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National Instruments AT-GPIB/TNT Getting Started

With ni-488.2 software for dos graphics applications
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Getting Started with Your AT-GPIB/TNT and
the NI-488.2
Software for DOS
™
Graphics Applications
September 1994 Edition
Part Number 370879A-01
© Copyright 1994 National Instruments Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.

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  • Page 1 Getting Started with Your AT-GPIB/TNT and the NI-488.2 Software for DOS ™ Graphics Applications September 1994 Edition Part Number 370879A-01 © Copyright 1994 National Instruments Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
  • Page 2 National Instruments Corporate Headquarters 6504 Bridge Point Parkway Austin, TX 78730-5039 (512) 794-0100 Technical support fax: (800) 328-2203 (512) 794-5678 Branch Offices: Australia (03) 879 9422, Austria (0662) 435986, Belgium 02/757.00.20, Canada (Ontario) (519) 622-9310, Canada (Québec) (514) 694-8521, Denmark 45 76 26 00, Finland (90) 527 2321, France (1) 48 14 24 24,...
  • Page 3 The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.
  • Page 4 Any use or application of National Instruments products for or involving medical or clinical treatment must be performed by properly...
  • Page 5 FCC/DOC Radio Frequency Interference Compliance This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions in this manual, may cause interference to radio and television reception. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the following two regulatory agencies: Federal Communications Commission This device complies with Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
  • Page 6 Instruments could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the FCC Rules. If necessary, consult National Instruments or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The following booklet prepared by the FCC may also be helpful: How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems. This booklet is available from the U.S.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    ..........A-1 Selecting the Base I/O Address ..............A-3 Selecting the Interrupt Request Line ............. A-7 Note to EISA Users ................. A-9 Selecting the DMA Channel ................A-9 Note to EISA Users ................. A-10 © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...
  • Page 8 Enable Repeat Addressing (Device Characteristic Only) ....B-10 Exiting ibconf....................B-11 Checking for Errors ................. B-11 Saving Changes to the Loaded Driver..........B-11 Appendix C Hardware Specifications ................... C-1 Appendix D Customer Communication ................D-1 Glossary ........................G-1 AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics viii © National Instruments Corp.
  • Page 9 Possible Base I/O Address Switch Settings ........A-4 Table A-2. DMA Channels ................... A-10 Table B-1. Options for Starting ibconf ..............B-2 Table C-1. Electrical Characteristics of the AT-GPIB/TNT......... C-1 Table C-2. Electrical Characteristics of the AT-GPIB ......... C-1 Table C-3. Physical Characteristics ..............C-1 Table C-4.

  • Page 10: About This Manual

    DOS graphics applications. The NI-488.2 software is intended for use with MS-DOS (version 3.0 or higher) or equivalent. This manual uses the term AT-GPIB/TNT to refer to a National Instruments GPIB board for the ISA (PC AT) bus equipped with the TNT4882C ASIC. The term AT-GPIB refers to a National Instruments GPIB board for the ISA bus equipped with the NAT4882 and Turbo488 ASICs.

  • Page 11: Conventions Used In This Manual

    AT-GPIB/TNT refers to a National Instruments GPIB board for the ISA (PC AT) bus equipped with the TNT4882C ASIC. AT-GPIB AT-GPIB refers to a National Instruments GPIB board for the ISA bus equipped with the NAT4882 and Turbo488 ASICs. GPIB board...

  • Page 12: Related Documentation

    Documentation included with your graphics software Customer Communication National Instruments wants to receive your comments on our products and manuals. We are interested in the applications you develop with our products, and we want to help if you have problems with them. To make it easy for you to contact us, this manual contains comment and configuration forms for you to complete.

