Newbie gpib question

[rcm999]

I hope this is not too stupid a question, but I want to start as simple as possible.

I control other (i.e., Tek, HP) GPIB-enabled instruments using a Prologix usb-to-GPIB

dongle and send ***simple ascii strings***. E.g., something like  ":channel1:input 50Ohm"

to set the input impedance of my HP scope. The Prologix dongle has a command  ++addr <n>

to direct commands to an instrument with  GPIB address n  where I have previously set the

address of the instrument with dip switches.

There are no "drivers" involved. I just send ascii strings to/from the addressed instrument.

I have a pxi frame with an 8212 card and a dmm card 4060. I want some help on a similar

scheme for talking to the dmm in the pxi frame.

1. How do I set the address of the frame?

2. Can I send/receive simple ascii strings to the addressed instrument using my Prologix converter?

Thanks so much!

Anxious to get started ...

[santo_13]

PXI instruments come with specific drivers and you have to use them to control them. Of course, you can implement a translator from GPIB to call specific driver APIs for the instrument.

To make it simpler, PXI chassis cannot work on their own, they would need a computer (either an embedded controller or an external computer connected over MXI). Though you have a GPIB card and DMM card, they can't operate without a computer to attach to. This attachment has to happen over the PXI bus (kind of PCIe slot) and not over GPIB.