Section 4
Remote Operation
USB INTERFACE CONNECTION
NOTE:
Ensure that sleep mode is disabled prior to remote operation.
Prior to using the remote operation capability of the meter, the USB driver software must be installed on a computer. This software was
supplied on the User’s Manual CD for the meter, however newer software may be available. Please visit the F.W. Bell web site, to download
the latest software for the 5200 series meters, and follow the instructions on the web site for installation.
REMOTE COMMAND STANDARDS
Prior to 1987, most instruments that featured RS232 communications interfaces had their own unique commands for exchanging information.
Eventually some manufacturers began offering models that recognized other manufacturer’s commands so that customers could easily switch
over without making extensive changes to their programs.
The IEEE-488-1987.2 standard (also called “IEEE-488.2”) was one step toward creating a universal way to communicate with any instrument,
regardless of the manufacturer or the type of instrument used. This was later enhanced by the SCPI1991
Standard (Software Commands for Programmable Instruments), which defined specific commands and responses that covered a broad range
of applications. Though these standards were targeted for use with the IEEE488 instrumentation bus, they are commonly used with serial
(RS232) interfaces as well.
The meters support many of the IEEE-488-1987.2 “common” commands as well as a subset of the SCPI-1991 commands.
COMMAND FORMAT
All commands consist of ASCII character strings. Some commands contain numeric parameters that are used to set or reset
individual bits within binary registers. For instance, a value of 45 decimal is the same as binary 101101, thus setting bits 5, 3, 2
and 0 in the register and resetting all others. Sending the value “00101101” would be interpreted as the number 101,101.
NOTE:
No more than 500 characters can be sent in one command string.
4-1
