User’s Guide
Publication Number 54655-90901
September 1991 (pdf version Dec 1998)
HP 54655A and
HP 54656A Test
Automation Modules
Introduction
The HP 54655A and HP 54656A Test Automation Modules provide
semiautomated, or fully-automated testing capabilities to the
HP 54600A and HP 54601A oscilloscopes. The HP 54655A HP-IB Test
Automation Module is aimed at fully automated testing. The
HP 54656A RS-232 Test Automation Module is better for
semiautomated testing. The main features are:
• Full Programmability.
• Hard copy output.
• 100 nonvolatile sequence steps.
• 40 nonvolatile mask templates.
• 2 nonvolatile trace memories.
• Built-in automatic mask generation and mask editing capabilities.
• Protection of test sequence and mask template setup through
software.
The HP 54656A has the following additional features:
• External input lines for Next, Previous, and Reset control.
• 5 user-definable output lines.
• Recessed protection switch.
2
Accessories supplied with the HP 54655A and HP 54656A
• This User’s Guide.
• The HP 54600A and HP 54601A Oscilloscopes Programmer’s Guide.
Additional accessories supplied with the HP 54656A
• RS-232 adaptor cable, HP 98561-61604.
• One - 2 meter cable with an RJ-45 connector at one end and
stripped, tinned leads at the other end.
Accessories available
• HP 54653A ScopeLink software package.
• HP 10833A 1 meter (3.3 feet) HP-IB cable.
• HP 10833B 2 meters (6.6 feet) HP-IB cable.
• HP 10833C 4 meters (13.2 feet) HP-IB cable.
• HP 10833D 0.5 meter (1.6 feet) HP-IB cable.
• HP 13242G 5 meters (16.7 feet) RS-232 cable for printer/plotter
and HP Vectra 25-pin serial port.
• HP 17255M 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) RS-232 cable for printer/plotter
and HP Vectra 25-pin serial port.
• HP 17255D 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) RS-232 cable for IBM PC/XT
25-pin serial port.
• HP 92219J 5 meters (16.7 feet) RS-232 cable for IBM PC/XT 25-pin
serial port.
• HP 24542G 3 meters (9.9 feet) RS-232 cable for 9-pin serial port.
3
In This Book
This book is the user’s guide for the HP 54655A and HP 54656A Test
Automation Modules. It contains six chapters.
• Chapter 1, "Quick Start," is a quick start guide that gives you a brief
overview of the Test Automation Modules.
• Chapter 2, "Operating the Test Automation Module," is a series of
exercises that guide you through the operation of the Test
Automation Modules.
• Chapter 3, "Solutions," contains in depth information concerning
how to solve particular testing problems when using the Test
Automation Modules.
• Chapter 4, "Test Sequencing Programming," discusses the
additional programming commands that allow you to access the test
sequencing through the communication port.
• Chapter 5, "Reference Information," lists the reference information
concerning the Test Automation Modules.
• Chapter 6, "HP 54653A ScopeLink 2.0 Software," discusses the
HP 54653A ScopeLink 2.0 software which contains new commands
to support the Test Automation Modules.
4
Contents
1 Quick Start
To install the Test Automation Module 11
To set up the Test Automation Module 12
To use the Test Automation Module 14
2 Operating the Test Automation Module
To configure the interface 17
To save a front-panel setup in the Test Automation Module memories 22
To recall a front-panel setup from the Test Automation Module
memories 23
To create a label for a front-panel setup 24
To create a setup sequence 26
To execute a sequence 27
To create a mask template using Automask 28
To create a mask template using Autostore 29
To create a mask using straight lines 31
To edit an individual pixel of a mask 33
To edit the mask to test only a portion of a waveform 34
To assign a testing mask to a step 36
To spot the failure area 37
To define action messages 38
To use a mask template for adjustment 40
To set up the mask template testing for "Fail when In" testing 41
To use mask template testing in the XY mode 44
To define the output lines (HP 54656A only) 45
To create a branching sequence 47
To prevent the operator from changing the setup 49
To view the configuration of a sequence step 51
To copy a step or a mask 53
To set a step or mask to default values 54
To set all of the steps and masks to default values 56
To backup and duplicate sequences 57
To protect sequences through the communication port 58
To protect sequences with the recessed switch (HP 54656A only) 59
To document a single step 60
5
Contents
3 Solutions
Creating a frequency testing mask 63
Creating a DC voltage testing mask 65
Creating an overshoot testing mask 67
Creating a rise time testing mask 68
Toggling switches in the test fixture (HP 54656A only) 69
Counting the numbers of units passing or failing (HP 54656A only) 71
Displaying the sequence steps through the output lines
(HP 54656A only) 72
Implementing external switches through the input lines
(HP 54656A only) 73
Testing the eye opening of an eye pattern signal 74
