Agilent E4418B, E4419B PROGRAMMING GUIDE

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Agilent Technologies

Programming Guide

Agilent Technologies

E4418B/E4419B Power Meters

Agilent Technologies Part no. E4418-90029

Third Edition, April 5, 2013

Printed in Malaysia.

ii Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Legal Information

Notice

Information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishings, performance, or use of this material. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior written consent of Agilent Technologies.

Certification

Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time of shipment from the factory. Agilent Technologies further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed by the Institute’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization members.

Warranty

This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 3 years from date of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective. For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall pay shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country. Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware designated by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will execute its programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation of the instrument, or firmware will be uninterrupted or error free.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide iii

Legal Information

Limitation of Warranty

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation or maintenance. NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Exclusive Remedies

THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

iv Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Equipment Operation

Warnings and Cautions

This guide uses warnings and cautions to denote hazards.

WARNING A warning calls attention to a procedure, practice or the like, which, if

not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in injury or the loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Caution A caution calls attention to a procedure, practice or the like which, if not

correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or the destruction of part or all of the equipment. Do not proceed beyond a caution until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Personal Safety Considerations

WARNING This is a Safety Class I product (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 the instrument, is likely to make the instrument dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited. If this instrument is not used as specified, the protection provided by the equipment could be impaired. This instrument must be used in a normal condition (in which all means of protection are intact) only. No operator serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. To prevent electrical shock, do not remove covers. For continued protection against fire hazard, replace the line fuse(s) only with fuses of the same type and rating (for example, normal blow, time delay, etc.). The use of other fuses or material is prohibited.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide v

General Safety Considerations

ICES/NMB-001

ISM

GROUP 1

CLASS A

General Safety Considerations

WARNING Before this instrument is switched on, make sure it has been properly

grounded through the protective conductor of the ac power cable to a socket outlet provided with protective earth contact. Any interruption of the protective (grounding) conductor, inside or outside the instrument, or disconnection of the protective earth terminal can result in personal injury.

Caution Any adjustments or service procedures that require operation of the

instrument with protective covers removed should be performed only by trained service personnel.

Markings

The CE mark shows that the product complies with all the relevant European legal Directives (if accompanied by a year, it signifies when the design was proven.

This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001. Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du Canada.

This is the symbol of an Industrial Scientific and Medical

Group 1 Class A product.

The CSA mark is a registered trademark of the Canadian

Standards Association.

External Protective Earth Terminal.

While this is a Class I product, provided with a protective earthing conductor in a power cord, an external protective earthing terminal has also been provided. This terminal is for use where the earthing cannot be assured. At least an 18AWG earthing conductor should be used in such an instance, to ground the instrument to an assured earth terminal.

vi Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

General Safety Considerations

IEC 1010-1 Compliance

This instrument has been designed and tested in accordance with IEC Publication 1010-1 +A1:1992 Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use and has been supplied in a safe condition. The instruction documentation contains information and warnings which must be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to maintain the instrument in a safe condition.

Statement of Compliance

This product has been designed and tested for compliance with IEC 60529 (1989) Degrees of Protection Provided by Enclosures (IP Code). Level IPx4 is attained if, and only if, the carry case(Agilent part number 34141A) is fitted.

User Environment

This product is designed for use in a sheltered environment (avoiding extreme weather conditions) in accordance with Pollution Degree 3 defined in IEC 60664-1, with the carry case (Agilent part number 34141A) fitted over the instrument.

The product is suitable for indoor use only, when this carry case is not fitted.

Installation Instructions

To avoid unnecessary over-temperature conditions, while this carry case is fitted do not apply an ac mains supply voltage, only operate your power meter from the battery pack.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide vii

About this Guide

Chapter 1: Power Meter Remote Operation

This chapter describes the parameters which configure the power meter and helps you determine settings to optimize performance.

Chapter 2: MEASurement Instructions

This chapter explains how to use the MEASure group of instructions to acquire data using a set of high level instructions.

Chapter 3: CALCulate Subsystem

This chapter explains how to use the CALCulate subsystem to perform post acquisition data processing.

Chapter 4: CALibration Subsystem

This chapter explains how to use the CALibration command subsystem to zero and calibrate the power meter.

Chapter 5: DISPlay Subsystem

This chapter explains how the DISPlay subsystem is used to control the the selection and presentation of the windows used on the power meter’s display.

Chapter 6: FORMat Subsystem

This chapter explains how the FORMat subsystem is used to set a data format for transferring numeric information.

Chapter 7: MEMory Subsystem

This chapter explains how the MEMory command subsystem is used to create, edit and review sensor calibration tables.

Chapter 8: OUTput Subsystem

This chapter explains how the OUTput command subsystem is used to switch the POWER REF output on and off.

viii Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

About this Guide

Chapter 9: SENSe Subsystem

This chapter explains how the SENSe command subsystem directly affects device specific settings used to make measurements.

Chapter 10: STATus Subsystem

This chapter explains how the STATus command subsystem enables you to examine the status of the power meter by monitoring the “Device Status Register”, “Operation Status Register” and the “Questionable Status Register”.

Chapter 11: SYSTem Subsystem

This chapter explains how to use the SYSTem command subsystem to return error numbers and messages from the power meter, preset the power meter, set the GPIB address, set the command language and query the SCPI version.

Chapter 12: TRIGger Subsystem

This chapter explains how the TRIGger command subsystem is used synchronize device actions with events.

Chapter 13: UNIT Subsystem

This chapter explains how to use the UNIT command subsystem to set the power meter measurement units to Watts and % (linear) , or dBm and dB (logarithmic).

Chapter 14: SERVice Subsystem

This chapter explains how to use the SERVice command subsystem to obtain and set information useful for servicing the power meter.

Chapter 15: IEEE488.2 Command Reference

This chapter contains information about the IEEE488.2 Common Commands that the power meter supports.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide ix

List of Related Publications

The Agilent E4418B User’s Guide and the Agilent E4419B User’s Guide are available in the following languages:

• English Language User’s Guide - Standard

• German Language User’s Guide - Option ABD

• Spanish Language User’s Guide - Option ABE

• French Language User’s Guide - Option ABF

• Italian Language User’s Guide - Option ABZ

• Japanese Language User’s Guide - Option ABJ

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Service Guide is available by ordering Option 915.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B CLIPs (Component Location and Information Pack) is

available by ordering E4418-90031.

Useful information on SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) can be found in:

• A Beginner’s Guide to SCPI, which is available by ordering Agilent Part Number 5010-7166.

• The SCPI reference manuals which are available from: SCPI Consortium, 8380 Hercules Drive, Suite P3, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA. Telephone: 619-697-4301 Fax: 619-697-5955

x Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Table of Contents

Page

Legal Information.......................................................................................1-iii

Notice ..................................................................................................1-iii

Certification ........................................................................................1-iii

Warranty.............................................................................................. 1-iii

Limitation of Warranty .......................................................................1-iv

Exclusive Remedies ............................................................................ 1-iv

Equipment Operation .................................................................................1-v

Personal Safety Considerations........................................................... 1-v

General Safety Considerations ................................................................... 1-vi

Markings ............................................................................................. 1-vi

IEC 1010-1 Compliance......................................................................1-vii

Statement of Compliance .................................................................... 1-vii

User Environment ...............................................................................1-vii

Installation Instructions....................................................................... 1-vii

About this Guide ........................................................................................1-viii

List of Related Publications .......................................................................1-x

Power Meter Remote Operation........................................................................1-1

Introduction ................................................................................................1-2

Configuring the Remote Interface.............................................................. 1-3

Interface Selection...............................................................................1-3

GP-IB Address .................................................................................... 1-3

RS232/RS422 Configuration ..............................................................1-4

Programming Language Selection .....................................................1-4

Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Meter..................................................1-11

Zeroing ................................................................................................1-11

Calibration...........................................................................................1-11

Setting the Reference Calibration Factor............................................1-12

Making Measurements ...............................................................................1-14

Using MEASure? ................................................................................ 1-15

Using the CONFigure Command........................................................ 1-20

Using the Lower Level Commands ....................................................1-29

Using Sensor Calibration Tables................................................................1-30

Overview............................................................................................. 1-30

Editing Sensor Calibration Tables ......................................................1-33

Selecting a Sensor Calibration Table ..................................................1-38

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Contents-1

Enabling the Sensor Calibration Table System...................................1-38

Making the Measurement....................................................................1-39

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables................................................1-40

Overview .............................................................................................1-40

Editing Frequency Dependent Offset Tables ......................................1-42

Selecting a Frequency Dependent Offset Table ..................................1-45

Enabling the Frequency Dependent Offset Table System...................1-45

Making the Measurement....................................................................1-45

Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging............................................1-47

Range...................................................................................................1-47

Resolution............................................................................................1-48

Averaging ............................................................................................1-48

Setting Offsets ............................................................................................1-51

Channel Offsets ...................................................................................1-51

Display Offsets ....................................................................................1-51

Example...............................................................................................1-52

Setting Measurement Limits.......................................................................1-53

Setting Window Limits........................................................................1-55

Checking for Limit Failures ................................................................1-55

Example...............................................................................................1-57

Measuring Pulsed Signals...........................................................................1-58

Making the Measurement....................................................................1-58

Triggering the Power Meter .......................................................................1-61

Idle State..............................................................................................1-63

Initiate State.........................................................................................1-64

Event Detection State ..........................................................................1-64

Trigger Delay.......................................................................................1-65

Getting the Best Speed Performance .........................................................1-66

Speed ...................................................................................................1-66

Trigger Mode.......................................................................................1-66

Output Format .....................................................................................1-68

Units ....................................................................................................1-68

Command Used ...................................................................................1-68

200 Readings/Sec ................................................................................1-68

Dual Channel Considerations ..............................................................1-69

How Measurements are Calculated ............................................................1-70

Status Reporting .........................................................................................1-71

The General Status Register Model.....................................................1-72

How to Use Registers ..........................................................................1-74

Status Register.....................................................................................1-79

Using the Operation Complete Commands.........................................1-89

Saving and Recalling Power Meter Configurations ...................................1-91

How to Save and Recall a Configuration ............................................1-91

Contents-2 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Example Program................................................................................1-91

Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements................................................1-92

An Introduction to the SCPI Language...................................................... 1-93

Syntax Conventions ............................................................................1-95

SCPI Data Types.................................................................................1-95

Input Message Terminators................................................................. 1-101

Quick Reference......................................................................................... 1-102

MEASurement Commands .................................................................1-103

CALCulate Subsystem........................................................................1-104

CALibration Subsystem......................................................................1-105

DISPlay Subsystem............................................................................. 1-105

FORMat Subsystem ............................................................................1-105

MEMory Subsystem ........................................................................... 1-106

OUTPut Subsystem............................................................................. 1-106

[SENSe] Subsystem ............................................................................1-107

STATus Subsystem.............................................................................1-108

SYSTem Subsystem............................................................................1-109

TRIGger Subsystem............................................................................1-109

UNIT Subsystem.................................................................................1-110

SERVice Subsystem ........................................................................... 1-110

SCPI Compliance Information ..................................................................1-111

MEASurement Instructions ...............................................................................2-1

MEASurement Instructions........................................................................ 2-2

CONFigure[1|2]?........................................................................................2-6

CONFigure[1|2] Commands ......................................................................2-8

CONFigure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC] [<expected_value>[,<resolu-

tion>[,<source list>]]] ................................................................................2-9

CONFigure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RELative

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]] ................................... 2-11

CONFigure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]] ................................... 2-13

CONFigure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence:RELative

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]] ................................... 2-15

CONFigure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]] ................................... 2-17

CONFigure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio:RELative

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]] ................................... 2-19

FETCh[1|2] Queries ...................................................................................2-21

FETCh[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]? [<expected_value>[,<resolu-

tion>[,<source list>]]] ................................................................................2-22

FETCh[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RELative?

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Contents-3

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-24

FETCh[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-27

FETCh[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-29

FETCh[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-31

FETCh[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-33

READ[1|2] Commands...............................................................................2-35

READ[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]? [<expected_value>[,<resolu-

tion>[,<source list>]]].................................................................................2-36

READ[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-38

READ[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-41

READ[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-43

READ[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio? [<expected_value>[,<resolu-

tion>[,<source list>]]].................................................................................2-45

READ[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-47

MEASure[1|2] Commands .........................................................................2-49

MEASure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]? [<expected_value>[,<resolu-

tion>[,<source list>]]].................................................................................2-50

MEASure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-52

MEASure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-54

MEASure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:DIFFerence:RELative?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-56

MEASure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio?

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]]....................................2-58

MEASure[1|2][:SCALar][:POWer:AC]:RATio:RELative?

