Agilent 8921A HP-IB Programmer’s Guide

HP 8921A Cell Site Test Set

HP-IB Programmer’s Guide

Firmware Versions: HP 8921A: A.15.00 and above

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HP Part No. 08921-90031

Printed in U. S. A.

December 1998

Rev. A

1

Copyright © Hewlett-Packard Company 1997

Notice

Information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior

written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.
This material may be reproduced by or for the U.S. Government pursuant to

the Copyright License under the clause at DFARS 52.227-7013 (APR 1988).

Hewlett-Packard Company
Learning Products Department
24001 E. Mis sion
Liberty Lake, WA 99019-9599
U.S.A.

2

Manufacture’s
Declaration

This statement is provided to comply with the requirements of
the German Sound Emission Directive, from 18 January 1991.
This product has a sound pressure emission (at the operator
position) < 70 dB(A).

Sound Pressure Lp < 70 dB(A).

• At Operator Position.

• Normal Operation.

• According to ISO 7779:1988/EN 27779:1991 (Type Test).

Herstellerbescheinigu
ng

Diese Information steht im Zusammenhang mit den Anforderungen der

Maschinenlärminformationsverordnung vom 18 Januar 1991.

• Schalldruckpegel Lp < 70 dB(A).

• Am Arbeitsplatz.

• Normaler Betrieb.

• Nach ISO 7779:1988/EN 27779:1991 (Typprüfung).

3

Safety Considerations

GENERAL
This product and related document at io n must be reviewed f or fa miliarization

with safety markings and instructions before operation.
This product is a Safety Class I instrument (provided with a protective earth

terminal).
SAFETY EARTH GROUND
A uninterruptible saf et y ear th ground must be provided from the main power

source to the product input wiring terminals, power cord, or supplied power
cord set.

CHASSIS GROUND TERMINAL
To prevent a potential shock hazard, always connect the rear-panel chassis

ground terminal to earth ground when operating this instrument from a dc
power source.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

!

WARNING A WARNING note denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice,

CAUTION A CAUTION note denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operation proce-

Indicates instrument damage can occur if indicated operating limits are
exceeded.

Indicates hazardous voltages.
Indicates earth (ground) terminal

or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in per­sonal injury. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING sign until the indicated con­ditions are fully understood and met.

dure, practice, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to,
could result in damage to or destruction of part or all of the product. Do not
proceed beyond an CAUTION note unti l the indicat ed conditions are fully un­derstood and met.

4

Safety Considerations for this Instrument

WARNING: This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a protective earthing

ground incorporated in the power cord) The mains plug shall only be inserted in a
socket outlet provided with a protective earth contact. Any interruption of the
protective conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the product
dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.

Whenever it is likely that the protection has been impaired, the instrument must
be made inoperative and be secured against any unintended operation.

If this instrument is to be energized via an autotransformer (for voltage
reduction), make sure the common terminal is connected to the earth terminal of
the power source.

If this product is not used as specified, the protection provided by the equipment
could be impaired. This product must be used in a normal condit ion (in whic h all
means for protection are intact) only.

No operator serviceable parts in this product. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel. To prevent electrical shock, do not remove covers.

Servicing instructions ar e for us e by qual ified personnel only. To av oid elect rical
shock, do not perform any servicing unless you are qualified to do so.

The opening of covers or removal of parts is likely to expose dangerous
voltages. Disconnect the product from all voltage sources while it is being
opened.

Adjustments described in the manual are performed with power supplied to the
instrument while protective covers are removed. Energy available at man y points
may, if contacted, result in personal injury.

The power cord is connected to internal capacitors that my remain live for
5 seconds after disconnecting the plug from its power supply.

For continued protection against fire hazard, replace the line fuse(s) only
with 250 V fuse(s) or the same current rating and type (for example, normal
blow or time delay). Do not use repaired fuses or short circuited
fuseholders.

