Instrument Control Toolbox

GPIB Overview

This section provides an overview of the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB). Topics include

• What is GPIB?
• Important GPIB Features
• GPIB Lines
• Status and Event Reporting
• Using Vendor Tools to Identify and Test Your Resources

For many GPIB applications, you can communicate with your instrument without detailed knowledge of how GPIB works. Communication is established through a GPIB object, which you create in the MATLAB workspace.

If your application is straightforward, or if you are already familiar with the topics mentioned above, you might want to begin with Creating a GPIB Object. If you want a high-level description of all the steps you are likely to take when communicating with your instrument, refer to The Instrument Control Session.

What Is GPIB?

The GPIB is a standardized interface that allows you to connect and control multiple devices from various vendors. GPIB is also referred to by its original name HP-IB, or by its IEEE designation IEEE-488. The GPIB functionality has evolved over time, and is described in several specifications:

• The IEEE 488.1-1975 specification defines the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the interface and its basic functional characteristics.
• The IEEE-488.2-1987 specification builds on the IEEE 488.1 specification to define an acceptable minimum configuration and a basic set of instrument commands and common data formats.
• The Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI) specification builds on the commands given by the IEEE 488.2 specification to define a standard instrument command set that can be used by GPIB or other interfaces.

Some of the GPIB functionality is required for all GPIB devices, while other GPIB functionality is optional. Additionally, many devices support only a subset of the SCPI command set, or use a different vendor-specific command set. Refer to your device documentation for a complete list of its GPIB capabilities and its command set.

Controlling GPIB Instruments

Important GPIB Features