Optimizing the mask testing speed 76
Optimizing the mask testing accuracy 77
Storing multiple sequences for multiple devices 79
Test sequence example 81
4 Test Sequencing Programming
:SEQuence:NEXT 90
:SEQuence:PREVious 91
:SEQuence:PROTect 92
:SEQuence:RESet 93
:SEQuence:SETup 94
:SEQuence:STEP 96
:SEQuence:TEST? 97
5 Reference Information
Operating Characteristics 101
RS-232 pin out 104
I/O lines pin outs (HP 54656A only) 107
Timing of the output lines (HP 54656A only) 108
6
6 HP 54653A ScopeLink 2.0 Software
To protect a test sequence setup 111
To transfer the setup of an entire test sequence 112
To transfer the setup of an individual step 113
To transfer an individual mask template 114
To document a test sequence 115
Contents
7
Contents
8
1
Quick Start
Introduction
The exercises in this chapter acquaint you with some of the basic
functions and operations of the Test Automation Modules. The
operation of the Test Automation Module is divided into two parts: set
up and use. The test sequence is generally set up by a test
administrator and used by the operators. Chapter 2 covers more
detailed information concerning the tasks to be performed by both the
administrator and operator.
The inside back cover of this book is a reference guide. This reference
guide has a diagram of the softkey menu tree of the extended features
in the Test Automation Modules.
10
Figure 1
Quick Start
To install the Test Automation Module
To install the Test Automation Module
1 Turn off the oscilloscope.
2 Install the interface as shown in figure 1.
The oscilloscope is reset after installation. The installed interface is reflected
in the message displayed when you turn on the oscilloscope.
Installing the Test Automation Module
11
Quick Start
To set up the Test Automation Module
To set up the Test Automation Module
In the next two exercises, the front panel calibration signal is used as the
source signal. A probe is needed to connect the calibration signal to channel
1 of the oscilloscope. A mask template is created based on the calibration
signal. Then a sequence step is created to test the signal. Failure of the test
is also simulated.
1 Connect the front panel calibration signal to channel 1 of oscilloscope
through a probe.
2 Set the correct probe attenuation factor by pressing 1 . Then
toggle the
match the probe you are using.
3 Press Autoscale .
4 Press Display , then toggle the Grid softkey to the off position.
5 Press Print/Utility .
6 Press the Sequence Admin softkey.
If you cannot find the Sequence Admin softkey,
press Print/Utility again to display it at the rightmost side of the
softkey menu, then press the Sequence Admin softkey.
If a warning message "Sequence Admin Protected" is displayed when you
press the Sequence Admin softkey, the sequence is protected. To access the
softkey, flip the recessed protection switch on the module to the unprotected
position using the tip of a ball-point pen. Then press the Sequence Admin
softkey.
Probe softkey to change the attenuation factor to
12
Quick Start
To set up the Test Automation Module
7 Press the Define Automask softkey.
8 Turn the knob closest to the Cursors key until the number highlighted
under the
9 Press the Create Mask softkey.
A mask is generated from the signal on the screen. The mask consists of two
lines: the maximum limit line and the minimum limit line.
10 Press the Previous Menu softkey, then press the Define Sequence
Mask softkey is 1.
softkey.
11 Press the Step softkey or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key
until the number highlighted under
12 Press the Save Setup softkey.
13 Press the Use Mask softkey. Then press the Use Mask softkey, or
Step is 1.
turn the knob closest to the Cursors key, until the number highlighted
is 1.
13
Quick Start
To use the Test Automation Module
To use the Test Automation Module
Now, the setup for the test is complete. In an actual application, this
completes the administration portion. You can now proceed to use it for
testing, just like an operator is going to use it for testing.
1 Press Setup .
2 Press the Sequence Menu softkey.
3 Press the Reset softkey to return to step number 1.
The live signal is tested against the mask created during the set up process.
A blinking PASS indicator appears in the lower-left corner of the display.
4 Press the orange ground button on the probe and hold it.
This grounds the input and creates a failure condition. A blinking FAIL
indicator appears in the lower-left corner of the display. Also, a fail-zone
indicator bar just above the FAIL indicator shows where the failure occurs.
5 Release the orange ground button.
14
2
Operating the Test
Automation Module
Introduction
The exercises in this chapter guide you through the operation of the
Test Automation Modules. The exercises include detailed information
about the tasks performed by both the administrator and the operator.