Contents-4 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

[<expected_value>[,<resolution>[,<source list>]]] ................................... 2-60

CALCulate Subsystem........................................................................................3-1

CALCulate Subsystem ............................................................................... 3-2

The CALCulate[1|2]:GAIN Node.............................................................. 3-4

CALCulate[1|2]:GAIN[:MAGNitude] <numeric_value>.......................... 3-5

CALCulate[1|2]:GAIN:STATe <Boolean> ............................................... 3-7

CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit Node......................................................................3-8

CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:CLEar:AUTO <Boolean>|ONCE.........................3-9

CALCulate[1|2]:Limit:CLEar[:IMMediate] ..............................................3-11

CALCulate[1|2]LIMit:FAIL?.....................................................................3-12

CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:FCOunt?................................................................3-13

CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:LOWer[:DATA] <mumeric_value>..................... 3-15

CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:STATe <Boolean>................................................3-17

CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:UPPer[:DATA] <numeric_value>........................ 3-18

The CALCulate[1|2]:MATH Node ............................................................ 3-20

CALCulate[1|2]:MATH[:EXPRession] <string> ...................................... 3-21

CALCulate[1|2]:MATH[:EXPRession]:CATalog? ...................................3-23

The CALCulate[1|2]:RELative Node......................................................... 3-24

CALCulate[1|2]:RELative[:MAGNitude]:AUTO <Boolean>|ONCE....... 3-25

CALCulate[1|2]:RELative:STATe <Boolean>..........................................3-27

CALibration Subsystem ..................................................................................... 4-1

CALibration Subsystem .............................................................................4-2

CALibration[1|2][:ALL] ............................................................................ 4-3

CALibration[1|2][:ALL]?...........................................................................4-5

CALibration[1|2]:AUTO <Boolean>|ONCE .............................................4-7

CALibration[1|2]:ECONtrol:STATe <Boolean>.......................................4-9

CALibration[1|2]:RCALibration <Boolean> .............................................4-10

CALibration[1|2]:RCFactor <numeric_value> .......................................... 4-12

CALibration[1|2]:ZERO:AUTO <Boolean>|ONCE..................................4-14

DISPlay Subsystem ............................................................................................. 5-1

DISPlay Subsystem ....................................................................................5-2

DISPlay:CONTrast <numeric_value> ....................................................... 5-3

DISPlay:ENABle <Boolean>.....................................................................5-5

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]] Node.................................................................. 5-6

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:FORMat <character_data> ...............................5-7

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:METer Node .....................................................5-9

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:METer:LOWer <numeric_value> .................... 5-10

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:METer:UPPer <numeric_value>...................... 5-12

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:RESolution <numeric_value> .......................... 5-14

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:SELect ..............................................................5-16

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]][:STATe] <Boolean>.........................................5-17

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Contents-5

FORMat Subsystem ............................................................................................6-1

FORMat Subsystem....................................................................................6-2

FORMat[:READings]:BORDer NORMal|SWAPped................................6-3

FORMat[:READings][:DATA] <Type> ....................................................6-4

MEMory Subsystem............................................................................................7-1

MEMory Subsystem ...................................................................................7-2

MEMory:CATalog Node............................................................................7-3

MEMory:CATalog[:ALL]? ........................................................................7-4

MEMory:CATalog:STATe?.......................................................................7-7

MEMory:CATalog:TABLe? ......................................................................7-8

MEMory:CLEar Node................................................................................7-11

MEMory:CLEar[:NAME] <string> ...........................................................7-12

MEMory:CLEar:TABLe ............................................................................7-13

The MEMory:FREE Node..........................................................................7-14

MEMory:FREE[:ALL]? .............................................................................7-15

MEMory:FREE:STATe?............................................................................7-16

MEMory:FREE:TABLe? ...........................................................................7-17

MEMory:NSTates?.....................................................................................7-18

The MEMory:STATe Node........................................................................7-19

MEMory:STATe:CATalog?.......................................................................7-20

MEMory:STATe:DEFine <string>,<numeric_value> ...............................7-21

MEMory:TABLe Node ..............................................................................7-23

MEMory:TABLe:FREQuency <numeric_value>{,<numeric_value>}.....7-24

MEMory:TABLe:FREQuency:POINts? ....................................................7-27

MEMory:TABLe:GAIN[:MAGNitude] <numeric_value>{,<numeric_value>}

Contents-6 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

7-28

MEMory:TABLe:GAIN[:MAGNitude]:POINts?...................................... 7-30

MEMory:TABLe:MOVE <string>,<string>.............................................. 7-31

MEMory:TABLe:SELect <string> ............................................................7-32

OUTput Subsystem .............................................................................................8-1

OUTPut Subsystem ....................................................................................8-2

OUTPut:RECorder[1]|2:LIMit:LOWer <numeric_value> ....................... 8-3

OUTPut:RECorder[1]|2:LIMit:UPPer <numeric_value> .........................8-5

OUTPut:RECorder[1]|2:STATe <Boolean> ............................................. 8-7

OUTPut:ROSCillator[:STATe] <Boolean>............................................... 8-8

OUTPut:TTL[1|2]:ACTive HIGH|LOW ...................................................8-9

OUTPut:TTL[1|2]:FEED <string>............................................................. 8-10

OUTPut:TTL[1|2]:STATe <Boolean>....................................................... 8-12

SENSe Subsystem................................................................................................ 9-1

[SENSe] Subsystem ...................................................................................9-2

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage Node ....................................................... 9-4

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage:COUNt <numeric_value> ......................9-5

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage:COUNt:AUTO <Boolean>|ONCE......... 9-7

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage:SDETect <Boolean> .............................. 9-10

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage[:STATe] <Boolean>...............................9-12

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection Node ...................................................9-13

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET[1]|CSET2 Node....................... 9-14

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET[1]|CSET2[:SELect] <string>...9-15 [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET[1]|CSET2:STATe <Boolean>. 9-17

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:DCYCle|GAIN3 Node ....................... 9-19

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:DCYCle|GAIN3[:INPut][:MAGNitude]

<numeric_value>........................................................................................ 9-20

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:DCYCle|GAIN3:STATe <Boolean> .9-23

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:GAIN[1|2] Node.................................9-25

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CFACtor|GAIN[1|2][:INPut][:MAGNi-

tude] <numeric_value> ..............................................................................9-26

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:GAIN2:STATe <Boolean> ................9-29

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:FDOFfset|GAIN4[:INPut][:MAGNitude]? 9-31

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:LOSS2 Node ......................................9-32

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:LOSS2[:INPut][:MAGNitude]

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Contents-7

<numeric_value> ........................................................................................9-33

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:LOSS2:STATe <Boolean>.................9-35

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:FREQuency[:CW|:FIXed] <numeric_value>...........9-37

The [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:CLEar Node............................................9-39

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:CLEar:AUTO <Boolean>|ONCE..................9-40

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:CLEar[:IMMediate].......................................9-42

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:FAIL?.............................................................9-43

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:FCOunt?.........................................................9-44

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:LOWer[:DATA] <numeric_value>...............9-46

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:STATe <Boolean>.........................................9-48

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:LIMit:UPPer[:DATA] <numeric_value>.................9-49

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:POWer:AC:RANGe <numeric_value>....................9-51

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:POWer:AC:RANGe:AUTO <Boolean>..................9-53

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:SPEed <numeric_value>..........................................9-55

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:V2P ATYPe|DTYPe.................................................9-57

STATus Subsystem............................................................................................10-1

STATus Subsystem ..................................................................................10-2

Status Register Set Commands.................................................................10-4

Device Status Register Sets ......................................................................10-8

Operation Register Sets ............................................................................10-10

STATus:OPERation .................................................................................10-11

STATus:OPERation:CALibrating[:SUMMary].......................................10-12

STATus:OPERation:LLFail[:SUMMary] ................................................10-13

STATus:OPERation:MEASuring[:SUMMary]........................................10-14

STATus:OPERation:SENSe[:SUMMary]................................................10-15

STATus:OPERation:TRIGger[:SUMMary].............................................10-16

STATus:OPERation:ULFail[:SUMMary]................................................10-17

STATus:PRESet .......................................................................................10-18

Questionable Register Sets .......................................................................10-19

STATus:QUEStionable ............................................................................10-20

STATus:QUEStionable:CALibration[:SUMMary]..................................10-21

STATus:QUEStionable:POWer[:SUMMary] ..........................................10-22

SYSTem Subsystem...........................................................................................11-1

SYSTem Subsystem .................................................................................11-2

SYSTem:COMMunicate:GPIB[:SELF]:ADDRess <numeric_value> ....11-3

SYStem:COMMunicate:Serial Node .......................................................11-4

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:CONTrol:DTR ON|OFF|IBFull ..........11-5

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:CONTrol:RTS ON|OFF|IBFull...........11-6

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:BAUD <numeric_value>..11-7

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:BITs <numeric_value> .....11-9

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:PACE XON|NONE...........11-11

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:PARity[:TYPE] EVEN|ODD|ZE-

Contents-8 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

RO|ONE|NONE .......................................................................................11-12

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:SBITs <numeric_value>... 11-14

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:AUTO?............................. 11-15

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:BAUD <numeric_value>. 11-16

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:BITs <numeric_value> ....11-18

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:ECHO ON|OFF................11-19

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:PACE XON|NONE.......... 11-20

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:PARity[:TYPE]

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Contents-9

EVEN|ODD|ZERO|ONE|NONE ..............................................................11-21

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:SBITs <numeric_value> ..11-23

SYSTem:ERRor?......................................................................................11-24

SYSTem:LANGuage <character_data> ...................................................11-25

SYStem:LOCal.........................................................................................11-26

SYSTem:PRESet ......................................................................................11-27

SYSTem:REMote.....................................................................................11-30

SYSTem:RINTerface GPIB|RS232|RS422 ..............................................11-31

SYSTem:RWLock....................................................................................11-32

SYSTem:VERSion? .................................................................................11-33

TRIGger Subsystem ..........................................................................................12-1

TRIGger Subsystem .................................................................................12-2

ABORt[1|2]...............................................................................................12-3

INITiate Node...........................................................................................12-4

INITiate[1|2]:CONTinuous <Boolean>....................................................12-5

INITiate[1|2][:IMMediate] .......................................................................12-7

TRIGger Node ..........................................................................................12-8

TRIGger[1|2]:DELay:AUTO <Boolean>.................................................12-9

TRIGger[1|2][:IMMediate].......................................................................12-11

TRIGger[1|2]:SOURce BUS|IMMediate|HOLD......................................12-12

UNIT Subsystem................................................................................................13-1

UNIT Subsystem ......................................................................................13-2

UNIT[1|2]:POWer <amplitude_unit> ......................................................13-3

UNIT[1|2]:POWer:RATio <ratio_unit> ...................................................13-6

SERVice Subsystem...........................................................................................14-1

SERVice Subsystem .................................................................................14-2

SERVice:OPTion <string> .......................................................................14-3

SERVice:SENSor[1|2]:CDATE? .............................................................14-4

SERVice:SENSor[1|2]:CPLace? ..............................................................14-5

SERVice:SENSor[1|2]:SNUMber? ..........................................................14-6

SERVice:SENSor[1|2]:TYPE?.................................................................14-7

SERVice:SNUMber <alpha_numeric> ....................................................14-8

SERVice:VERSion:PROCessor <string>.................................................14-9

SERVice:VERSion:SYSTem <string>.....................................................14-10

IEEE488.2 Command Reference .....................................................................15-1

IEEE-488 Compliance Information..........................................................15-2

Universal Commands ...............................................................................15-3

DCL ...................................................................................................15-3

GET ...................................................................................................15-3

GTL ...................................................................................................15-3

Contents-10 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

LLO...................................................................................................15-3

PPC....................................................................................................15-4

PPD ................................................................................................... 15-4

PPE....................................................................................................15-4

PPU ................................................................................................... 15-5

SDC...................................................................................................15-5

SPD ................................................................................................... 15-5

SPE....................................................................................................15-5

*CLS.........................................................................................................15-6

*DDT <arbitrary block program data>|<string program data>................ 15-7

*ESE <NRf> ............................................................................................ 15-9

*ESR?....................................................................................................... 15-10

*IDN? ....................................................................................................... 15-11

*OPC ........................................................................................................15-12

*OPT?.......................................................................................................15-13

*RCL <NRf>............................................................................................15-14

*RST.........................................................................................................15-15

*SAV <NRf> ...........................................................................................15-16

*SRE <NRf> ............................................................................................ 15-17

*STB?....................................................................................................... 15-19

*TRG........................................................................................................15-21

*TST? ....................................................................................................... 15-22

*WAI........................................................................................................15-23

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Contents-11

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Contents-12 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

List of Figures

Page

1-1 Sensor Calibration Tables.......................................................................1-31

1-2 Frequency Dependent Offset Tables ......................................................1-41

1-3 Averaged Readings.................................................................................1-49

1-4 Averaging Range Hysteresis ..................................................................1-49

1-5 Limits Checking Application..................................................................1-53

1-6 Limits Checking Results......................................................................... 1-54

1-7 Pulsed Signal ..........................................................................................1-58

1-8 Trigger System ....................................................................................... 1-63

1-9 How Measurements are Calculated ........................................................1-70

1-10 Generalized Status Register Model ........................................................1-72

1-11 Typical Status Register Bit Changes ...................................................... 1-73

1-12 Status System..........................................................................................1-79

3-1 CALCulate Block ...................................................................................3-3

9-1 Averaged Readings.................................................................................9-7

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Figures-1

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Figures-2 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

List of Tables

Page

1-1 HP 437B Command Summary ...............................................................1-6

1-2 HP 438A Command Summary .............................................................. 1-9

1-3 MEASure? and CONFigure Preset States ..............................................1-14

1-4 Range of Values for Window Limits......................................................1-55

1-5 Bit Definitions - Status Byte Register ....................................................1-80

1-6 Bit Definitions - Standard Event Register .............................................. 1-82

3-1 Measurement Units.................................................................................3-15

3-2 Measurement Units.................................................................................3-18

5-1 Measurement Units.................................................................................5-10

5-2 Measurement Units.................................................................................5-12

10-1 Status Data Structure ............................................................................10-2

11-1 Preset Settings....................................................................................... 11-27

15-1 PPD Mapping .......................................................................................15-4

15-2 PPE Mapping........................................................................................15-4

15-3 *ESE Mapping......................................................................................15-9

15-4 *ESR? Mapping....................................................................................15-10

15-5 *SRE Mapping .....................................................................................15-17

15-6 *STB? Mapping....................................................................................15-19

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide Tables-1

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Tables-2 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Introduction

This chapter describes the parameters which configure the power meter and help you determine settings to optimize performance. It contains the following sections:

“Configuring the Remote Interface”, on page 1-3.

“Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Meter”, on page 1-11.

“Making Measurements”, on page 1-14.

“Using Sensor Calibration Tables”, on page 1-30.

“Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables”, on page 1-40

“Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging”, on page 1-47.

“Setting Offsets”, on page 1-51.

“Setting Measurement Limits”, on page 1-53.

“Measuring Pulsed Signals”, on page 1-58.

“Triggering the Power Meter”, on page 1-61.

“Getting the Best Speed Performance”, on page 1-66.

“How Measurements are Calculated”, on page 1-70.

“Status Reporting”, on page 1-71.

“Saving and Recalling Power Meter Configurations”, on page 1-91.

“Using Device Clear to Halt Measurements”, on page 1-92.

“An Introduction to the SCPI Language”, on page 1-93.

“Quick Reference”, on page 1-102.

“SCPI Compliance Information”, on page 1-111.

1-2 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

This section describes how to configure the GP-IB, RS232 and RS422 remote interfaces.

Interface Selection

You can choose to control the power meter remotely using either the GP-IB, RS232 or RS422 standard interfaces.

For information on selecting the remote interface manually from the front panel, refer to the Agilent Technologies E4418B/E4419B User’s Guides.

To select the interface remotely use the :

• SYSTem:RINTerface command

To query the current remote interface selection use the:

• SYSTem:RINTerface? command

GP-IB Address

Each device on the GP-IB (IEEE-488) interface must have a unique address. You can set the power meter’s address to any value between 0 and 30. The address is set to 13 when the power meter is shipped from the factory.

The address is stored in non-volatile memory, and does not change when the power meter is switched off, or after a remote interface reset.

Your GP-IB bus controller has its own address. Avoid using the bus controller’s address for any instrument on the interface bus. Agilent controllers generally use address 21.

For information on setting the GP-IB address manually from the front panel, refer to the Agilent Technologies E4418B/E4419B User’s Guides.

To set the GP-IB address from the remote interface use the:

• SYSTem:COMMunicate:GPIB:ADDRess command.

To query the GP-IB address from the remote interface use the;

• SYSTem:COMMunicate:GPIB:ADDRess? query.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-3

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

RS232/RS422 Configuration

The RS232/RS422 serial port on the rear panel is a nine pin D-type connector configured as a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment). For pin-out information and cable length restrictions refer to the Agilent Technologies E4418A/E4419B User’s Guides.

You can set the baud rate, word length, parity, number of stop bits, software and hardware pacing, either remotely or from the front panel. For front panel operation refer to the Agilent Technologies E4418A/E4419B User’s Guides. For remote operation use the following commands:

SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:CONTrol:DTR SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:CONTrol:RTS SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:BAUD SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:BITs SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:PACE SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:PARity[:TYPE] SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial[:RECeive]:SBIT SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:BAUD SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:BIT SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:ECHO SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:PACE SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:PARity[:TYPE] SYSTem:COMMunicate:SERial:TRANsmit:SBIT

Programming Language Selection

You can select one of two languages to program the power meter from the remote interface. The language is SCPI when the power meter is shipped from the factory. The other language depends on the model number of your power meter:

• For E4418B the language is 437B programming language.

• For E4419B the language is 438A programming language.

The language selection is stored in non-volatile memory, and does not change when power has been off, or after either a remote interface reset, or a front panel preset.

For information on selecting the interface language manually from the front panel, refer to the Agilent Technologies E4418B/E4419B User’s Guides.

To select the interface language from the remote interface use the:

• SYSTem:LANGuage command.

To query the interface language from the remote interface use the:

1-4 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

• SYSTem:LANGuage? query.

Table 1-1 details all the HP 437B commands that the Agilent E4418B supports and their function, and Table 1-2 details all the HP 438A commands that the Agilent E4419B supports and their function. For a detailed description of these commands refer to the HP

438A Operating and Service Manual (E4419B users). In addition, the

437B Power Meter Operating Manual (E4418B users), or the

SYST:LANG SCPI command allows you to return to using the SCPI programming language when in the HP

437B or HP 438A mode. Note that the 437B commands

only operate on the upper window of the E4418B.

437B/438A Error Codes

If an overrun error, parity error, or framing error occurs, then the status message will return the following additional error codes to those outlined in the 437B and 438A Operating Manuals.:

Error Code Description

94 Receiver overrun error

95 Parity error

96 Framing error

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-5

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

Table 1-1: HP 437B Command Summary

Command Description

*CLS

DC0

DC1

Calibrate

Clear all status registers

Clear the status byte

Clear sensor table

All display segments on

Duty Cycle off

Duty Cycle on

DD Display disable DE Display enable DF

ERR?

*ESR?

*ESE

*ESE?

GT0

GT1

GT2

IDN?

Display enable

Down arrow key

Display user message

Enter duty cycle

Enter

Device error query

Event status register query

Set event status register mask

Event status register mask query

Edit sensor table

Exit

Automatic filter selection

Filter hold

Manual filter selection

Enter measurement frequency

Ignore GET bus command

Trigger immediate response to GET

Trigger with delay response to GET

Gigahertz

Hertz

Identification query

Enter measurement cal factor

1-6 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

Command Description

LM0

LM1

LP2

OC0

OC1

OF0

OF1

PCT

RL0

RL1

RL2

*RST

Kilohertz

Log units (dBm/dB)

Enter high (upper) limit

Enter low (lower) limit

Disable limits checking

Enable limits checking

Linear units (watts/%)

Learn mode

Left arrow key

Megahertz

Reference oscillator off

Reference oscillator on

Output display

Offset off

Offset on

Enter offset value

Percent

Preset

Auto range

Recall instrument configuration

Set display resolution

Enter sensor table reference calibration factor

Range hold

Exit from relative mode

Enter relative mode (take new reference)

Enter relative mode (use last reference)

Set measurement range

Reset

Right arrow key

Read service request mask

Select sensor calibration table

Status message

Enter sensor identification/serial number

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-7

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

Command Description

SPD 20|40

*SRE

*SRE?

*STB?

SYST:LANG SCPI

TK?

TR0

TR1

TR2

TR3

*TST?5

Special

20 or 40 readings/sec

Set the service request mask

Service request mask query

Store (save) power meter configuration

Read status byte

Selects SCPI language

Last measurement result transmitted

Trigger hold

Trigger immediate

Trigger with delay

Trigger free run

Self test query

Up arrow key

Zero

Prefix for status mask

Learn mode prefix

Percent

1. This command is accepted but has no active function.

2. This command is not an original HP 437B command. However, it can be used to set the measurement speed to 20 or 40 readings/sec in HP details.

3. This command is not an original HP 437B command. However, it can be used to terminate 437B language and select the SCPI language. Note that it is recommended that the

the HP instrument is Preset following a language switch.

4. This command is not an original HP 437B command. However, it can be used to allow the

last measurement result to be transmitted. This is equivalent to sending the power meter talk address in GP-IB mode to fetch the last reading (provided no query is pending).

5. Always returns 0000 in HP 437B language.

437B mode. See SENSE:SPEED for more

1-8 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

Table 1-2: HP 438A Command Summary

Command Description

GT0

GT1

GT2

LM0

LM1

LP1

LP2

OC0

Sensor A minus Sensor B measurement

SET A

Sensor A measurement

A/B ratio measurement

Sensor B minus Sensor A measurement

SET B

Sensor B measurement

B/A ratio measurement

Calibrate

Clear the status byte

All display segments on

Display disable

Display enable

Display offset

Enter

Automatic filter selection

Filter hold

Manual filter selection

Enter measurement frequency

Ignore GET bus command

Trigger immediate response to GET

Trigger with delay response to GET

Enter measurement cal factor

Log units (dBm/dB)

Enter high (upper) limit

Enter low (lower) limit

Disable limits checking

Enable limits checking

Linear units (watts/%)

Learn mode #1

Learn mode #2

Reference oscillator off

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-9

Power Meter Remote Operation

Configuring the Remote Interface

Command Description

OC1

RL0

RL1

SPD 20|40

SYST:LANG SCPI

TK?

TR0

TR1

TR2

TR3

?ID

Reference oscillator on

Enter offset value

Preset

Auto range

Recall instrument configuration

Range hold

Exit from relative mode

Enter relative mode (take new reference)

Set measurement range

Read service request mask

Status message

20 or 40 readings/sec

Store (save) power meter configuration

Selects SCPI language

Last measurement result transmitted

Trigger hold

Trigger immediate

Trigger with delay

Trigger free run

Zero

Prefix for status mask

Identification query

1. This command is accepted but has no active function.

2. This command is not an original HP 438A command. However, it can be used to set the

measurement speed to 20 or 40 readings/sec in HP more details.

3. This command is not an original HP 438A command. However, it can be used to terminate

the HP

438A language and select the SCPI language. Note that it is recommended that the

instrument is Preset following a language switch.

4. This command is not an original HP 437B command. However, it can be used to allow the

last measurement result to be transmitted. This is equivalent to sending the power meter talk address in GP-IB mode to fetch the last reading (provided no query is pending).

438A mode. See SENSE:SPEED for

1-10 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Meter

This section describes how to zero and calibrate the power meter.

The calibration and zeroing commands are overlapped commands refer to “Using the Operation Complete Commands”, on page 1-89 to determine when the commands are complete.

Zeroing

Zeroing adjusts the power meter’s specified channel for a zero power reading with no power applied to the power sensor.

The command used to zero the power meter is:

CALibration[1|2]:ZERO:AUTO ONCE

The command assumes that there is no power being applied to the sensor. It turns the power reference oscillator off, then after zeroing, returns the power reference oscillator to the same state it was in prior to the command being received. Zeroing takes approximately 10 seconds depending on the type of power sensor being used.

When to Zero?

Zeroing of the power meter is recommended:

• when a 50C change in temperature occurs.

• when you change the power sensor.

• every 24 hours.

• prior to measuring low level signals. For example, 10 dB above the lowest specified power for your power sensor.

Calibration

Calibration sets the gain of the power meter using a 50 MHz 1 mW calibrator as a traceable power reference. The power meter’s POWER REF output or a suitable external reference is used as the signal source for calibration. An essential part of calibrating is setting the correct reference calibration factor for the power sensor you are using. The Agilent with Option CFT require you to set the reference calibration factor. The Agilent

E-Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors (excluding Option CFT) set the reference calibration factor automatically. Offset, relative and duty cycle settings are ignored during calibration.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-11

8480 Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors

Power Meter Remote Operation

Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Meter

The command used to calibrate the power meter is:

CALibration[1|2]:AUTO ONCE

The command assumes that the power sensor is connected to a 1 mW reference signal. It turns the power reference oscillator on, then after calibrating, returns the power reference oscillator to the same state it was in prior to the command being received. It is recommended that you zero the power meter before calibrating.

Calibration Sequence

This feature allows you to perform a complete calibration sequence with a single query. The query is:

CALibration[1|2][:ALL]?

The query assumes that the power sensor is connected to the power reference oscillator. It turns the power reference oscillator on, then after calibrating, returns the power reference oscillator to the same state it was in prior to the command being received. The calibration sequence consists of:

• Zeroing the power meter (CALibration[1|2]:ZERO:AUTO ONCE),

and

• calibrating the power meter (CALibration[1|2]:AUTO ONCE).

The query enters a number into the output buffer when the sequence is complete. If the result is 0 the sequence was successful. If the result is 1 the sequence failed. Refer to

“CALibration[1|2][:ALL]?”, on page 4-5 for further information.

Note The CALibration[1|2][:ALL] command is identical to the

CALibration[1|2][:ALL]? query except that no number is returned

to indicate the outcome of the sequence. You can examine the Questionable Status Register or the error queue to discover if the sequence has passed or failed. Refer to “Status Reporting”, on page 1-71 for further information.

Setting the Reference Calibration Factor

All the Agilent 8480 Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors with Option CFT require you to set the reference calibration factor. The reference calibration factor can be set by:

• entering the value into the power meter using the

CALibrate[1|2]:RCFactor command.

1-12 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Meter

• selecting and enabling the sensor calibration table. The reference calibration factor is automatically set by the power meter using the reference calibration factor stored in the sensor calibration table. See

“Using Sensor Calibration

Tables”, on page 1-30 for further information.

