Network Operation and Remote Control
R&S
®
SMA100B
247
User Manual 1178.3834.02 ─ 03
Rohde
&
Schwarz provides the standardized I/O software library R&S
VISA for com-
munication with the instruments via TCP/IP (LAN: HiSLIP, VXI-11 and raw socket) or
USB (USBTMC) interfaces.
R&S
VISA is available for download at the Rohde
&
Schwarz website
How to configure the remote control interfaces is described in
Set Up a Remote Control Connection"
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments)
SCPI commands - messages - are used for remote control. Commands that are not
taken from the SCPI standard follow the SCPI syntax rules. The instrument supports
the SCPI version 1999. The SCPI standard is based on standard IEEE 488.2 and aims
at the standardization of device-specific commands, error handling and the status reg-
isters. The tutorial "Automatic Measurement Control - A tutorial on SCPI and IEEE
488.2" from John M. Pieper (Rohde
&
Schwarz order number 0002.3536.00) offers
detailed information on concepts and definitions of SCPI.
Tables provide a fast overview of the bit assignment in the status registers. The tables
are supplemented by a comprehensive description of the status registers.
For more information, see also
Chapter A.1, "Additional Basics on Remote Control"
11.2.1 LAN Interface
To be integrated in a LAN, the instrument is equipped with a LAN interface, consisting
of a connector, a network interface card and protocols.
For remote control via a network, the PC and the instrument must be connected via the
LAN interface to a common network with TCP/IP network protocol. The TCP/IP net-
work protocol and the associated network services are preconfigured on the instru-
ment. Software for instrument control and (for specified protocols only) the VISA pro-
gram library must be installed on the controller.
Identifying instruments in a network
If several instruments are connected to the network, each instrument has its own IP
address and associated resource string. The controller identifies these instruments by
the resource string.
11.2.1.1
VISA Resource Strings
The VISA resource string is required to establish a communication session between
the controller and the instrument in a LAN. The resource string is a unique identifier,
composed of the specific IP address of the instrument and some network and VISA-
specific keywords.
Remote Control Interfaces and Protocols