5

WARNING: Always use the three-prong ac power cord supplied with this product. Failure to

ensure adequate earth grounding by not using this co rd may cause product damage.
This product is designed for use in Installation Category II a nd Pollution

Degree 2 per IEC 1010 and IEC 664 respectively. For indoor use only.
This product has autoranging line voltage input, be sure the supply voltage

is within the specified range.
To prevent electrical shock, disconnect instrument from mains (line) before

cleaning. Use a dry cloth or one slightly dampened with water to clean the
external case parts. Do not attempt to clean internally.

Ventilation Requirements: When installing the product in a cabinet, the
convection into and out of the product must not be restricted. The ambient
temperature (outside of the cabinet) must be less than the maximum

operating temperature of the product by 4° C for every 100 watts dissipated
in the cabinet. If the total power dissipated in the cabinet is greater than 800
watts, then forced convection must be used.

Product Markings

CE - the CE mark is a registered trademark of the European Community. A
CE mark accompanied by a year indicated the year the design was proven.

CSA - the CSA mark is a registered trademark of the Canadian Standards
Association.

6

CERTIFICATION

Hewlett-Packard Company certifies that this product met its published
specifications at the time of shipment from the factory. Hewlett-Packard
further certif ies that i ts calib ration meas urement s are trace able to the United
States National Institute of Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed

by the Institute’s calibration facility, and to the calibra t ion facili ties of other
International Standards Organization members

Hewett-Packard Warranty Statement for Commercial Products

HP Product: HP 8921A

Duration of Warranty: 1 Year

1. HP warrants HP hardware, accessories and supplies against defects in materials

and workmanship for the period specified above. If HP receives notice of such
defects during the warranty period, HP will, at its option, either repair or replace
products which prove to be defective. Replacement pro ducts may be either new or
like-new.

2 HP warrants that HP software will not fail to execute its programming instruc-

tions, for the period specified abo ve, due to defects in m ateri al and wo rkma nsh ip
when properly installed and used. If HP receives notice of such defects during the
warranty period, HP will replace software media which does not execute its pro­gramming instructions due to such defects.

3. HP does not warrant that the operation of HP products will be uninterrupted or

error free. If HP is unable, within a reasonable time, to repair or replace any
product to a condition as warranted, customer will be entitled to a refund of the
purchase price upon prompt return of the product.

4 HP products may contain remanufactured part s equivalent to new in perfo rmance

or may have been subject to incidental use.

5. The warranty period begins on the date of delivery or on the date of installation if

installed by HP. If customer schedules or delays HP installation more than 30 days
after delivery, warranty begins on the 31st day from delivery.

6 Warranty does not apply to defects resultin g from (a) improper or inadequate

maintenance or cali bration, (b) sof tware, interfacing, p arts or supplie s not supplied
by HP, (c) unauthorized modi fi cati on or mi su se, (d ) operation outside of the pub­lished environmental specifications for the product, or (e) improper site prepara­tion or maintenance.

7

7 TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE ABOVE WARRAN-

TIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND NO OTHER WARRANTYOR CONDITION,
WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AND HP
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDI­TIONS OR MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AND FIT­NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

8 HP will be liable for damage to tangible pr oper ty per inciden t up to the greater of

$300,000 or the actual amount paid for the product that is the subject of the claim,
and for damages for bodily injury or death, to the extent that all such damages are
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been directly caused by a
defective HP product.

9. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE REMEDIES IN THIS

WARRANTY STATEMENT ARE CUSTOMER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE
REMEDIES. EXCEPT AS INDICATED ABOVE, IN NO EVENT WILL HP OR
ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF DATA OR FOR DIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING LOST PROFIT
OR DATA), OR OTHER DAMAGE, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT,
TORT, OR OTHERWISE.

FOR CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW
ZEALAND: THE WARRANTY TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS STATE­MENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT LAWFULLY PERMITTED, DO NOT
EXCLUDE RESTRICT OR MODIFY AND ARE IN ADDITION TO THE
MANDATORY STATUTORY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO THE SALE OF
THIS PRODUCT TO YOU.

8

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Manufacturer’s Name:

according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014

Hewlett-Packard Co.

