National Instruments GPIB-232CT-A Getting Started

GPIB

Getting Started with
Your GPIB-232CT-A and
the NI-488.2™ Software
for MacOS

GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS

December 1999 Edition

Part Number 320900C-01

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

www.ni.com

National Instruments Corporate Headquarters

11500 North Mopac Expressway Austin, Texas 78759-3504 USA Tel: [phone]

Worldwide Offices

Australia 03 9879 5166, Austria 0662 45 79 90 0, Belgium 02 757 00 20, Brazil 011 284 5011,
Canada (Calgary) 403 274 9391, Canada (Ontario) 905 785 0085, Canada (Québec) 514 694 8521,
China 0755 3904939, Denmark 45 76 26 00, Finland 09 725 725 11, France 01 48 14 24 24,
Germany 089 741 31 30, Greece 30 1 42 96 427, Hong Kong 2645 3186, India 91805275406,
Israel 03 6120092, Italy 02 413091, Japan 03 5472 2970, Korea 02 596 7456, Mexico (D.F.) 5 280 7625,
Mexico (Monterrey) 8 357 7695, Netherlands 0348 433466, Norway 32 27 73 00, Poland 48 22 528 94 06,
Portugal 351 1 726 9011, Singapore 2265886, Spain 91 640 0085, Sweden 08 587 895 00,
Switzerland 056 200 51 51, Taiwan 02 2377 1200, United Kingdom 01635 523545

For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the
documentation, send e-mail to [e-mail]

© Copyright 1995, 1999 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important Information

Warranty

The GPIB-23 2 C T-A is warranted against defects in materials and wo rkma nshi p fo r a period of t wo years from the date of
shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment
that proves to be defective during the warranty period. Th is warrant y in cludes parts and labor.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due
to defects in materials and workmanship, for a perio d of 9 0 da ys from d ate o f sh ip ment, as ev idenced b y receipt s o r ot her
documentation. National Instruments will, at its op ti on , repair or repl ace soft ware me dia th at do not ex ecu te pr ogram mi ng
instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not
warrant that the operation of the software shall be uni nterrup ted or error free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of
the package before any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of
returning to the owner parts which are covered by warrant y.

National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed
for technical accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves the right to
make changes to subsequent editions of this document withou t p rio r no ti ce to hold ers o f thi s ed itio n. The read er sh ou ld consul t
National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no even t shall Nati on al Inst rum ents be l iable fo r any dama ges aris in g o ut of
or related to this document or the information contained in it.

XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN

E

WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER

NSTRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR

I

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF

apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including negligence. Any action against National Instruments
must be brought within one year after the cause of action accrues. National Instruments shall not be liable for any delay in
performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control. The warranty provided herein does not co ver d amag es, defects,
malfunctions, or service failures caused by ow ner’s fai lu re t o foll ow th e Nation al Inst rum ent s in stal l ation, op erat i on, or
maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the pro du ct; ow ner’s abus e, m isus e, or negligent acts; and po wer failure or
surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or otherevents outside reasonable control.

ATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY

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Copyright

Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, storing in an informatio n retriev al s ystem, o r t ran sl ating , in who le or i n p art, wit ho ut t he prior written
consent of National Instruments Corporation.

USTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR

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. This limitation of the liability of National Instruments will

. N

ATIONAL

Trademarks

NAT4882™, National Instruments™, ni.com™, NI-488™, NI-488.2™, TNT4882™C, and Turbo4 88™ are trademarks of
National Instruments Corporation.

Product and company names mentioned herein are trad emarks o r trad e name s of thei r respect ive compan ies .

WARNING REGARDING USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

(1) NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED WITH COMPONENTS AND TESTING FOR A LEVEL
OF RELIABILITY SUITABLE FOR USE IN OR IN CONNECTION WITH SURGICAL IMPLANTS OR AS CRITICAL
COMPONENTS IN ANY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHOSE FAILURE TO PERFORM CAN REASONABLY BE
EXPECTED TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO A HUMAN.

