title: GPIB connection to external device using MATLAB
body: <p>Is there a way to establish a GPIB connection using MATLAB <strong>without</strong> the instrument control Tool box? (I don't have it). Also is there a way for MATLAB to know what the external device's RS232 parameter values are ( Baud rate, stop bit etc..). For the RS232 connection I have the following code:</p>
  
  <pre><code>% This function is meant to send commands to Potentiostat Model 263A.
  
  % A run includes turning the cell on, reading current for time t1, turning
  
  % the cell off, waiting for time t2.
  
  % t1 is the duration [secs] for which the Potentiostat must run (cell is on)
  
  % t2 is the duration [secs] to on after off
  
  % n is the number of runs 
  
  % port is the serial port name such as COM1
  
  function [s] = Potentiostat_control(t1,t2,n)
  
  port = input('type port name such as COM1', 's')
  
  s = serial(port);
  
  set(s,'BaudRate', 9600, 'DataBits', 8, 'Parity', 'even', 'StopBits', 2 ,'Terminator', 'CR/LF'); 
  
  fopen(s)
  
  %fprintf(s,'RS232?')
  
  disp(['Total runs requested = ' num2str(n)]) 
  
  disp('i denotes number of runs executed so far..');
  
  for i=1:n
  
      i
  
      %data1 = query(s, '*IDN?')
  
      fprintf(s,'%s','CELL 1'); % sends the command 'CELL 1'
  
      %fprintf(s,'%s','READI');
  
      pause(t1);
  
      fprintf(s,'%s','CELL 0');
  
      %fprintf(s,'%s','CLEAR');
  
      pause(t2);
  
  end
  
  fclose(s)
  </code></pre>