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Chapter 4
Begin to Use the GPIB Software
4-2
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National Instruments Corporation
LabWindows/CVI GPIB Library includes the functions documented in
your NI-488.2 or NI-488.2M reference manual, as well as several
additional functions, which are documented in the GPIB library chapter of
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 National Instruments 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 the utility to do the following:
•
Verify GPIB communication with your device.
•
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 this utility, select Start»Programs»National Instruments
GPIB»Win32 Interactive Control. This utility includes extensive
online help, available by entering
help
at the
:
prompt.
For more information about the Win32 Interactive Control utility, refer
to the GPIB User Manual for Win32.