VISA Overview
From Agilent VISA.NET
VISA Overview
VISA is an application programming interface (API) for instrument control. It allows you to programmatically send commands and receive data from instruments and other test and measurement devices (such as sources and switches).
VISA is a part of the Agilent IO Libraries Suite product. The Agilent IO Libraries Suite includes three VISA-related APIs:
- Agilent Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA)
- VISA for the Common Object Model (VISA COM)
- Agilent Standard Instrument Control Library (SICL)
For information on any API, click the Agilent IO Control 
in your Windows taskbar, then click Documentation > API Documentation and select a document from the displayed list.
Using VISA, VISA COM, and SICL
Agilent Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) is an I/O library that allows software developed from different vendors to run on the same system.
If you are using new instruments or are developing new I/O applications or instrument drivers, and you have chosen to use direct I/O rather than instrument drivers, we recommend you use Agilent VISA or VISA COM. See the Agilent IO Libraries Suite Help for an in-depth discussion of your programming options.
Agilent Standard Instrument Control Library (SICL) is an I/O library developed by Agilent that is portable across many I/O interfaces and systems. You can use Agilent SICL if you have been using SICL and want to remain compatible with software currently implemented in SICL.
VISA Support
Agilent VISA is supported on the GPIB, VXI, GPIB-VXI, Serial (RS-232), LAN, PXI, and USB interfaces. LAN support from within VISA occurs via an address translation such that a GPIB interface can be accessed remotely over a computer network.
Agilent VISA provides support for version 5.0 of the VISA specification which is available from www.ivifoundation.org.
VISA Documentation
The following table shows associated documentation you can use when programming with Agilent VISA.
|
Document |
Description |
|
Agilent IO Libraries Suite Connectivity Guide
|
This guide brings together all of the Agilent IO Libraries Suite documents and related Web sites into one help document. This guide provides easy access to:
|
|
VISA Help |
(This help file.) Contains a VISA user's guide, a function reference, and other programming information. |
|
VISA Sample Programs |
Sample programs are provided online to help you develop VISA applications. See Example Programs and Installation Folders for locations. |
|
VISA Specification |
Specifications for VISA: www.ivifoundation.org. |
|
PXI Specification |
Specifications for PXI: www.pxisa.org. |
|
IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols, and Common Commands |
ANSI/IEEE Standard 488.2-1992: www.standards.ieee.org. |
|
VXI Bus Consortium Specifications (when using VISA over LAN) |
TCP/IP Instrument Protocol Specification - VXI-11, Rev. 1.0 TCP/IP-VXIbus Interface Specification - VXI-11.1, Rev. 1.0 TCP/IP-IEEE 488.1 Interface Specification - VXI-11.2, Rev. 1.0 TCP/IP-IEEE 488.2 Instrument Interface Specification - VXI-11.3, Rev. 1.0 These specifications are available from the VXI Bus Consortium at: www.vxi.org |