(2) IN ANY APPLICATION, I NCLUDING THE ABOVE , RELIABILITY OF OP ERATION OF THE SOFT WARE PRODUCTS
CAN BE IMPAIRED BY ADVERSE FACTORS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTRICAL
POWER SUPPLY, COMPUTER HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS, COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE
FITNESS, FITNESS OF COMPILERS AND DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE USED TO DE VEL OP AN APPLICAT ION,
INSTALLATION ERRORS, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS, MALFUNCTIONS OR
FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING OR CONTROL DEVICES, TRANSIENT FAILURES OF ELECTRONIC
SYSTEMS (HARDWARE AND/OR SOFTWARE), UNANTICIPATED USES OR MISUSES, OR ERRORS ON THE PART OF
THE USER OR APPLICATIONS DESIGNER (ADVERSE FACTORS SUCH AS THESE ARE HEREAFTER
COLLECTIVELY TERMED “SYSTEM FAILURES”). ANY APPLICATION WHERE A SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD
CREATE A RISK OF HARM TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS (INCLUDING THE RISK OF BODILY INJURY AND DEATH)
SHOULD NOT BE RELIANT SOLELY UPON ONE FORM OF ELECTRON IC SYSTE M DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM
FAILURE. TO AVOID DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNE R MU ST T AKE
REASONABLY PRUDENT STEPS TO PROTECT AGAINST SYSTEM FAILURES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
BACK-UP OR SHUT DOWN MECHANISMS. BECAUSE EACH END-USER SYSTEM IS CUSTOMIZED AND DIFFERS
FROM NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS' TESTING PLATFORMS AND BECAUSE A USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER
MAY USE NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER PRODUCTS IN A MANNER NOT
EVALUATED OR CONTEMPLATED BY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS, THE USER OR A PPLICATION DE SIGNER IS
ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING THE SUITAB ILITY OF NA TIONAL
INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS WHENEVER NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS ARE INCORPORATED IN A
SYSTEM OR APPLICATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE APPROPRIATE DESIGN, PROCESS AND
SAFETY LEVEL OF SUCH SYSTEM OR APPLICATION.

Compliance

FCC/Canada Radio Frequency Interference Compliance*

Determining FCC Class

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rules to protect wireless communications from interference.
The FCC places digital electronics into two classes. These classes are known as Class A (for use in industrial­commercial locations only) or Class B (for use in residential or commercial locations). Depending on where it is
operated, this product could be subject to restrictions in the FCC rules. (In Canada, the Department of
Communications (DOC), of Industry Canada, regulates wireless interference in much the same way.)

Digital electronics emit weak signals during normal operation that can affect radio, television, or other wireless
products. By examining the product you purchased, you can determine the FCC Class and therefore which of the two
FCC/DOC Warnings apply in the following sections. (Some products may not be labelled at all for FCC, if so the
reader should then assume these are Class A devices.)

FCC Class A products only display a simple warning statement of one paragraph in length regarding interference and
undesired operation. Most of our products are FCC Class A. The FCC rules have restrictions regarding the locations
where FCC Class A products can be operated.

FCC Class B products display either a FCC ID code, starting with the letters EXN,
or the FCC Class B compliance mark that appears as shown here on the right.

The curious reader can consult the FCC web site
information.

FCC/DOC Warnings

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the
instructions in this manual and the CE Mark Declaration of Conformity**, may cause interference to radio and
television reception. Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
and the Canadian Department of Communications (DOC).

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment under the FCC Rules.

Class A

Federal Communications Commission

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

http://www.fcc.gov for more

Canadian Department of Communications

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du

Canada.

Class B

Federal Communications Commission

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful

interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Canadian Department of Communications

This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du

Canada.

European Union - Compliance to EEC Directives

Readers in the EU/EEC/EEA must refer to the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information**
pertaining to the CE Mark compliance scheme. The Manufacturer includes a DoC for most every hardware product
except for those bought for OEMs, if also available from an original manufacturer that also markets in the EU, or
where compliance is not required as for electrically benign apparatus or cables.

* Certain exemptions may apply in the USA, see FCC Rules §15.103 Exempted devices, and §15.105(c). Also

available in sections of CFR 47.

** The CE Mark Declaration of Conformity will contain important supplementary information and instructions for

the user or installer.

