National Instruments GPIB-SCSI-A User Manual

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GPIB

Getting Started with Your GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2™for Solaris

GPIB-SCSI-A for Solaris

June 2001 Edition

Part Number 320639B-01

Support

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

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For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the documentation, send e-mail to techpubs@ni.com.

Important Information

Warranty

The GPIB-SCSI-A is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two 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. This warranty includes 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 period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming 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 uninterrupted 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 warranty.

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 without prior notice to holders of this edition. The reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for any damages arising out of or related to this document or the information contained in it.

XCEPT AS SPECIFIED HEREIN,NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY OF

MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE

NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THERETOFORE PAID BY THE CUSTOMER.NATIONAL INS TRUMENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR

DAMAGES RESULTING FROM LOSS OF DATA

. This limitation of the liability ofNational Instruments will apply regardless of the form of action, whether in contract or tort, including

THEREOF

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 cover damages, defects, malfunctions, or service failures caused by owner’s failure to follow the National Instruments installation, operation, or maintenance instructions; owner’s modification of the product; owner’s abuse, misuse, or negligent acts; and power failure or surges, fire, flood, accident, actions of third parties, or other events outside reasonable control.

, PROFITS, USE OF PRODUCTS, OR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY

Copyright

Under the copyright laws, this publication maynot bereproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National Instruments Corporation.

Trademarks

National Instruments™,NI™, NI-488™, NI-488.2™, NI-488.2M™, and ni.com™are trademarks of National Instruments Corporation.

Product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

.CUSTOMER’S RIGHT TO RECOVER DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF

Patents

The product described in this manual may be protected by one or more U.S. patents, foreign patents, or pending applications.

U.S. Patent No(s) 5,974,541, 5,964,892, 5,958,028, 5,987,530, 6,073,205. Other U.S. and International patents pending.

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, INCLUDING THE ABOVE, RELIABILITY OF OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE 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 DEVELOP AN APPLICATION, 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 ELECTRONIC SYSTEM DUE TO THE RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE. TO AVOID DAMAGE, INJURY, OR DEATH, THE USER OR APPLICATION DESIGNER MUST TAKE 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 APPLICATION DESIGNER IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING AND VALIDATING THE SUITABILITY OF NATIONAL 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 industrial-commercial 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 labeled 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.

Consult the FCC web site

http://www.fcc.gov

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.

for more information.

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.

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.

Compliance to EU Directives

Readers in the European Union (EU) 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.

To obtain the DoC for this product, click Declaration of Conformity at by product family. Select the appropriate product family, followed by your product, and a link to the DoC appears in Adobe Acrobat format. Click the Acrobat icon to download or read the DoC.

* 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.

ni.com/hardref.nsf/

. This website lists the DoCs

Conventions

The following conventions are used 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.

bold Bold text denotes the names of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

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.

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.

Chapter 1 Introduction

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

GPIB Hardware Overview.............................................................................................1-2

NI-488.2 Overview ........................................................................................................1-2

Chapter 2 Installation

Configuring the Hardware .............................................................................................2-1

Configuration Switch Settings for SW1..........................................................2-2

Configuration Switch Settings for SW2..........................................................2-5

Using SCSI Terminating Resistors..................................................................2-6

Connecting the Hardware ..............................................................................................2-8

Step 1. Shut Down the System ........................................................................ 2-9

Step 2. Connect the Cables..............................................................................2-9

Step 3. Switch On Your GPIB-SCSI-A...........................................................2-10

Step 4. Power On Your System....................................................................... 2-10

Installing NI-488.2.........................................................................................................2-10

Configuring the Software with ibconf (Optional)..........................................................2-11

Removing NI-488.2 (Optional)......................................................................................2-11

Chapter 3 Installation Verification

Chapter 4 Using NI-488.2 with Solaris

Introduction to ibic......................................................................................................... 4-1

Programming Considerations ........................................................................................4-2

Appendix A Troubleshooting and Common Questions

Appendix B Specifications

Contents

Appendix C Technical Support Resources

Glossary

Index

GPIB-SCSI-A for Solaris viii ni.com

Introduction

This chapter explains how to use this manual, lists what you need to get started, and briefly describes the GPIB-SCSI-A and NI-488.2 for Solaris.

