Agilent 3569A User’s Guide

User’s Guide

Standard Data Format Utilities

Version B.02.01

Manufacturing Part Number: 5963-1715

Printed in USA

December 1994

© Copyright 1989, 1991-94, 2005 Agilent Technologies, Inc..

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2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: General Information

ConvertingFilesBetweenLIFFormatandDOSFormat ..................1-4

README.TXT ........................................1-4

DataSharingBetweenAnalyzers ...............................1-5

BatchFiles...........................................1-6

Displaying Analyzer Data on a Personal Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7

ReadingDatafromFilesintoaProgram ...........................1-9

MinimumRequirements....................................1-9

Installation.......................................... 1-10

CHAPTER 2: What is Standard Data Format?

Measurement(Data)Results .................................2-2

NumberofInputChannels(Rows) ..............................2-3

Waterfalls and Maps (Scans) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

Time Capture (Scans) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

CHAPTER 3: File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

HardwareandSoftwareRequirements ............................3-2

OnlineHelp ..........................................3-3

LIF ...............................................3-4

LIFSCAN ...........................................3-5

LIFCHK............................................3-7

LIFLS .............................................3-8

LIFCP ............................................ 3-10

LIFRM............................................ 3-15

LIFINIT ........................................... 3-17

LIFDIAG........................................... 3-20

ErrorMessages........................................ 3-24

CHAPTER 4: Sharing Data Between Analyzers

HardwareandSoftwareRequirements ............................4-4

HP 3563A/3562A File Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

OnlineHelp ..........................................4-4

i

Table of Contents

60TOSDF ...........................................4-5

63TCSDF............................................4-6

63TOSDF ...........................................4-7

660TOSDF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

69TOSDF ...........................................4-9

88TOSDF .......................................... 4-11

89TOSDF .......................................... 4-13

ASCTOSDF ......................................... 4-15

BINTOX32.......................................... 4-17

DFDATA63 ......................................... 4-18

DFHDR63 .......................................... 4-20

DOWNLOAD ........................................ 4-22

HEADER63 ......................................... 4-23

HPIB63............................................ 4-25

REPEAT ........................................... 4-26

SDFEDIT........................................... 4-28

SDFPRINT.......................................... 4-30

SDFTEXT .......................................... 4-34

SDFTO58 .......................................... 4-35

SDFTO63 .......................................... 4-36

SDFTOASC ......................................... 4-39

SDFTOBIN.......................................... 4-42

SDFTOML.......................................... 4-44

SDFTOMX.......................................... 4-46

SDFTOSDF ......................................... 4-50

SDFYDATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-54

SETUP63........................................... 4-55

SETUP88........................................... 4-57

SETUP89........................................... 4-59

SOFTCOPY ......................................... 4-61

SYNTH63 .......................................... 4-62

X32TOBIN.......................................... 4-64

ErrorMessages........................................ 4-65

CHAPTER 5: Viewdata

VIEWDATA..........................................5-5

VIEWDATAmenu.......................................5-7

File menu (if Type is Auto or HP 3563A/3562A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Filemenu(ifTypeisSDF) ..................................5-9

ii

Table of Contents

Filemenu(ifTypeisASCII) ................................ 5-10

Displaymenu......................................... 5-11

Activemenu ......................................... 5-12

Formatmenu......................................... 5-13

Tracemenu.......................................... 5-14

TitleTypemenu ....................................... 5-15

TraceDatamenu ....................................... 5-16

Gridmenu .......................................... 5-17

Coordinatesmenu ...................................... 5-18

Xscalemenu ......................................... 5-19

XscaleSpacingmenu .................................... 5-20

XscaleTypemenu...................................... 5-21

Yscalemenu ......................................... 5-22

YscaleTypemenu...................................... 5-23

Unitsmenu.......................................... 5-24

Datamenu .......................................... 5-25

ShowTracemenu....................................... 5-26

UserEnteredGraphics.................................... 5-28

UserEnteredText ...................................... 5-30

Outputmenu ......................................... 5-31

Savemenu .......................................... 5-33

CHAPTER 6: Using SDF Data with C Programs

SdfOpen ............................................6-3

SdfClose ............................................6-4

SdfFileHdr ...........................................6-5

SdfMeasHdr ..........................................6-6

SdfDataHdr...........................................6-7

SdfVectHdr...........................................6-8

SdfChanHdr ..........................................6-9

SdfScanStruct ........................................ 6-10

SdfScanBig.......................................... 6-11

SdfScanVar.......................................... 6-12

SdfScansUsed ........................................ 6-13

SdfYdata ........................................... 6-14

SdfYdataWrite........................................ 6-16

SdfXdata ........................................... 6-17

SdfScanData ......................................... 6-18

SdfTrunc ........................................... 6-19

iii

Table of Contents

SdfCommentHdr....................................... 6-20

SdfCommentRead ...................................... 6-21

SdfCommentWrite...................................... 6-22

CHAPTER 7: MATLAB MEX-Files & M-Files

filtrsdf.mex...........................................7-2

matdemo.tim..........................................7-3

tcdemo.m............................................7-4

tcdemo2.m ...........................................7-5

CHAPTER 8: Mathcad

Examples

®

mathcad\signals\ofstsine.mcd .................................8-1

mathcad\signals\gmsk.mcd ..................................8-1

mathcad\signals\qpsk.mcd...................................8-2

mathcad\filters\gauss.mcd...................................8-2

mathcad\filters\raiscos.mcd ..................................8-2

mathcad\filters\rootcos.mcd..................................8-2

CHAPTER A: SDF to PC-MATLAB and MATRIXx examples

HP 3563A to MATRIXx or PC-MATLAB file formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2

LoadingaFileintoPC-MATLAB...............................A-3

LoadingaFileintoMATRIXx ................................A-4

CHAPTER B: Standard Data Format (SDF)

Records—theBasicSDFUnits ................................B-2

RecordOrder..........................................B-3

SpecialFieldsinaRecord...................................B-5

RecordandStructureDescriptions ..............................B-6

ReconstructingaTrace....................................B-27

CorrectingY-axisData....................................B-30

LocatingaVectorofY-axisData ..............................B-34

TimeCaptureData......................................B-36

Waterfall/Map/MultiSpectrum/Spectrogram Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-40

ExampleFile.........................................B-42

CHAPTER C: Batch Files

63_ML.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2

63_MX.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-3

63_PLOT.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

63_SDF.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

60_ML.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-6

iv

Table of Contents

60_MX.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-7

60_PLOT.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-8

60_SDF.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-9

69_ML.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-10

69_MX.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-11

69_PLOT.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-12

69_SDF.BAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-13

IB63_ML.BAT........................................ C-14

IB63_MX.BAT........................................C-15

IB63_PLT.BAT .......................................C-16

IB63_SDF.BAT .......................................C-17

v

General Information

Introduction

Standard Data Format Utilities is a group of MS-DOS®programs for doing the
following things (see figure 1-1, on the following page):

• Converting files between LIF format and DOS format.

• Sharing data between HP DSA analyzers.

• Displaying analyzer data on your PC.

• Reading data from files into a program.

(MS-DOS is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation)

1

1-1

General Information

1-2

Figure 1-1. Data Exchange Capabilities

General Information

Notice in figure 1-1 that the data from some analyzers, such as the HP 3563A, must be converted first
from LIF to DOS, then to SDF format. For some other analyzers, such as the HP 3566A, no conversions
are necessary—these analysers save data in SDF format directly.

The Standard Data Format Utilities support saved data from the following DSA analyzers:

• HP 35665A (to and from)

• HP 35670A (to and from)

• HP 3562A (to and from)

• HP 3563A (to and from)

• HP 3566A/3567A (to and from)

• HP 35660A (from only)

• HP 3560A (from only)

• HP 3569A (from only)

• HP 3588A (from only)

• HP 3589A (from only)

• HP 89410A/HP89440A (to and from)

• HP 3587S (time capture files only)

There are some limitations on data exchange. For example, order tracking data from an
HP 3567A cannot be post-processed in an HP 3563A because the HP 3563A does not do
order tracking measurements.

The Standard Data Format Utilities also allow you to translate data files to the following formats
compatible with third party software:

• PC-MATLAB, a trademark of The MathWorks, I nc., is a software package for general digital

signal processing and filtering.

• MATRIXx, a product of Integrated Systems Inc., is a software package for control

system analysis.

• Data Set 58 is the universal ASCII format for mechanical test.

• ASCII is a versatile format for spreadsheets and other general software.

Programs that convert from Standard Data Format to SMS formats are available from SMS for use with
the following application software:

• STARModal, a trademark of SMS, is a software package for doing modal analysis of structures,

including structural modification and force/response analysis.

• STARAcoustics, a trademark of SMS, is an acoustics software package with 1/3 octave, sound

intensity, and sound power analysis.

1-3

General Information
Converting Files Between LIF Format and DOS Format

Converting Files Between LIF Format and DOS Format

LIF (Logical Interchange Format) is the Hewlett-Packard standard disk format that may be used to
exchange files among various HP computer systems and instruments. The LIF programs in the Standard
Data Format Utilities make it possible for personal computer users to translate LIF files into DOS file
format, and DOS files into LIF format. The utilities support file conversion for both internal drives and
external drives connected on the HP-IB. These utilities can also format and initialize LIF disks on
external HP drives.

README.TXT

This text file, shipped on the SDF UTILITIES disk 1, provides additional information about SDF
UTILITIES. Read and/or print the contents of README.TXT as you do with an ASCII text file.

1-4

General Information

Data Sharing Between Analyzers

Data Sharing Between Analyzers

These utilities make it possible to take data with one analyzer and recall it into another analyzer for
post-processing. (Chapter 4 describes these utilities in detail.) For example, you can make a frequency
response measurement with an HP 3560A, transfer the data to your PC, convert it to SDF format, then
recall it into an HP 35665A for curve fitting.

Cable # HP24542G to 25 pin RS232

HP 24542U to 9-pin RS 232

Figure 1-2. HP 3560A to HP 35665A

To connect the HP 3560A or HP 3560A to the PC: use Cable #HP 24542G to 25-pin RS-232 or Cable
#HP 24542U to 9-pin RS-232. For more information on the cables required to connect the HP 3560A to
the PC, refer to the chapter ‘’Transferring Data to a Personal Computer’’ in the HP 3560A Quick Start
Guide.

Some analyzers only accept data with 401 frequency lines, others accept only 801 frequency
lines, and others allow you to specify more or fewer frequency lines. The SDFTOSDF utility
(see chapter 4) allows you to convert data from one number of frequency lines to another. For example, if
your HP 3560A or HP 3569A measurement was done with 1601 lines, you must convert it to 801 lines
before you can curve fit it in an HP 3563A, using the command

SDFTOSDF /P:801. (Although the

HP 35665A can only create 401 line data, it can display and curve fit data with
801 lines.)

1-5

General Information
Data Sharing Between Analyzers

You can compare old data from an HP 3562A to new data from an HP 35665A, as shown in figure 1-3.
You can convert the HP 3562A data from LIF to DOS, then from HP 3562A format into SDF, then recall
it into an HP 35665A for comparison. Or you can convert HP 35665A data from SDF format to
HP 3562A format, then convert it from LIF to DOS, then recall it into an HP 3562A for comparison.

Figure 1-3. HP 3562A to HP 35665A

Batch Files

Appendix C contains several example batch files. These are ‘’automated’’ procedures that combine two
or three utilities. For example, ‘’63_SDF.BAT’’ performs the LIF-to-DOS conversion and the
HP 3563A-to-SDF conversion on a group of files. You can use the existing batch files, or you can copy
and modify them for your particular needs.

1-6

General Information

Displaying Analyzer Data on a Personal Computer

Displaying Analyzer Data on a Personal Computer

The Viewdata utility allows you to display data graphically on your PC. You can display up to
three traces of data from the same or different analyzers. For example, you can display a frequency
response from an HP 3563A on trace A, a frequency response from an HP 35665A on trace B, and
a frequency response from an HP 3566A/3567A on trace C. Chapter 5 describes the Viewdata utility in
detail.

Note You must convert HP 3563A/62A data from LIF to DOS before reading it into

Viewdata. See chapter 3.

The utility includes marker, scale, zoom, and scroll functions. You can also plot or print the display to
HP-GL plotters or PCL printers (for example, the HP LaserJet or DeskJet).

1-7

General Information
Displaying Analyzer Data on a Personal Computer

1-8

Figure 1-4. Viewdata

General Information

Reading Data from Files into a Program

Reading Data from Files into a Program

The functions in the SDF Libraries allow you to write your own C programs accessing SDF data via
function calls. Chapter 6 describes libraries and includes a sample program.

