Changing Instrument's Connectivity Options in Test System
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Compared to GPIB, the PC standard interfaces—LAN and USB—offer similar or superior performance with greater convenience at lower cost. Because today’s PC comes with these built-in interfaces, users do not need to remove the PC casing and physically install a GPIB card. Furthermore, high quality LAN and USB cables are typically less expensive than GPIB cables of equal length. With these advantages, LAN and USB will often be a better choice than GPIB when creating new test systems.
If you are concerned about instrument programming, two recently developed T&M standards ensure that instrument programming is virtually identical whether you use GPIB, USB, or LAN. The VXI- 11 protocol defines LANbased communication for all types of test equipment, not just VXI. The USB MC-USB488 standard extends USB for T&M applications. VXI- 11 and USBTMC both create an I/O connection that looks just like the GPIB to a PC- based application.
This means existing GPIB programs— and everything you have learned over the years about GPIB programming— can be used virtually unchanged if you choose to connect via USB or LAN. This is especially true if you also use the VISA I/O. With USB, the only additional step is setting the instrument address to meet the USB naming convention.