Manufacturer’s Address:

Spokane Division
24001 E. Mission Avenue
Liberty Lake, Washington 99019-9599
USA

declares that the product

Product Name:
Model Number:
Product Options:

RF Communications Test Set / Cell Site Test Set
HP 8920A, HP 8920B, and HP 8921A
This declaration covers all options of the above

product.

conforms to the following Product specifications:

Safety: IEC 348:1978 / HD 401S1:1981

1)

EMC: CISPR 11:1990 / EN 55011:1991 Group 1, Class A

EN 5008 2 - 1 : 1992
IEC 801-2:1991 - 4 kV CD, 8 kV AD
IEC 801-3:1984 - 3V/m
IEC 801-4:1988 - 0.5 kV Sig. Lines, 1 kV Power Lines

Supplementary Information:

This product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and carries the CD-marking accordingly

1) The product was introduced prior to 12/1993
Spokane, Washington USA Date October 17, 199 6 Vince Roland/Quality Manager

European Contact: Your local Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office or Hewlett-Packard GmbH
Department ZQ/Standards Europe, Herrenberger Strasse 130, D-71034 B

9

ö

blinger, Germany (FAX[phone])

.

Table 1 Regional Sales and Service Offices

Eastern USA
Sales Office
Hewlett-Packard Company
2101 Gather Rd.
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: [phone]

Southern USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
1995 North Park Place
Atlanta, GA 30339

Sales
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Western USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
24 Inverness Place East
Englewood, CO 80112

Sales
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Eastern USA
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
150 Green Pond Road
Rockaway, NJ 07866
Tel: [phone]

Southern USA
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
930 E. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75081
Tel: [phone]

Western USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
1421 South Manhattan Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92631

Sales
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Midwestern USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
5201 Tollview Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Tel: [phone]

Western USA
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
301 E. Evelyn Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94041
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

United States of America
Customer Information Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
Tel: [phone]

6:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time
Parts Direct: 1-800-227-8164

South Eastern Europe
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Ges. m.b.h.
Liebigasse 1
P.O. Box 72
A-1222 Vienna, Austria

Telephone: [phone]
Telex: 13 4425

10

European Multicountry Region
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard S.A.
P.O. Box 95
150, Route dv Nant_dl_AVRIL
CH-1217 Meyrin 2
Geneva, Switzerland

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Northern Europe
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Nederland B.V.
Startbaan 16
1187 XR
Amstelveen, The Netherlands
P.O. Box 667

Telephone: [phone] X 6631
Fax: [phone]NL

Table 1 Regional Sales and Service Offices

Asia
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Asia Ltd.
22-30/F Peregrine Tower
Lippo Center
89 Queensway, Central
Hong Kong
G.P.O. Box 863 Hong Kong

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Australia, New Zealand
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Ltd.
P.O. Box 221
31-41 Joseph Street
Blackburn, Victoria 3130

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Canada
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Ltd.
11120 178 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1P2
Canada

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Japan
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Japan, Ltd.
3-29-21, Takaido-Higashi
Suginami-Ku, Tokyo 168

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Canada
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd.
5150 Spectrum Way
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5G1
Canada

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Latin America
Hewlett-Packard Company
LAHQ Mexico City
Col. Lomas de Virreyes
11000 Mexico D.F.
Mexico

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

International Sales Branch Headquarters
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard S.A.
39 Rue Veyrot
P.O. Box 365
1217 Meyrin 1
Geneva, Switzerland

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Canada
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
17500 Transcanada Highway
S. Serv Road
Kirkland, Quebec H9J 2X8
Canada

Telephone: [phone]
United Kingdom

Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Ltd.
Cain Road
Amen Corner
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 1HN
United Kingdom

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

11

Trademark
Acknowledgements

Microsoft ®, Microsoft® Windows, and MS-DOS® are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

ProComm® is a registered trademark of DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.

Conventions Used In This

Manual

Definition of Test Set

The generic abbreviation "PC" is used to represent computers compatible
with the IBM personal computer (PC) running the MS-DOS operating
system.

The term "workstation" is used to represent HP 9000 Series 200/300 System
Controllers.