Minimum Requirements

To run the utilities, you need the following:

• An IBM PC compatible and MS-DOS 2.1 (or greater). You can run the software from a

high-density flexible disk drive or from your hard disk drive (a minimum of two drives are
required).

• At least 256 kilobytes (K) of memory, 384K of memory is recommended.

1-9

General Information
Installation

Installation

To install the Standard Data Format Utilities, copy all files on the two disks to any directory on your PC.
Or, if you do not have a hard disk, you can insert the disk in an internal drive and type commands from
there.

Note If you are running the utilities from a floppy drive, you cannot address LIF files in that

drive.

The following files are on the disks:

60_ML.BAT 89TOSDF.EXE SDFPRINT.EXE
60_MX.BAT ASCTOSDF.EXE SDFTEXT.EXE
60_PLOT.BAT DEFECT.TXT SDFTO58.EXE
60_SDF.BAT DFDATA63.EXE SDFTO63.EXE
60TOSDF.EXE DFHDR63.EXE SDFTOASC.EXE
63_ML.BAT DOWNLOAD.EXE SDFTOBIN.EXE
63_MX.BAT HEADER63.EXE SDFTOML.EXE
63_PLOT.BAT HPIB63.EXE SDFTOMX.EXE
63_SDF.BAT IB63_ML.BAT SDFTOSDF.EXE
63TCSDF.EXE IB63_MX.BAT SDFYDATA.EXE
63TOSDF.EXE IB63_PLT.BAT SETUP63.EXE
660TOSDF.EXE IB63_SDF.BAT SETUP88.EXE
69_ML.BAT LIF.EXE SETUP89.EXE
69_MX.BAT LIFDIAG.EXE SOFTCOPY.EXE
69_PLOT.BAT README.TXT SYNTH63.EXE
69_SDF.BAT REPEAT.EXE USAGE.TXT
69_TOSDF.EXE REVID VIEWDATA.EXE
88TOSDF.EXE SDFEDIT.EXE X32TOBIN.EXE

If you want to use the SDF libraries, you must also copy the following files from the
directory SDFLIB:

README.TXT SDF.C SDF.MAK
SDF_BASI.H SDF_COMM.H SDF_UTIL.H
SDFADD.C SDFDATA.C SDFMPY.C
SDFUTIL.LIB

1-10

2

What is Standard Data Format?

Introduction

Standard Data Format, SDF, is a data format that allows measurement and analysis data to be shared
among several HP analyzers (see chapter 1 for a list of the supported analyzers). See appendix B for a
complete description of each field in the SDF file.

SDF supports analyzers with a very broad range of functionality. Not all the supported analyzers use
SDF’s full capabilities. The rest of this chapter describes some of these differences. Use the SDFTOSDF
utility (described in chapter 4) to extract from an SDF file the information of interest.

2-1

What is Standard Data Format?
Measurement (Data) Results

Measurement (Data) Results

Some analyzers save a complete set of measurement results. Others save an individual trace.

For example, when you save data from an HP 3566A/67A frequency response measurement, the file
includes five measurement results (or measurement data): FRF, coherence, input power, output power,
and cross power. When you save data from an HP 35665A FFT measurement, the file includes only the
measurement data displayed in the active trace. In the SDF file, these are called ‘’data results.’’

Figure2-1. DataResults

If you want to recall FRF data from an HP 3566A/67A into an HP 35665A, use SDFTOSDF /D to select
the measurement data of interest from the HP 3566A/67A data. See the SDFTOSDF command in chapter
4 for more information.

The HP 35665A can read HP 3566A/67A data directly into the instrument, but it can read only the first
trace in the file with:

• 1st data result

• 1st row

• 1st column

From the HP 3566A/67A, the save trace command can be used to save a specific trace to disk.

2-2

What is Standard Data Format?

Number of Input Channels (Rows)

Number of Input Channels (Rows)

Another difference between SDF files is the number of input channels. For example, the HP 3566A and
HP 3567A are multi-channel analyzers with up to 16 input channels, and the other supported analyzers
have only one or two input channels. In the SDF file, these are called ‘’rows.’’

Figure 2-2. Rows

If you want to recall FRF data from an HP 3566A/67A into an HP 35665A, use SDFTOSDF /R to select
the HP 3566A/67A channel combination (row) of interest. See the SDFTOSDF command in chapter 4
for more information.

2-3

What is Standard Data Format?
Waterfalls and Maps (Scans)

Waterfalls and Maps (Scans)

Some of the supported analyzers allow you to save waterfalls or maps—a number of spectra. These may
be the waterfall steps for an HP 35665A measurement or map lines for an HP 3566A/67A
rpm spectral map, for example. In the SDF file, these are called ‘’scans.’’

Figure 2-3. Waterfall or Map Scans

Use SDFTOSDF /S to select the scan (map line or waterfall step) of interest. See the SDFTOSDF
command in chapter 4 for more information.

2-4

What is Standard Data Format?

Time Capture (Scans)

Time Capture (Scans)

Some of the supported analyzers allow you to capture long streams of raw time data and then later replay
the data into a measurement in the instrument. The HP 3566A/3567A, HP 35665A, HP 35670A,
HP 89410A, HP 89440A, and HP 3587S support this capability. The time data in the file is broken up
into scans in the same manner as with waterfalls and maps (see the preceding section). The scan size is
determined by the instrument and is generally related to the number of time points the instrument uses to
generate an FFT in its current measurement.

Figure 2-4. Time Capture Scans

Time Channel and Frequency Correction are generated by all instruments. Overloads are generated by
the HP 3566A/3567A only. Compressed Time, Tach Data, and External Trigger Data are generated by
the HP 3566A/3567A and the HP 35670A.

See Appendix B for more information on Time Capture Files.

2-5

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

Description

LIF (Logical Interchange Format) is the Hewlett-Packard standard disk format that may be used to
exchange files among various HP computer systems and instruments. The LIF programs in the Standard
Data Format Utilities make it possible for personal computer users to translate LIF files into DOS file
format, and DOS files into LIF format. The utilities support file conversion for both internal drives and
external drives (connected on the HP-IB). These utilities can also format and initialize LIF disks on
external HP drives.

The LIF utilities consist of the following commands:

LIF Main program for LIF access. The first parameter specifies the function (e.g.,

SCAN or CHK). Each function has its own options. These options are documented
later in this chapter.

3

LIF SCAN Checks the PC for internal floppy drives and for HP-IB interface boards and then

looks for disk drives (capable of reading LIF disks) connected to HP-IB.

LIF CHK Verifies that the disk inserted in a designated drive is fully readable by the LIF

Utilities. (To abort, type:

LIF LS Lists the contents of the LIF directory.

LIF C P Copies a LIF file to a DOS file, a DOS file to a LIF file, or a LIF file to another LIF

file.

LIF R M Deletes a specified file from the LIF directory.

LIF INIT Optionally formats and initializes a new directory on a LIF disk. (To abort,

type:

CTRL-C.)

LIFDIAG Diagnostic utility useful for performing fast LIF to LIF full disk backups and for

recovering data from damaged/corrupted disks.

CTRL-C.)

3-1

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
Hardware and Software Requirements

Hardware and Software Requirements

Use of these utilities requires an IBM PC compatible with the MS-DOS 2.1 operating system (or greater).
If you wish to translate or format LIF files located on an external drive you must have an SS/80 drive
connected to your PC with an HP-IB card. The LIF utilities recognize all HP SS/80 drives including the
HP 9122, HP 9133 (D,H,L), HP 9127A and HP 9153A. Older disk drives (AMIGO command set) such
as the HP 9121, HP 9133 (V, X, or XV) will not work. (SS/80 disks are a subset of HP CS/80 disks.)
There are no requirements for internal disk drives.

The HP 88500A and HP 82335 HP-IB cards, as well as the National GPIB PCII and AT-GPIB cards are
recognized. Make sure that your HP-IB (or GPIB) is set to System Controller, the default switch setting.

Caution Disk cache programs may interfere with the LIF utilities access to the

internal floppy disk drives and may cause disk read errors or program lockup.
We recommend that disk cache programs not be used in conjunction with
these utilities.

You can use the SMARTDrive disk caching software provided with Microsoft Windows

3.0.

Note The utilities will work with both an HP and a National card installed simultaneously.

For example, you can LIF copy files from a disk drive on the HP card to a disk drive on
the National Instrument card.

Both BDAT and ASCII LIF files may be converted to DOS. (Binary LIF files are copied in
raw mode.)

Note When using these utilities, remember the following:

• The LIF utilities do not format internal disks (only external).

• It’s not possible t o i nitialize a LIF directory onto an unformatted disk.

3-2

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

Online Help

Online Help

Online Help is available for each LIF utility command. For a description of a particular command and a
list of its options, simply type the command name and

For example, to get help on the command LIF CHK, type:

/U. Then press return.

LIF CHK /U [

Enter

]

3-3

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF

LIF

Main program for LIF access. The first parameter specifies operation. Each operation has its own set of
files/options. For more help on a particular command, see the rest of this chapter.

Syntax

LIF <operation> [files] [options]

Operations

SCAN look for LIF disk drives (external or internal)

CHK or CHECK check disk integrity (read all tracks/heads)

LS or DIR list files on LIF disk

CP or COPY copy file(s) between DOS and LIF disks

RM or DEL remove a LIF file

INIT initialize (format) a LIF disk

The specified <operation> has its own set of files/options. For more help on a particular command, type
‘’lif’’ followed by the operation name (except for SCAN) and /U. For example, for help on the LIF CP
command, type:

LIFCP/U

3-4

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF SCAN

LIF SCAN

Checks the PC for internal floppy drives and for HP-IB interface boards and then looks for disk drives
(capable of reading LIF disks) connected to HP-IB.

This command displays the drive specifiers of all valid disk drives which m ay contain LIF files. Either a
Hewlett-Packard HP-IB card or a National Instrument GPIB-PCII (or AT-GPIB) card (or compatible)
will be recognized.

The drive specifier for the HP-IB disk drive consists of an address in the form SSAA[UU], where:

• SS is the select code.

For the HP card the select code is from 1 to 16.
For the National Instrument card, the select code is 1 plus the board number (for example, 1 for
board ‘’GPIB0’’ and 2 for board ‘’GPIB1’’).

• AA is the HP-IB address of the disk drive (00 to 07).

• [UU] is the optional unit of the disk drive (00 to 15). The default unit is 0.

Syntax

LIF SCAN [/U]

Options

/U Show usage information for this command.

Example

Type LIF SCAN from your home directory, for the following information:

Drive
Specifier Looking for Disk Drives
========= =======================

A: Internal Flexible Disk

B: Internal Flexible Disk

Found HP 88500A HP-IB Card at Select Code 7

Found SS/80 Disk at Address 2, HP 9122
702: Unit 0, Flexible or Removable Disk
70201: Unit 1, Flexible or Removable Disk

3-5

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF SCAN

Discussion

‘’702:’’ identifies a disk drive at address 2 and unit 0 connected to an HP card at select code 7. If both an
HP card and an National Instrument card are connected to the same select code, then only the HP card
will be recognized. This is usually not a problem since the customary select code of the HP card is 7, and
the customary board name for the National Instrument card is ‘’GPIB0’’ (select code 1). The LIF
programs are capable of working with both boards installed simultaneously (e.g., LIF copy from a disk
drive on the HP card to a disk drive on the National Instrument card).

LIF SCAN indicates how to address a LIF disk in an external drive, not a DOS disk. If a DOS disk is in
your external drive, you cannot access it as ‘’702:’’ or ‘’70201:’’. Instead, use the letter drive code that
DOS has assigned (e.g., E: or F:).

MS-DOS requires that an external drive be powered up and connected at power-on to be recognized as an
MS-DOS drive. The LIF program do not require external drives to be on at power-on to be accessible as
a LIF drive.

3-6

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF CHK

LIF CHK

Verifies that the disk inserted in the specified drive is fully readable by the LIF program. This serves two
functions: first, to verify that the disk has no bad sectors (to minimize the possibility of corrupted data),
and second, to verify that possible spared tracks on the disk will not interfere w ith the disk’s usage on the
PC’s internal disk drives.

Syntax

LIF CHK <d>: [/U] [/T] [/A] [/W]
or
LIF CHECK <d>: [/U] [/T] [/A] [/W]

Options

The default mode (no option) reads one sector on every track and displays the head
and track number.

<d>: The drive specifier, e.g., 702: or 70201: for an external drive;

A: or B: for an internal drive. All LIF files require a drive specifier.

/U Show usage information for this command.

/T Terse, do not show the Head and Track numbers as each track is read. This can

decrease the verify time by up to 50%.

/A Read every sector on each track instead of just one sector on each track. This is

useful if you believe that the disk has possible media problems (not useful for
additional checking for spared tracks). This can increase the verify time by up to
50%.

