BNC 7000 Series Programmer Manual - Manual (Page 8)

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TCPIP::192.168.1.50::INSTR is therefore a valid resource name.
TCPIP designates the network protocol used and INSTR indicates that the VXI-11 protocol is used. If
several instruments are connected to the network, each instrument has its own IP address and
associated resource name. The controller identifies these instruments by means of the resource
name.
2.3 Using Sockets LAN
Sockets LAN is a method used to communicate with the instrument over the LAN interface using the
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). A socket is a fundamental technology used
for computer networking and allows applications to communicate using standard mechanisms built into
network hardware and operating systems. The method accesses a port on the instrument from which
bidirectional communication with a network computer can be established.
Sockets LAN can be described as an internet address that combines Internet Protocol (IP) with a
device port number and represents a single connection between two pieces of software. The socket
can be accessed using code libraries packaged with the computer operating system. Two common
versions of socket libraries are the Berkeley Sockets Library for UNIX systems and Winsock for
Microsoft operating systems.
Your instrument implements a socket Applications Programming Interface (API) that is compatible with
Berkeley socket for UNIX systems, and Winsock for Microsoft systems. The instrument is also
compatible with other standard sockets APIs. The instrument can be controlled using predefined SCPI
functions once the socket connection is established in your program. Socket connection is available on
port 18.
2.4 Using and Configuring VXI-11 (VISA)
The instrument supports the LAN interface protocol described in the VXI- 11 standard. VXI- 11 is an
instrument control protocol based on Open Network Computing/Remote Procedure Call (ONC/RPC)
interfaces running over TCP/IP.
A range of standard software such as NI-VISA or Agilent IO Config is available to setup the computer-
instrument interface for the VXI- 11 protocol. Please refer to the applicable software user manual and
documentation for information on running the program and configuring the VXI-11 interface. The
program is used to configure the LAN client. Once the computer is configured for a LAN client, you can
use the VXI- 11 protocol and the VISA library to send SCPI commands to the instrument over the LAN
interface. Example programs are available on request under support@Berkeley
Nucleonics.com .
VISA is an IO library used to develop IO applications and instrument drivers that comply with industry
standards. It is recommended that the VISA library be used for programming the signal generator. The
NI-VISA and Agilent VISA libraries are similar implementations of VISA and have the same
commands, syntax, and functions.
Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation 2955 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 415-453-9955, Fax: 415-453-9956, Email: [email protected], Web: www.berkeleynucleonics.com