The acronym IBASIC is used throughout this manual to refer to Instrument
BASIC, a subset of the Hewlett-Packard Rocky Mountain BASIC
programming languag e. The term I BASIC Controller refers to the Test Set’s
built-in IBA SIC Controlle r.

A field on the Test Set’s display is represented in the following manner:

AF Anl In.

When keys are pressed one-at-a-time, they are separated by commas. For
example, [SHIFT], [TESTS] me ans to press and release the [ SHIFT] key, then
press and release the [TESTS] key.

A front-panel keycap is represented in the following manner: [TESTS].
When keys are pressed simultaneously, they are connected by a plus sign, +.

For example, [Alt]+[ P ] means to hold down the [Alt] key and press [ P ].

The generic term "Test Set" is used interchangeably in the manual for the
HP 8921A.

12

In this Book Chapter 1, Using HP-IB, describes the general guidelines for using HP-IB and how to

prepare the Test Set for HP-IB usage. This chapter includes example programs for
controlling the basic functions of the Test Set.

Chapter 2, Methods For Reading Measurement Results, contains guidelines for
programming the test set for returning measurement results. Topics discussed include
how to recover from a "hung" state when a measurement fails to complete. Sample
code is included.

Chapter 3, HP-IB Command Guidelines, contains information about sequential
and overlapped commands, command syntax, units of measure, and measurement
states. A short example program is also presented to familiarize the user with remote
operation of the Test Set.

Chapter 4, HP-IB Commands, contains command syntax diagrams, equivalent
front-panel key commands, IEEE 488.2 Common Commands and triggering
commands.

Chapter 5, Advanced Operations, includes information about increasing
measurement throughput, status reporting, error reporting, service requests,
instrument initialization, and pas sing control.

Chapter 6, Memory Cards/Mass Storage, describes the types of mass storage
(RAM disk, ROM disk, external disk drives, SRAM cards, and ROM cards) and the
file system formats (DOS, LIF) available in the Test Set.

Chapter 7, IBASIC Controller, describes how to develop Instrument BASIC

(IBASIC) programs for use on the Test Set’s built-in IBASIC Controller. Topics
discussed are: interfacing to the IBASIC Controller using the serial ports, overview
of the three program development methods, entering and editi ng IBASIC programs,
program control using the PROGram Subsystem, and an introduction to writing
programs for the TESTS subsystem.

Chapter 8, Programming the Call Processing Subsystem, describes how to
control the Test Set’s Call Processing Sub system using the Call Processing
Subsystem’s remote user interface. Topics discussed are: accessing the Call
Processing Subsystem screens, handling error messages, controlling program flow
using the Call Processing Status Register Group, and how to query data messages
received from the mobile station. Example programs are provided showing how to
control the Call Processing Subsystem using service requests and register polling.

Error Messages describes the Text Only HP-IB Errors and the Numbered HP-IB
Errors. This section also describes other types of error messages that the Test Set
displays and where to find more infor mat i on about those types of error messages .