/W Wait for keyboard prompt before and after performing operation. This is useful for

a PC with only two disk drives; you can swap out the disk with the LIF.EXE
program to insert a LIF or DOS disk.

Example

LIF CHK 702: /A

Discussion

HP spared tracks on an HP 9122 or HP 9127 disk may not be readable on the internal drive because the
spared track may actually reside on a different side (head) of the disk and the PC BIOS may not be
capable of finding it. This program verifies that each track can be read by the internal drive.

3-7

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF LS

LIF LS

Lists the contents of the LIF directory contained on a designated drive. All files are listed in the order
that they are contained on the disk.

Syntax

LIFLS<d>:[/U][/L][/A][/W]
or
LIF DIR <d>: [/U] [/L] [/A] [/W]

Options

The default option lists all normal (not PURGED) files.

<d>: The drive specifier, e.g., 702: or 70201: for an external drive, A: or B: for an

internal drive.

/U Show usage information for this command.

/L List in long format, giving volume name, volume size, directory start (in decimal),

directory size, file type, file size, file start (in decimal), ‘’implementation’’ field (in
hex) and date created. (The implementation field indicates if a security code is
present. The code is ignored by the LIF program.)

/A List all entries including purged files (PURGED type). Purged files are not

accessible by LIF CP.

/W Wait for keyboard prompt before and after performing operation. This is useful for

a PC with only two disk drives; you can swap out the disk with the LIF.EXE
program to insert a LIF or DOS disk.

In the long format, the following special file types are named:

1 ASCII
0 PURGED (only for /A list option)

BINARY

−2

−767

−5791

DOS (DOS Directory)
BDAT

3-8

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF LS

Example

List directory in long format:

LIF LS 702: /L

Route directory listing to a file in your home directory:

LIF LS 702: /A > FILELIST

Discussion

HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) files are all of type BDAT and the first two letters of the file name specifies the
file type as follows:

A1-A5 Aseq1 through Aseq5

AM Amath

CF Cv Fit (S domain Curve

Fit)

CS Capture

DA Data

DM Demod (Delete Frequency)

FL Fault (Fault Log)
SE State
ST Synth (S domain)
TS Thrupt
TL Test (Test Log)
ZF Z CvFt (Z domain Curve

Fit)

ZT Z Snth (Z domain Synth)

PI Pictur (Display graphics)

3-9

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF CP

LIF CP

Copies a LIF file to a DOS file, a DOS file to a LIF file, or a LIF file to another LIF file. <sfile> is the
source file name and <dfile> is the destination file name. The full path name must be specified for a LIF
file. LIF ASCII and BDAT formats are automatically converted to DOS format. All other files are
copied with no conversion. At least one of the files must be in a LIF directory (source or destination file).
This may be one of the internal flexible disk drives (e.g., A: or B:) or it may be an external HP-IB disk
drive (e.g., 700: or 70001:).

Syntax

LIFCP<sfile><dfile>[/U][/O][/B][/A][/R]

[/T:<fileType>] [/I:<implement>] [/N] [/S:<lineSize>] [/W]
or
LIFCOPY<sfile><dfile>[/U][/O][/B][/A][/R]
[/T:<fileType] [/I:<implement>] [/N] [/S:<lineSize>] [/W]

Options

<sfile> Source path and file name (must include drive specifier if file is LIF ). May contain

wild card characters ‘’*’’ and ‘’?’’.

<dfile> Destination path and file name (must include drive specifier if file is LIF ). May

contain wild card characters ‘’*’’ and ‘’?’’.

/U Show usage information for this command.

/B BDAT file copy (use only for DOS to LIF ) .

/A ASCII file copy (use for DOS to LIF ).

/R Raw file copy (DOS to LIF or LIF to DOS). Do not convert file (copy as is).

/T:<fileType> (LIF destination only) Set the file type for the destination file to the specified file

type. This may be specified in decimal or hexadecimal (prefix with ‘’0x’’). The
file type specified will not affect any possible file conversions.

/I:<implement> Set the implementation field for the destination LIF file (DOS to LIF or LIF to

LIF ). This may be specified in decimal or hexadecimal (prefix with ‘’0x’’).

/N DonottranslatetovalidLIFfilename.

/S:<lineSize> Maximum line size for DOS to LIF ASCII file transfer (default 256 characters).

/W Wait for keyboard prompt before and after performing operation. This is useful for

a PC with only two disk drives; you can swap out the disk with the LIF.EXE
program to insert a LIF or DOS disk.

3-10

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF CP

Example

LIF to DOS copy from an external drive to your current PC directory:

LIF CP 702:DAFREQ DSK_FREQ

DOS to LIF copy from home directory to external drive. /N option is used to allow the LIF file name to
begin with a number. If /N were not typed the file name would be X77PSD.

Note Invalid LIF filenames may cause files to be inaccessible by another LIF system, e.g.,

Pascal workstations or HP BASIC.

LIF CP 77PSD 702:77PSD /N

DOS to LIF copy from DOS external drive to LIF external drive:

LIF CP 702:DAFREQ E:FREQ

DOS to LIF copy forcing long line length:

LIF CP LONG.ASC 702:LONGLINES /S:1000

Discussion

Any specified LIF file name is automatically translated to contain a valid LIF file name as follows:

• Shifts lower to upper case.

• Allows ‘’_’’, ‘’.’’, and digits (0-9).

• Translates all other characters to the letter ‘’X’’.

• If the first character is not a letter, then the file name will be preceded by the letter ‘’X’’.

• Truncates file names to 10 characters.

Only two types of file conversions (i.e., not raw copy) are allowed between LIF and DOS files: ASCII
and BDAT. LIF Binary files are not converted.

For a LIF to DOS file copy, LIF ASCII files are converted to DOS ASCII files and LIF BDAT files are
converted to DOS Binary files. All other files are copied in raw mode (exactly as they appear in the
LIF file). The automatic conversions for LIF ASCII and BDAT files may be turned off with the raw
option (/R).

3-11

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF CP

If a directory is specified as a destination, then a file with the same name as the source file will be created.
If only a directory is specified as a source, then all files in the directory will be copied. For a DOS to
LIF file copy, the file will be converted to either ASCII or BDAT automatically if no format conversion is
specified (/A, /B, or /R).

If the first 80 characters of the DOS file contain only printable ASCII characters (or tab, carriage return,
or line feed), then the file will be converted to LIF ASCII, otherwise it will be converted to LIF BDAT.
The file may be forced to be converted to LIF ASCII with the ASCII option (/A). A file may be forced to
be converted to BDAT format by specifying the BDAT option (/B) and a raw copy (no conversions) can
be specified with the raw option (/R).

DOS file



LIF file

BINARY (no option) becomes BDAT
ASCII (no option) becomes ASCII
BINARY (with /A

becomes ASCII

option)
ASCII (with /B option) becomes BDAT

LIF file



DOS file

BDAT becomes BINARY
ASCII becomes ASCII

Caution If the input file is ASCII for a DOS to LIF copy, the input lines will be truncated to the

value set by /S option (default is 256 characters). If truncations occurs, the following
message will appear:

Line “X” truncates from “m” to “n” characters.

where ‘’X’’ is the line that was truncated, ‘’m’’ is the original line length, and ‘’n’’ is
the truncated line length.

Use the /S option to increase the maximum input line length. Note that the /S option does not need to be
specified for LIF to LIF or LIF to DOS file copies.

For a LIF to LIF copy, all files are copied as is (no conversion) with the destination file created with the
same file type as the source file.

Multiple files may be copied if the source file specification is a directory or the wildcards ‘’*’’ (match 0
or more of any character) or ‘’?’’ (match 1 occurrence of any character) are used. In this case, the
destination file specification should also be a directory or contain matching wildcards. Each file will be
copied to this directory. If the destination is not a directory and doesn’t contain wildcards, then all files
will be copied to the same destination file (not appended). This is only useful to copy files to your screen
or to a printer, as LIF CP will not write to an existing file (except CON or PRN devices).

3-12

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF CP

3-13

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF CP

Example 1

Copy all the DOS files in the directory \DOSdir to the LIF disk at 702:

LIF CP a:\DOSdir 702:

Example 2

Copy all the DOS files with the suffix ‘’.doc’’ to LIF disk at 702:

LIF CP *.doc 702:

Example 3

Copy all HP 3562A data files (prefix ‘’DA’’) from a LIF disk at 702: to the current DOS directory,
changing the ‘’DA’’ prefix to a ‘’.63’’ suffix.

LIF CP 702:DA* *.63

3-14

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF RM

Removes (deletes) the specified file from the LIF directory.

Syntax

LIFRM<file>[/U][/N][/F][/W]
or
LIF DEL <file> [/U] [/N] [/F] [/W]

Options

<file> File name. Must include drive specifier (702:, A:, etc.).

/U Show usage information for this command.

/N DonottranslatetovalidLIFfilename.

/F Force remove (i.e., external DOS directory).

LIF RM

/W Wait for keyboard prompt before and after performing operation. This is useful for

a PC with only two disk drives; you can swap out the disk with the LIF.EXE
program to insert a LIF or DOS disk.

Example

Look for a file called 00DATA. If it doesn’t exist, it won’t remove any files.

LIF RM 702:00data

Remove a file with the name ‘’00data’’.

LIF RM 702:00data /N

3-15

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF RM

Discussion

When you type in the name of a file (except where /N is specified), this utility automatically converts a
valid LIF file name as follows:

• Shifts lower to upper case.

• Allows ‘’_’’, ‘’.’’, and digits (0-9).

• Translates all other characters to the letter ‘’X’’.

• If the first character is not a letter, then the file name will be preceded by the letter ‘’X’’.

• Truncates file names to 10 characters.

Caution Be careful with this command; a DOS directory on an external HP-IB disk drive (for

example, an HP 9133D) is actually a LIF directory with one entry (for example,
VOLUME000) and can be removed with this utility only by specifying the /F option.

3-16

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF INIT

LIF INIT

The command LIF INIT optionally formats and initializes a new directory on a LIF disk.

Syntax

LIF INIT <d>:[name] [/U] [/F] [/O:<opt>] [/I:<intrlv>] [/W]

Options

<d>: Drive specifier (702:, A:).

[name] Optional new LIF directory name (up to 6 characters).

/U Show usage information for this command.

/F Format disk before initializing directory. This operation may take a few minutes to

complete. This operation may not be necessary if the disk is already formatted.
Disks can only be formatted on external HP-IB disk drives.

/O:<opt> Format option. This integer number specifies the disk sector size and other disk

drive dependent information. Refer to your disk drive owner’s manual for possible
values and their specific meaning. (If you have an HP 9122 or HP 9127, see the
formatting options on the following pages.) If not specified, then a format option of
0isused. Theformatoptionisonlyusedifformatdisk(/F)isspecified.

/I:<intrlv> Sector interleave factor. A value of 1 is the default. The interleave factor is only

used if format disk (/F) is specified.

/W Wait for keyboard prompt before and after performing operation. This is useful for

a PC with only two disk drives; you can swap out the disk with the LIF.EXE
program to insert a LIF or DOS disk.

Caution Do not eject disk while formatting.

3-17

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIF INIT

Example

Format a disk in an external drive:

LIF INIT 702:MIKE /F

Formatasingle-sideddiskonanHP9122D:

LIF INIT 702:HALL /F /O:4 /I:2

Discussion

The [name] specified (in this case ‘’HALL’’) is the new LIF directory’s volume name and is
automatically translated to contain a valid LIF volume name as follows:

• Shifts lower to upper case.

• Allows ‘’_’’, ‘’.’’, and digits (0-9).

• Translates all other characters to the letter ‘’X’’.

• If the first character is not a letter, then the volume name will be preceded by the letter ‘’X’’.

• LIF INIT truncates file names to 6 characters. If no name is specified, then the LIF volume name

will be blank.

Disks can only be formatted on external HP-IB disk drives (i.e., not on internal flexible disk drives).

Note Any LIF disk used with the HP 3563A/62A must have a non-empty LIF Volume name.

This means that if you are formatting a disk on the PC with LIF INIT, always specify
the ‘’Optional new LIF directory name.’’

3-18

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIF INIT

HP 9122D Formatting Options

If you have an HP 9122D and wish to use it to format and initialize disks with the LIF program, make
sure you use the following format options.

Format

Option

0,1
2
3
4

Bytes/

Sector

256
512

1024

256

Double-or

Single-sided

Formatting

Double-sided 630K
Double-sided 710K
Double-sided 788K
Single-sided 270K

Kbytes of

Storage

HP 9127A Formatting Options

If you have an HP 9127A and wish to use it to format and initialize disks with the LIF program, make
sure you use the following format options.

Format

Option

0,1
3

Do not use format options 2, 4, 5, or 6.
This will create a DOS format disk which is incompatible with LIF.

