Measurement Computing Personal488 rev.3.0 - Manual (Page 58)

5-4 Using IEEE 488 04-09-01 Personal488 for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000
WinTest – Driver488 Workshop
This section pertains to the Wintest utility program. After reviewing the material you should be able to use
Wintest to verify your Driver488 installation and to perform simple communication with your IEEE 488
instruments.
What is Wintest?
Wintest is a utility program included with the Personal488 packages. Its primary application is to exercise
the driver by communicating with instruments on the IEEE 488 bus. Communication is accomplished
using API function calls, which are accessible via the menu bar. Every API function can be exercised
using Wintest. Under the menu items of the Wintest application are all of the API functions calls. Each
menu item represents a category, which are further described below:
Menu Item Group Description
Device Commands dealing with accessing and configuring instruments
Enter Used to read data from an instrument.
Output Used to write data or device-dependent setup commands to an instrument.
Send Low level IEEE 488 commands (LAG, TAG, UNL UNT, etc)
Query Status polling commands
Error Driver query and error handling commands
Events Commands dealing with enabling and disabling bus events
Bus Bus and instrument management commands
Config Driver configuration commands
Why use Wintest?
Wintest can be used to exercise and test every available API command. In addition, since Wintest displays
the command’s function call, it is useful for example purposes.
Who uses Wintest?
The Wintest is an interactive utility intended for individuals:
•
New to IOtech’s Personal488 IEEE 488 controllers
•
New to IEEE 488 control
•
Getting familiar with IEEE 488 instruments
•
Performing quick communication tests on instruments
•
Performing installation verification
Where is Wintest located?
Wintest is located in the ‘Applications’ folder found under the installation directory. If you choose the
default directory Wintest will be located in
C:\Program Files\IEEE488\Applications\
The installation process sets up a shortcut to Wintest. This shortcut is found under
Start=>Programs =>IOtech Driver488=>Wintest
The shortcut can be used to easily start Wintest.