Examples

a) To enter a reference calibration factor of 98.7% for channel A, you should

use the following command :

CAL:RCF 98.7PCT

This overides any RCF previously set by selecting a sensor calibration table.

b) To automatically set the reference calibration factor, you have to use a sensor

calibration table as described in

“Using Sensor Calibration Tables”, on

page 1-30. To select and enable the table use the following commands:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:SELect <string> [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe ON

When the sensor calibration table is selected the RCF from the table overides any value previously set.

Querying the Reference Calibration Factor

To determine the current reference calibration factor, use the following command:

CALibration[1|2]:RCFactor?

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-13

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

The MEASure? and CONFigure commands provide the most straight-forward method to program the power meter for measurements. You can select the measurement’s expected power level, resolution and with the Agilent measurement type (that is single channel, difference or ratio measurements) all in one command. The power meter automatically presets other measurement parameters to default values as shown in

Table 1-3: MEASure? and CONFigure Preset States

Command MEASure? and CONFigure Setting

Trigger source (TRIGger:SOURce) Immediate

Table 1-3.

E4419B the

Filter (SENSe:AVERage:COUNt:AUTO)

Filter state (SENSe:AVERage:STATe)

Trigger cycle (INITiate:CONTinuous)

Trigger Delay (TRIGger:DELay:AUTO)

An alternative method to program the power meter is to use the lower level commands. The advantage of using the lower level commands over the CONFigure command is that they give you more precise control of the power meter. As shown in Table 1-3 the CONFigure command presets various states in the power meter. It may be likely that you do not want to preset these states. Refer to “Using the Lower Level Commands”, on page 1-29 for further information.

Off

1-14 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

MEAS1?

specifies window

MEAS2?

Making Measurements

Using MEASure?

The simplest way to program the power meter for measurements is by using the MEASure? query. However, this command does not offer much flexibility. When you execute the command, the power meter selects the best settings for the requested configuration and immediately performs the measurement. You cannot change any settings (other than the expected power value, resolution and with the Agilent

E4419B the measurement type) before the measurement is taken. This means

you cannot fine tune the measurement, for example, you cannot change the filter length. To make more flexible and accurate measurements use the CONFIGure command. The measurement results are sent to the output buffer. MEASure? is a compound command which is equivalent to an ABORT, followed by a CONFigure, followed by a READ?.

MEASure? Examples

The following commands show a few examples of how to use the MEASure? query to make a measurement. It is advisable to read through these examples in order as they become increasingly more detailed. These examples configure the power meter for a measurement (as described in each individual example), automatically place the power meter in the “wait-for-trigger” state, internally trigger the power meter to take one reading, and then sends the reading to the output buffer.

These examples give an overview of the MEASure? query. For further information on the MEASure? commands refer to the section starting on page 2-49 .

Example 1 - The Simplest Method

The following commands show the simplest method of making single channel (for example A or B) measurements. Using MEAS1? will result in an upper window measurement, and MEAS2? in a lower window measurement. The channel associated with the window can be set using the source list parameter (see example 2), or will default as in this example (

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-15

See “Agilent E4419B only” on page 18.).

“MEASure[1|2] Commands”

Power Meter Remote Operation

MEAS1? DEF,DEF,(@1)

specifies window specifies channel

MEAS2? -50,DEF,(@2)

specifies window specifies channel

specifies expected power value

Making Measurements

Example 2 - Specifying the Source List Parameter

The MEASure command has three optional parameters, an expected power value, a resolution and a source list. These parameters must be entered in the specified order. If parameters are omitted, they will default from the right. The parameter DEFault is used as a place holder.

The following example uses the source list parameter to specify the measurement channel as channel A. The expected power and resolution parameters are defaulted, leaving them at their current settings. The measurement is carried out on the upper window.

The operation of the MEAS1? command when the source list parameter is defaulted is described in the note on

page 1-18.

Note For the Agilent E4418B it is not necessary to specify a channel as only one

channel is available.

Example 3 - Specifying the Expected Power Parameter

The previous example details the three optional parameters which can be used with the MEASure? command. The first optional parameter is used to enter an expected power value. Entering this parameter is only relevant if you are using an Agilent

E-Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors (excluding Option CFT). The value entered determines which of the power sensor’s two ranges is used for the measurement. If the current setting of the power sensor’s range is no longer valid for the new measurement, specifying the expected power value decreases the time taken to obtain a result.

The following example uses the expected value parameter to specify a value of -50 dBm. This selects the power sensor’s lower range (refer to details of the range breaks). The resolution parameter is defaulted, leaving it at its current setting. The source list parameter specifies a channel B measurement. The measurement is displayed on the lower window.

1-16 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

“Range”, on page 1-47 for

Power Meter Remote Operation

MEAS1? DEF,3

specifies window

specifies resolution setting

MEAS2:POW:AC:DIFF? DEF,DEF,(@2),(@1)

specifies window

specifies between which channels the difference is calculated

Channel B - A

Making Measurements

Example 4 - Specifying the Resolution Parameter

The previous examples detailed the use of the expected value and source list parameters. The resolution parameter is used to set the resolution of the specified window. This parameter does not affect the resolution of the GP-IB data, however it does affect the auto averaging setting (refer to

Figure 1-3 on page 1-49).

Since the filter length used for a channel with auto-averaging enabled is dependent on the window resolution setting, a conflict arises when a given channel is set up in both windows and the resolution settings are different. In this case, the higher resolution setting is used to determine the filter length.

The following example uses the resolution parameter to specify a resolution setting of

3. This setting represents 3 significant digits if the measurement suffix is W or %, and

0.01 dB if the suffix is dB or dBm (for further details on the resolution parameter refer to the commands in

Chapter 2, “MEASurement Instructions”.). Also, in this example the expected power and source list parameters are defaulted. The expected power value will be left unchanged at its current setting. The source list parameter will be defaulted as described in the note on

page 1-18. Note that as the source list parameter

is the last specified parameter you do not have to specify DEF. The measurement is carried out on the upper window.

Example 5 - Making a Difference Measurement

The following command can only be carried out on the Agilent E4419B. It queries the lower window to make a difference measurement of channel

B - channel A . The expected power and resolution parameters are defaulted, leaving them at their current settings.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-17

Power Meter Remote Operation

MEAS1:POW:AC:RAT? DEF,DEF,(@1),(@2)

specifies window

specifies the relationship of the channels in the ratio

Channel A / B

Making Measurements

Example 6 - Making a Ratio Measurement

The following command can only be carried out on the Agilent E4419B. It queries the upper window to make a ratio measurement of channel resolution parameters are defaulted, leaving them at their current settings.

Note Agilent E4419B only

The operation of the MEASure? command when the source list parameter is defaulted depends on the current setup of the window concerned (for example, A, B, A/B, A-B etc.) and on the particular command used (for example, MEAS[:POW][:AC]? and MEAS:POW:AC:RAT? etc).

A/B . The expected power and

MEAS1[:POW][AC]? Upper Window: A A

MEAS2[:POW][AC]? Lower Window: A A

MEAS1:POW:AC:RAT Upper Window: A/B A/B

MEAS2:POW:AC:RAT Lower Window: A/B

This means that when the source list parameter is defaulted, there are a number of possibilities.

Command Current Window Setup Measurement

B B

Any Other A

B B

Any Other B

B/A B/A

Any Other A/B

1-18 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

A/B

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Command Current Window Setup Measurement

B/A

Any Other

MEAS1:POW:AC:DIFF? Upper Window: A-B

B-A

Any Other

MEAS2:POW:AC:DIFF? Lower Window: A-B

B-A

Any Other

B/A

A/B

A-B

B-A

A-B

B-A

A-B

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-19

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Using the CONFigure Command

When you execute this command, the power meter presets the best settings for the requested configuration (like the MEASure? query). However, the measurement is not automatically started and you can change measurement parameters before making measurements. This allows you to incrementally change the power meter’s configuration from the preset conditions. The power meter offers a variety of low-level commands in the SENSe, CALCulate, and TRIGger subsystems. For example, if you want to change the averaging use the [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage:COUNt command.

Use the INITiate or READ? query to initiate the measurement.

Using READ?

CONFigure does not take the measurement. One method of obtaining a result is to use the READ? query. The READ? query takes the measurement using the parameters set by the CONFigure command then sends the reading to the output buffer. Using the READ? query will obtain new data.

Using INITiate and FETCh?

CONFigure does not take the measurement. One method of obtaining the result is to use the INITiate and FETCh? commands. The INITiate command causes the measurement to be taken. The FETCh? query retrieves a reading when the measurement is complete, and sends the reading to the output buffer. FETCh? can be used to display the measurement results in a number of different formats (for example, A/B and B/A) without taking fresh data for each measurement.

CONFigure Examples

The following program segments show how to use the READ? command and the INITiate and FETCh? commands with CONFigure to make measurements.

It is advisable to read through these examples in order as they become increasingly more detailed.

These examples give an overview of the CONFigure command. For further information on the CONFigure commands refer to Instructions”.

Chapter 2, “MEASurement

1-20 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Example 1 - The Simplest Method

The following program segments show the simplest method of querying the upper and lower window’s measurement results respectively.

Using READ?

*RST Reset instrument CONF1 Configure upper window - defaults to a channel A

measurement

READ1? Take upper window (channel A) measurement

*RST Reset instrument CONF2 Configure the lower window - defaults to channel A

(Agilent E4418B), Channel B (Agilent E4419B) measurement

READ2? Take lower window measurement (channel A on Agilent E4418B,

B on Agilent

Using INITiate and FETCh?

*RST Reset instrument CONF1 Configure upper window - defaults to a channel A

measurement

INIT1 Causes channel A to make a measurement FETC1? Retrieves the upper window’s measurement

For the Agilent E4418B only:

*RST Reset instrument CONF2 Configure lower window - Agilent E4418B defaults to

INIT1? Causes channel A to make measurement FETC2? Retrieves the lower window’s measurement

E4419B)

channel A

For the Agilent E4419B only:

*RST Reset instrument CONF2 Configure lower window INIT2? Causes channel B to make measurement FETC2? Retrieves the lower window’s measurement

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-21

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Example 2 - Specifying the Source List Parameter

The CONFigure and READ? commands have three optional parameters, an expected power value, a resolution and a source list. These parameters must be entered in the specified order. If parameters are omitted, they will default from the right. The parameter DEFault is used as a place holder.

The following examples use the source list parameter to specify the measurement channel as channel A. The expected power and resolution parameters are defaulted, leaving them at their current settings. The measurement is carried out on the upper window.

Although the READ? and FETCh? queries have three optional parameters it is not necessary to define them as shown in these examples. If they are defined they must be identical to those defined in the CONFigure command otherwise an error occurs.

Note For the Agilent E4418B it is not necessary to specify a channel as only one

channel is available.

Using READ?

ABOR1 Aborts channel A

CONF1 DEF,DEF,(@1) Configures the upper window to make a

channel A measurement using the current expected power and resolution settings.

READ1? Takes the upper window’s

measurement.

Using INITiate and FETCh?

ABOR1 Aborts channel A

CONF1 DEF,DEF,(@1) Configures the upper window to make a

channel A measurement using the current expected power and resolution settings.

INIT1 Causes channel A to make a

measurement.

FETC1? Retrieves the upper window’s

measurement.

1-22 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Example 3 - Specifying the Expected Power Parameter

The previous example details the three optional parameters which can be used with the CONFigure and READ? commands. The first optional parameter is used to enter an expected power value. Entering this parameter is only relevant if you are using an Agilent

The following example uses the expected value parameter to specify a value of -50 dBm. This selects the power meter’s lower range (refer to

“Range”, on page 1-47 for details of the range breaks). The resolution parameter is defaulted, leaving it at its current setting. The source list parameter specifies a channel B measurement. The measurement is carried out on the upper window.

Using READ?

ABOR2 Aborts channel B

CONF1 -50,DEF,(@2) Configures the upper window to make a

channel B measurement using an expected power of -50

dBm and the

current resolution setting.

READ1? Takes the upper window’s

measurement.

Some fine tuning of measurements can be carried out using the CONFigure and READ? commands. For example, in the above program segment some fine tuning can

be carried out by setting the filter length to 1024 and the trigger delay off.

ABOR2 CONF1 -50,DEF,(@2) SENS2:AVER:COUN 1024 TRIG2:DEL:AUTO OFF READ1?

Using INITiate and FETCh?

ABOR2 Aborts channel B

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-23

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

CONF1 -50,DEF,(@2) Configures the upperwindow to make a

channel B measurement using an expected power of -50

dBm and the

current resolution setting.

INIT2 Causes channel B to make a

measurement.

FETC1? Retrieves the upper window’s

measurement.

Some fine tuning of measurements can be carried out using the CONFigure command and INITiate and FETCh? commands. For example, in the above program segment some fine tuning can be carried out by setting the filter length to 1024 and the trigger delay off.

ABOR2 CONF1 -50,DEF,(@2) SENS2:AVER:COUN 1024 TRIG2:DEL:AUTO OFF INIT2 FETC1?

1-24 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Example 4 - Specifying the Resolution Parameter

Figure 1-3 on page 1-49).

The following example uses the resolution parameter to specify a resolution setting of

3. This setting represents 3 significant digits if the measurement suffix is W or %, and

0.01 dB if the suffix is dB or dBm (for further details on the resolution parameter refer to the commands in

Chapter 2, “MEASurement Instructions”). Also, in this example the expected power and source list parameters are defaulted. The expected power value will be left unchanged at its current setting. The source list parameter will be defaulted as described in the note on

page 1-18. Note that as the source list parameter

is the last specified parameter you do not have to specify DEF.

