Introduction; Interface Capability: Ieee Standards 488.1 And 488.2; The Multimeter In Ieee 488.2 Terminology; Programming Options - Fluke 8508A User Manual

Introduction

Chapter 4 provides the information necessary to operate the 8508A Reference Multimeter
remotely via the IEEE 488 Interface. (Hereafter, the 8508A is also referred to as "the
Multimeter" or, in the context of IEEE 488.2 terminology, "the device")
For users unfamiliar with the IEEE 488 Interface, refer to the standard specification,
which appears in the publications ANSI/IEEE Std. 488.1-1987 and IEEE Std. 488.2-
1988.
A complete description of all commands and queries, along with syntax diagrams, is
provided under "Command, Queries, and Syntax Diagrams" later in this chapter.
The material in this chapter is organized in the following categories:
Interface Capability
Introduction to the IEEE 488.1 subsets that are implemented in the Fluke 8508A,
satisfying IEEE 488.2.
Interconnections
Description of the rear panel IEEE 488 connector and its pin designations.
Using the Multimeter in a System
Addressing, remote operation, programming guidance.
Syntax Diagrams in this Manual
An introduction to syntax diagrams
The 8508A Status Reporting Structure
Programming Commands and Queries
Detailed descriptions of both common and device-specific commands and queries,
including syntax diagrams.

Interface Capability: IEEE Standards 488.1 and 488.2

The Fluke 8508A Reference Multimeter conforms to the Standard Specification IEEE
488.1-1987: IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation, and to
IEEE 488.2-1988: Codes, Formats, Protocols and Common Commands.

The Multimeter in IEEE 488.2 Terminology

In IEEE 488.2 terminology, the Multimeter is a device containing a system interface.
As such, it can be connected to a system via its system bus and put into programmed
communication with other bus-connected devices under the direction of a system
controller.

Programming Options

The Multimeter can be programmed via the IEEE Interface to do the following:
Change its operating state (e.g., function, range etc).
Transmit measurements and its own status data over the bus.
Request service from the system controller.

Capability Codes

The codes that apply to the 8508A Reference Multimeter and a short description of each
are given in Table 4-1. They also appear on the rear of the instrument next to the interface
connector. These codes conform to the capabilities required by IEEE 488.2. Appendix C
of the IEEE 488.1 standard contains a complete description of each code.
Remote Operations Using the IEEE 488 Interface 4

Introduction

4-3