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Introduction 11Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Using the IEEE 1394 Serial Bus in VXI Systems
The IEEE 1394 Serial Bus (FireWire) is a high-speed bus that has been
implemented as an I/O interface between external PCs and HP VXI systems.
The bus links the PC backplane to the VXI mainframe backplane. This
manual describes the implementation, configuration, and use of this
interface.
Component
Overview
Implementation of the IEEE 1394 serial bus as an I/O interface for HP VXI
systems is provided through three components:
• HP E8491A PC Link to VXI Interconnect
• Adaptec
®
AHA-8940 1394-to-PCI Host Adapter
• HP I_O Libraries
The HP E8491A PC Link
to VXI Interconnect
The HP E8491A is the VXI hardware that links the VXI mainframe
backplane to the IEEE 1394 serial bus. The E8491A is a 1-slot, C-size,
message-based device that is installed in mainframe slot 0.
The Adaptec
®
AHA-8940
1394-to-PCI Host Adapter
The Adaptec
®
AHA-8940 1394-to-PCI Host Adapter card is installed in the
PC and links the computer’s (PCI) backplane to the IEEE 1394 bus. The
AHA-8940 has one internal and two external IEEE 1394 ports and can
support up to 16 HP E8491As.
The HP I_O Libraries The HP I_O Libraries provide the HP VISA and HP SICL drivers required
to use the HP E8491A. Included with the libraries are the drivers for the
Adaptec
®
AHA-8940 host adapter.
Using this Manual This manual is organized to help you install, configure, and begin using the
IEEE 1394 serial bus as quickly and efficiently as possible. The following
information outlines the contents of the other chapters, and identifies the
areas of programming a VXI system that are NOT covered in this manual.
Chapter 2: Interface
Installation and
Configuration
This chapter contains information on installing the HP E8491A hardware
and its drivers (the HP I_O Libraries). Also included is information on
installing VXI instruments, installing HP VXIplug&play drivers, and on
verifying the system.