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions ...................................................................................................................xi

Related Documentation........................................... .......................................................xii

Chapter 1
Introduction

What You Need to Get Started......................................................................................1-1

Optional Equipment............................................. ..........................................................1-2

GPIB-232CT-A Hardware Overview............................................................................1-2

NI-488.2 Software Overview........................................................ .................................1-3

Time-Saving Development Tools..................................................................................1-4

Chapter 2
Configure and Install Your Hardware

Configure Your Hardware (Optional)............................................................................ 2-1

Install Your Hardware ...................................................................................................2-3

Step 1. Verify the Voltage Requirement .........................................................2-3

Step 2. Shut Down Your System .....................................................................2-3

Step 3. Connect the Cables..............................................................................2-4

Step 4. Power on Your System and Switch on Your GPIB-232CT-A............2-4

Chapter 3
Install and Configure the Software

Install the Software........................................................................................................3-1

Step 1. Install the NI-488.2 Files and Folders.................................................3-1

Step 2. Examine or Change the Software Settings..........................................3-3

Step 3. Restart Your Macintosh.......................................................................3-4

Verify the Software Installation....................................................... ..............................3-4

Chapter 4
Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Hardware Problems............................................................................4-1

Troubleshooting Software Problems .............................................................................4-2

Common Questions........................................................................................................4-2

© National Instruments Corporation vii GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS

Contents

Chapter 5
Begin to Use the NI-488.2 Software

Introduction to IBIC 488.2............................................................................................5-1

General Programming Considerations ..........................................................................5-1

Appendix A
Specifications

Appendix B
Interfacing to a Serial Device

Appendix C
Technical Support Resources

Glossary

Figures

Figure 1-1. GPIB-232CT-A............................... .................................. ....................1-3

Figure 2-1. Factory Default Setting (S Mode) for DIP Switch................................2-1

Figure 3-1. Installer Window...................................................................................3-2

Figure 3-2. File and Folder Organization after Installation.....................................3-3

Figure 3-3. NI-488 Config Control Panel . ...............................................................3-4

Figure B-1. Location of the RS-232 Connector ....................................................... B-2

Figure B-2. Cable Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 9-pin DCE with

Handshaking ..................................................................... ....................B-3

Figure B-3. Cable Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 25-pin DCE with

Handshaking .........................................................................................B-4

Figure B-4. Minimum Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 9-pin DCE.........................B-5

Figure B-5. Minimum Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 25-pin DCE.......................B-5

Figure B-6. Cable Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 9-pin DTE with

Handshaking .........................................................................................B-6

Figure B-7. Cable Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 25-pin DTE with

Handshaking .........................................................................................B-7

Figure B-8. Minimum Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 9-pin DTE.........................B-8

Figure B-9. Minimum Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 25-pin DTE.......................B-8

Figure B-10. Cable Configuration for 9-pin DTE to 8-pin Mini-DIN....................... B-9

GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS viii www.ni.com

Tables

Contents

Table 2-1. Configuration Parameters for Switches 1 through 3.............................2-2

Table 2-2. Configuration Parameters for Switches 4 through 8.............................2-3

Table B-1. Cable Wiring Scheme for GPIB-232CT-A DTE

to Serial Device DCE............................................................................B-2

Table B-2. Cable Wiring Scheme for GPIB-232CT-A DTE

to Serial Device DTE ............................................................................B-6

Table B-3. Cable Wiring Scheme for GPIB-232CT-A DTE

to Macintosh Serial Port........................................................................B-9

© National Instruments Corporation ix GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS

About This Manual

This manual contains instructions to help you install and configure the
National Instruments GPIB-232CT-A RS-232-to-GPIB Controller and
NI-488.2 software for MacOS. You should use this manual with the

NI-488.2 User Manual for MacOS and NI-488.2 Function Reference
Manual for MacOS.

This manual assumes that you are already familiar with MacOS.

Conventions

The following conventions appear in this manual:
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to

avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.
This icon denotes a warning, which advises you of precautions to take to

avoid being electrically shocked.

bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click on in the software,

such as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes
parameter names.

IEEE 488 and IEEE 488 and IEEE 488.2 refer to the ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.1-1987
IEEE 488.2 and ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.2-1992, respectively, which define the

GPIB.

italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction

to a key concept. This font also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.

Macintosh Macintosh refers any computer using MacOS.

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the

keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames and extensions, and code excerpts.

RS-232 RS-232 refers to the ANSI/EIA-232-C standard.