Using READ?

ABOR1 Aborts channel A.

CONF1 DEF,3 Configures the upper window to make a measurement using

the current setting of the expected power and source list and a resolution setting of 3.

READ1? Takes the upper window’s measurement. This will be a

channel A or B measurement depending on current window setup

Some fine tuning of the above program segment can be carried out for example, by setting the trigger delay off. The following program segment assumes that channel A is currently being measured on the upper window.

ABOR1 CONF1 DEF,3 TRIG1:DEL:AUTO OFF READ1?

Using INITiate and FETCh?

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-25

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

The following program segment assumes that channel A is currently being measured

on the upper window.

ABOR1 Aborts channel A.

CONF1 DEF,3 Configures the upper window to make a

measurement using the current setting of the expected power and source list and a resolution setting of 3.

INIT1 Causes channel A to make a

measurement.

FETC1? Retrieves the upper window’s

measurement.

Some fine tuning of the above program segment can be carried out for example, by setting the trigger delay off.

ABOR1 CONF1 DEF,3 TRIG1:DEL:AUTO OFF INIT1:IMM FETC1?

1-26 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Example 5 - Making a Difference Measurement

The following program segment can be carried out on the Agilent E4419B. It queries the lower window to make a difference measurement of channel

A - channel B. The expected power level and resolution parameters are defaulted, leaving them at their current settings. Some fine tuning of the measurement is carried out by setting the averaging, and the trigger delay to off.

Using READ?

ABOR1 ABOR2 CONF2:POW:AC:DIFF DEF,DEF,(@1),(@2) SENS1:AVER:COUN 1024 SENS2:AVER:COUN 1024 TRIG1:DEL:AUTO OFF TRIG2:DEL:AUTO OFF READ2:POW:AC:DIFF? READ2:POW:AC:DIFF? DEF,DEF,(@2),(@1)(A second

READ?

query is sent

to make a channel B - channel A measurement using fresh measurement data.)

Using INITiate and FETCh?

ABOR1 ABOR2 CONF2:POW:AC:DIFF DEF,DEF,(@1),(@2) SENS1:AVER:COUN 1024 SENS2:AVER:COUN 1024 TRIG1:DEL:AUTO OFF TRIG2:DEL:AUTO OFF INIT1:IMM INIT2:IMM FETC2:POW:AC:DIFF? FETC2:POW:AC:DIFF? DEF,DEF,(@2),(@1) (A second FETCh? query is

sent to make a channel B - channel A measurement using the current measurement data.)

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-27

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Example 6 - Making a Ratio Measurement

The following program segment can be carried out on the Agilent E4419B. It queries the lower window to make a ratio measurement of channel A/B. The expected power level and resolution parameters are defaulted, leaving them at their current settings. Some fine tuning of the measurement is carried out by setting the averaging.

Using READ?

ABOR1 ABOR2 CONF2:POW:AC:RAT DEF,DEF,(@1),(@2) SENS1:AVER:COUN 512 SENS2:AVER:COUN 256 READ2:POW:AC:RAT? READ2:POW:AC:RAT? DEF,DEF,(@2),(@1) (A second

READ?

query is sent

to make a channel B - channel A ratio measurement using fresh measurement data.)

Using INITiate and FETCh?

ABOR1 ABOR2 CONF2:POW:AC:RAT DEF,DEF,(@1),(@2) SENS1:AVER:COUN 512 SENS2:AVER:COUN 256 INIT1:IMM INIT2:IMM FETC2:POW:AC:RAT? FETC2:POW:AC:RAT? DEF,DEF,(@2),(@1) (A second FETCh? query is sent

to make a channel B - channel A measurement using the current measurement data.)

1-28 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Making Measurements

Using the Lower Level Commands

An alternative method of making measurements is to use the lower level commands to set up the expected range and resolution. This can be done using the following commands:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:POWER:AC:RANGe DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:RESolution

The measurement type can be set using the following commands in the CALCulate subsystem:

CALCulate[1|2]:MATH[:EXPRession] CALCulate[1|2]:RELative[:MAGNitude]

The advantage of using the lower level commands over the CONFigure command is that they give you more precise control of the power meter. As shown in page 1-14 the CONFigure command presets various states in the power meter. It may be likely that you do not want to preset these states.

Example

Table 1-3 on

The following example sets the expected power value to -50 dBm and the resolution setting to 3 using the lower level commands. The measurement is a single channel A measurement carried out on the lower window.

ABOR1 Aborts channel A.

CALC2:MATH:EXPR "(SENS1)" Displays channel A on lower window.

SENS1:POW:AC:RANG 0 Sets lower range (E-Series sensors and

N8480 Series sensors (excluding Option CFT) only).

DISP:WIND2:RES 3 Sets the lower window’s resolution to

setting 3.

INIT1 Causes channel A to make a

measurement.

FETC2? Retrieves the lower window’s

measurement.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-29

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

This section applies to all Agilent 8480 Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors with Option CFT. It does not apply to the Agilent N8480 Series power sensors (excluding Option CFT). The Agilent sensors and N8480 Series power sensors (excluding Option CFT) have their sensor calibration tables stored in EEPROM which allows frequency and calibration factor data to be downloaded by the power meter automatically.

This section describes how to use sensor calibration tables. Sensor calibration tables are used to store the measurement calibration factors, supplied with each power sensor, in the power meter. These calibration factors are used to correct measurement results.

Overview

For the Agilent 8480 Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors with Option CFT there are two methods of providing correction data to the power meter depending on the setting of the

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe command. If [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe is OFF the sensor

calibration tables are not used. To make a calibrated power measurement when [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe is OFF, perform the following steps:

E-Series power sensors and

E-Series power

1. Zero and calibrate the power meter. Before carrying out the calibration set the reference calibration factor for the power meter you are using.

2. Set the calibration factor to the value for the frequency of the signal you want to measure.

3. Make the measurement.

When [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe is ON, the sensor calibration tables are used, providing you with a quick and convenient method for making power measurements at a range of frequencies using one or more power sensors. Note that with the sensor calibration table selected, the RCF from the table overides any value previously set. The power meter is capable of storing 20 sensor calibration tables of 80 frequency points each.

1-30 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

TABLE N

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

CFAC

. . . . . . . . .

TABLE 1

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

CFAC

. . . . . . . . .

CFAC

TABLE 2 0

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

CFAC

. . . . . . . . .

CFAC

CFAC = Calibration Factor

RCF = Reference Calibration Factor

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

CFAC

. . . . . . . . .

CFAC

Frequency of the signal you want to measure

Calibration Factor used

TABLE SELECTED

to make Measurement. Calculated by the Power Meter using linear interpolation

RCF

CFAC

RCF

Reference Calibration Factor used for Power Meter Calibration.

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Figure 1-1 illustrates how sensor calibration tables operate.

Figure 1-1: Sensor Calibration Tables

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-31

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

To use sensor calibration tables you:

1. Edit a sensor calibration table if necessary.

2. Select the sensor calibration table.

3. Enable the sensor calibration table.

4. Zero and calibrate the power meter. The reference calibration factor used during the calibration is automatically set by the power meter from the sensor calibration table.

5. Specify the frequency of the signal you want to measure. The calibration factor is automatically set by the power meter from the sensor calibration table.

6. Make the measurement.

1-32 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Editing Sensor Calibration Tables

It is not possible to create any additional sensor calibration tables. However, the 20 existing ones can be edited using the MEMory subsystem. To do this:

1. Select one of the existing tables using:

MEMory:TABle:SELect <string>. For information on naming sensor calibration tables see “Naming Sensor Calibration Tables”, on page 1-36. For information on the current names which you can select refer to “Listing the Sensor Calibration Table Names”, on page 1-34.

2. Enter the frequency data using:

MEMory:TABle:FREQuency <numeric_value> {,<numeric_value>}

3. Enter the calibration factors using:

MEMory:TABle:GAIN <numeric_value> {,<numeric_value>}. The first parameter you enter should be the

reference calibration factor, each subsequent parameter is a calibration factor in the sensor calibration table. This means that entries in the frequency list correspond as shown with entries in the calibration factor list.

Frequency Calibration Factor

Reference Calibration Factor

Frequency 1 Calibration Factor 1

Frequency 2 Calibration Factor 2

" "

Frequency n Calibration Factor n

4. If required, rename the sensor calibration table using:

MEMory:TABLe:MOVE <string>,<string>. The first <string> parameter identifies the existing table name, and the second identifies the new table name.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-33

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Note The legal frequency suffix multipliers are any of the IEEE suffix multipliers,

for example, KHZ, MHZ and GHZ. If no units are specified the power meter assumes the data is Hz.

PCT is the only legal unit for calibration factors and can be omitted.

The frequency and calibration data must be within range. Refer to the individual commands in

Chapter 4 for their specified ranges.

The number of calibration factor points must be one more than the number of frequency points. This is verified when the sensor calibration table is selected using

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1[:SELect] <string>

Ensure that the frequency points you use cover the frequency range of the signals you want to measure. If you measure a signal with a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the sensor calibration table, then the power meter uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the sensor calibration table to calculate the calibration factor.

To make subsequent editing of a sensor calibration table simpler, it is recommended that you retain a copy of your data in a program.

Listing the Sensor Calibration Table Names

To list the tables currently stored in the power meter, use the following command:

MEMory:CATalog:TABLe?

Note that all tables are listed; including frequency dependent offset tables.

The power meter returns the data in the form of two numeric parameters and a string list representing all the stored tables.

• <numeric_value>,<numeric_value>{,<string>} The first numeric parameter indicates the amount of memory, in bytes, used for storage of tables. The second parameter indicates the memory, in bytes, available for tables.

1-34 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Each string parameter returned indicates the name, type and size of a stored sensor calibration table:

• <string>,<type>,<size> The <string>, <type> and <size> are all character data. The <type> is always TABL. The <size> is displayed in bytes.

For example, a sample of the response may look like:

560,8020,“Sensor_1,TABL,220”,”Sensor_2,TABL,340” ....

The power meter is shipped with a set of predefined sensor calibration tables. The data in these sensor calibration tables is based on statistical averages for a range of Agilent Technologies Power Sensors (see Chapter 2, “Editing Sensor Calibration Tables” in the User’s Guide). These power sensors are:

• DEFAULT

• Agilent 8481A

• Agilent 8482A

• Agilent 8483A

• Agilent 8481D

• Agilent 8485A

• Agilent R8486A

• Agilent Q8486A

• Agilent R8486D

• Agilent 8487A

For further information on naming sensor calibration tables see “Naming Sensor Calibration Tables”, on page 1-36.

Note Predefined sensor calibration table is not applicable for N8480 Series power

sensors with Option CFT. Therefore you are required to create a new sensor calibration table for the sensors when a sensor calibration table is needed.

1. DEFAULT is a sensor calibration table in which the reference calibration factor and calibration factors are 100%. This sensor calibration table can be used during the performance testing of the power meter.

2. The Agilent 8482B and Agilent 8482H power sensors use the same data as the Agilent

8482A.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-35

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Naming Sensor Calibration Tables

To rename a sensor calibration table use:

MEMory:TABLe:MOVE <string>,<string>

The first <string> parameter identifies the existing table name, and the second identifies the new table name.

The following rules apply to sensor calibration table names:

a) The sensor calibration table must consist of no more than 12 characters.

b) All characters must be upper or lower case alphabetic characters, or numeric

(0-9), or an underscore (_).

c) No spaces are allowed in the name.

1-36 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Reviewing Table Data

To review the data stored in a sensor calibration table, use the following commands:

• MEMory:TABLe:SELect "Sense1"

Select the sensor calibration table named “Sense1”.

• MEMory:TABLe:SELect?

Query command which returns the name of the currently selected table.

• MEMory:TABLe:FREQuency:POINTs?

Query command which returns the number of stored frequency points.

• MEMory:TABLe:FREQuency?

Query command which returns the frequencies stored in the sensor calibration table (in Hz).

• MEMory:TABLe:GAIN[:MAGNitude]:POINTs?

Query command which returns the number of calibration factor points stored in the sensor calibration table.

• MEMory:TABLe:GAIN[:MAGNitude]?

Query command which returns the calibration factors stored in the sensor calibration table. The first point returned is the reference calibration factor.

Modifying Data

If you need to modify the frequency and calibration factor data stored in a sensor calibration table you need to resend the complete data lists. There are two ways to do this:

1. If you have retained the original data in a program, edit the program and resend the data.

2. Use the query commands shown in “Reviewing Table Data”, on page 1-37 to enter the data into your computer. Edit this data, then resend it.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-37

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Selecting a Sensor Calibration Table

After you have created the sensor calibration table, you can select it using the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1[:SELect] <string>

When the table is selected, the power meter verifies the number of calibration factor points defined in the sensor calibration table is one parameter greater than the number of frequency points. If this is not the case an error occurs.

To find out which sensor calibration table is currently selected, use the query:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1[:SELect]?

Enabling the Sensor Calibration Table System

To enable the sensor calibration table, use the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe ON

If you set [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET1:STATe to ON and no sensor calibration table is selected error -221, “Settings conflict” occurs.