  • Page 13: Chapter 1 Introduction

    Appendix A Change Hardware Settings? Chapter 2 Install the Hardware Chapter 3 Install the Software Need to Appendix B Change Software Settings? Verify the Installation Chapter 4 Passes? Troubleshooting Run Your Application © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 14: What You Need To Get Started

    Hardware Description The AT-GPIB/TNT is an IEEE 488 interface board for PC AT compatible computers. The TNT4882C chip on the board performs the basic IEEE 488 Talker, Listener, and Controller functions, including those required by the most recent GPIB standard, IEEE 488.2.

  • Page 15: Software Description

    Actual transfer rates depend on your host computer, system configuration, and the types of devices attached to the bus. You can use standard GPIB cables to connect the AT-GPIB/TNT with up to 14 instruments. You can connect the AT-GPIB board with up to 13 instruments. If you want to use more than the maximum number of instruments, you can order a bus extender or expander from National Instruments.

  • Page 16: Hardware Installation

    If you need to modify the default settings of the GPIB board, refer to Appendix A, Changing Hardware Configuration Settings. Otherwise, proceed to the next section for installation instructions. Install the Hardware Keep in mind the following naming conventions as you read through the rest of this manual. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 17: Figure 2-1. Installing The Gpib Board

    Figure 2-1. It might be a tight fit, but do not force the board into place. You can install the AT-GPIB/TNT in an 8-bit slot, if necessary. When you use an 8-bit slot, you must disable DMA and use only interrupt request lines 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or None.

  • Page 18: Note To Eisa Users

    GPIB hardware. After the EISA configuration program determines the settings, you must manually set the DIP switches and jumpers on the GPIB hardware to match the selections. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 19: Software Installation

    • gpib.com is the NI-488.2 device driver for DOS, which is loaded at system startup. Driver is a term used by National Instruments to refer to a loadable device driver. • ibdiag.exe is a program that tests the hardware settings on your GPIB board. It ensures that the board is properly installed and that the hardware is accessible.

  • Page 20: Install The Software

    You can press the escape key <Esc> at any time to abort the installation. 4. After the installation is complete, reboot your computer. If the installation is successful, the driver displays a banner message on your screen when DOS loads the driver. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.
  • Page 21 Configuration Settings. Otherwise, do not change the default configuration of the software. When you have finished installing your software, refer to Chapter 4, Installation Verification and Troubleshooting, for instructions on verifying the hardware and software installation. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 22: Installation Verification And Troubleshooting

    DMA, ibdiag prints a message telling you to use single-cycle DMA. You can select single-cycle DMA by configuring the software using ibconf. Refer to Appendix B, Changing Software Configuration Settings, for information on ibconf. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 23: Correcting Hardware Settings

    • The board is defective or is not compatible with your computer. Complete the forms in Appendix D, Customer Communication, and contact National Instruments. 2. Make sure you are using a valid interrupt request line. Run ibdiag again. When it prompts you for values, enter the valid base I/O address as determined in Step 1, the interrupt request line, and <N>...

  • Page 24: Run The Software Diagnostic Program

    • The board is defective or is not compatible with your computer. Complete the forms in Appendix D, Customer Communication, and contact National Instruments. Run the Software Diagnostic Program To verify and test the hardware and software installation, run the ibtest software diagnostic program that came with your NI-488.2 software.

  • Page 25: Common Questions

    If you want to run a GPIB application under DOS, install the NI-488.2 software for DOS. If you want to run a GPIB application in Windows, you must install the NI-488.2 software for Windows. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.
  • Page 26 What information should I have before I call National Instruments? When you call National Instruments, you should have the results of the diagnostic tests ibdiag and ibtest and the output from GPIBInfo. Also, make sure you have filled out the configuration form in Appendix D, Customer Communication.