Bytes/

Sector

256

1024

Double-or

Single-sided

Formatting

Double-sided
Double-sided

Kbytes of

Storage

270K
378K

Caution The HP 3562A and HP 3563A only support a sector size of 256 Bytes.

3-19

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIFDIAG

LIFDIAG

LIFDIAG contains diagnostic functions useful for recovering data from damaged/corrupted disks and to
perform fast full LIF to LIF disk backups.

The menu line for LIFDIAG contains a menu name followed by a set of command words on the top line
on the display. Each command has one letter in red on a color display (bright white on monochrome
display) indicating the hot key for that command. Pressing the hot key causes the command to be
executed. The currently selected command is in inverse video on a color display (in bright white on
monochrome display). As an alternative to using the hot key to execute a command, the currently
selected command may be moved by pressing the left or right arrow keys and executed by pressing the
[

LIFDIAG Menu:

]key.

Enter

LIFDiag: Edit Backup Help Quit

Hot Keys: EB H Q

Edit Edit logical sectors on a LIF disk, including read sectors (with display in

hex/ASCII), write sectors (even to other disk addresses), modify sector contents (in
hex, decimal, or ASCII), and find data pattern on disk (specify in hex, decimal, or
ASCII). Any number can be specified in hex by prefacing the number with ‘’0x’’.
Pressing this key will prompt you to enter the disk path of the LIF disk to edit. If an
error results in specifying the disk path (e.g. no disk), then the edit menu will not
allow the disk to be edited. Press ‘’Quit’’ and try ‘’Edit’’ again. The size &
characteristics of the disk are displayed if no errors are detected.

For a full description of edit functions, see ‘’EDIT Menu.’’

Backup Full disk backup between specified source and destination disk (can be the same

disk). Either the entire disk may be copied, or just the contiguous file area
contained by the LIF files. For damaged disks, there is an option to skip bad sectors
that are read/written (they are zeroed out on the destination disk). Any errors are
displayed in a special ERRORS window. For a full description of Backup
functions, see ‘’BACKUP Menu.’’

Help Display command summary on the display.

Quit Quit LIFDIAG. Pressing this key will ask for confirmation. Press ‘’Yes’’ to exit

the program.

3-20

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIFDIAG

EDIT Menu:

Edit: Read Next Prev Find Modify Write Log Help Quit

Hot Keys: RNPFMWOHQ

Read Read/display the logical sector specified. Logical sectors are always 256 bytes even

though physical sectors may be 256, 512 or 1024 bytes long. For example, if the
disk has 1024 byte physical sectors, then physical sector 0 is contained in logical
sectors 0 through 3. The sector is displayed in hexadecimal (on left side of display)
and in printable ASCII (on right side of display).

Next Read/display the next logical sector (current sector + 1).

Prev Read/display the previous logical sector (current sector - 1).

Find Find the specified data pattern between the specified start and stop sectors on the

disk. The data pattern may be specified as a string of up to 70 ASCII characters
(case sensitive) or up to 35 comma or space separated numbers representing
individual bytes. Each number may be specified in decimal or hexadecimal
(prefaced with ‘’0x’’). This operation can be aborted by pressing the ‘’Esc’’ key.

Modify Modify the currently displayed sector. The offset from the start of the sector is

specified as are the new values to place in the sector. The values may be ASCII
characters or comma/space separated numbers (bytes).

Note The sector is not modified on the disk until a Write command is performed.

Write Write the currently displayed sector to the disk, either at the same sector or a

different sector on the disk. The logical sector address may be specified in decimal
or hexadecimal (prefaced with ‘’0x’’). The default sector number is the last sector
that was read.

3-21

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
LIFDIAG

Log Specifies a log file where the displayed hex/ASCII sector contents will be appended

to. For example, ‘’prn’’ specifies the printer.

Help Display command summary on the display.

Quit Quit editing this disk.

Caution Always select ‘’Quit’’ and ‘’Edit’’ again before editing a new disk. The

size & characteristics of the disk are only determined when the disk is initially edited.

3-22

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

LIFDIAG

BACKUP Menu:

Backup: Go Source Dest Length Errors Log Help Quit

Hot Keys: GS DLEOHQ

Go Start the backup. If the source and destination disks are the same, then you will be

prompted to swap source/dest disks. During the backup, the PROGRESS window
shows how much of the backup operation has been completed. A backup may be
aborted at any time by pressing the ‘’ESC’’ key.

Source Specify the external (e.g. 102:) or internal (e.g. b:) source LIF disk. The source

disk should be write protected to prevent accidental erasure of data in the event that
the disk is placed in the wrong drive.

Dest Specify the external (e.g. 102:) or internal (e.g. b:) destination LIF disk. The

destination disk must be writeable and already formatted. The destination disk must
be large enough to contain the contents of the source disk. A warning will be
displayed if the destination is too small for full disk copy.

Length Specify whether the entire source disk (Full disk) will be copied or only the area of

the disk containing up to the last LIF file. Full disk should be specified if the
LIF directory has been damaged.

Errors Specify whether a read/write error will cause the backup to Stop or whether the

error is Ignored (the sector is cleared on the destination disk). Any errors are
displayed in the ERRORS window.

Log Specifies a log file where the same errors that are shown in the ERRORS window

will be appended to. For example, ‘’prn’’ specifies the printer. Note: the log file
must be specified before starting the backup.

Help Display command summary on the display.

Quit Quit backup function.

3-23

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
Error Messages

Error Messages

Cannot format
internal disk

The internal disks on the PC cannot be formatted by LIF INIT. Use an
HP-IB disk drive to format your disks, if available, or format your disks
on another machine.

Disk access
(Check media)

Access errors can occur on media that is possibly corrupted.
Immediately, try to copy all files off the disk, or just dispose of the disk
and use a backup disk. The disk may be salvageable (not the data) if it is
re-formatted.

Disk fault (Check
disk drive)

Fault errors indicate disk drive hardware failures. Try running your disk
drive diagnostics to trace the problem, or just cycle power on the disk
drive (a hard reset).

Disk has no media No disk is in the disk drive being accessed. It is possible that the wrong

disk address is being specified by the user. Double check the drive
specifier you are using. A common mistake when using the HP 9122
disk drive is incorrectly specifying the disk unit (unit 0 is left drive, unit
1 is right drive).

Disk is not SS/80 Older HP-IB disk drives (Amigo Command Set) can not be used with the

LIF program. These disks include the HP 9121, HP 9133 (V, X, or XV),
HP 82901, or HP 9895. Try using a newer disk drive such as HP 9122,
HP 9133 (D, H, or L), or HP 9127A.

Disk is write
protected

The target disk for a LIF CP, LIF RM, or LIF INIT is write protected.
Check the disk to make sure you really want to modify it, and remove
the write protect mechanism on the disk.

Disk lost power During a LIF utility operation, the disk drive either lost power or the disk

was ejected and replaced. This could corrupt data on your disk if a disk
was swapped during a LIF CP operation. Do not eject disks during any
LIF utility operation.

Disk media is unformatted The disk may actually be a DOS disk. Try using the DOS command

‘’dir’’ to check whether this disk is in DOS format. If not, then format
the disk (LIF INIT /F) before using it.

Disk reject (Check connections) Reject errors generally indicate a failure in trying to communicate with

an external disk drive. Check the HP-IB cables to make sure they are
secure. Also, try disconnecting any other HP-IB devices which may be
interfering (e.g., same HP-IB address) with communication to the disk
drive. It is also possible for this error to occur if the LIF directory is
corrupt.

3-24

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)

Error Messages

Disk timeout The external disk drive did not respond in the time allowed. This can

occur if no disk drive is at the specified address, the disk is not
connected properly, the disk drive is not turned on, or another device on
the HP-IB is interfering with communication.

DOS directory The external disk drive contains a DOS directory (it actually is a valid

LIF directory which contains one file, which is the DOS directory). Be
very careful with this directory. If you delete the directory file (via
LIF RM) or reinitialize the disk (via LIF INIT), then your DOS directory
is lost. You can actually remove this directory by specifying the /F
optiontoLIFRM.

File already exists The LIF CP utility generates this error if the target file already exists on

the LIF disk. Use ‘’LIF RM’’ to remove the existing file from a
LIF disk or ‘’del’’ to remove the existing file from a DOS disk.

File not found The source file was not found by LIF RM or LIF CP. Check the spelling

of the file name. Remember that LIF file names are only 10 characters
long. File names are automatically translated to valid LIF names. If the
file name desired is not a valid LIF name, then use the /N option to
suppress the name translations.

LIF file system
is full

Either the directory area or the data area of the disk is full. Either
remove some files from the target disk, or use another disk which has
room.

LIF internal error This error indicates a possible problem with the PC’s memory.

Neither file is in a LIF file system This error is generated by LIF CP if neither the source nor the

destination file is in a LIF file system. Check your path names.
Remember that only internal floppies and external disk drives may be
LIFfilesystems.

No disk drive No disk drive was found at the specified unit, but there is a disk drive at

the specified address. The disk unit specifier was probably specified
incorrectly.

Not a valid drive specifier The drive specifier was incorrect. Run LIF SCAN to find all valid

LIF disk drive specifiers.

Not a valid HP-IB
card address

Not a valid LIF directory The disk does not contain a valid LIF directory, but it does contain a

There is no HP HP-IB or National Instrument GPIB-PCII card at the
specified address. Run LIF SCAN to verify the HP-IB card address.

valid LIF volume header. Check your disk, it is probably corrupt.

3-25

File System Conversion (LIF/DOS)
Error Messages

Not a valid LIF
file system

Notavalid
format option

The disk does not contain a valid LIF volume header. Check your disk,
it is either a DOS disk, or the disk is corrupt.

The format option specified on the LIF INIT command is not valid for
this disk drive. For example, only the format options 0 through 4 are
valid on an HP 9122 disk drive. Refer to your disk drive operator’s
manual for allowable format options. For HP 9122 or HP 9127 format
options, see command LIF INIT.

Not a valid interleave The interleave value specified on the LIF INIT command is not valid for

this disk drive. The allowable values for interleave are 0 through X-1
where X is the number of usable sectors per track. For example, an
HP 9122 with 256 byte sectors has 16 sectors per track, so an interleave
of 0 through 15 is valid.

Out Of Memory Not enough memory to read the disk directory or to contain the file

system control structures. Free up some memory.

Sector size not supported Sector size of 512 bytes for a 5 1/4" drive is not usable because it can

only be formatted (on a HP 9127A) as DOS format (not LIF ). If it is a

3.5" disk, the disk was not formatted with an HP-IB disk drive (HP 9121
or HP 9122 compatible) or the disk is corrupt.

Unknown Option ‘X’ This error may be generated by all the commands. Check your options.

Typing the command with /U will list the valid options. Options are not
case sensitive or order dependant.

3-26

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

Introduction

The Standard Data Format Utilities are programs that translate data files from the HP 35665A,
HP 3560A, HP 3563A, HP 3562A, HP 3566A, HP 3567A, HP 3588A, or HP 3589A analyzers to
Standard Data Format or formats compatible with ASCII, Data Set 58, PC-MATLAB, and MATRIXx.

Conversions from Standard Data Format to STARModal and STARAcoustics formats are available from
Structural Measurement Systems.

With the Standard Data Format utilities you can share data between the supported HP DSA analyzers
using these general steps:

1. Make a measurement with one of the supported HP DSA analyzers.

4

2. Save the measurement data.

3. Convert the data using the appropriate conversion utility.

4. Recall the data into another analyzer.

5. Do further analysis on the data, or compare it to other data.

For example, you can make a frequency response measurement with an HP 3560A, transfer the
data to your PC, convert it to SDF format, then recall it into an HP 35665A for curve fitting
(see figure 1-2).

Or you can compare old data from an HP 3562A to new data from an HP 35665A (see figure 1-3).

PC-MATLAB (a trademark of The MathWorks, Inc.) and MATRIXx (a product of Integrated Systems
Inc.) are PC-based software packages for scientific and engineering numeric computation. HP SDF data
files may be ported to either of these packages using the Conversion Utilities. See appendix A for
examples of how to load SDF data into these application packages.

4-1

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

The utilities are as follows:

60TOSDF Convert an HP 3560A data file to an SDF data file.

63TCSDF Convert the data portion of a binary capture/throughput file from the HP 3563A (or

HP 3562A) to SDF time capture format.

63TOSDF Convert an HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) data file to an SDF data file.

660TOSDF Convert an HP 35660A data file to an SDF data file.

69TOSDF Convert an HP 3569A data file to an SDF data file.

88TOSDF Convert an HP 3588A data file to an SDF data file.

89TOSDF Convert an HP 3589A data file to an SDF data file.

ASCTOSDF Convert an ASCII data file to an SDF data file.