1-38 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Making the Measurement

To make the power measurement, set the power meter for the frequency of the signal you want to measure. The power meter automatically sets the calibration factor. Use either the INITiate,FETCh? or the READ? query to initiate the measurement as shown in the following program segments:

INITiate Example

ABORt1 CONFigure1:POWer:AC DEF,1,(@1) SENS1:CORR:CSET1:SEL "HP8481A" SENS1:CORR:CSET1:STAT ON SENSe1:FREQuency 500KHZ INITiate1:IMMediate FETCh1?

READ? Example

ABORt1 CONFigure1:POWer:AC DEF,2,(@1) SENS1:CORR:CSET1:SEL "HP8481A" SENS1:CORR:CSET1:STAT ON SENSe1:FREQuency 500KHZ READ1?

Note If the measurement frequency does not correspond directly to a frequency in

the sensor calibration table, the power meter calculates the calibration factor using linear interpolation.

If you enter a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the sensor calibration table, then the power meter uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the sensor calibration table to set the calibration factor.

To find out the value of the calibration factor being used by the power meter to make a measurement, use the query command: [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CFAC? The response may be an interpolated value.

To find out the value of the reference calibration factor being used, use the commands:

CALibration[1|2]:RCFactor?

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-39

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

This section describes how to use frequency dependent offset tables. Frequency dependent offset tables give you the ability to compensate for frequency effects in your test setup.

Overview

If the [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET2:STATe command is OFF, the frequency dependent offset tables are not used. When [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET2:STATe is ON, the frequency dependent offset tables are used, providing you with a quick and convenient method of compensating for your external test setup over a range of frequencies. Note that when selected, frequency dependent offset correction is IN ADDITION to any correction applied for sensor frequency response. The power meter is capable of storing 10 frequency dependent offset tables of 80 frequency points each.

To use frequency dependent offset tables you:

1. Edit a frequency dependent offset table if necessary.

2. Select the frequency dependent offset table.

3. Enable the frequency dependent offset table.

4. Zero and calibrate the power meter. The reference calibration factor used during the calibration will be automatically set by the power meter from a sensor calibration table, if enabled; otherwise it should be entered manually.

5. Specify the frequency of the signal you want to measure. The required offset is automatically set by the power meter from the frequency dependent offset table.

6. Make the measurement.

1-40 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

TABLE N

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

OFFSET

. . . . . . . . .

TABLE 1

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

OFFSET

. . . . . . . . .

TABLE 1 0

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

OFFSET

. . . . . . . . .

OFFSET

OFFSET = Frequency Dependent Offset

FREQ

. . . . . . . . .

FREQ

OFFSET

. . . . . . . . .

OFFSET

Frequency of the signal you want to measure

TABLE SELECTED

OFFSET

Frequency dependent offset used to make Measurement. Calculated by the Power Meter using linear interpolation.

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Figure 1-2 illustrates how frequency dependent offset tables operate.

Figure 1-2: Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-41

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Editing Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

It is not possible to create any additional frequency dependent offset tables. However, the 10 existing ones can be edited using the MEMory subsystem. To do this:

1. Select one of the existing tables using: MEMory:TABle:SELect <string>. For information on naming frequency dependent offset tables see “Naming Frequency Dependent Offset Tables”, on page 1-44. For information on the current names which you can select refer to “Listing the Frequency Dependent Offset Table Names”, on page 1-43.

2. Enter the frequency data using:

MEMory:TABle:FREQuency <numeric_value> {,<numeric_value>}

3. Enter the offset factors as shown in the table below using:

MEMory:TABle:GAIN <numeric_value> {,<numeric_value>}.

Frequency Offset

Frequency 1 Offset 1

Frequency 2 Offset 2

" "

Frequency n Offset n

4. If required, rename the frequency dependent offset table using: MEMory:TABLe:MOVE <string>,<string>. The first <string> parameter identifies the existing table name, and the second identifies the new table name.

1-42 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Note The legal frequency suffix multipliers are any of the IEEE suffix multipliers,

for example, KHZ, MHZ and GHZ. If no units are specified the power meter assumes the data is Hz.

PCT is the only legal unit for offset factors and can be omitted.

The frequency and offset data must be within range. Refer to the individual commands in

Chapter 4 for their specified ranges.

Any offset values entered into the table should exclude the effect of the sensor. Characterisation of the test setup independently of the sensor allows the same table to be used with any sensor.

Ensure that the frequency points you use cover the frequency range of the signals you want to measure. If you measure a signal with a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the frequency dependent offset table, then the power meter uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the table to calculate the offset.

To make subsequent editing of a frequency dependent offset table simpler, it is recommended that you retain a copy of your data in a program.

Listing the Frequency Dependent Offset Table Names

To list the frequency dependent offset tables currently stored in the power meter, use the following command:

MEMory:CATalog:TABLe?

Note that all tables are listed; including sensor calibration tables.

The power meter returns the data in the form of two numeric parameters and a string list representing all stored tables.

• <numeric_value>,<numeric_value>{,<string>}

The first numeric parameter indicates the amount of memory, in bytes, used for storage of tables. The second parameter indicates the memory, in bytes, available for tables.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-43

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Each string parameter returned indicates the name, type and size of a stored frequency dependent offset table:

• <string>,<type>,<size> The <string>, <type> and <size> are all character data. The <type> is always TABL. The <size> is displayed in bytes.

For example, a sample of the response may look like:

560,8020,“Offset_1,TABL,220”,”Offset_2,TABL,340” ....

Naming Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

To rename a frequency dependent offset table use:

MEMory:TABLe:MOVE <string>,<string>

The first <string> parameter identifies the existing table name, and the second identifies the new table name.

The following rules apply to frequency dependent offset table names:

a) Table names use a maximum of 12 characters.

b) All characters must be upper or lower case alphabetic characters, or numeric

(0-9), or an underscore (_).

c) No spaces are allowed in the name.

Reviewing Table Data

To review the data stored in a frequency dependent offset table, use the following commands:

• MEMory:TABLe:SELect "Offset1"

Select the sensor calibration table named “Offset1”.

• MEMory:TABLe:SELect?

Query command which returns the name of the currently selected table.

• MEMory:TABLe:FREQuency:POINTs?

Query command which returns the number of stored frequency points.

• MEMory:TABLe:FREQuency?

Query command which returns the frequencies stored in the frequency dependent offset table (in Hz).

• MEMory:TABLe:GAIN[:MAGNitude]:POINTs?

Query command which returns the number of offset factor points stored in the frequency dependent offset table.

1-44 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

• MEMory:TABLe:GAIN[:MAGNitude]?

Query command which returns the offset factors stored in the frequency dependent offset table.

Modifying Data

If you need to modify the frequency and offset factor data stored in a frequency dependent offset table you need to resend the complete data lists. There are two ways to do this:

1. If you have retained the original data in a program, edit the program and resend the data.

2. Use the query commands shown in “Reviewing Table Data”, on page 1-37 to enter the data into your computer. Edit this data, then resend it.

Selecting a Frequency Dependent Offset Table

After you have created the frequency dependent offset table, you can select it using the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET2[:SELect] <string>

To find out which frequency dependent offset table is currently selected, use the query:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET2[:SELect]?

Enabling the Frequency Dependent Offset Table System

To enable the frequency dependent offset table, use the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET2:STATe ON

If you set [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:CSET2:STATe to ON and no frequency dependent offset table is selected error -221, “Settings conflict” occurs.

Making the Measurement

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-45

Power Meter Remote Operation

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

INITiate Example

ABORt1 CONFigure1:POWer:AC DEF,1,(@1) SENS1:CORR:CSET2:SEL "Offset1" SENS1:CORR:CSET2:STAT ON SENSe1:FREQuency 500KHZ INITiate1:IMMediate FETCh1?

READ? Example

ABORt1 CONFigure1:POWer:AC DEF,2,(@1) SENS1:CORR:CSET2:SEL "Offset1" SENS1:CORR:CSET2:STAT ON SENSe1:FREQuency 500KHZ READ1?

Note If the measurement frequency does not correspond directly to a frequency in

the frequency dependent offset table, the power meter calculates the offset using linear interpolation.

If you enter a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the frequency dependent offset table, then the power meter uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the table to set the offset.

To find out the value of the offset being used by the power meter to make a measurement, use the query command: SENSe:CORRection:GAIN4|FDOFfset[:INPut][MAGNITUDE]? The response may be an interpolated value.

1-46 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging

This section provides an overview of setting the range, resolution and averaging. For more detailed information about these features refer to the individual commands in Chapter 9.

Range

The power meter has no internal ranges which can be set. The only ranges that can be set are those of the Agilent (excluding Option CFT). With an Agilent power sensor (excluding Option CFT), the range can be set either automatically or manually. Use autoranging when you are not sure of the power level you will be measuring.

Setting the Range

To set the range manually use the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:POWer:AC:RANGe <numeric_value>

E-Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors

E-Series power sensor or N8480 Series

If the <numeric_value> is set to:

• 0, the sensor’s lower range is selected. (For example, this range is -70 to

-13.5

dBm for the Agilent ECP-18A power sensor.)

• 1, the sensor’s upper range is selected. (For example, this range is -14.5 to +20

dBm for the Agilent ECP-18A power sensor.)

For details on the range limits of other Agilent E-Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors (excluding Option CFT) refer to the appropriate power sensor manual.

For further information on this command refer to page 9-51.

To enable autoranging use the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:POWer:AC:RANGe:AUTO ON

Use autoranging when you are not sure of the power level you will be measuring.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-47

Power Meter Remote Operation

Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging

Resolution

You can set the window’s resolution using the following command:

DISPlay[:WINDow[1|2]]:RESolution <numeric_value>

There are four levels of resolution available (1 through 4).

When the measurement suffix is W or % this parameter represents the number of significant digits. When the measurement suffix is dB or dBM, 1 through 4 represents 1, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 dB respectively.

For further information refer to the resolution command on page 5-14.

Averaging

The power meter has a digital filter to average power readings. The number of readings averaged can range from 1 to 1024. This filter is used to reduce noise, obtain the desired resolution and to reduce the jitter in the measurement results. However, the time to take the measurement is increased. You can select the filter length or you can set the power meter to auto filter mode. To enable and disable averaging use the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage[:STATe] <Boolean>

Note If you are using the HP 437B remote programming language you cannot

enter a filter length above 512.

Auto Averaging Mode

To enable and disable auto filter mode, use the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage:COUNt:AUTO <Boolean>

When the auto filter mode is enabled, the power meter automatically sets the number of readings averaged together to satisfy the filtering requirements for most power measurements. The number of readings averaged together depends on the resolution and the power level currently being measured. averaged for each range and resolution when the power meter is in auto filter mode.

1-48 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Figure 1-3 lists the number of readings

Power Meter Remote Operation

10 dB

Minimum Sensor Power

Maximum Sensor Power

Power Sensor

Dynamic Range

10 dB

1234

8 8 128 128

Resolution Setting

Number of Averages

1 1 16 256

11232

11116

1118

Minimum Sensor Power Minimum Sensor Power + 10 dB

Range Hysteresis

10.5 dB9.5 dB

Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging

Figure 1-3: Averaged Readings

Figure 1-4 illustrates part of the power sensor dynamic range hysteresis.

Figure 1-4: Averaging Range Hysteresis

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-49

Power Meter Remote Operation

Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging

Filter Length

You specify the filter length using the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:AVERage:COUNt <numeric_value>

The range of values for the filter length is 1 to 1024. Specifying this command disables automatic filter length selection. Increasing the value of the filter length reduces measurement noise. However, the time to take the measurement is increased.

1-50 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Loss

Gain

-------------=

Gain Loss–=

Setting Offsets

Channel Offsets

The power meter can be configured to compensate for signal loss or gain in your test setup (for example, to compensate for the loss of a 10 SENSe command subsystem to configure the power meter. Gain and loss correction are a coupled system. This means that a gain set by

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:GAIN2 is represented in the [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:LOSS2? command. If you enter an

offset value the state is automatically enabled. However it can be enabled and disabled using either the [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:GAIN2:STATe or [SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:LOSS2:STATe commands.

LOSS2 is coupled to GAIN2 by the equation when the default

unit is linear, and when the default is logarithmic.

dB attenuator). You use the

Note You can only use LOSS2 and GAIN2 for external losses and gains. LOSS1

and GAIN1 are specifically for calibration factors.

Display Offsets

Display offset values can be entered using the

CALCulate[1|2]:GAIN[:MAGNitude] command. CALCulate[1|2]:GAIN:STATe must be set to ON to enable the offset value. If

you enter an offset value the state is automatically enabled. On the Agilent this offset is applied after any math calculations (refer to

Figure 1-9 on page 1-70).