  • Page 27: Changing Hardware Configuration Settings

    The default settings for the switches and jumpers on the GPIB board are: • Base I/O Address (hex): 2C0 • DMA Channel: 5 • Interrupt Line (IRQ): 11 Figure A-1 shows the location of the configuration jumpers and switches on the AT-GPIB/TNT board. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 30: Table A-1. Possible Base I/O Address Switch Settings

    240 to 25F 260 to 27F 280 to 29F 2A0 to 2BF 2C0 to 2DF 2E0 to 2FF 300 to 31F 320 to 33F 340 to 35F 360 to 37F 380 to 39F (continues) © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...
  • Page 31 3A0 to 3BF 3C0 to 3DF 3E0 to 3FF 2. Locate the base I/O address switch at SW1 on your AT-GPIB/TNT board or at U25 on your AT-GPIB board. Refer to the appropriate parts locator diagram, Figure A-1 or A-2.

  • Page 32: Figure A-3. Base I/O Address Switch Settings

    Remember that after you install the NI-488.2 software, you must use the ibconf utility to configure your software settings to match your new hardware settings. Refer to Appendix B, Changing Software Configuration Settings, for information on ibconf. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 33: Selecting The Interrupt Request Line

    14 is used by the hard disk drive controller on most PC ATs. If you have installed the AT-GPIB/TNT board in an 8-bit (PC-style) slot, the only interrupt lines available to you are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or None. The AT-GPIB board can be installed only in a 16-bit slot.

  • Page 34: Figure A-4. Interrupt Jumper Setting For Irq11 (Default Setting

    If you do not want to use interrupts, you can disable interrupt levels on the GPIB board by setting the jumper as shown in Figure A-6. 3 4 5 6 7 9 Figure A-6. Jumper Setting for Disabling Interrupts © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 35: Note To Eisa Users

    DMA channel. Note: If you have installed the AT-GPIB/TNT board in an 8-bit (PC-style) slot, you must disable DMA, because DMA channels 5, 6, and 7 are 16-bit DMA channels.

  • Page 36: Note To Eisa Users

    EISA system configuration utility, then you must run the EISA system configuration utility again and change your board’s DMA channel parameter in the EISA registry to agree with the actual setting. Follow the directions that came with your EISA computer. © National Instruments Corp. A-10 AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 37: Using Programmed I/O For Gpib Transfers

    If your application requires that logic ground be disconnected from shield ground, follow these steps: 1. Refer to Figure A-1 to locate the shield ground jumper W3 on the AT-GPIB/TNT board. If you are using the AT-GPIB board, refer to Figure A-2 to locate the shield ground jumper W1.

  • Page 38: Figure A-9. Ground Configuration Jumper Settings

    Logic Ground Disconnected from Shield Ground Figure A-9. Ground Configuration Jumper Settings 3. Record the jumper setting on the GPIB Board Hardware and Software Configuration Form in Appendix D, Customer Communication. © National Instruments Corp. A-12 AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 39: Changing Software Configuration Settings

    The timeout value on I/O and wait function calls is set for 10 seconds. • Each GPIB board and device is set to perform I/O transfers using DMA. • Automatic serial polling is enabled. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 40: Note To Eisa Users

    This option causes ibconf to use the system BIOS routines when writing to the screen. This is slower than the default of direct screen access, but is more compatible with certain nonstandard systems. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 41: Upper And Lower Levels Of Ibconf

    You can move around the map by using the cursor control keys or the mouse. The following are the most commonly-used options available at the upper level. • Device maps of the boards • Help • Rename • (Dis)connect • Edit • Exit © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...
  • Page 42 When configuring a GPIB driver, a text version of the driver Driver configuration can be written to a disk file. This file contains a Configuration description of the current GPIB driver and should be used for information purposes only. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 43: Lower-Level Device/Board Characteristics

    Figure B-2. Each entry has extensive online help located to the right of the screen. Figure B-2. Lower Level of ibconf © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...
  • Page 44 Use the function key <F6> to reset a characteristic option to its previous value. Return to Map At the lower level, the function key <F9> or <Esc> returns you to the upper-level device map of ibconf. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 45: Board And Device Configuration Options

