1. RC900 GPIB Comms
Set-up, test, diagnose & repair the GPIB-488 comms on the ESS, Inc, RC900 controller
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

2. GPIB Interface
The GPIB-488 interface is a transparent serial to GPIB-488 translator. All of the serial commands can be written and read back via the GPIB-488 interface. Command syntax rules are identical for the serial and GPIB interfaces. Data Communications manual 98fe_a.PDF can be downloaded from the ESS, Inc. web site for more information about commands
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

3. GPIB Hardware
The GPIB-488 interface is comprised of two main pieces of hardware. The GPIB-488 PCB and the power supply
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

4. GPIB Hardware Installed
The GPIB hardware installed in the RC900 controller chassis
Serial 232 cable
Power supply
GPIB-488 PCB
Power supply AC connection
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

5. GPIB PCB 5 VDC connection
Power supply 5 VDC connection
Power supply 5 VDC connection
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

6. Serial 232 & GPIB-488 Ports
The ports for access to the serial 232 and GPIB-488 interfaces on the rear of the RC900 controller chassis
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

7. Testing the GPIB-488 Interface
Test the serial 232 interface via the serial comm. port on the rear of the RC900 controller chassis. (see RC900 serial comms presentation for more information on testing the serial 232 comms interface) If the serial 232 comms work properly then proceed to testing the GPIB-488 interface
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

8. GPIB-488 Cable Hook-up
Hook up the special GPIB-488 cable between the RC900 GPIB-488 port and the GPIB-488 port on the test computer with the GPIB controller interface
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

9. Query the GPIB-488 Interface
Using a GPIB keyboard utility, see if the GPIB-488 device is present on the bus. Default address is 4
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

10. Event Status Register
Clear the event status register by sending the *ESR command twice. The first response should be a 128 followed by a 0
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

11. Check the GPIB Device ID
Using the *IDN command, check the GPIB-488 device identification. You should receive back “ESS, Inc REV. n
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

12. Read or Write Data Strings
Enter a read or write command in the Device Command dialog box
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

13. Send the Read or Write Command
Click the send button to send the command string to the GPIB-488 interface
Send button
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.

14. Read Data Response
If you have sent a read command, read the device response in the Device Response dialog box
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© 2008 ESS, Inc.