BINTOX32 Convert data from the HP 3569A source binary file and put the results in the

destination Intel Hex-32 data file.

DFDATA63 Convert the data portion of a binary capture/throughput file from the HP 3563A (or

HP 3562A) to either an ASCII file, a PC-MATLAB MAT-file, or a MATRIXx file.

DFHDR63 Convert the header portion of a binary capture/throughput file from the HP 3563A

(or HP 3562A) to an ASCII file.

DOWNLOAD Transfer data from an HP 3560A over the personal computer’s RS-232 port and

place it in an output file.

HEADER63 Convert the data header portion of a binary data file from the HP 3563A (or

HP 3562A) to an ASCII form.

HPIB63 Transfer data from an HP 3562A (or HP 3563A) over the personal computer’s

HP-IB and place it in an output file.

REPEAT Repeatedly calls the specified program.

SDFEDIT Edit any selected SDF header fields of an SDF file.

SDFPRINT Print, in ASCII form, all or selected portions of an SDF file.

SDFTEXT Edit/print the comment text of an SDF file.

SDFTO58 Convert data from the SDF format to Data Set 58.

4-2

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

SDFTO63 Convert a single measurement result from an SDF data file to an HP 3563A (or

HP 3562A) data file.

SDFTOASC Convert an SDF data file to an ASCII data file.

SDFTOBIN Convert an SDF data file to a raw binary data file.

SDFTOML Convert data from the SDF format to the format used in PC-MATLAB.

SDFTOMX Convert data from the SDF format to the format used in MATRIXx.

SDFTOSDF Extract a subset of results from an SDF file and create another SDF file. This is not

necessary for all analyzers. Because of differences in the way analyzers store data,
you may need to run this program (see chapter 2). Sharing data between analyzers
may require you to convert the number of lines of resolution to a different number
of lines. You may also need to change the arbitrary spacing (from a swept sine
measurement) to log or linear spacing (for curve fit or math operations).

SDFYDATA Edit/print any section of Y data of an SDF file.

SETUP63 Convert a binary setup state file from the HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) to an ASCII

form.

SETUP88 Convert a binary setup state file from the HP 3588A to an ASCII form.

SETUP89 Convert a binary setup state file from the HP 3589A to an ASCII form.

SOFTCOPY Transfers data from the HP-IB (IEEE-488) to a file.

SYNTH63 Convert a binary synthesis file from the HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) to an ASCII

file, a PC-MATLAB MAT-file, or a MATRIXx file.

VIEWDATA Displays data graphically on your personal computer. See the chapter in this book

titled ‘’Viewdata’’ for more information.

X32TOBIN Convert an Intel Hex-32 data file to a binary data file. (Intel Hex-32 is the internal

data format for the HP 3560A.)

Note These utilities work only on MS-DOS files. Prior to using them, copy your

HP 3563A/3562A files from LIF to DOS using the LIF utilities (LIF CP) described in
the first part of this documentation.

4-3

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

Hardware and Software Requirements

Use of these utilities requires an IBM PC compatible with the MS-DOS 2.1 operating system
(or greater).

HP 3563A/3562A File Format

When the HP 3563A/3562A saves measurement data or instrument states to an HP-IB disk drive, the files
are saved in a non-standard binary format used by the instrument. Typically, you need to transfer three
pieces of information: your setup state, file header information, and measurement data. A setup state will
be in a single file, while the header information will be attached to a data file. Using these utilities, you
can separate header and data information into two files.

When you look at these files using the LIF utility command

LIFLS/L,you’ll see that the analyzers files

are all type BDAT. The first two letters in the file name indicate the file type:

File type: File name starts with:

Data
Setup State
Synthesis
Curve Fit

(Z domain)
Capture
Throughput

DA

SE
ST

CV

ZF
CS

TS

Online Help

Online Help is available for each conversion utility command. For a description of a particular command
and a list of its options, simply type the command name and /U.

For example, to get help on the command 63TOSDF, type:

63TOSDF /U [

4-4

Enter

]

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

60TOSDF

60TOSDF

Convert data from the HP 3560A source data file and put results in the destination SDF file. The
destination SDF filename is chosen based on the register value that was used in the HP 3560A and is of
the form <register number>.DAT (for example 1.DAT).

Syntax 60TOSDF <sfile> [/U] [/O] [/H] [/A] [/P:<c,p,d>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3560A data file name.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

/H Print headers to the screen.

/A Print headers and data to the screen.

/P:<c,p,d> Set point and direction for a channel (/P:), <c>is the channel number (0 or 1), <p> is

the point number, and <d> is the direction as follows:

0 None 5 Theta
1X 6 Phi
2Y 7 TX
3Z 8 TY
4Radial 9TZ

Example

Transfer an HP 3560A data file (which is in Intel Hex-32 format) to a file (FREQ.X32) on a personal
computer using the RS-232 port. Convert the Intel Hex-32 file to a binary data file (FREQ.BIN) and then
convertthebinaryfiletoanSDFdatafile. Thedatafilenameisthesameastheregisternumberonthe
HP 3560A (for example, 1.DAT).

DOWNLOAD FREQ.X32 /B:19200 /P:2
X32TOBIN FREQ.X32 FREQ.BIN
60TOSDF FREQ.BIN

See also the batch file ‘’60_SDF.BAT’’ in appendix C.

4-5

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
63TCSDF

63TCSDF

Convert the data portion of a binary capture/throughput file from the HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) to SDF
time capture format (16-bit integer data). The binary capture/throughput file contains digital filter data.
The HP 3563A/62A capture files on a LIF file system start with the letters ‘’CS’’. Throughput files start
with ‘’TS’’.

Syntax 63TCSDF <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3563A/62A capture or throughput file name.

<dfile> OutputSDFfilename.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

Example

Copy a capture file (CSCAPTUR) from the HP 3563A LIF formatted disk drive (drive B:) to a file
(CAPTUR.63) on the current hard drive and convert it to SDF format (CAPTUR.TIM):

LIF CP B:CSCAPTUR CAPTUR.63
63TCSDF CAPTUR.63 CAPTUR.TIM

4-6

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

63TOSDF

Convert an HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) data file <sfile> to an SDF data file and outputs to <dfile>.
HP 3563A/62A data files on a LIF file system start with the letters ‘’DA.’’

Syntax 63TOSDF <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3563A/62A data file name.

<dfile> OutputSDFfilename.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

Example

63TOSDF

Copy a data file (DAFREQ) from the HP 3563A LIF formatted disk (drive B:) to a file (FREQ.63) on the
current hard drive and convert it to SDF format (FREQ.DAT):

LIF CP B:DAFREQ FREQ.63
63TOSDF FREQ.63 FREQ.DAT

Discussion

A baseband time record contains 2048 real points, a zoom time record contains 1024 complex points, and
a spectrum contains either 801 real or complex points or 1024 real or complex points.

See also the batch file ‘’63_SDF.BAT’’ in appendix C.

4-7

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
660TOSDF

660TOSDF

Extract data from an HP 35660A data file <sfile> and put results in the SDF data file <dfile>.

Syntax 660TOSDF <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O] [/H] [/A]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 35660A data file name.

<dfile> OutputSDFfilename.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

/H Print headers to the screen.

/A Print headers and data to the screen.

Example

Copy a data file (TRACE1) from the HP 35660A LIF formatted disk (drive B:) to a file (FREQ.660) on
the current hard drive, then convert the file to SDF format (FREQ.DAT):

LIF CP B:TRACE1 FREQ.660

660TOSDF FREQ.660 FREQ.DAT

4-8

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

69TOSDF

69TOSDF

Convert data from the HP 3569A source data file and put results in the destination SDF file. If [dfile] is
not specified, the destination SDF filename is chosen based on the filename that was used in the
HP 3569A and is of the form <filename>.DAT (for example, 1.DAT).

If the input X32 file contains more than 1 HP 3569A trace file (SAVE/RECALL, XFER ALL TRACES),
then each trace will be put in a different file with the same base name as used on the HP 3569A. If [dfile]
is specified, only the first trace in the file is used.

Syntax 69TOSDF <sfile> [dfile] [/U] [/O] [/H] [/A] [/P:c,p,d][/M:<value>][/D:<value>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3569A data file name.

[dfile] OptionaloutputSDFdatafilename.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite [dfile] if it exists.

/H Print headers to the screen.

/A Print headers and data to the screen.

/P:c,p,d Set point and direction for a channel (/P:). <c>is the channel number (0 or 1),

<p> is the point number, and <d> is the direction as follows:

0 None 5 Theta
1X 6 Phi
2Y 7 TX
3Z 8 TY
4Radial 9TZ

/M:<value> Set microphone separation for FFT Intensity data in mm.

/D:<value> Set density for FFT Intensity data in Kg/m

3

4-9

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
69TOSDF

Example

Transfer an HP 3569A data file (which is in Intel Hex-32 format) to a file (FREQ.X32) on a personal
computer using the RS-232 port. Convert the Intel Hex-32 file to a binary data file (FREQ.BIN) and then
convert the binary file to an SDF data file (FREQ.DAT).

DOWNLOAD /B:19200 /P:2 FREQ.X32
X32TOBIN FREQ.X32 FREQ.BIN
69TOSDF FREQ.BIN FREQ.DAT

See also the batch file ‘’69_SDF.BAT’’ in appendix C.

4-10

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

88TOSDF

88TOSDF

Converts an HP 3588A data file <sfile> to an SDF data file and outputs to <dfile>. An HP 3588A setup
state file <hfile> can be optionally specified which will allow more complete parameter conversion into
the SDF data file.

Syntax 88TOSDF <sfile> <dfile> [/O] [/U] [/F <hfile>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3588A data file name.

<dfile> OutputSDFfilename.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it already exists.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/F Read HP 3588A setup state file for additional information.

<hfile> HP 3588A setup state path and file name.

Example

Copy a measurement data and setup state file from the HP 3588A LIF formatted disk and convert it to
SDF format:

LIF CP B:TRACE1 TRACE1.88
LIF CP B:STATE1 STATE1.88
88TOSDF TRACE1.88 TRACE1.DAT /F STATE1.88

4-11

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
88TOSDF

Discussion

When using the /F option, the setup state file <hfile> must contain the analyzer state information that
represents the setup whenever the measurement data <sfile> was saved to disk.

If the /F option is not used in the conversion or the setup state file <hfile> does not reflect the setup
whenever the measurement data <sfile> was saved, the following fields may not be set properly in the
SDF file <dfile>.

Measurement Header Channel Header

videoBandWidth inputImpedance
averageType range
averageNum window.windowType
detection window.windowBandWidth (Resolution

BW)
window.windowCorrMode
window.narrowBandCorr
window.wideBandCorr

When the HP 3588A saves measurement data or instrument states to the floppy drive, the files are saved
in a non-standard binary format used by the instrument. Typically, you need to transfer three pieces of
information:

• Setup state

• File header information

• Measurement data

A setup state is in a single file. The header information is part of a measurement data file. The 88TOSDF
utility lets you combine the setup state and measurement data file into an SDF data file.

Note The LIF utility command LIFLS/Lwill show all HP 3588A files as type BDAT. The

analyzer saves setup state files with the [
data files with the [

SAVE TRACE

] softkey.

SAVE STATE

] softkey. It saves measurement

4-12

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

89TOSDF

89TOSDF

Converts an HP 3589A data file <sfile> to an SDF data file and outputs to <dfile>. An HP 3589A setup
state file <hfile> can be optionally specified which will allow more complete parameter conversion into
the SDF data file.

Syntax 89TOSDF <sfile> <dfile> [/O] [/U] [/F <hfile>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3589A measurement data path and file name.

<dfile> Output SDF path and file name.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it already exists.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/F Read HP 3589A setup state file for additional information.

<hfile> HP 3589A setup state path and file name.

Example

Copy a measurement data and setup state file from the HP 3589A LIF formatted disk and convert it to
SDF format:

LIF CP B:TRACE1 TRACE1.89
LIF CP B:STATE1 STATE1.89
89TOSDF TRACE1.89 TRACE1.DAT /F STATE1.89

4-13

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
89TOSDF

Discussion

When using the /F option, the setup state file <hfile> must contain the analyzer state information that
represents the setup whenever the measurement data <sfile> was saved to disk.

If the /F option is not used in the conversion or the setup state file <hfile> does not reflect the setup
whenever the measurement data <sfile> was saved, the following fields may not be set properly in the
SDF file <dfile>.

