# 1.2 Overview of the Manual

This manual covers all topics starting with the installation up to the usage of applications and programming the ines IEEE-488 interface.

Installation The chapters concerning the installation should be read carefully since they contain useful information about the requirements and the installation preparation.

Using the interface After the installation has been finished, there are different choices how to continue: One may start the favorite application like HP-VEE to check out the communication. Some useful hints will be found in the application interface section. An introduction into developing applications that control the ines GPIB bus will be found under the Programming Language Interface topic.

Cable length for IEEE-488 bus systems To fulfill the IEEE-488 standard the maximum length of cable that shall be used to connect together a group of devices within one bus system is (1) 2 m times the number of devices (2) Or 20 m, whichever is less The maximum interconnection distance in a system depends on the transmission speed. If all devices are connected within a 2 m distance and 48 mA line drivers with open collectors are used, the bus works with an maximum transmission speed of 250 kB/s for a distance up to 20 m. Under the same conditions the maximum transmission speed can be increased to 500 kB/s with Tri-State drivers. If all devices are connected within a 1 m distance and 48 mA with Tri-State drivers used, the bus works with an maximum transmission speed of 1 MB/s for a distance up to 10 m.

For two interfaces (one controller and one device) the cable length should not exceed 4m. You can use a cable of greater length and it might work properly but it is not within the IEEE-488 standard and you must check the functionality and the signal edges very carefully.