16
To configure the interface
The Test Automation Module can be connected to a printer, a plotter, or a
computer through the interface. The HP 54655A has an HP-IB interface
while the HP 54656A has an RS-232 interface.
1 Connect the Test Automation Module to a printer, plotter, or
computer through a suitable cable. Table 1 shows the HP part
numbers of the proper cables.
Table 1 Cable Part Numbers
Model Number Cable Function HP Part Number Description
HP 54655A (HP-IB) Oscilloscope to
HP 54656A (RS-232) Oscilloscope to
See the section "RS-232 pin out" in chapter 5 for information on the pin outs
of the RS-232 cables.
Printer/Plotter
Controller
Printer/Plotter
HP Vectra 25-pin
serial port
Oscilloscope to
IBM 25-pin
serial port
Oscilloscope to
9-pin serial port
Operating the Test Automation Module
To configure the interface
HP 10833A 1 meter (3.3 feet)
HP 10833B 2 meters (6.6 feet)
HP 10833C 4 meters (13.2 feet)
HP 10833D 0.5 meter (1.6 feet)
HP 13242G 5 meters (16.7 feet)
HP 17255M 1.2 meters (3.9 feet)
HP 92219J 5 meters (16.7 feet)
HP 17255D 1.2 meters (3.9 feet)
HP 24542G 3 meters (9.9 feet)
17
Operating the Test Automation Module
To configure the interface
2 Press Print/Utility .
If the Previous Menu softkey appears on the rightmost softkey,
press
Print/Utility again.
When the module is installed, an additional softkey appears at the second
softkey from the left. For the HP 54655A, the label is HP-IB Menu. For the
HP 54656A, the label is RS-232 Menu.
3 Press the HP-IB Menu softkey or the RS-232 Menu softkey.
For HP 54655A, a softkey menu with five choices appears. Four of them are
related to the configuration of the HP-IB interface.
Connect to Selects the device connected to the oscilloscope.
•
Selections include HP plotter, HP printer, and computer.
Factors Selects whether the printer or plotter output contains the
•
information concerning the basic settings of the oscilloscope.
Resolution Selects the resolution of the printer or plotter output.
•
Address Selects the HP-IB address of the instrument. Valid addresses
•
range from 0 to 30. To change the address, press the softkey or turn the
knob closest to the Cursors key.
Previous Menu Returns the oscilloscope to the previous softkey menu.
•
For HP 54656A, a softkey menu with six choices appears. Five of them are
related to the configuration of the RS-232 interface.
Connect to Selects the device that the oscilloscope is connected to.
•
Selections include HP plotter, HP printer, Epson compatible printer, and
computer.
Factors Selects whether the printer or plotter output contains the
•
information concerning the basic settings of the oscilloscope.
Resolution Selects the resolution of the printer or plotter output.
•
Baud Rate Selects the baud rate of the RS-232 port. Valid baud rates
•
are 1200, 2400, 9600, and 19200.
Handshake Selects the handshaking method used in the RS-232. DTR
•
refers to the hardware handshaking using the DTR signal line. XON refers
to the software handshaking using the XON/XOFF protocol.
Previous Menu Returns the oscilloscope to the previous softkey menu.
•
18
Figure 2
Operating the Test Automation Module
To configure the interface
4 Toggle the softkeys to select the correct configuration for your
printer, plotter, or computer.
Print Factors
Oscilloscope factors may be turned on or off for hard copy prints and plots. All
factors are printed on the hard copy when on is selected. When
selected for a hard copy plot, the plot is in portrait mode, with the factors
plotted at the bott om . When factors is not sele cted for hard copy plot , the pl ot
is plotted in landscape mode automatically to maximize th e pl ot area. Figure 2
shows an example of a print with factors on. Figure 3 shows an example of a
plot with factors off.
factors
is
Print with Factor ON
19
Figure 3
Operating the Test Automation Module
To configure the interface
Plot with Factors Off
20
Figure 4
Operating the Test Automation Module
To configure the interface
Print Resolution
High or low hard copy resolution can be selected for hard copy prints and plots.
When
high resolution
is selected, the full-bright and half-bright traces on the
oscilloscope screen are printed or plotted on the hard copy.
High resolution printing requires an HP-PCL compatible printer capable of
printing at 300 dpi (dots-per-inch) , such as an HP LaserJet Seri es printer. The
half-bright trace is printed in gray shading while the full-bright trace is printed
in black. Figure 4 shows an example of a high resolution print using the H P
LaserJet II printer.
