Quantum Composers 9530 Series - Manual (Page 32)

Page 32 9530/8530 Manual Version 4.8
USB Interface Overview
The USB interface is standard on the 9530. The interface is a Plug-n-Play capable interface. USB
communication is achieved by using a mapped (virtual) COM port on the
PC. The driver installation
executable will obtain an unused COM port number, install the USB drivers, and make that COM port
number available for typical RS-232 communication to the pulse generator. HyperTerminal or other
common software may be used.
When communicating through the mapped COM port over USB, the baud rate for the
communication port used by the USB chip must match the baud rate for the COM port on the PC.
Access to the USB port baud rate is done using the SCPI command
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:USB
“n” command; where “n” is the desired communication speed.
This parameter can be accessed via any communication method. The default baud rate for USB is
38400.
USB communication notes:
 The correct drivers must be installed on the on the personal computer before
communication can be accomplished via USB.
 The Baud Rates on the PC and the pulse generator must match for successful
communication.
 The USB port’s Baud Rate on the pulse generator can be set using the SCPI
command SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:USB
“n”, where “n” can be: 4800, 9600
19200, 38400, 57600, or 115200.
 USB 2.0 specification is used. The USB cable can be removed without “ejecting” the
device in the operating system environment.
Ethernet Interface Overview
An Ethernet interface is also standard on the 9530. Refer to Appendix C included at the end of this
manual for more information about the Ethernet Interface and Operation.
Programming Command Types and Format
The 9530/8530 Pulse Generator uses two types of programming commands: IEEE 488.2 Common
Commands and Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI). The format is the same
for all interfaces. HyperTerminal (in Windows) or any other generic terminal program may be used to
interactively test the commands using the RS-232 interface. The format of each type is described in
the following paragraphs.
Line T ermination
The pulse generator uses text-style line terminations. When a command is sent to the unit, the
firmware is programmed to read characters from a communication port until it reads the line
termination sequence.
The command string is parsed and executed after reading these characters. These characters are