Measurement Header Channel Header

videoBandWidth inputImpedance
averageType range
averageNum window.windowType
detection window.windowBandWidth (Resolution

BW)
window.windowCorrMode
window.narrowBandCorr
window.wideBandCorr
gateBegin
gateEnd
userDelay

When the HP 3589A saves measurement data or instrument states to the floppy drive, the files are saved
in a non-standard binary format used by the instrument. Typically, you need to transfer three pieces of
information:

• Setup state

• File header information

• Measurement data

A setup state is in a single file. The header information is part of a measurement data file. The 89TOSDF
utility lets you combine the setup state and measurement data file into an SDF data file.

Note The LIF utility command LIFLS/Lwill show all HP 3589A files as type BDAT. The

analyzer saves setup state files with the [
data files with the [

SAVE TRACE

] softkey.

SAVE STATE

] softkey. It saves measurement

4-14

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

ASCTOSDF

ASCTOSDF

Convert the source file to the destination file and place the result in the destination file. The following
options are only valid when used with the /T (template SDF file) option; /D, /R, /C, /S. The options
described after the /T option are only used if a template SDF file is not specified.

Syntax ASCTOSDF <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O] [/D:<data>] [/R:<row>] [/C:<col>[ [/S:<scan>]

[/T:<sdffile>] [/H:<type>] [/B:<blksize>] [/L:<lines>] [/Z:<ctrFrq>] [/X:<s,d>[,L]]

Options

<sfile> Input ASCII file.

<dfile> Output SDF file.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it already exists.

/D:<data> Select data for the specified SDF_DATA_HDR. The default is 0.

/R:<row> Select data for the specified row. The default is 0.

/C:<col> Select data for the specified column. The default is 0.

/S:<scan> Select data for the specified scan. The default is 0.

/T:<sdffile> Template SDF file. If you already have a file (for example, a frequency response

file) set up, use this option to copy that file and replace the data with the input
ASCII file.

/H:<type> Create default headers, where type is:

Time–timedata(thedefault).
LSpec – linear spectrum
PSpec – power spectrum
FRF – frequency response

4-15

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
ASCTOSDF

/B:<blksize> Block size. Use this when the header type is Time. The default is the number of

points in the file.

/L:<lines> Frequency lines. Use this when the header type is not Time. The default is the

number of lines in the file.

/Z:<ctrFrq> Turn on zoom and set Center Frequency (use w hen header type is TIME)

/X:<s,d>[,L] Generate X data. Start and Delta values are required. The optional [L] signifies

log. Otherwise linear is used.

Example

Convert an ASCII data file to an SDF file using the linear spectrum header and a 2048 block size:

ASCTOSDF TEST.TXT TEXT.DAT /H:LSPEC /L:800

4-16

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

BINTOX32

BINTOX32

Convert data from the HP 3569A source binary file and put the results in the destination Intel Hex-32 data
file.

Syntax BINTOX32 <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O]
Options

<sfile> Input binary file name.

<dfile> Output Hex-32 file name.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

Example

Convert an HP 3569A binary data file (FREQ.BIN) to an Intel Hex-32 file (FREQ.X32):

BINTOX32 FREQ.BIN FREQ.X32

4-17

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
DFDATA63

DFDATA63

Converts the data portion of a binary capture/throughput file (containing digital filter time data) from the
HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) to a PC-MATLAB MAT-file, a MATRIXx file, or an ASCII file. Since
capture/throughput data can be very long, the /B and /P options can be used to select only a portion of the
data in a file. The /C option only needs to be specified for a 2 channel throughput file to select channel 2
as the source of data. HP 3563A/62A capture files on a LIF file system start with the letters ‘’CS’’;
throughput files start with the letters ‘’TS.’’

Syntax DFDATA63 <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O] [/L] [/M] [/R] [/X] [/B:<ofst>] [/P:<len>] [/C:<chan>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3563A/62A capture or throughput file name.

<dfile> Output file name.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrites <dfile> if it exists.

/L Create MATLAB file (a binary file).

/M Create MATRIXx file (an ASCII file).

/R Output MATLAB or MATRIXx file matrices in a row instead of a column.

/X Output X-axis data.

/B:<ofst> Offset from beginning of data (in points) to convert (default 0).

/P:<len> Length of data (in points) to convert (default 20480 points); MATLAB and

MATRIXx files can contain up to 32767 points.

/C:<chan> Channel of data to convert (default channel 1 if there are 2 channels of data).

If neither /L nor /M option is specified, then an ASCII file is created.

4-18

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

DFDATA63

Example 1

Convert up to 4096 points of your file (GLITCH) to a PC-MATLAB file (GLITCH.MAT); includes
X-axis data points. Note the PC-MATLAB searches for a file with the suffix ‘’.MAT’’ if no suffix is
specified. See appendix for more information on loading a file into PC-MATLAB.

DFDATA63 GLITCH C:GLITCH.MAT /L /X /P:4096

Example 2

Output channel 2 data (THRUPUT) to an ASCII file (THRUPT.ASC) after skipping the first 20480
points of the data file:

DFDATA63 THRUPUT THRUPT.ASC /B:20480 /C:2

Discussion

Each capture/throughput record contains 2048 real points (baseband) or 1024 complex points (zoom). A
capture file contains up to 10 records of time data, whereas a throughput file contains up to 32767
records. Since capture/throughput data can be very long, the /B and /P options can be used to select only
a portion of the data in a file. The /C option only needs to be specified for a 2 channel throughput file to
select channel 2 as the source of data.

An ASCII file contains one line for each data point (up to 3 fields separated by commas). If the /X option
is specified, the first field is the X-axis data value. The next field is the real part of the Y data point. If
the data is complex, then the last field is the imaginary part of the Y data point.

Both the PC-MATLAB and MATRIXx files contain the following matrix variables:

Trace X Vector of X values (only if /X is specified).

Start X Starting X value (only if /X is not specified).

IncrX Linear X increment between points (only if /X is not specified).

LogX Log X increment between points (only if /X is not specified). This value is always

1.0.

TraceData Vector of Y values (may be complex).

If the /X option is not specified, the StartX and IncrX variables can be used to calculate the X data as
follows:

X = (Xlast + IncrX)

where Xlast is the previous point’s X and the first X is StartX.

4-19

Sharing Data Between Analyzers
DFHDR63

DFHDR63

Converts the header portion of a binary capture/throughput file <sfile> (containing digital filter data) from
the HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) to an ASCII form <dfile>. Refer to the HP 3563A or HP 3562A
Programming Manual for descriptions of the individual fields in the capture/throughput file.
HP 3563A/62A capture files on a LIF file system start with the letters ‘’CS’’; throughput files start with
the letters ‘’TS.’’

Syntax DFHDR63 <sfile> [dfile] [/U] [/O] [/L:<flag>] [/E:<flag>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3563A/62A capture or throughput file name.

[dfile] Output file name.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrites [dfile] if it exists.

/L:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, put labels on each line. The name of each field will be the

first 25 characters of each line (approximately as they appear in the HP 3563A or
HP 3562A Programming Manual). The default is on.

/E:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, expand enumerated types to ASCII names (approximately as

they appear in the HP 3563A or HP 3562A Programming Manual). The default is
on.

4-20

Sharing Data Between Analyzers

DFHDR63

Example

After copying the capture/throughput file to your PC,using the LIF CP command (LIF CP 702:CSGLITCH

GLITCH

The file GLITCH.ASC will include a list such as the following.

), type:

DFHDR63 GLITCH GLITCH.ASC

Complex_data)_flag False
Bytes_per_point 2
Points_per_record 2048
Channel_type. Channel_1
Bandwidth_units Hertz
X_units Hertz
Delay_channel Channel_2
Delay_count 0
Partial_record 0
Interleave 0
#_of_realtime_records 10
Sectors_per_track 0
Skip_track_[1] 0

Discussion

The destination file contains one line for each field in the capture/throughput header. Refer to the
HP 3563A or HP 3562A Programming Manual for descriptions of the individual fields in the data file.
All integers, reals, and long reals will be converted to ASCII, strings will be surrounded by double quotes
(“), and enumerated types will be converted to ASCII integers (if /E:0 is specified).

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DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD

Transfer data over the personal computer’s RS-232 port and place it in the destination file.

Syntax DOWNLOAD <dfile> [/U] [/O] [/B:<baud>] [/P:<port>]
Options

<dfile> Output file name.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

/B:<baud> Select the baud rate for the communications port. Valid baud rates are 110, 150,

300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, or 19200. The default value is 9600.

/P:<port> Select the communications port number. Valid port numbers are 1 – 4. The default

value is 1.

Example

Transfer a data file to a file (FREQ.X32) on a personal computer, using the RS-232 port (port 2).

DOWNLOAD FREQ.X32/B:19200 /P:2

See also the batch files ‘’60_SDF.BAT’’ and ‘’69_SDF.BAT’’ in appendix C.

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers

HEADER63

HEADER63

Converts the data header portion of a binary data file <sfile> from the HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) to an
ASCII form [dfile]. Refer to the HP 3563A or HP 3562A Programming Manual for descriptions of the
individual fields in the data file. HP 3563A and HP 3562A data files on a LIF file system start with the
letters ‘’DA.’’

Syntax HEADER63 <sfile> [dfile] [/U] [/O] [/L:<flag>] [/E:<flag>]
Options

<sfile> Input HP 3563A/62A data file name.

[dfile] Optional output SDF file name. If no file name is specified, output to display.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/L:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, put labels on each line. The name of each field will be the

first 25 characters of each line (approximately as they appear in the HP 3563A or
HP 3562A Programming Manual). The default is on.

/E:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, expand enumerated types to ASCII names (approximately as

they appear in the HP 3563A or HP 3562A Programming Manual). The default is
on.

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HEADER63

Example

After copying the data file to your PC, using the LIF CP command (LIF CP 702:DAFREQ FREQ1), type:

HEADER63 FREQ1 FREQ1.ASC /L:0

The file FREQ1.ASC will include a list, such as the following.

Power_spectrum_1
801
801
1
Channel_1
No_channel
87
Freq uency
RMS
Volts_squared
Hertz
“AUTO MATH”
“”
“”
“”
True
Fa lse

Discussion

The destination file contains one line for each field in the data header. Refer to the HP 3563A or
HP 3562A Programming Manual for description of the individual fields in the data file.

• All integers, reals, and long reals will be converted to ASCII.

• Strings will be surrounded by double quotes (“).

• Enumerated types will be converted to ASCII integers (if /E:0 is specified).

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers

HPIB63

HPIB63

Transfer the active trace data from an HP 3562A/63A over the personal computer’s HP-IB and place it in
the destination file. Use 63TOSDF.EXE to convert the file to SDF. If /A is not specified, then HP-IB
will be scanned for the first instrument that is an HP 3562A or HP 3563A.

Syntax HPIB63 <dfile> [/U] [/O] [/I] [/A:<hpibAdr>]
Options

<dfile> Destination HP 3562A/63A file name

/U Show this usage.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

/I Show information on all instruments connected to HP-IB.

/A:<hpibAdr> Specify the HP-IB address of the instrument.

Example

Transfer the active trace to a file (FREQ.63) on a personal computer (let HPIB63 find the instrument) and
convert it to ASCII.

HPIB63 FREQ.63
63TOSDF FREQ.63 FREQ.DAT
SDFTOASC FREQ.DAT

See also the batch files ‘’IB63_ML.BAT’’, ‘’IB63_MX.BAT’’, ‘’IB63_PLT.BAT’’, and
‘’IB63_SDF.BAT’’ in appendix C.

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REPEAT

REPEAT

Repeatedly calls the specified program, varying the file name (with wild cards) and the destination file
name, or all the results/rows/columns/scans in the specified file(s).

Syntax REPEAT [/U] [/I] [/E] [/A] [<program>] [/D:*] [/R:*] [/C:*] [/S:*] <sfile> [(dfile)]
Options

<program> Program to REPEAT.

/U Show this usage.

/I Ignore errors.

/E Echo commands before executing program.

/A Append to destination path.

/D:* Repeat for all data results.

/R:* Repeat for all rows in the specified data result(s).

/C:* Repeat for all columns in t he specified data result(s).

/S:* Repeat for all scans in the specified data result(s).

<sfile> Source path and file name for SDF file. Repeat for all file(s ) by specifying wild

card file name.

[(dfile)] Destination path and file name. It may contain wild card (e.g. *.asc) to match the

base name in the <sfile> or pound sign (e.g. #.asc) for sequencing the file name
(e.g. 0.asc, 1.asc, etc.) and must have an open/close parentheses. The destination
file may be included in an option (e.g. /P: (*.plt) for viewdata).