High resolution plot uses two pens for the hard copy. Half-bri ght traces are
plotted with plotter pen 1 and full-bright traces are plotted with plotter pen 2.
Print in High Resolution mode using an HP LaserJet Series II printer
21
Operating the Test Automation Module
To save a front-panel setup in the Test Automation Module memories
To save a front-panel setup in the Test Automation
Module memories
1 Press Print/Utility .
2 Press the Sequence Admin softkey.
The Test Automation Module remembers which menu you were in last.
If you cannot find the Sequence Admin softkey,
press Print/Utility again to return to the root level of the menu
tree. Then press the Sequence Admin softkey.
3 Press the Define Sequence softkey.
4 Press the Step softkey, or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key,
to select the memory location.
5 Press the Save Setup softkey to save a front-panel setup.
22
Operating the Test Automation Module
To recall a front-panel setup from the Test Automation Module memories
To recall a front-panel setup from the Test Automation
Module memories
1 Press Setup .
2 Press the Sequence Menu softkey.
3 Press the Step softkey, or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key,
to select the memory location.
The front-panel setup corresponding to the displayed memory location is
recalled.
To save or recall front-panel setups
The Test Automation Module provides another 100 nonvolatile memories for
storing front-panel setups in conjunction with the 16 memories in the
HP 54600A and HP 546 01 A os cilloscopes. To save or recall front-panel setups
using the 16 memories in the oscilloscopes, refer to the instructions listed in the
"HP 54600A and 54601A User and Service Guide."
23
Operating the Test Automation Module
To create a label for a front-panel setup
To create a label for a front-panel setup
Each front-panel setup stored in Test Automation Module can have a label up
to 60 characters long to identify the setup.
1 Press Print/Utility .
2 Press the Sequence Admin softkey.
The Test Automation Module remembers which menu you were in last.
If you cannot find the Sequence Admin softkey,
press Print/Utility again to return to the root level of the menu
tree. Then press the Sequence Admin softkey.
3 Press the Define Sequence softkey.
4 Press the Step softkey, or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key,
to select the step number for adding the user message.
5 Press the Define Step softkey.
6 Press the Messages softkey.
7 Press the Label softkey.
A softkey menu with six softkey choices appears. Five of them are related to
editing the message.
Enter Enters the highlighted character in the character area into the
•
message area under the cursor position.
Space Enters a space into the message area under the cursor position.
•
Delete Deletes the character in the message area under the cursor
•
position.
Insert Toggles the insert function on or off. With insert on, pressing
•
Enter or Space inserts the character or space into the message before the
character at the cursor position. The rest of the message is shifted to the
right by one character. With insert off, pressing Enter or Space replaces
the character highlighted in the character area.
Clear To End Clears the characters from the cursor position to the end
•
of the message including the character under the cursor.
Done Exits the editing of the message.
•
24
Operating the Test Automation Module
To create a label for a front-panel setup
8 Turn the Delay knob to move the cursor in the label to the position
that you want to edit.
9 Turn the knob closest to the Cursors key to move the cursor in the
character area to select the character that you want to enter.
10 Press the Enter softkey to enter the highlighted character into the
user message, or press the
Space softkey to enter a space into the
user message.
11 Repeat procedures 8 through 10 until you are finished editing the
message.
The maximum length of the label is 60 characters.
12 Press the Done softkey.
Your message is displayed when you execute the step in the Sequence menu.
Step label operating hint
The step label alwa ys occupies the top left co rner of the screen. To prevent
the step label for blocking the view of the waveform, make the label as short as
possible. In extre m e cases, you can turn off the label completely by deleting all
of the characters in the label. In this case, no l abel will be shown on the
screen.
25
Operating the Test Automation Module
To create a setup sequence
To create a setup sequence
A simple sequence of setups can be easily created to accomplish your test or
measurement task.
1 Set up the oscilloscope front panel for your measurement.
2 Press Print/Utility twice.
3 Press the Sequence Admin softkey.
4 Press the Define Sequence softkey.
5 Press the Step softkey, or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key,
to select the step that starts your sequence.
6 Press the Save Setup softkey to save the current setup into the step.
7 Change the setup of the oscilloscope for the next measurement step.
8 If you changed the softkey menu, press Print/Utility .
This returns you to the previous menu in the Sequence Admin menu tree.
9 Press the Step softkey, or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key,
to change the step number to the next memory location.
10 Press the Save Setup softkey.
11 Repeat steps 7 to 10 until you have finished your sequence.
26
Operating the Test Automation Module
To execute a sequence
To execute a sequence
1 Press Setup .
2 Press the Sequence Menu softkey.
A softkey menu with five softkey choices appears. Four of them are related
to using the sequence.
