Introduction; Setting Up The Ieee-488 Port For Remote Control - Fluke 5500A Operator's Manual

5500A
Operator Manual

5-1. Introduction

This chapter describes methods for operating the 5500A Calibrator by remote control.
Remote control can be interactive, with the user controlling each step from a terminal, or
under the control of a computer program running the calibrator in an automated system.
The 5500A Calibrator rear panel has three ports for remote operations: IEEE-488
parallel port (also known as a General Purpose Interface Bus, or GPIB port), and two
RS-232 serial ports, SERIAL 1 FROM HOST and SERIAL 2 TO UUT.
IEEE-488 The IEEE-488 parallel port is usually used in larger control and calibration
systems. An IEEE-488 system is more costly to set up, but has the ability to serve
multiple 5500A Calibrators and multiple UUTs. Also, parallel system throughput is
faster than serial system throughput. The controller in an IEEE-488 system is typically a
MS-DOS compatible personal computer (PC) equipped with one or more IEEE-488
ports. You can write your own computer programs for system operation using the
command set, or you can purchase optional Fluke calibration software MET/CAL or
5500A/CAL, and property management software MET/TRACK. Typical IEEE-488
configurations are shown in Figure 5-1. The configuration showing the PC with two
IEEE-488 ports is used with MET/CAL, which prefers UUTs on a separate IEEE-488
port. You can also "piggy-back" the connectors on a single IEEE-488 port.
RS-232 The SERIAL 1 FROM HOST serial port connects the PC and 5500A Calibrator,
while the SERIAL 2 TO UUT serial port acts as a pass-through port, passing commands
from the PC to UUT via the 5500A Calibrator. You can write your own computer
programs using the command set, or operate the PC as a terminal and enter individual
commands, or you can purchase optional Fluke MET/CAL or 5500/CAL software for
RS-232 system operations. Typical RS-232 remote configurations are shown in
Figure 5-2.
After configuring the IEEE-488 or RS-232 port for remote operation, you are ready to
begin using the command set. The operation of the command set is described under
"Using Commands" in this chapter. A summary of remote commands are listed in
Chapter 6, "Remote Commands."

5-2. Setting up the IEEE-488 Port for Remote Control

The 5500A Calibrator is fully programmable for use on the IEEE Standard 488.1
interface bus. The IEEE-488 interface is also designed in compliance with supplemental
standard IEEE-488.2, which describes additional IEEE-488 features. Devices connected
to the IEEE-488 bus are designated as talkers, listeners, talker/listeners, or controllers.
Under remote control of an instrument, the 5500A Calibrator operates as a
talker/listener.
A PC equipped with an IEEE-488 interface, controls the the 5500A Calibrator.
Compatible software for IEEE-488 operation may be purchased from Fluke, including
METCAL and METRACK. Another software package, 5500/CAL, is also available but
operates only on the RS-232 serial interface.
When using the IEEE-488 remote control interface, there are two restrictions:
1. Number of Devices A maximum of 15 devices can be connected in a single
2. Cable Length The total length of IEEE-488 cables used in one IEEE-488 system is
5-4
IEEE-488 bus system. For example, one instrument controller, one 5500A
Calibrator, and thirteen units under test (UUTs).
2 meters times the number of devices in the system, or 20 meters, whichever is less.
For example, if 8 devices are connected, the maximum cable length is 2 x 8 = 16
meters. If 15 devices are connected, the maximum cable length is 20 meters.