VISA Interface

Communicate with instruments that support the VISA standard

You can use the VISA interface with a variety of types of interfaces, such as TCP/IP, USB, GPIB, and others. You create a visadev object using arguments that determine the type of interface you are communicating over. For example, for a VISA-GPIB object, the visadev function takes a VISA resource string that includes the board index and address.

Functions

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Connect and Configure

`visadevlist`	List available VISA resources
`visadev`	Create connection to device using VISA
`configureTerminator`	Set terminator for ASCII string communication with VISA resource
`visastatus`	Check status of VISA resource
`visatrigger`	Send trigger to GPIB or VXI instruments

Read and Write

`read`	Read data from VISA resource
`readline`	Read line of ASCII string data from VISA resource
`readbinblock`	Read one binblock of data from VISA resource
`write`	Write data to VISA resource
`writeline`	Write line of ASCII data to VISA resource
`writebinblock`	Write one binblock of data to VISA resource
`writeread`	Write command to VISA resource and read response
`flush`	Clear buffers for communication with VISA resource

VISA-Serial Control Pins and Memory

`setDTR`	Set serial DTR pin
`setRTS`	Set serial RTS pin
`getpinstatus`	Get serial pin status

Properties

visadev Properties

Apps

VISA Explorer

Connect to and communicate with instruments over VISA

Topics

Connect to and Configure VISA Interfaces

Get Started with VISA
Get started with the Virtual Instrument Standard Architecture (VISA) interface.
Get Started with TCP/IP Interface for VXI-11 and HiSLIP
Establish a connection between MATLAB^® and your instrument using the VISA-TCP/IP interface.
Get Started with TCP/IP Socket Interface
Establish a connection between MATLAB and your instrument using the VISA-Socket interface.
Get Started with USB Interface
Establish a connection between MATLAB and your instrument using the VISA-USB interface.
Get Started with GPIB Interface
Establish a connection between MATLAB and your instrument using the VISA-GPIB interface.
Get Started with Serial Port Interface
Establish a connection between MATLAB and your instrument using the VISA-Serial interface.
Get Started with VXI and PXI Interfaces
Establish a connection between MATLAB and your instrument using the VISA-VXI or VISA-PXI interface.

Communicate with VISA Resource

Write and Read ASCII Data Using VISA
Explore ASCII write and read operations with a VISA object.
Write and Read Binary Data Using VISA
Explore binary write and read operations with a VISA object.
Send Trigger to Instrument
Send the trigger command to your VISA resource.
Execute Serial Polls
Execute a serial poll to check the status of your VISA resource.
Transition Your Code to visadev Interface
Connect to a VISA device using visadev instead of visa.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting VISA Interface

Troubleshoot the VISA interface.

Resolve VISA Connection Errors

Troubleshoot connecting to a device using VISA.

Resolve VISA Warning: Unable to Read Any Data

Troubleshoot when you receive some data and you get the warning message: 'visadev' unable to read any data.

Resolve VISA Warning: Unable to Read All Data

Troubleshoot when you receive some data and you get the warning message: 'visadev' unable to read all requested data.

Featured Examples

Generate a Swept Sinusoid Using VISA and Capture Waveform Using Quick-Control Oscilloscope

Use a function generator to generate a swept sinusoid waveform and also how to capture it using an oscilloscope.

Open Live Script

5G NR Waveform Acquisition and Analysis

Generate a 5G NR test model (NR-TM) waveform using the 5G Waveform Generator app and download the generated waveform to a Keysight™ vector signal generator for over-the-air transmission using the Instrument Control Toolbox™ software. The example then captures the transmitted over-the-air signal using a Keysight signal analyzer and analyzes the signal in MATLAB®.

Open Live Script