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Message ID: 889     Entry time: Tue Aug 26 19:07:37 2008
Author: Yoichi 
Type: HowTo 
Category: Computers 
Subject: Reading data from Agilent 4395A analyzer through GPIB from *Linux* machine 
I succeeded in reading data from Agilent 4395A analyzer, who's floppy is crappy, through GPIB from a Linux machine using
agilent 82357B USB-GPIB interface.
I installed the linux GPIB driver to one of the lab. laptops (the silver DELL one currently sitting on the 4395A analyzer).
I wrote an initialization script for the USB-GPIB interface and a small python script for reading data from the analyzer.

[Usage]

1. Connect the USB-GPIB interface to the laptop and the analyzer.
2. Run /usr/local/bin/initGPIB command (it takes about 10sec to complete).
3. Run /usr/local/bin/getgpibdata.py > data.txt to save data from the analyzer to a text file.

The data format is explained in the comments of getgpibdata.py
This method is way faster than the unreliable floppy. The data is transfered in a few sec.

I'm now writing a wiki page on this
http://lhocds.ligo-wa.caltech.edu:8000/40m/GPIB

I will install the same thing into the other DELL laptop soon.
Let me know if you have trouble with this.
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