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REPEAT

Example

To convert all the scans in MAP.DAT to ASCII and put each scan in a different file (e.g. 0.asc,

1.asc, etc.):

REPEAT SDFTOASC /S:* MAP.DAT (#.ASC)

Same as above, but append all ASCII data to one file (e.g. map.asc):

REPEAT /A SDFTOASC /S:* MAP.DAT (MAP.ASC)

Plot all results/rows/scans in all *.dat files and put all plotted results for each file in a plot file with the
same base name as the data file (e.g. *.plt):

REPEAT /A VIEWDATA /D:* /R:* /S:* *.DAT /P:(*.PLT)

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SDFEDIT

SDFEDIT

Edit (change) header fields in an SDF file. Fields are not case sensitive and may be abbreviated. Multiple
fields and Multiple SDF header types may be specified. If no field is specified, then all fields in the
header are displayed.

Syntax SDFEDIT <file> [/U] [/I] [/F] [/M] [/D:<data>] [/V:<vect>] [/C:<chan>] [/S] [/T:<com-

ment>] [/B:<bigScan>] [/N:<scanVar>] [/Q:<unique>] <field>=<value> ...

Options

<file> SDFfiletoedit.

/U Show this usage.

/I Information only on <file> ( i.e. measurement results available).

/F Edit SDF_FILE_HDR.

/M Edit SDF_MEAS_HDR.

/D:<data> Edit specified SDF_DATA_HDR.

/V:<vect> Edit specified SDF_VECTOR_HDR.

/C:<chan> Edit specified SDF_CHANNEL_HDR.

/S Edit SDF_SCAN_HDR.

T:<comment> Edit specified SDF_COMMENT_HDR

B:<bigScan> Edit specifiedSDF_SCAN_BIG (default 0)

N:<scanVar> Edit specified SDF_SCAN_VAR (default 1)

Q:<unique> Edit specified SDF_HDR (Unique)

<field>=<value> Field to change with the specified value. An Enumerated Integer may be specified

by its integer value or name.

<field> Display current value of field.

<field>= Display type of field. For an Enumerated Integer, this also shows the names

associated with the integer values.

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Example

To change the point and/or direction on an already existing SDF file, see the following SDFEDIT
example:

To change the point number for channel 0 in the file test.dat to point 52 type:

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 point=52

To see the current point number type:

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 point

To see the choices for direction for channel 0 type:

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 direction=

or

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 dir=

You can abbreviate field names. To set the direction to ‘TX__DIRECTION’

SDFEDIT

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 direction=TX_DIRECTION

or

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 dir=tx

or

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 dir=7

To see all the field names (and current values) in the channel header type:

sdfedit test.dat /c:0

You can set multiple fields at the same time. To set the point to 5 and the direction to Z_DIRECTION
type:

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 POINT=5 DIRECTION=Z_DIRECTION

or

sdfedit test.dat /c:0 poi=5 dir=z

This example also shows that the field names and the selection names are NOT case sensitive. You can
change fields in more than one header at the same time. To set the point to 2 in the
SDF_CHANNEL_HDR and the measTitle to ‘’this title’’, type:

sdfedit test.dat /m meastitle="this title" /c:0 poi=2

This example also shows that setting a field value that includes blanks requires you to put quotes around
the field value.

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SDFPRINT

SDFPRINT

Converts the contents of the input SDF file <sfile> to ASCII and prints all or portions of it. Either the
SDF record headers (default) and/or the data associated with the SDF_SCAN_HDR, XDATA, YDATA,
and comment records may be printed.

Syntax SDFPRINT <sfile> [dfile] [/U] [/O] [/I] [/V] [/H] [/T:<type>] [/A] [N:<#perLine>]

[/D:<data>] [/S:<scan>] [/R:<row>] [/C:<col>] [/P:<flag>] [/E:<flag>] [/W:<flag>]

Options

<sfile> Input file name for SDF file.

[dfile] Optional output file name for ASCII information (default is the display).

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrites [dfile] if it exists.

/I Show information only on <sfile>, including data result number, result name, the

number of rows, columns, scans available, the number of data points, whether the
data is real or complex, and type of X spacing between data points.

/V Validate SDF file (does consistency check).

/H Print just the SDF record headers (default).

/T:<type> Print data for SDF SCAN (/T:S), X (/T:X), Y (/T:Y) data, unique records ( /T:U), or

comment records (/T:C). If /T is specified, all data is printed.

/A Print both headers and data.

/N:<#perLine> Numbers of data for each printed line. The default is 1.

/D:<data> Print data only for the specified data result (see figure 2-1). If not specified, then all

results in <sfile> will be selected.

/S:<scan> Print data only for the specified scan (see figure 2-3). If not specified, then all scans

in <sfile> will be selected.

/R:<row> Print data only for the specified row (see figure 2-2). If not specified, then all rows

in <sfile> will be selected.

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SDFPRINT

/C:<col> Print data only for the specified column. If not specified, then all columns in

<sfile> will be selected.

/P:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, print SDF record titles (default on).

/E:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, expand enums to labels (default on).

/W:<flag> If <flag> is non-zero, scale the data for the window and engineering units. (default

on).

Example

To find out what results are available in an SDF measurement results file from HP 3566A/67A (swept
sine measurement):

SDFTO63 /I SINEARB.DAT

This will produce a list on the display such as the following.

Data Name Rows Cols Scans Points Complex Space

0 Freq Response 103 Arb
1 Nrml Variance 2 103 Arb
2 Input Power Ch1 103 Arb
3 Output Power Ch2 103 Arb
4 Cross Power 103 Arb

This example shows 5 data results (0 thru 4) are available with 103 arbitrarily spaced points (indicative of
swept sine data, see figure 2-1).

The ‘’Rows’’ field (if present) is usually associated with the number of channels of data available for
single channel results (see figure 2-2). For example, 2 channels of ‘’Normalized Variance’’ measurement
results are present.

At this time, the ‘’Columns’’ field is not used (there is always only 1 column of data) by any instrument
using SDF as a data format.

The ‘’Scans’’ field indicates that the data contains Waterfall results from HP 3566A/67
(see figure 2-3).

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SDFPRINT

To print all the headers to this SDF file type:

SDFPRINT SINEARB.DAT

To print only the data for ‘’Normalized Variance’’ channel 2 (row 0 is channel 1, row 1 is
channel 2) type:

SDFPRINT SINEARB.DAT /D:1 /R:1

To now print this data in pure ASCII with no record headers:

SDFPRINT SINEARB.DAT /D:1 /R:1 /P:0

Discussion

The HP 3566A/67A generally puts all results from a measurement in a single file (see
example above).

The following types of records are present in an SDF file:

Name

SDF_FILE_HDR Provides an index to the file.

SDF_MEAS_HDR Contains settings of measurement parameters.

SDF_DATA_HDR Information on one type of measurement result (X/Y info). One

Description

measurement result can contain many rows (e.g. channels) of data
results.

SDF_VECTOR_HDR Information on which channels were used for each data result. There is

one SDF_VECTOR_HDR for each row (& column) of data in a
measurement result. Each SDF_VECTOR_HDR may reference up to 2
channels.

SDF_CHANNEL_HDR Contains channel-specific information for one channel used in a

measurement.

UNIQUE record Contains instrument-specific information.

SDF_SCAN_STRUCT Tells you how vectors are organized in the Y-axis Data record when the

measurement includes multiple scans of data.

SDF_SCAN_BIG Tells you how vectors are organized in the Y-axis Data record when the

measurement includes a large number of scans of data.

SDF_SCAN_VAR Information about each scan. This is for measurements that include

multiple scans of data.

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SDFPRINT

SDF_COMMENT_HDR Contains comments about the data.

XDATA Contains the X-axis data needed to reconstruct a trace. This can be used

by Swept Sine or Order Analysis measurements.

YDATA Contains the Y-axis data needed to reconstruct any trace.

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SDFTEXT

SDFTEXT

Modify/print SDF file <sfile> comment text data. If [cfile] is specified then the comment in the SDF file
is modified, otherwise the comment is printed. If the /A option is not specified, then the previous
comment in the file is replaced with [cfile]. If there is not enough space in the specified comment for the
text, then the text will be truncated.

If no space was allocated for the comment area by the instrument us SDFTOSDF with the /M option to
create a comment area in the SDF file.

Syntax SDFTEXT <sfile> [cfile] [/U] [/T:<comment>] [/A]
Options

<sfile> SDF file.

[cfile] Input ASCII comment file.

/U Show this usage.

/T:<comment> Select specified SDF_COMMENT_HDR (default 0).

/A Append text to end of comment in file.

Example

SAMPLE.TXT contains some ASCII text.

SDFTEXT TIME.DAT SAMPLE.TXT /A

This command appends the contents of SAMPLE.TXT to the end of the TIME.DAT SDF file comment
area.

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SDFTO58

SDFTO58

Convert SDF file <sfile> to the Data Set 58 format. The result is placed in an output file [dfile] if
specified; otherwise the result is sent to the screen.

Syntax SDFTO58 <sfile> [dfile] [/U] [/O] [/I] [/A] [/H] [/D:N1[-N2]] [/R:N1[-N2]] [/C:N1[-N2]]

[/S:N1[-N2]]

Options

<sfile> Input SDF file name.

[dfile] Optional output file name for ASCII information. If no file name is specified,

output to display.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite [dfile] if it exists.

/I Show information only on <sfile>, including data result number, result name, the

number of rows, columns, scans available, the number of data points, whether the
data is real or complex, and type of X spacing between data points.

/A Convert all frequency lines (normally the lines likely to be affected by aliasing are

not converted)

/H Do not output header records (allows you to output an array of data only)

/D:N1[-N2] Convert the data at data number N1 (to data number N2). Range; 0 to n–1.

/R:N1[-N2] Convert the data at row N1 (to row N2). Range; 0 to n–1.

/C:N1[-N2] Convert the data at column N1 (to column N2). Range; 0 to n–1.

/S:N1[-N2] Convert the data at scan N1 (to scan N2). Range; 0 to n–1.

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SDFTO63

SDFTO63

Converts a single measurement result from an SDF data file <sfile> to an HP 3563A (or HP 3562A) data
file <dfile>. HP 3563A/62A data files on a LIF system start with the letters ‘’DA.’’

Syntax SDFTO63 <sfile> <dfile> [/U] [/O] [/I] [/D:<data>] [/S:<scan>] [/R:<row>] [/C:<col>]
Options

<sfile> Input SDF file name.

<dfile> Output file name for HP 3563A/62A data file. The file name must begin with DA,

for example DATRACE1, if you plan to use LIF CP on the file.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

/I Show information only on <sfile>, including data result number, result name, the

number of rows, columns, scans available, the number of data points, whether the
data is real or complex, and type of X spacing between data points.

/D:<data> Select data result for the specified SDF_DATA_HDR. If not specified, then the

first result (result 0) in <sfile> will be selected. Use /I to see a list of the result
names and numbers.

/S:<scan> Select data for the specified scan (map line or waterfall step, see figure 2-3). If not

specified, then the first scan (scan 0) in <sfile> will be selected.

/R:<row> Select data for the specified row (see figure 2-2). If not specified, then the first row

(row 0) in <sfile> will be selected.

/C:<col> Select data for the specified column. If not specified, then the first column (column

0) in <sfile> will be selected. At this time, the ‘’Columns’’ field is not used (there
is always only 1 column of data) by any instrument using SDF as a data format.

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SDFTO63

Example 1

To find out what results are available in an SDF measurement results file from HP 3566A/67A swept sine
measurement:

SDFTO63 /I SINEARB.DAT

This will produce a list on the display in the following form:

Data Name Rows Cols Scans Points Complex Space

0 Freq Response 103 Arb
1 Nrml Variance 2 103 Arb
2 Input Power Ch1 103 Arb
3 Output Power Ch2 103 Arb
4 Cross Power 103 Arb

This example shows 5 data results (0 thru 4) are available with 103 arbitrarily spaced points (indicative of
swept sine data, see figure 2-1).

The ‘’Rows’’ field (if present) is usually associated with the number of channels of data available for
single channel results (see figure 2-2). For example, 2 channels of ‘’Normalized Variance’’ measurement
results are present.

At this time, the ‘’Columns’’ field is not used (there is always only 1 column of data) by any instrument
using SDF as a data format.

The ‘’Scans’’ field indicates that the data contains Waterfall results from HP 3566A/67 (see figure 2-3).

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SDFTO63

Example 2

To convert the ‘’Normalized Variance’’ channel 2 (row 0 is channel 1, row 1 is channel 2) to HP 3563A
format, perform the following steps:

1. Convert the file to Linear spaced data (SDFTOSDF).

SDFTOSDF SINEARB.DAT SINELIN.DAT /P (convert to linear spacing)

2. Extract the result with SDFTO63.

SDFTO63 SINELIN.DAT VAR2.63 /D:1 /R:1 (/R:1 is channel 2)

3. Copy the HP 3563A data file to a LIF formatted disk (to be read by HP 3563A):

LIF CP VAR2.63 B:DAVAR2 (HP 3563A data files start w/ ‘’DA’’)

Discussion

Only one result may be converted into HP 3563A data file format. If no options are selected that specify
which data to convert, then the first result is selected. The HP 3563A puts one measurement result in a
data file, whereas the HP 3566A/67A generally puts all results from a measurement in a single file (see
previous example).