13

14

Contents

1 Using HP-IB

Overview of the Test Set 28

Getting Started 36

Remote Operation 49

Addressing 51

IEEE 488.1 Remote Interface Message Capabilities 52

Remote/Local Modes 55

15

Contents

2 Methods For Reading Measurement Results

Background 60

HP BASIC ‘ON TIMEOUT’ Example Program 62

HP BASIC ‘MAV’ Example Program 66

16

Contents

3 HP-IB Command Guidelines

Sequential and Overlapped Commands 72

Guidelines f or Operation 73

17

Contents

4 HP-IB Commands

HP-IB Syntax Diagrams 96

Adjacent Channel Power (ACP) 99

AF Analyzer 101

AF Generator 1 104

AF Generator 2 Pre-Modulation Filters 105

AF Generator 2/Encoder 106

Configure, I/O Configure 121

Call Processing 126

Decoder 145

Display 149

Measure 151

Oscilloscope 158

Program 163

Save/Recall Registers 164

RF Analyzer 165

RF Generator 167

Radio Interface 168

Spectrum Analyzer 169

HP-IB Only Commands 171

18

Contents

Status 172

System 173

Tests 174

Trigger 177

Integer Number Setting Syntax 178

Real Number Setting Syntax 179

Multiple Real Number Setting Syntax 180

Number Measurement Syntax 181

Multiple Number Measurement Syntax 183

Equivalent Front-Panel Key Commands 184

IEEE 488.2 Common Commands 212

Common Command Descriptions 213

Triggering Measurements 228

19

Contents

5 Advanced Operations

Increasing Measurement Throughput 238

Status Reporting 244

HP-IB Service Requests 295

Instrument Initialization 305

Passing Control 318

20

Contents

6 Memory Cards/Mass Stor age

Default File System 330

Mass Storage Device Overview 331

Default Mass Storage Locations 338

Mass Storage Access 340

DOS and LIF File System Considerations 341

Using the ROM Disk 348

Using Memory Cards 349

Backing Up Procedure and Library Files 354

Copying Files Using IBASIC Commands 355

Using RAM Disk 357

Using External Disk Drives 359

21

Contents

7 IBASIC Controller

Introduction 362

The IBASIC Controller Screen 363

Important Notes for Program Development 365

Program Development 366

Interfacing to the IBASIC Controller using Serial Ports 368

Choosing Your Development Method 382

Method #1. Program Development on an External BASIC L anguage
Computer 384

Method #2. Developin g Programs on the Test Set Using t he IBASIC
EDIT Mode 392

Method #3. Developing Programs Using Word Processor on a PC
(Least Preferred) 397

Uploading Programs from the Test Set to a PC 404

Serial I/O from IBASIC Programs 405

PROGram Subsystem 408

The TESTS Subsystem 436

22

Contents

8 Programming The Call Processing Subsystem

Description of the Call Processing Subsystem’s Remote User
Interface 444

Using the Call Processin g Subsystem’s Remote User Interface 448

Programming The CALL CONTROL Screen 458

Programming The CALL DATA Screen 486

CALL DATA Screen Message Field Descriptions 490

Programming The CALL BIT Screen 501

CALL BIT Screen Message Field Descriptions 512

Programming The ANALOG MEAS Screen 532

Programming The CALL CONFIGURE Screen 540

Example Programs 543

23

Contents

9 Error Messages

24

Contents

Index 593

25

Contents

26

1

Using HP-IB

27

Chapter 1, Using HP-IB

Overview of the Test Set

Overview of the Test Set

The Test Set combines up to 22 separate test instruments and an Instrument

BASIC (IBASIC) Controller into one package. All of the Test Set’s functions can
be automatically controlled through application programs running on the built-in
IBASIC Controller or on an external controller connected through HP-IB.

Developing programs for the Test Set is simplified if the programmer has a basic
understanding of how the Test Set operates. An overview of the Test Set’s
operation is best presented in terms of how information flows through the unit.
The simplified bloc k diagrams sho wn in
depict how instrument control information and measurement result information
are routed among th e Test Set ’s instrum ents, ins trument c ontrol hardwa re, built -in
IBASIC controller, and other components.

figure 1 on page 34 and figure 2 o n page 35

The Test Set has two operating modes: Manual Control mode and Automatic
Control mode. In Manual Control mode the Test Set’s operation is controlled
through the front panel keypad/rotary knob. There are two Automatic Control
modes: Internal and External. In Internal Automatic Control mode the Test Set’s
operation is controll ed by an application program running on the bui lt -i n IBASIC
Controller. In External Au tomatic Control mode the Test Set’s operation is
controlled by an external controller connected to the Test Set through the HP-IB
interface.

28

Manual Control Mode

The Test Set’s primary instruments are shown on the left side of figure 1 . There
are two classes of instruments in the Test Set: signal analyzers (RF Analyzer, AF
Analyzer, Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer, Signaling Decoder) and signal
sources (RF Generator, AF Generator #1, AF Generator #2/Signaling Encoder).
The Test Set’s measurement capability can be extended by adding application
specific “top boxes” such as the HP 83201A Dual Mode Cellular Adapter.