Step Selects the step number to be executed. Turning the knob closest
•
to the Cursors key also changes the step number.
Next Advances the sequence to the next step.
•
Previous Recalls the previous step executed in the sequence. This
•
allows you to recover from accidentally pressing the Next or Reset key.
Only one previous step is memorized.
Reset Resets the step number to step 1.
•
Stop Sequencing Terminates sequencing and returns you to the
•
previous softkey menu.
3 Press the Step softkey, or turn the knob closest to the Cursors key,
to select the step number where you want to start.
The sequence starts to execute. After the current step is finished, press the
Next softkey to continue to the next step.
Sequence operating hint
For the HP 54656A RS-232 Test Automation Module, external switches can be
used to substitute the three front-panel keys during execution of a sequence:
Next, Previous, and Reset. See chapter 3, "Solutions," for further details on how
to make your own external switches.
27
Operating the Test Automation Module
To create a mask template using Automask
To create a mask template using Automask
A mask template contains two limit lines: minimum and maximum. The Test
Automation Module provides an easy way to create a mask. Automask allows
you to generate a mask with tolerances from a signal on the screen.
1 Connect a known good signal to the oscilloscope.
2 Set up the oscilloscope with the settings that are required to test the
signal.
3 Press Display , then toggle the Grid softkey to the off position.
4 Press Print/Utility twice.
5 Press the Sequence Admin softkey.
6 Press the Define Automask softkey.
7 Turn the knob closest to the Cursors key to select the mask number.
8 Press the Tolerance softkey, then turn the knob closest to the
Cursors key to set the tolerance.
9 Press the Create Mask softkey to create the mask with the specified
tolerance.
Tolerance operating hint
The tolerance used in Automask is expressed as a percentage of the full-scale
time and voltage of the l ow est number of all acti ve channels. It does not
represent the to lerance of the actual siz e of the input signal. To specify the
tolerance as a percentage of the actual size of the input signal requires some
additional calculations.
For example, a signal of 1 volt peak-to-peak is tested at a vertical sensitivity of
500 mV/div. The full-scale voltage equals the volts/div times t he num ber of
full-scale divisions (500 mV × 8 = 4 V). To specify a 4% tolerance on a 1 V
peak-to-peak signal requires a 40 mV tolerance, but to specify a 40 mV
tolerance on a full -scale voltage of 4 volts requires a 1% tolerance. Therefore,
a 1% tolerance should be specified to generate the mask template.
28
Operating the Test Automation Module
To create a mask template using Autostore
To create a mask template using Autostore
An envelop of the passing region can be generated using the Autostore
function. Then the Automask function can read the autostore screen
information and take the maximum and minimum limits of it as the limit lines
of the mask template. This process allows you to create a mask template
from a known good signal, allowing certain tolerance margins.
1 Connect a known good signal to the oscilloscope.
2 Set up the oscilloscope with the settings that are required to test the
signal.
3 Press Display , then toggle the Grid softkey to the off position.
4 Press Autostore .
Make sure that STORE is displayed in the status line. If STORE is not
displayed, press Autostore again.
5 Set the voltage tolerance by moving the waveform up and down with
the vertical position knob, creating a vertical envelop.
6 Set the time tolerance by moving the waveform back and forth with
the horizontal delay knob, creating a horizontal envelop.
You may need to repeat steps 5 and 6 to fine tune the envelop. Cursors can
be used to accurately measure the margins.
7 Press Print/Utility twice.
8 Press the Sequence Admin softkey.
9 Press the Define Automask softkey.
10 Turn the knob closest to the Cursors key to select the mask number.
29
Operating the Test Automation Module
To create a mask template using Autostore
11 Press the Tolerance softkey, then turn the knob closest to the
Cursors key to set the tolerance to +/- 0.0%.
12 Press the Create Mask softkey to create the mask from the
autostore information.
Automask using Autostore operating hint
The Automask function takes all the information displayed in half bright to
create the mask. However, the display grid and the autostore information
shares the same half-bright display. If t he grid is turned on, and A utostore
information is on the screen when the Create Mask softkey is pressed, a
warning message is displayed: "Grid must be off to generate mask with
Autostore." The Display Grid must be turned to off prior to cr eating the
autostore data in order to use the Automask function. Turning the grid to off
after the autostore data is created erases both the grid and the autostore data.
Use of the cursors does not affect the Automask function and is highly
recommended to ensure the proper testing margin in the autostore information.
If there is noise riding on the limit lines, you can use the smooth function in the
mask editor to smooth out the noise.
30
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