© National Instruments Corporation xi GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS

About This Manual

Related Documentation

The following documents contain information that you might find helpful
as you read this manual:

• ANSI/EIA-232-C, Interface Between Data Terminal Equipment and

Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data
Interchange

• ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.1-1987, IEEE Standard Digital Interface
for Programmable Instrumentation

• ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.2-1992, IEEE Standard Codes, Formats,
Protocols, and Common Commands

GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS xii www.ni.com

Introduction

This chapter lists what you need to get started and optional equipment you
can order, and briefly describes the GPIB-232CT-A and the NI-488.2
software.

What You Need to Get Started

Before you install your GPIB hardware and the NI-488.2 software for
MacOS, make sure you have all of the following items:

❑ 3.5 in. high density (1.44 MB) NI-488.2 Software for MacOS

Distribution Disk, which is included in your kit

❑ One of the following controllers, which is included in your kit:

– GPIB-232CT-A, 100–120 VAC
– GPIB-232CT-A, 220–240 VAC
– GPIB-232CT-A, DC

1

❑ If you have an A C v ersion, one of the follo wing power cords, which is

included in your kit:
– U.S.A. standard power cord
– Swiss power cord
– Australian power cord
– Universal European power cord
– North American power cord
– U.K. power cord

❑ If you have a DC version, one of the following DC power supplies,

which is included in your kit:
– Wall-mount power supply (100–120 VAC, 9 V, 1 A)
– Desktop power supply (220–240 VAC, 9 V, 1 A)

© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS

Chapter 1 Introduction

❑ One of the following shielded GPIB cables, which you can purchase

from National Instruments:
– Type X1 single-shielded cables (1, 2, or 4 m)
– Type X2 double-shielded cables (1, 2, or 4 m)

Caution To meet FCC emission limits for this device, you must use a shielded (Type X1

or X2) GPIB cable. If you operate this equipment with a non-shielded cable, it may
interfere with radio and television reception.

Optional Equipment

You can call National Instruments to order RS-232 shielded cables for the
GPIB-232CT-A (9-pin D-Sub) to Macintosh (8-pin Mini-DIN), 1 m .

GPIB-232CT-A Hardware Overview

The GPIB-232CT-A, shown in Figure 1-1, is a high-performance
serial-to-GPIB interface. It provides a computer with an RS-232 port,
a means of controlling, talking, and listening on the GPIB. The
GPIB-232CT-A is also capable of interfacing RS-232 instruments and
peripherals to the GPIB.

The GPIB-232CT-A has all the software and logic required to implement
the physical and electrical specifications of the IEEE 488 and RS-232
standards. It can interpret and execute high-level commands that you send
to it over the serial port, and perform GPIB-to-RS-232 protocol con version.
The GPIB-232CT-A also conforms to all versions of the IEEE 488
standard, including IEEE 488.2. The NA T4882 Controller chip implements
all IEEE 488 Talker/Listener/Controller functionality.

GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS 1-2 www.ni.com

Chapter 1 Introduction

DC Power Jack

(DC version only)

RS-232 Connector

GPIB-232CT-A

IEEE 488 ControllerRS-232

NI-488.2 Software Overview

The NI-488.2 software for MacOS is a comprehensive set of programs and
drivers for transforming the Macintosh into a GPIB Controller with
complete communications and bus management capability. The NI-488.2
software also includes an interactive debugger; FutureBASIC, Macintosh
Programmer’s Workshop (MPW) C, THINK C, and Metrowerks
CodeWarrior C language interfaces; and a shared library for C
programmers developing applications for PowerPC.

The NI-488.2 software includes the following components:

• NI-488.2 Installer is the software installation program.

• NI-488 INIT is an INIT that loads the device drivers for installed

National Instruments GPIB interfaces when you power on or restart
your Macintosh.

• NI-488 Config is a control panel conf iguration utility that you can use

to examine or change the software settings.

• The C LI and BASIC LI folders contain language interfaces for

Macintosh Programmer's Workshop (MPW) C, THINK C,
Metrowerks CodeWarrior C, FutureBASIC, and a shared library for
C programmers developing applications for the PowerPC platform.

• IBIC 488.2 is an interactive GPIB control utility.

• NI-488.2 Test is a software diagnostic utility.

• The Ethernet folder contains utilities that are applicable only if you

have a National Instruments GPIB-ENET.

• The Read Me file contains the latest updates and corrections to the

manual when appropriate.

TALK

LISTEN

SRQ

POWER

READY

Figure 1-1. GPIB-232CT-A

ATN

GPIB Connector

© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 GPIB-232CT-A for MacOS