E4419B

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-51

Power Meter Remote Operation

dBm

10–

dBm

10–

---------------------------

⎝⎠

⎛⎞

20–

⎝⎠

⎛⎞

Setting Offsets

Example

The following example program, in HP Basic, details how to use the channel and display offsets on an Agilent final result will be:

10 !Create I/O path name 20 ASSIGN @POWER TO 713 30 !Clear the power meter’s interface 40 CLEAR @POWER 50 !Set the power meter to a known state 60 OUTPUT @POWER;"*RST" 70 !Configure the Power Meter to make the measurement 80 OUTPUT @Power;"CONF:POW:AC:RAT 20DBM,2,(@1),(@2)" 90 !Set the measurement units to dBm 100 OUTPUT @POWER;"UNIT:POW DBM" 110 !Set the power meter for channel offsets of -10 dB 120 OUTPUT @POWER;"SENS1:CORR:GAIN2 -10" 130 OUTPUT @POWER;"SENS2:CORR:GAIN2 -10" 140 !Enable the gain correction 150 OUTPUT @POWER;"SENS:CORR:GAIN2:STATe ON" 160 OUTPUT @POWER;"SENS2:CORR:GAIN2:STATe ON" 170 !Set the power meter for a display offset of -20 dB 180 OUTPUT @POWER;"CALC1:GAIN -20 DB" 190 PRINT "MAKING THE MEASUREMENT" 200 !Initiate the measurement 210 OUTPUT @Power;"INIT1:IMM" 220 OUTPUT @Power;"INIT2:IMM" 230 ! ... and get the result 240 OUTPUT @Power;"FETC:POW:AC:RAT? 20DBM,2,(@1),(@2)" 250 ENTER @Power;Reading 260 ! 270 PRINT "The measurement result is ";Reading;"dB." 280 END

E4419B making a channel A/B ratio measurement. The

For further information on channel offsets refer to page 9-25 through page 9-35. For further information on display offsets refer to page 3-4.

1-52 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Power Meter

Swept Source

CHANNEL A INPUT

OUT

Device Under Test

Setting Measurement Limits

You can configure the power meter to detect when a measurement is outwith a predefined upper and/or lower limit value.

There are two types of measurement limits you can set:

• Channel Limits - are applied to the input channel and are for power measurements only.

• Window Limits - are windows based (upper and lower) and can be applied to power, ratio or difference measurements. In addition, the window based limits can be set to output a TTL logic level at the rear panel Rmt I/O port when the predefined limits are exceeded.

Note Only one set of limits can be on at a time, that is, Channel OR Window.

Setting Channel Limits

The power meter can be configured to verify the power being measured against an upper and/or lower limit value. The range of values that can be set for lower and upper limits is -150.00 and the default lower limit is -90.00

dBm to +230.00 dBm. The default upper limit is +90.00 dBm

dBm.

A typical application for this feature is shown in Figure 1-5.

Figure 1-5: Limits Checking Application

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-53

Power Meter Remote Operation

+4 dBm

+10 dBm

Amplitude

Frequency

Fail

Setting Measurement Limits

Figure 1-6: Limits Checking Results

In this application a swept frequency signal is applied to the input of the Device Under Test. The power meter measures the output power. The limits have been set at +4

dBm and +10 dBm. A fail occurs each time the output power is outside these

limits. Use the SENSe subsystem to configure the power meter for limits checking. The following example program, in HP Basic, shows how to set the limits to +4 and +10

dBm.

dBm

10 !Create I/O path name 20 ASSIGN @Power to 713 30 !Clear the Power Meter’s Interface 40 CLEAR @Power 50 !Set the Power Meter to a known state 60 OUTPUT @Power;“*RST” 70 !Set the measurement units to dBm 80 OUTPUT @Power;“UNIT:POWer DBM” 90 !Set the upper limit to 10 dBm 100 OUTPUT @Power;“SENSe:LIMit:UPPer 10” 110 !Set the lower limit to 4 dBm 120 OUTPUT @Power;“SENSe:LIMit:LOWer 4” 130 !Switch the limit checking on 140 OUTPUT @Power;“SENSe:LIMit:STATe ON” 150 !Check the limits 160 OUTPUT @Power;“SENSe:LIMit:UPPer?” 170 ENTER @Power;A 180 OUTPUT @Power;“SENSe:LIMit:LOWer?” 190 ENTER @Power;B

1-54 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Setting Measurement Limits

200 PRINT A,B 210 END

Setting Window Limits

The power meter can be configured to verify the current measurement in either window against predefined upper and/or lower limit values. The range of values that can be set for the upper and lower limits and the default values depends on the measurement units in the currently selected window - see

Table 1-4: Range of Values for Window Limits

Table 1-4.

Window

Units

dB +200 dB -180 dB 60 dB -120 dB

dBm +230 dBm -150 dBm 90 dBm -90 dBm

% 10.0 Z% 100.0 a% 100.0 M% 100.0 p%

W 100.000 XW 1.000 aW 1.000 MW 1.000 pW

The window based limits can also be set to output a TTL logic level at the rear panel Rmt I/O port when the predefined limits are exceeded. You can switch the rear panel TTL outputs on or off; set the TTL output level to active high or low; and determine whether the TTL output represents an over limit condition, under limit condition or both. Refer to Chapter 8 “OUTput Subsystem” for TTL output programming commands and to the Agilent E4418B/E4419B User’s Guide for connector and pin-out information.

Use the programming example for channel limits (page 1-54) as a guide to programming window limits.

Max Min

Default

Max Min

Checking for Limit Failures

There are two ways to check for limit failures:

1. Use the SENSe:LIMit:FAIL? and SENSe:LIMit:FCOunt? commands for channel limits or the CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:FAIL? and the CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:FCOunt? for window limits.

2. Use the STATus command subsystem.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-55

Power Meter Remote Operation

Setting Measurement Limits

Using SENSe and CALCulate

Using SENSe to check the channel limit failures in Figure 1-6 would return the following results:

SENSe:LIMit:FAIL? Returns 1 if there has been 1 or more

limit failures or 0 if there have been no limit failures. In this case 1 is returned.

SENSe:LIMit:FCOunt? Returns the total number of limit

failures, in this case 2.

Use the equivalent CALCulate commands for checking window limit failures.

Note If TRIGger:DELay:AUTO is set to ON, then the number of failures

returned by SENSe:LIMit:FCOunt? or CALCulate[1|2]:LIMit:FCOunt?will be affected by the current filter settings.

Refer to page 9-43, page 9-44, page 3-12 and page 3-13 for further information on using these commands.

Using STATus

You can use the STATus subsystem to generate an SRQ to interrupt your program when a limit failure occurs. This is a more efficient method than using SENSe or CALCulate , since you do not need to check the limit failures after every power measurement.

Refer to “Status Reporting”, on page 1-71 and “STATus Subsystem”, on page 10-1 for further information.

Configuring the TTL Outputs

The TTL Outputs on the rear panel Rmt I/O port can be used to determine when a predefined limit in either, or both, windows has been exceeded.

1-56 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Setting Measurement Limits

Example

The following program segment shows how to use TTL output 1 to indicate when a measurement is outside the range -30 dBm to -10 dBm. It is assumed that the measurement has already been set up in the upper window (window 1).

CALC1:LIM:LOW -30 Sets the lower limit for the upper

window to -30 dBm.

CALC1:LIM:UPP -10 Sets the upper limit for the upper

window to -10 dBm.

CALC1:LIM:STAT ON Turns the limits on.

OUTP:TTL1:FEED “CALC1:LIM:LOW,CALC1:LIM:UPP”

OUTP:TTL1:ACT HIGH Specifies that TTL output 1 should be

OUTP:TTL1:STAT ON Activates TTL output 1

Specifies that TTL output 1 should be asserted when the upper or lower limit fails on the upper window.

active-high.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-57

Power Meter Remote Operation

Power

Time

Duty Cycle = A

Duty Cycle (%) = A x 100

Measuring Pulsed Signals

The power meter can be used to measure the power of a pulsed signal. The measurement result is a mathematical representation of the pulse power rather than an actual measurement. The power meter measures the average power of the pulsed input signal and then divides the measurement result by the duty cycle value to obtain the pulse power reading. The allowable range of values is 0.001% to 99.999%. The default is 1.000%. A duty cycle value can be set using the following command:

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:DCYCle|GAIN3 <numeric_value>

Note Pulse measurements are not recommended using Agilent E-Series E4410

power sensors.

Making the Measurement

An example of a pulsed signal is shown in Figure 1-7.

Figure 1-7: Pulsed Signal

You use the SENSe command subsystem to configure the power meter to measure a pulsed signal. The following example program, in HP Basic, shows how to measure the signal for the Agilent with Option CFT.

1-58 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

8480 Series power sensors and N8480 Series power sensors

Power Meter Remote Operation

Measuring Pulsed Signals

10 !Create I/O path name 20 ASSIGN @Power TO 713

30 !Clear the Power Meter’s Interface 40 CLEAR @Power 50 !Set the Power Meter to a known state 60 OUTPUT @Power;"*RST" 70 !Configure the Power Meter to make the measurement 80 OUTPUT @Power;"CONF:POW:AC 20DBM,2,(@1)" 90 !Set the reference calibration factor for the sensor 100 OUTPUT @Power;"CAL:RCF 98.7PCT" 110 !Zero and calibrate the power meter 120 OUTPUT @Power;"CAL?" 130 PRINT "ZEROING AND CALIBRATING THE POWER METER" 140 !Verify the outcome 150 ENTER @Power;Success 160 IF Success=0 THEN 170 !Calibration cycle was successful 180 ! 190 !Set the measurement units to Watts 200 OUTPUT @Power;"UNIT:POW WATT" 210 ! 220 !Set the measurement calibration factor for the

sensor 230 OUTPUT @Power;"SENS:CORR:CFAC 97.5PCT" 240 !Set the power meter for a duty cycle of 16PCT 250 OUTPUT @Power;"SENS1:CORR:DCYC 16PCT" 260 ! 270 !Enable the duty cycle correction 280 OUTPUT @Power;"SENS:CORR:DCYC:STAT ON 290 PRINT "MAKING THE MEASUREMENT"

300 !Initiate the measurement 310 OUTPUT @Power;"INIT1:IMM" 320 !... and get the result 330 OUTPUT @Power;"FETC?"

340 ENTER @Power;Reading 350 ! 360 PRINT "The result is ";Reading*1000;"mW" 370 ! 380 ELSE 390 PRINT "THERE WAS A CALIBRATION ERROR!" 400 END IF 410 PRINT "PROGRAM COMPLETED" 420 END

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-59

Power Meter Remote Operation

Measuring Pulsed Signals

Note Pulse power averages out any aberrations in the pulse such as overshooting

or ringing. For this reason it is called pulse power and not peak power or peak pulse power.

In order to ensure accurate pulse power readings, the input signal must be pulsed with a rectangular pulse. Other pulse shapes (such as triangle, chirp or Gaussian) will cause erroneous results.

The pulse power on/off ratio must be much greater than the duty cycle ratio.

1-60 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Preset Local

Triggering the Power Meter

Triggering is a feature that is only available via remote programming of the power meter.

The power meter has two modes of operation, standby mode and free run mode. During local operation the power meter is always in free run mode. During remote operation the power meter can operate in either free run mode or standby mode and can be switched between modes at any time.

a) Standby mode means the power meter is making measurements, but the

display and remote interface are not updated until a trigger command is received. In this mode the power meter is either waiting to be initiated, or waiting for a trigger (

b) Free run mode is the preset mode of operation and is identical to local

operation. The measurement result data available to the remote interface is continuously updated as rapidly as the power meter makes measurements. Entry into local mode via In this mode INITiate:CONTinuous is set to ON and TRIGger:SOURce is set to IMMediate.

See “Trigger System” on page 63.).

sets the power meter to free run mode

To obtain accurate measurements, ensure that the input power to the power sensor is settled before making a measurement.

The trigger configuration is automatically set by the MEASure? command. If you want to use the lower level commands (READ? or INITiate), you need to understand the power meter’s trigger model.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-61

Power Meter Remote Operation

Triggering the Power Meter

Triggering the power meter from the remote interface is a process that offers triggering flexibility. The process is:

1. Specify the source from which the power meter will accept the trigger. The trigger source specifies which event causes the trigger system to travel through the event detection state. See

“Event Detection State”, on page 1-64

for details.

2. Make sure that the power meter is ready to accept a trigger. This is called the “wait-for-trigger” state. Sending a device clear, a *RST or an ABORt forces the trigger system into the idle state. The trigger system remains in the idle state until it is moved into the “wait-for-trigger” state by executing an INITiate command.

The “wait-for-trigger” state is a term used only for remote interface operation.

The TRIGger commands are used to synchronize power meter actions with specified events.

Figure 1-8 summarizes the power meter’s trigger system.

1-62 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

:ABORt

Idle State

*RST

INIT:CONT ON

INIT[:IMM]

INIT:CONT ON

YES

Wait - for - trigger

state

Wai t

TRIG:DEL

TRIGGERED

Power Meter Measurement Actions

TRIG:SOURce

TRIG:SOUR IMM TRIG:SOUR BUS TRIG:SOUR HOLD

TRIG:IMMediate

INITIATE

STATE

EVENT

DETECTION

STATE

YES

IDLE

STATE

SEQUENCE

OPERATION

STATE

Figure 1-8: Trigger System

Triggering the Power Meter

Idle State

Turning power on, sending an GP-IB CLEAR, sending a *RST or an :ABORt forces the trigger system into the idle state. The trigger system remains in the IDLE state until it is initiated by INITiate:CONTinuous ON or INITiate:IMMediate. Once one of these conditions is satisfied the trigger system moves to the initiate state.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-63

Power Meter Remote Operation

Triggering the Power Meter

Initiate State

If the trigger system is on the downward path, it travels directly through the initiate state without any restrictions. If the trigger system is on the upward path, and INIT iate:CONTinuous is ON, it exits downwards to the event detection state. If the trigger system is on the upward path and INITiate:CONTinuous is OFF, it exits upwards to the idle state.

