The Communication speed refers to the rate at which data can be transmitted between devices over a communication channel. It is a measure of data throughput and is most commonly expressed in bits per second (bps) or its multiples like kbps (kilobits per second) and Mbps (megabits per second). This speed is a critical parameter that determines how quickly commands can be sent to a programmable instrument and how fast measurement data can be retrieved from it.
For older serial interfaces like RS-232C, the communication speed is also known as the baud rate (e.g., 9600 bps or 115200 bps). For these types of connections, it is essential that both the sending and receiving devices are configured to operate at the exact same speed to ensure data integrity. For modern interfaces, the speed is often much higher and standardized. For example, USB 2.0 "High Speed" specifies a rate of 480 Mbps, while standard Ethernet (LAN) operates at 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps).
The required communication speed depends on the application. Sending simple configuration commands to a power supply might only require a slow speed, but applications involving high-speed data logging, waveform generation, or real-time feedback loops demand a high-speed interface like Ethernet or USB to prevent data bottlenecks and ensure timely control.