ICS ELECTRONICS 4865B User Manual

DescrIPtIoN
ICS's 4865B is a GPIB-to-LAN Instru-
ment Interface that enables instruments with
an Ethernet interface to be controlled from a
GPIB Bus. Using the 4865B, GPIB applica-
tions can transparently connect to and control
a LAN-based instrument just as if it were a
GPIB Instrument. The 4865B handles both
VXI-11 compatible instruments and instru-
ments that use raw socket protocol.
Applications include replacing obsolete or
failed GPIB instruments with a newer instru-
ment that may not have a GPIB interface or
just adding a new LAN instrument to a GPIB
bus system.
The 4865B solves the problem of how to
interface an instrument with an Ethernet in-
terface to the GPIB bus. The 4865B adds an
IEEE-488.2 compliant interface to VXI-11.3
compatible instruments that do not have a
GPIB interface. IEEE-488 compliance for
LXI and raw socket instruments is determined
by the instrument's capability.
VXI-11 Instruments
For VXI-11 compatible instruments, the
4865B converts 488.1 GPIB commands into
the equivalent VXI-11 RPC and sends them to
the instrument. Device messages are transpar-
ently sent to the instrument and instrument
replies are returned to the GPIB Controller,
just like a GPIB instrument.
Linking to the Instrument
The 4865B can automatically find the
instrument if the instru-
ment is VXI-11 compat-
ible, or is a LXI instru-
ment or is an instrument
that can perform the
LXI 'VXI-11 Discovery'
process. AutoFind can
be used with a 'Static' IP
or with the 'DHCP with
GPIB LAN INterFAce
AutoIP' setting when the 4865B is directly
connected to the instrument.
If AutoFind is enabled, the 4865B starts
the instrument discovery process as soon as
it completes its power turn-on and self-test
sequence. When the 4865B finds an instru-
ment that responds to the VXI-11 Discovery
process, the 4865B uses that IP address for
the instrument.
If the 4865B has been given a specific
IP address, the 4865B only looks for an
instrument at that address. Fixed IP ad-
dresses are recommended when the 4865B
to instrument connection is over the com-
pany network, when multiple instruments
may respond to the 4865B or for raw socket
communication.
raw socket Instruments
For instruments that use raw socket pro-
tocol, the 4865B transparently transmits
GPIB device messages to the instrument.
Instrument responses are received from
the instrument and outputted to the GPIB
Controller when the 4865B is addressed to
talk. The 4865B can be set to use a specific
raw socket port number, to recognize an EOS
GPIB
PC with a GPIB
4865B LAN <=>GPIB Interface
Controller Card
Figure 1 4865B connects a LAN Instrument to the GPIB Bus
4865B GPIB-to-LAN Interface
Ethernet
Cable
LAN Instrument
4865B
GPIB-to-LAN
Instrument Interface
Adapts LAN instruments for
■
GPIB Test Systems.
Expands the number of instru-
ments that will work in your
GPIB test system.
Transparently passes all com-
■
mands to the companion LAN
instrument.
Runs from any GPIB system.
AutoFind feature simplifies
■
instrument linkage.
Eliminates hunting and set-
ting/changing IP addresses.
Supports VXI-11 and raw
■
socket communication.
Works with most LAN instru-
ments.
Saves instrument replacement
■
costs and helps reuse existing
test software.
Passes GPIB commands onto
the LAN instrument.
Easy configuration from any
■
web browser
Internal webserver with
Welcome and Configuration
pages
Drop-in replacement for the
■
original 4865.
Faster data transfer with
faster processor.
Approved
RoHS Construction
ICS
ICS
ELECTRONICS
division of Systems West Inc.
7034 Commerce Circle
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: 925.416.1000
925.416.0105
Fax:
Web: www.icselect.com