RC900 GPIB Comms Set-up, test, diagnose & repair the GPIB-488 comms on the ESS, Inc, RC900 controller 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

GPIB Interface The GPIB-488 interface is a transparent serial to GPIB-488 translator. All of the serial commands can be written and read back via the GPIB-488 interface. Command syntax rules are identical for the serial and GPIB interfaces. Data Communications manual 98fe_a.PDF can be downloaded from the ESS, Inc. web site for more information about commands 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

GPIB Hardware The GPIB-488 interface is comprised of two main pieces of hardware. The GPIB-488 PCB and the power supply 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

GPIB Hardware Installed The GPIB hardware installed in the RC900 controller chassis Serial 232 cable Power supply GPIB-488 PCB Power supply AC connection 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

GPIB PCB 5 VDC connection Power supply 5 VDC connection Power supply 5 VDC connection 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Serial 232 & GPIB-488 Ports The ports for access to the serial 232 and GPIB-488 interfaces on the rear of the RC900 controller chassis 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Testing the GPIB-488 Interface Test the serial 232 interface via the serial comm. port on the rear of the RC900 controller chassis. (see RC900 serial comms presentation for more information on testing the serial 232 comms interface) If the serial 232 comms work properly then proceed to testing the GPIB-488 interface 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

GPIB-488 Cable Hook-up Hook up the special GPIB-488 cable between the RC900 GPIB-488 port and the GPIB-488 port on the test computer with the GPIB controller interface 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Query the GPIB-488 Interface Using a GPIB keyboard utility, see if the GPIB-488 device is present on the bus. Default address is 4 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Event Status Register Clear the event status register by sending the *ESR command twice. The first response should be a 128 followed by a 0 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Check the GPIB Device ID Using the *IDN command, check the GPIB-488 device identification. You should receive back “ESS, Inc. 4806 REV. n 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Read or Write Data Strings Enter a read or write command in the Device Command dialog box 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Send the Read or Write Command Click the send button to send the command string to the GPIB-488 interface Send button 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.

Read Data Response If you have sent a read command, read the device response in the Device Response dialog box 11/14/2018 © 2008 ESS, Inc.