What You Need to Get Started

❑

Solarisversion2.5.1orhigherinstalledonyourSunSPARCsystem

❑

One of the following GPIB-SCSI-A boxes:

– 100–120 VAC

– 220–240 VAC

❑

One of the following power cords:

– U.S.A. standard power cord

– U.K. power cord

– Switzerland power cord

– Australian power cord

– Universal European power cord

– North American power cord

❑

Standard 50-pin SCSI-1 terminator

❑

Type SCSI-G Cable: GPIB-SCSI-A (50-pin SCSI-1) to Sun SPARC system (SCSI-2 50-pin)–1m

NI-488.2 for Solaris and GPIB-SCSI-A, Version 2.x CD

❑

Super-user privilege

❑

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)

Chapter 1 Introduction

Caution

(Type X1 or X2) GPIB cable. Operating this equipment with a non-shielded cable may interfere with radio and television reception.

To meet FCC emission limits for this device, you must use a shielded

GPIB Hardware Overview

The GPIB-SCSI-A is a high-performance interface product that transparently handles data transfers between the SCSI and the GPIB. The GPIB-SCSI-A is actually an 8-bit microcomputer that operates as a full-function IEEE 488.2/SCSI Controller. It can turn any computer with a SCSI port into a GPIB Talker/Listener/Controller or it can make any device on the SCSI bus look like a GPIB device.

The GPIB-SCSI-A has all the software and logic required to implement the physical and electrical characteristics of the ANSI/IEEE Standard

488.2-1987 and the ANSI Standard X3T9.2. It is able to interpret and execute commands that you send to it over the GPIB or SCSI ports and to perform all necessary GPIB-to-SCSI protocol conversions.

Standard GPIB cables can connect the GPIB-SCSI-A with up to 14 devices. If you need to connect to more than 14 devices, you can add them to your system using an IEEE 488 extender or expander, such as the National Instruments GPIB-130, GPIB-120A, or GPIB-140A. Refer to Appendix B,

Specifications, for more information about the GPIB hardware

specifications and recommended operating conditions.

NI-488.2 Overview

NI-488.2 forSolaris consists of a loadable driver and utilities that transform a Sun SPARC system running Solaris into an IEEE 488.2 (GPIB) Controller with complete communications and bus management capabilities.

NI-488.2 includes the following components:

• C language interface

• Software diagnostic utility

• Interactive control utility

• Interactive configuration utility

NI-488.2 supports multiple GPIB-SCSI-A boxes installed in a Sun SPARC system, and is completely compatible with both IEEE 488 and IEEE 488.2 instruments.

GPIB-SCSI-A for Solaris 1-2 ni.com

Installation

This chapter describes how to install NI-488.2 for Solaris and how to configure and connect the GPIB-SCSI-A to your Sun SPARC system. The NI-488.2 software included in this kit is intended for use with Sun SPARC systems running Solaris 2.5.1 or higher.

Figure 2-1 shows the rear panel of the GPIB-SCSI-A.

12345678

O N

CTS206-8

SW1 SW2

Configuring the Hardware

The hardware configurations of the SCSI ID (Target ID) and the GPIB primary address must match the software configuration in the system configuration files and the NI-488.2 software.

The GPIB-SCSI-A is shipped from the factory with a 100-120 V or a 220-240 V power supply. Before you use the GPIB-SCSI-A, verify that the voltage on the power supply matches the voltage that is supplied in your area.

Caution

bottom of the unit could damage the unit. Replacement fuses must be the proper type and rating. See Appendix B, Specifications, for fuse information.

Operating the GPIB-SCSI-A at any voltage other than the one specified on the

SCSI