SDFTO63 can only convert data that is linear or log spaced with up to 801 lines of resolution, 2048 real
points, or 1024 complex points. To get arbitrary spaced data to the HP 3563A, first convert the SDF data
to evenly spaced data (linear or log) with SDFTOSDF. To get data with more than 2048 real / 1024
complex points to the HP 3563A, use SDFTOSDF to interpolate the SDF data file to fewer number of
points before converting with SDFTO63.

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SDFTOASC

SDFTOASC

Convert an SDF data file to an ASCII data file and place the result in the destination file ( if it is entered).
Otherwise view the result on the screen.

Note All header information is lost when you convert to ASCII format.

SDFTOASC <sfile> [dfile] [/U] [/O] [/I] [/A] [/X] [/T:<c1>,<c2>] [/Y:<units>]
[/M:<dBmRef>] [/G:<dBRef>] [/P:<points>] [/D:<data>] [/R:<row>[-<rowEnd>][,C]]

[/C:<col>] [/S:<scan>[−<scanEnd>][,C]] [/L] [/F:<format>] [/B:<string>]

<sfile>

[dfile] Output ASCII file.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite [dfile] if it already exists.

/I Information only on the <sfile>.

/A All the frequency lines.

/X Include X data in the file.

/T:<c1>,<c2> Y coordinates, <c1> or <c2> may be one of the following:

Input SDF file.

B=dBm, D=dB, S=dB signed, M=Mag, R=Real, I=Imag, P=Phase, U=Unwrap
phase. Default is R, I for complex data, R for real data.

/Y:<units> Y units, one or more of the following:

L=Linear, P=Power, D=Density, R=RMS, A=Radians

/M:<dBmRef> dBm impedance reference. Default is use input impedance from data file if

<1M

Ω (else use 50Ω).

/G:<dBRef> Magnitude value used as a reference for dB type of coordinates. If /G with no

parameter, then default is 20E-6 (dBSPL).

/P:<points> Number of points per line. The default is 1.

/D:<data> Select data for the specified SDF_DATA_HDR. The default is 0.

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SDFTOASC

/R:<row>
[-<rowEnd>]
[,C]

/C:<col> Select data for the specified column. The default is 0.

/S:<scan>
[-<scanEnd>]
[,C]

/L Orient the output data in lines instead of columns.

/F:<format> C printf format string. The default is ‘’%14.6le.’’ This specifies a double (long

Select data for the specified row range. The default is 0. If ‘’C’’ is specified, then
the row data will be arranged as one row per column.

Select data for the specified scan range. The default is 0 (1 scan). If ‘’C’’ is
specified, then the scan data will be arranged as one scan per column.

float) with a width of 14 columns and a precision of 6 in exponential format. Other
formats are:

%lf — regular floating point format
%le — exponential floating point format (also %1E)
%lg — regular or exponential, whichever is shorter (also %1G)

/B:<string> Field separator string. The default is ‘’ ‘’ (space.) Viewdata requires commas

between real and imaginary data.

Example 1

Convert an SDF data file to an ASCII data file:

SDFTOASC TEST.DAT TEST.TXT

Example 2

Convert an SDF data file to an ASCII data file using a comma (‘’,’’) as the field separator:

SDFTOASC TEST.DAT TEST.TXT /B:,

Example 3

Convert a spectrum SDF data file to ASCII (converting the data to Vrms^2 /Hz (PSD)).

SDFTOASC SPEC.DAT SPEC.TXT /Y:PRD

The ‘’P’’ converts the data to V^2 (if not already power data), the ‘’R’’ converts the data to rms,
and the ‘’D’’ converts the data to density units (/Hz).

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SDFTOASC

Example 4

Convert the complex data to dB, phase (instead of the default real, imaginary), and phase is
in radians.

SDFTOASC FRF.DAT FRF.TXT /T:D,P /Y:A

Example 5

Convert a waterfall to a format which a spreadsheet can read in as 1 column per spectrum.

SDFTOASC WFAL.DAT WFAL.TXT /S:0−1000,C

If the ending scan that is selected is too large for the waterfall, then the ending scan is set to the last scan
in the waterfall. If the /L option is specified, then each spectrum is in a row (line) rather than in a column.

Example 6

Convert a sound pressure spectrum to dBSPL.

SDFTOASC NOISE.DAT NOISE.TXT /T:D /Y:R /G:20E−6

The units of the NOISE.DAT file are Pascals, so the /T:D option converts to dB, and the /G:20E−6 option
sets the dB reference to 20 micro-Pascals.

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SDFTOBIN

SDFTOBIN

Convert the source SDF file to the destination binary file. The binary data has the bytes swapped in the
same direction as the rest of the DOS environment.

Syntax SDFTOBIN<sfile><dfile>[/U][/O][/I][/A][/X][/T:<c1>,<c2>][/Y:<units>]

[/M:<dBmRef>] [/G:<dBRef>] [/D:<data>] [/R:<row>] [/C:<col>] [/S[:<scan>[−
<scanEnd>]]] [/F:<format>]

Options

<sfile> Input SDF file.

<dfile> Output binary file.

/U Show this usage.

/O Overwrite <dfile> if it exists.

/I Info only on <sfile> (that is, measurement results available).

/A All frequency lines.

/X Include X data in the file.

/T:<c1>,<c2> Y coordinate, <c1> or <c2> may be one of the following:

B=dBm
D=dB
S=dB signed

M=Mag
R=Real
I=Imag
P=Phase

U=Unwrap phase

Default is R,I for complex data; R for real data.

/Y:<units> Y units, one or more of the following:

L=Linear,

P=Power,
D=Density,
R=RMS,

A=Radians

/M:<dBmRef>] dBm impedance reference. Default is use input impedance from the data file if 1

MOhm (else use 50 Ohm).

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers

SDFTOBIN

/G:<dBRef>] Magnitude value used as a reference for dB type of coordinates. If /G with no

parameter, then default is 20E

/D:<data>] Select data for the specified SDF_DATA_HDR (default is 0).

/R:<row>] Select data for the specified row (default is 0).

/C:<col>] Select data for the specified column (default is 0).

−6 (dBSPL).

/S[:<scan>

[−<scanEnd>]]

/F:<format> Binary format, one of the following:

Select data for the specified scan range (default is 0).

F=32-bit float

D=32-bit float

Example

The file TIME.DAT contains 2048 real time points.

SDFTOBIN TIME.DAT TIME.BIN /F:F

This command creates a binary file TIME.BIN with 2048 floats. Since each float is 4 bytes, the file is
2048 * 4 = 8192 bytes long.

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers
SDFTOML

SDFTOML

Converts data from an SDF format file to the format used in the PC-MATLAB program. The created file
or files have the suffix ‘’.MAT’’ if no destination file is specified.

If the batch file naming convention is used or an output file is specified, then only one measurement result
is translated. The batch file naming convention clears the <sfile> suffix and adds a MAT suffix.

Syntax SDFTOML <sfile> [/U] [/O] [/I] [/A] [/R] [/X] [/Q] [/B] [/D:<data>] [/R:<row>] [/C:<col>]

[/S:<scans>] [/Y:<units>]

Options

<sfile> Input SDF file name.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrites <PC-MATLAB file> if it exists.

/I Show information only on <sfile>, including data result number, result name, the

number of rows, columns, scans available, the number of data points, whether the
data is real or complex, and type of X spacing between data points.

/A Convert all frequency lines (normally the lines likely to be affected by aliasing are

not converted).

/R Output the PC-MATLAB file matrices in a row instead of a column.

/X Output the X-axis data points.

/Q Query for partial conversion.

For information on naming conventions, refer to ‘’Naming Conventions for Matrix Files’’, ‘’Naming
Conventions for Y-axis Variables’’ and ‘’Naming Conventions for X-axis Variables’’ under SDFTOMX.

/B Use batch file naming convention (see appendix C).

/D:<data> Extract data only for the specified data header (default all).

/R:<row> Extract data only for the specified data row (default all rows).

/C:<col> Extract data only for the specified data column (default all columns).

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers

SDFTOML

/S:<scans> Extract data only for the specified data scans (default all scans). For example: /S:0

means scan 0 only, /S:0-4 means scans 0 through 4.

/Y:<units> Y units, one or more of the following:

L=Linear, P=Power, D=Density, R=RMS

See the batch files ‘’60_ML.BAT’’ and ‘’63_ML.BAT’’ in appendix C.

Example

Convert a spectrum SDF data file to PC-Mathlab file. (converting data to Vrms^2/Hz (PsD))

SDFTOML SPEC.DAT /Y:PRD

The ‘’P’’ converts the data to V^2 (if not already power data), the ‘’R’’ converts the data to rms, and the
‘’D’’ converts the data to density units (/Hz).

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers
SDFTOMX

SDFTOMX

Converts data from the SDF format to the format used in the MATRIXx program. The created file or
files have the suffix ‘’.MAT’’ if no destination file is specified.

If the batch file naming convention is used or an output file is specified, then only one measurement result
is translated. The batch file naming convention clears the <sfile> suffix and adds a MAT suffix.

Syntax SDFTOMX<sfile>[dfile][/U][/O][/I][/A][/R][/X][/Q][/B][/D:<data>][/R:<row>]

[/C:<col>] [/S:<scans>] [/Y:<units>]

Options

<sfile> Input SDF file.

[dfile] Optional output MATRIXx file.

/U Show help (usage information) for this program.

/O Overwrite <MATRIXx file> if it exists.

/I Show information only on <sfile>, including data result number, result name, the

number of rows, columns, scans available, the number of data points, whether the
data is real or complex, and type of X spacing between data points.

/A Convert all frequency lines (normally the lines likely to be affected by aliasing are

not converted).

/R Output the MATRIXx file matrices in a row instead of a column.

/X Output the X-axis data points.

/Q Query for partial conversion.

/B Use batch file naming convention (see appendix C).

/D:<data> Extract data only for the specified data header (default all).

/R:<row> Extract data only for the specified data row (default all rows).

/C:<col> Extract data only for the specified data column (default all columns).

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers

SDFTOMX

/S:<scans> Extract data only for the specified data scans (default all scans). For example: /S:0

means scan 0 only, /S:0-4 means scans 0 through 4.

/Y:<units> Y units, one or more of the following:

L=Linear, P=Power, D=Density, R=RMS

See the batch files ‘’60_MX.BAT’’ and ‘’63_MX.BAT’’ in appendix C.

Example

Convert a spectrum SDF data file to a MATRIXx file (converting data to Vrms^2/Hz (PSD)).

SDFTOMX SPEC.DAT /Y:PRD

The ‘’P’’ converts the data to V^2 (if not already power data), the ‘’R’’ converts the data to rms, and the
‘’D’’ converts the data to density units (/Hz).

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Sharing Data Between Analyzers
SDFTOMX

Naming Conventions for Matrix Files

If the destination file is not specified and the /B option is not specified, then the output filenames are
derived from the measurement result names used in the analyzer. The extension .MAT is added. For
example, frequency response data is saved to a file called FREQRESP.MAT. For data which includes
more than one measurement result a separate file is used for each result. For example Histogram data is
saved to HISTOGRA.MAT, PDF.MAT, and CDF.MAT.

If the destination file or the /B option is specified, then the only one result will be converted.

Naming Conventions for Y-axis variables

Within the file, the individual trace data is saved to matrix variables with unique names. The
names are dependent on the channels and the map lines (if there are more than one) that comprise the
trace.

The variable naming format is shown in the following table:

Y-Axis Variable Notes

c<N1>: Where N1 is the channel number for data that is

c<N1>m<N2>: Where N1 is the channel number and N2 is a map

o<N1>i<N2>: Where N1 is the output channel number and N2 is the

o<N1>i<N2>m<N3>: Where N1 is the output channel number, N2 is the

Examples of variable names:

Variable File Notes

c2 INSTTIME.MAT Channel 2 of an Instantaneous Time measurement.

c2m3 POWERSPE.MATThe third map line in channel 2 of a Power

derived from a single channel or 0 in the case of no
channel.

line number in the case of multiple map lines.

input channel number for data that is derived from
two channels.

input channel number, and N3 is a map line number
inthecaseofmultiplemaplines.

Spectrum measurement.

o2i1 FREQRESP.MATOutput channel 2 versus input channel 1 of a

Frequency Response measurement.

These naming conventions were chosen to ensure that each variable name in the file is unique. You can
change the names in MATRIXx or PC-MATLAB if you wish. For example you can create names which
are easier to remember or which more clearly describe the data.

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