19-01-2012, 12:28 PM
NI-488.2 Software Reference Manual for MS-DOS
[attachment=16265]
Introduction
This chapter introduces you to the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB)
and this manual. The National Instruments family of GPIB products for
your personal computer will become a valued and integral part of your work environment.
Introduction to the GPIB
The GPIB is a link, or interface system, through which interconnected
electronic devices communicate.
History of the GPIB
The original GPIB was designed by Hewlett-Packard (where it is called the
HP-IB) to connect and control programmable instruments manufactured by
Hewlett-Packard. Because of its high data transfer rates of up to 1
megabyte/sec, the GPIB quickly gained popularity in other applications
such as intercomputer communication and peripheral control. It was later
accepted as the industry standard IEEE-488. The versatility of the system
prompted the name General Purpose Interface Bus.