    Some devices send an EOS byte signaling the last byte of a data message. A yes response in this field causes the GPIB board to terminate a read operation when it receives the EOS byte. The default option for this characteristic is no. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 46: Set Eoi With Eos On Writes

    A yes response would designate System Controller capability. The GPIB board is usually designated as System Controller. The default option for this characteristic is yes. Note: You should not have more than one designated System Controller in any GPIB system. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 47: Assert Ren When Sc (Board Characteristic Only

    This field specifies the number of meters of GPIB cable you have in your system. If you use the HS488 high-speed protocol to communicate with HS488-compliant devices, you must specify the total number of meters of GPIB cable in your system. © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 48: Parallel Poll Duration (Board Characteristic Only

    This field specifies the interrupt line used by the GPIB board. It must be set to the same value as the interrupt level setting for the GPIB board itself. Setting the interrupt level is explained in Appendix A, Changing Hardware Configuration Settings. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics B-10 © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 49: Serial Poll Timeout (Device Characteristic Only

    GPIB addressing conflict between a device and its access board • GPIB boards not present in the host machine at the specified address • Timeouts disabled on a device or board © National Instruments Corp. B-11 AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

  • Page 50: Saving Changes To The Loaded Driver

    If you have made and saved changes, and you do not modify the driver, you must restart the computer for your changes to take effect. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics B-12 © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 51: Hardware Specifications

    Appendix C Hardware Specifications This appendix describes the electrical, physical, and environmental characteristics of the GPIB board and the recommended operating conditions. Table C-1. Electrical Characteristics of the AT-GPIB/TNT Characteristic Specification Maximum GPIB Transfer Rates 3-wire (IEEE 488) 1.5 Mbytes/s*...

  • Page 52: Table C-4. Environmental Characteristics

    Specification Operating Environment Component Temperature 0° to 40° C Relative Humidity 10% to 90%, noncondensing Storage Environment Temperature -20° to 70° C Relative Humidity 5% to 90%, noncondensing FCC Class B Certified AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics © National Instruments Corp.

  • Page 53: Customer Communication

    Filling out a copy of the Technical Support Form before contacting National Instruments helps us help you better and faster. National Instruments provides comprehensive technical assistance around the world. In the U.S.
  • Page 54 If you are using any National Instruments hardware or software products related to this problem, include the configuration forms from their user manuals. Include additional pages if necessary.
  • Page 55 The problem is List any error messages The following steps will reproduce the problem...
  • Page 56 National Instruments Products • GPIB Board and Revision Number (for one of the following boards) – AT-GPIB/TNT Board Revision – AT-GPIB/TNT Board with Keys Revision – AT-GPIB Board Revision – AT-GPIB Board with Keys Revision • NI-488.2 Software Version Number on Disk •...
  • Page 57 Other Products • Computer Make and Model • Microprocessor • Clock Frequency • Type of Monitor Card Installed • DOS Version • DOS Graphics Applications • Other Boards in System • Base I/O Address of Other Boards • Interrupt Level of Other Boards •...
  • Page 58 Documentation Comment Form National Instruments encourages you to comment on the documentation supplied with our products. This information helps us provide quality products to meet your needs. ™ Title: Getting Started with Your AT-GPIB/TNT and the NI-488.2 Software for DOS Graphics Applications...
  • Page 59 If you find errors in the manual, please record the page numbers and describe the errors. Thank you for your help. Name Title Company Address Phone Mail to: Technical Publications National Instruments Corporation 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, MS 53-02 Austin, TX 78730-5039 Fax to: Technical Publications National Instruments Corporation MS 53-02 (512) 794-5678...

  • Page 60: Glossary

    IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers inches interrupt request Industry Standard Architecture kilobytes of memory meters megabytes of memory personal computer random-access memory seconds talker/listener/controller volts alternating current volts direct current © National Instruments Corp. AT-GPIB/TNT for DOS Graphics...

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