Event Detection State

The trigger source specifies which event causes the trigger system to travel through the event detection state. The trigger source is set with the following command:

TRIGger:SOURce

There are three possible trigger sources.

• BUS The trigger source is the GP-IB group execute trigger (<GET>), a *TRG command, or the TRIGger:IMMediate command.

• HOLD Triggering is suspended. The only way to trigger the power meter is to send TRIGger:IMMediate.

• IMMediate The power meter does not wait for any event and immediately travels through the event detection state.

Querying the Trigger Source

The trigger source is queried with the following command:

TRIGger:SOURce

1-64 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Triggering the Power Meter

Trigger Delay

The power meter has the ability to insert a delay between receiving a trigger and making the measurement. The delay is automatically calculated by the power meter and depends on the current filter length. The delay ensures that the analog circuitry and the digital filters in the power meter have settled. It does not allow time for power sensor delay.

To enable the delay, use the following command:

TRIGger:DELay:AUTO ON

To disable the delay, use the following command:

TRIGger:DELay:AUTO OFF

Note MEASure? and CONFigure automatically enable the delay.

Also, when the power meter is first powered on the delay is enabled. For the fastest possible measurements the delay should be disabled.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-65

Power Meter Remote Operation

Getting the Best Speed Performance

This section discusses the factors that influence the speed of operation (number of readings/sec) of an Agilent

The following factors are those which have the greatest effect upon measurement speed (in no particular order):

• The selected speed i.e. 20, 40 or 200 readings/sec.

• The trigger mode (for example, free run, trigger with delay etc.).

• The output format i.e. ASCii or REAL.

• The units used for the measurement.

• The command used to take a measurement.

In addition, in 200 reading/sec mode there are other influences which are described in

“200 Readings/Sec”, on page 1-68.

The following paragraphs give a brief description of the above factors and how they are controlled from SCPI.

E4418B/E4419B power meter.

Speed

There are three possible speed settings 20, 40 and 200 readings/sec. These are set using the SENSe:SPEed command and can be applied to each channel independently (Agilent the measurement i.e., 50ms, 25ms and 5ms respectively.

In 20 and 40 readings/sec mode, full instrument functionality is available; 200 readings/sec is available only for E-series sensors and averaging, offsets, limits, and ratio/difference math functions are disabled.

Refer to “Specifications” in chapter 5 of the User’s Guide to see the influence of these speed settings on the accuracy and noise performance of the power meter.

E4419B only). The speed setting controls the cycle time of

Trigger Mode

The power meter has a very flexible triggering system. For simplicity, it can be described as having three modes:

1-66 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Getting the Best Speed Performance

Free run

A channel is in free run whenINITiate:CONTinuous is set to ON and TRIGger:SOURce is set to IMMediate.

Trigger immediate

There are a variety of methods to achieve this:

TRIG:DEL:AUTO OFF INIT:CONT OFF TRIG:SOUR IMM INIT

TRIG:SOUR BUS INIT:CONT ON TRIG

TRIG:DEL:AUTO OFF TRIG:SOUR BUS INIT:CONT ON GET or *TRG

TRIG:DEL:AUTO OFF INIT:CONT OFF TRIG:SOUR IMM READ?

Trigger with delay

This can be achieved using the same sequences above (apart from the second) with TRIG:DEL:AUTO set to ON. Also, the MEAS? command operates in trigger with delay mode.

In trigger with delay mode, a measurement is not completed until the power meter filter is full. In this way, the reading returned is guaranteed to be settled. In all other modes, the result returned is simply the current result from the filter and may or may not be settled. This depends on the current length of the filter and the number of readings that have been taken since a change in power level.

With trigger with delay enabled, the measurement speed can be calculated roughly using the following equation:

readings/sec = speed (as set by SENSe:SPEed) / filter length

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-67

Power Meter Remote Operation

Getting the Best Speed Performance

For example, with a filter length of 4 and SENS:SPE set to 20, approximately 5 readings/sec will be calculated by the power meter.

In general, free run mode will provide the best speed performance from the power meter (especially in 200 readings/sec mode).

Output Format

The power meter has two output formats for measurement results: ASCii and REAL. These formats can be selected using the FORMat command. When FORMat is set to REAL, the result returned is in IEEE 754 floating-point format (note that the byte order can be changed using FORMat:BORDer).

The REAL format is likely to be required only for 200 readings/sec mode as a means to reduce bus traffic.

Units

The power meter can output results in either linear or log units. The internal units are linear and therefore optimal performance will be acheived when the results output are also in linear units (since the overhead of performing a log function is removed).

Command Used

In free run trigger mode, FETC? must be used to retrieve a result.

In other trigger modes, there are a number of commands which can be used, for example, MEAS?, READ?, FETC? Note that the MEAS? and READ? commands are compound commands i.e., they perform a combination of other lower level commands. In general, the best speed performance will be achieved using the low level commands directly.

200 Readings/Sec

In the highest speed setting, the limiting factor tends to be the speed of the controller being used to retrieve results from the power meter and to a certain extent the volume of GP-IB traffic. The latter can be reduced using the FORMat REAL command to return results in binary format. The former is a combination of two factors:

• the hardware platform being used.

• the programming environment being used.

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Power Meter Remote Operation

Getting the Best Speed Performance

Note that it is unlikely that 200 readings/sec can be achieved when:

• you are using a 700 series HPUX workstation.

• you are using a low end PC.

• you are using a graphical programming environment (such as HP VEE).

Dual Channel Considerations

With the dual channel instrument, consideration must be taken of what operation is required on both channels. Both channels can achieve 20 readings/sec simultaneously, and 40 readings/sec simultaneously, but 200 readings/sec is not achievable on both channels at the same time. If only single channel measurements are required, then the other channel should be set to standby mode and not triggered.

The throughput for a channel set in the 200 readings/sec mode will be affected by the speed mode of the other channel. However, in a situation where fast measurements are required on one channel and slow measurements on the other, it will be possible to perform more than one measurement cycle on the fast channel for every measurement on the slow channel. For example, if channel A is set to 40 readings /sec and channel B is set to 20 readings/sec, it is possible to construct a loop with 2 reads from channel A and one from channel B and still achieve the set readings per second.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-69

Power Meter Remote Operation

HPIB

GP-IB

Sensor B

Sensor A

SENSe1

:AVER1 :GAIN1

:GAIN3

:GAIN2

Upper Measurement Window

“A” | “B”

“A-B” | “B-A”

“A/B” | “B/A”

:MATH

:GAIN

:REL

FORMat

MEAS1:POW:AC?

UNIT1:POW

UNIT1:POW:RAT

MEAS1:POW:AC:DIFF?

MEAS1:POW:AC:REL?

CALCulate1

SENSe2

:AVER1 :GAIN1 :GAIN3:GAIN2

MEAS1:POW:AC:DIFF:REL?

MEAS1:POW:AC:RAT:REL?

MEAS1:POW:AC:RAT?

“A” | “B”

“A-B” | “B-A”

“A/B” | “B/A”

:MATH

:GAIN

:REL

Lower Measurement Window

MEAS2:POW:AC?

UNIT2:POW

UNIT2:POW:RAT

MEAS2:POW:AC:DIFF?

MEAS2:POW:AC:REL?

CALCulate2

MEAS2:POW:AC:DIFF:REL?

MEAS2:POW:AC:RAT:REL?

MEAS2:POW:AC:RAT?

:LIMit

How Measurements are Calculated

Figure 1-9 details how measurements are calculated. It shows the order in which the various power meter functions are implemented in the measurement calculation.

Figure 1-9: How Measurements are Calculated

The MEASure commands in this figure can be replaced with the FETCh? and READ? commands.

Note All references to channel B in the above diagram refer to the

Agilent MEAS[1|2]:POW:AC:REL? are the only commands relevant to the Agilent E4418B.

E4419B only. The MEAS[1|2]:POW:AC? and

1-70 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

Status Reporting

Status reporting is used to monitor the power meter to determine when events have occurred. Status reporting is accomplished by configuring and reading status registers. The power meter has the following main registers:

• Status Register

• Standard Event Register

• Operation Status Register

• Questionable Status Register

• Device Status Register

There are a number of other registers “behind” these. These are described later.

The Status and Standard Event registers are read using the IEEE-488.2 common commands. These are the most commonly used registers and are described in detail in this section.

The Operation and Questionable Status registers are read using the SCPI STATus command subsystem.

Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide 1-71

Power Meter Remote Operation

Bit 0

Bit 1

Bit 2

Bit 3

Condition

Transit ion

Filter

Event

Enable

Logical OR

Summary

Bit

Status Reporting

The General Status Register Model

The generalized status register model shown in Figure 1-10 is the building block of the SCPI status system. This model consists of a condition register, a transition filter, an event register and an enable register. A set of these registers is called a status group.

Figure 1-10: Generalized Status Register Model

When a status group is implemented in an instrument, it always contains all of the component registers. However, there is not always a corresponding command to read or write to every register.

Condition Register

The condition register continuously monitors the hardware and firmware status of the power meter. There is no latching or buffering for this register, it is updated in real time. Condition registers are read-only.

Transition Filter

The transition filter specifies which types of bit state changes in the condition registers will set corresponding bits in the event register. Transition filter bits may be set for positive transitions (PTR), negative transitions (NTR), or both. Transition filters are read-write. They are unaffected by *CLS or queries. After STATus:PRESet the NTR register is set to 0 and all bits of the PTR are set to 1.

Event Register

The event register latches transition events from the condition register as specified by the transition filter. Bits in the event register are latched and once set they remain set until cleared by a query or a *CLS. Once set, an event bit is no longer affected by condition changes. It remains set until the event register is cleared; either when you read the register or when you send the *CLS (clear status) command. Event registers are read-only.

1-72 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Power Meter Remote Operation

110

011

00 0

0 0

011

00 000 000

Case A

Case B

Case C

Case D

Condition

PTR

NTR

Enable

Condition

Event

Summary Bit

Condition

Event

Summary Bit

Condition

Event

Summary Bit

Condition

Event

Summary Bit

Condition

Event

Summary Bit

T1 T2 T3

***

marks when event register is read

Status Reporting

Enable Register

The enable register specifies the bits in the event register that can generate a summary bit. The instrument logically ANDs corresponding bits in the event and enable registers and ORs all the resulting bits to obtain a summary bit. Enable registers are read-write. Querying an enable register does not affect it.

An Example Sequence

Figure 1-11 illustrates the response of a single bit position in a typical status group for various settings. The changing state of the condition in question is shown at the bottom of the figure. A small binary table shows the state of the chosen bit in each status register at the selected times T1 to T5.

Figure 1-11: Typical Status Register Bit Changes

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Power Meter Remote Operation

Status Reporting

How to Use Registers

There are two methods you can use to access the information in status groups:

• the polling method, or

• the service request (SRQ) method.

Use the polling method when:

• your language/development environment does not support SRQ interrupts.

• you want to write a simple, single purpose program and do not want to add the complexity of setting an SRQ handler.

Use the SRQ method when you:

• need time critical notification of changes.

• are monitoring more than one device which supports SRQ interrupts.

• need to have the controller do something else while it’s waiting.

• cannot afford the performance penalty inherent to polling.

1-74 Agilent E4418B/E4419B Programming Guide

Agilent E4418B, E4419B PROGRAMMING GUIDE

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Legal Information

Notice

Certification

Warranty

Limitation of Warranty

Exclusive Remedies

Equipment Operation

Personal Safety Considerations

General Safety Considerations

Markings

IEC 1010-1 Compliance

Statement of Compliance

User Environment

Installation Instructions

About this Guide

List of Related Publications

[SENSe[1]]|SENSe2:CORRection:FDOFfset|GAIN4[:INPut][:MAGNitude]? 9-31

Power Meter Remote Operation

Introduction

Configuring the Remote Interface

Interface Selection

GP-IB Address

RS232/RS422 Configuration

Programming Language Selection

Table 1-1: HP 437B Command Summary

Table 1-2: HP 438A Command Summary

Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Meter

Zeroing

Calibration

Setting the Reference Calibration Factor

Making Measurements

Table 1-3: MEASure? and CONFigure Preset States

Using MEASure?

Using the CONFigure Command

Using the Lower Level Commands

Using Sensor Calibration Tables

Overview

Editing Sensor Calibration Tables

Selecting a Sensor Calibration Table

Enabling the Sensor Calibration Table System

Making the Measurement

Using Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Overview

Editing Frequency Dependent Offset Tables

Selecting a Frequency Dependent Offset Table

Enabling the Frequency Dependent Offset Table System

Making the Measurement

Setting the Range, Resolution and Averaging

Range

Resolution

Averaging

Setting Offsets

Channel Offsets

Display Offsets

Example

Setting Measurement Limits

Setting Window Limits

Table 1-4: Range of Values for Window Limits

Checking for Limit Failures

Example

Measuring Pulsed Signals

Making the Measurement

Triggering the Power Meter

Idle State

Initiate State

Event Detection State

Trigger Delay

Getting the Best Speed Performance

Speed

Trigger Mode

Output Format

Units

Command Used

200 Readings/Sec

Dual Channel Considerations

How Measurements are Calculated