Since so many instruments are integrated into the Tes t Set, it is not feasible to
have an actual “front panel” for each instrument. Therefore, each instrument’s
front panel is maintained in firmware and is displayed on the CRT whenever the
instrument is selected. Only one instrument front panel can be displayed on the
CRT at any given time (up to four measurement results can be displayed
simultaneously if desired). Just as with stand alone instruments, instrument front
panels in the Test Set can contain instrument setting information, measurement
result(s), or data input from the DUT.

Chapter 1, Using HP-IB

Overview of the Test Set

Using the Test Set in Manual Control mode is very analogous to using a set of
bench or rack-mounted test equipment. To obtain a measurement result with a
bench or racked system, the desired measurement must be “active.” For example,
if an RF power meter is in the bench or racked system and the user wishes to
measure the power of an RF car rier th ey must t urn the p ower meter on, an d look at
the front panel to see the measurement result. Other instruments in the system
may be turned off but this would not prevent the operator from measuring the RF
power.

Conceptually, the same is tr ue for the Tes t Set. In order to make a measurement or
input data from a DUT, the desired measurement field or data field must be
“active.” This is done by using the front panel keypad/rotary knob to select the
instrument whose front panel contains the desired measurement or data field and
making sure that the desired measurement or data field is turned ON.

Figure 1 shows that instrument selection is handled by the To Screen control

hardware which routes the selected instrument’s front panel to the CRT for
display. Once an instrument’s front panel is displayed on the CRT, the user can
manipulate th e instru ment se ttings, s uch as turning a specif ic mea surement or data
field on or off, using t he k eypa d/r ot ar y knob.

Figure 1 also shows that inst rument

setup is handled by the Instrument Control hardware which routes setup
information from the front panel to the individual instruments.

An HP-IB/RS-232/Parallel Printer interface capability is available in the Test Set.
In Manual Control mode this provides the capability of connecting an external
HP-IB, seri al, or paral lel printer t o the Test Set so that display screens can be
printed.

29

Chapter 1, Using HP-IB

Overview of the Test Set

Internal Automatic Control Mode

In Internal A utomatic Control mode the Test Set’s operation is cont rolled by an
application program running on the built-in Instrument BASIC (IBASIC)
Controller. The built-in controller runs programs written in IBASIC, a subset of
the Hewlett-Packard BASIC programming language used on the HP 9000 Series
200/300 System Controllers. IBASIC is the only programming language
supported on the built-in IBASIC Controller.

Similarities Between the Test Set’s IBASIC Contro ller and Other Single-Tasking
Controllers

The architectur e of the I BASIC Contro ller is similar t o that of other si ngle-tas king
instrumentation controllers. Only one program can be run on the IBASIC
Controller at any given time. The program is loaded into RAM memory from
some type of mass storage device. Five types of mass storage devices are
available to the Test Set: SRAM memory cards, ROM memory cards, external
disk drives connected to the HP-IB interface, internal RAM disc, and internal
ROM disc. Three types of interfaces are available for connecting to external
instruments and equipment: HP-IB, RS-232, and 16-bit parallel (available as Opt
020 Radio Interface Card).

Figure 2 shows how information is routed inside the Test Set when it is in Internal

Automatic Control mode. In Manual Control mode certain Test Set resources are
dedicated to manual operation. These resources are switched to the IBASIC
Controller when an IBASIC pro gram is runni ng. These inc lude the se rial int erface
at select code 9, the HP-IB interface at select code 7, the parallel printer interface
at select code 15, and the CRT. In Manual Control mode, front panel information
(instrume nt settings, measurem ent results, data input from the DUT) is routed to
the CRT through the To Screen control hardware. In Internal Automatic Control
mode the measurement results and data input from the DUT are routed to the
IBASIC Controller through a dedicated HP-IB interface. Also, in Internal
Automatic Control mode, the CRT is dedicated to the IBASIC Controller for
program and graphics display. This means instrument front panels cannot be
displayed on the CRT when an IBASIC program is running.

30