
To run the Win32 Interactive Control utility, select the Win32 Interactive
Control item under Start»Programs»GPIB Software.
This utility includes extensive online help, which you can access by
entering
help
at the
:
prompt. For more information about the Win32
Interactive Control utility, refer to the GPIB User Manual for Windows 95
and Windows NT.
