Implementing an IEEE-488 Bus Controller with Microprocessor Software

This paper describes a microprocessor software implementation of an IEEE-488 bus controller. The IEEE 488 is a defined standard for the interface between various devices which provides orderly communication between electronic instruments of differing manufacturers. Instrument designers are allowed wide latitude on how the interface is to be implemented and the degree of compatibility depending on the needs of the instrument. A software approach is straightforward and avoids the complexity found in a traditional logic circuit design solution.