Chapter 1
Introduction
1-2
©
National Instruments Corporation
What You Need to Get Started
Make sure you have all of the following items before you attempt to
install the hardware and software:
❑
Windows 95 or later installed on your computer
❑
AT-GPIB/TNT interface
❑
GPIB Software for Windows NT/98/95 CD, which comes in your kit
❑
GPIB cables—single-shielded or double-shielded, Type X1, X2, or
X5, which you can order from National Instruments
Note: If you do not have a CD drive and would like to order the GPIB software
on floppy disks, contact National Instruments and order part number
777780-01.
Optional Equipment
Call National Instruments for more information about the following
optional equipment:
• Serial or parallel bus extender and cables
• Bus expander/isolator
• GPIB mechanical switch
GPIB Hardware Overview
The AT-GPIB/TNT interface transforms your computer into a
full-functioning GPIB Talker/Listener/Controller. The TNT4882C chip
on the board combines the circuitry of the NAT4882 ASIC, the
Turbo488 ASIC, and GPIB transceivers to create a single-chip
IEEE-488.2 interface. The TNT4882C also implements the HS488
high-speed protocol, which increases the maximum data transfer rate
to up to 2.2 Mbytes/s, depending on the computer and the system
configuration. For more information about transfer rates, refer to
Appendix C,
, in this manual. For more information
about HS488, refer to Chapter 7, GPIB Programming Techniques, in
the GPIB User Manual for Win32.