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Chapter 5 remote operation, 1 usb & rs232, 2 serial interface operation – B&K Precision 5491B - Manual User Manual

Page 41: 2 sending and receiving data, 3 selecting baud rate

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Chapter 5 Remote Operation

Besides the front panel control, the multimeter provides a USB interface and RS232 interface (model

5491B only) for remote control. Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) is fully

supported to communicate with computer via the serial interface.

5.1 USB & RS232

You can connect the USB interface or RS232 interface (Model 5491B only) to a computer. To do so,

please note the following:

 You must define the baud rate, parity, start bit, and stop bit (the USB interface is a virtual COM,

therefore it behaves like a RS232 serial port). Settings automatically will apply for RS232 port

also.

 You must use the SCPI programming language

5.2 Serial Interface Operation

The instrument provides various remote commands. All operations from the front panel can be

performed by a computer via the USB interface.

5.2.1 USB interface configured as virtual COM RS232 interface

The USB interface in the rear panel of the instrument is a virtual COM port and behaves like a RS232

interface. This means that it can be connected to a USB port on a PC, and with the USB drivers

installed the PC will detect it as a serial COM port just like a RS232 serial port. In Windows, the PC will

automatically assign a COM port to the USB connection upon successful USB driver installation. Use

this COM port and configure the Baudrate, Parity, Start bit, and Stop bit settings as you would for RS232

communication. The settings will also apply to the RS232 port on model 5491B.

5.2.2 Sending and receiving data

The multimeter transfers data using 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Each program message that is

transmitted to the controller is terminated with or . Refer to section 4.5.3 for details on

configuring the termination character setting.

5.2.3 Selecting Baud Rate

The baud rate is the rate at which the multimeter and the computer communicate. Choose one of these

available rates:

 38.4k
 19.2k
 9600
 4800
 2400
 1200

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