KEPCO KLP Series (older -1200 models) Operator Manual - Manual (Page 59)

KLP073008
3-19
3.5.2 KLP VISA INSTRUMENT DRIVER
The VISA instrument driver simplifies programming with a VISA compatible GPIB controller. and
Includes 1) source code (C) for all VISA functions, and 2) a complete programming reference
manual which can be used to program one or more KLP power supplies using a virtual front
panel observed on a computer monitor.
Download the latest VISA driver from the Kepco website at
http://www.kepcopower.com/drivers.htm
Although the software drivers supplied by Kepco are VISA compliant, they also require the
installation of the proper 16-bit VISA driver from your GPIB card supplier. Many vendors supply
this software with the hardware; National Instruments (http://www.natinst.com) has the driver for
their cards available on the internet at a file transfer site (ftp://ftp.natinst.com — find the folder
for support and VISA drivers). The driver to be installed is the win16 driver, even if your system
is running under Windows 95 or Windows NT.
3.6 SCPI PROGRAMMING
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a programming language con-
forming to the protocols and standards established by IEEE 488.2 (reference document
ANSI/IEEE Std 488.2, IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols, and Common Commands). SCPI
commands are sent to the KLP Power Supply as ASCII output strings within the selected pro-
gramming language (PASCAL, BASIC, etc.) in accordance with the manufacturer’s require-
ments for the particular GPIB controller card used.
Different programming languages (e.g., BASIC, C, PASCAL, etc.) have different ways of repre-
senting data that is to be put on the IEEE 488 bus. It is up to the programmer to determine how
to output the character sequence required for the programming language used. Address infor-
mation (GPIB address) must be included before the command sequence. (See PAR.3.5.1 to
establish the KLP Power Supply GPIB address.)
SPE Serial Poll Enable Received
SRQ Service Request Sent
UNL Unlisten Received
UNT Untalk Received
TABLE 3-4. IEEE 488 (GPIB) BUS DATA MODE MESSAGES
MNEMONIC MESSAGE DESCRIPTION COMMENTS
DAB Data Byte Received or Sent
END End Received or Sent
EOS End of String Received or Sent
RQS Request Service Sent
STB Status Byte Sent
TABLE 3-3. IEEE 488 (GPIB) BUS COMMAND MODE MESSAGES (CONTINUED)
MNEMONIC
MESSAGE
DESCRIPTION
COMMENTS