Agilent Technologies 660MHz, 81130A User Manual

Agilent 81130A 400/660MHz Pulse/Data Generator

Reference Guide

Front Panel Display and Softkeys

Mode / Parameter Area Modify / Enter Area

Use the CURSOR keys to

move the entry focus to a

mode, parameter format,

Channel 1

Column

parameter value

Channel 2

Column

Use the KNOB to select a

mode or modify parameters

and formats

Press ENTER or a UNIT key to

confirm parameter changes

ON Freq 50.00MHz OFF

OFF OFF

Entry

Focus

Delay DtyCyc

Press a SOFTKEY to access

the required entry screen

0ps

50.0%

Screen Selection Area

Delay 0ps Width 100.0ns

TIMING PATTERNLEVELSMODE/TRG

MODIFY

50.0

GRAPH

Press MORE key to access

the additional screen menus:

LIMITS TRG-LEV MEMCARD CONFIG

Reference Guide

Agilent 81130A 400/660 MHz

Pulse/Data Generator

Part No. 81130-91021

Printed in Germany March 2000

Edition 1.0, E0300

Notice

No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means (including electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language) without prior agreement and written consent from Agilent Technologies Inc. as governed by United States and international copyright laws.

Notice

The material 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 furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Warranty

This Agilent Technologies product has a warranty against defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from date of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either repair or replace products that prove to be defective. For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by Agilent Technologies. The Buyer shall pay Agilent Technologies round-trip travel expenses. For products returned to Agilent Technologies for warranty service, the Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall pay shipping charges to return the product to the Buyer. However, the Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country.

Notice

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 software, or firmware, will be uninterrupted or error free.

Limitation of Warranty

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate maintenance by the 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 supplied are the Buyer's sole and exclusive remedies. Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort or any other legal theory.

Certification

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

Services and Support

Any adjustment, maintenance, or repair of this product must be performed by qualified personnel. Contact your customer engineer through your local Agilent Technologies Service Center. You can find a list of local service representatives on the Web at:

http://www.agilent.com/Service/English/index.html

Safety Summary

The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation of this instrument. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Agilent Technologies Inc. assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements.

General

This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a protective earth terminal). The protective features of this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified in the operation instructions.

All Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) used in this product are Class 1 LEDs as per IEC 60825-1.

Environmental Conditions

This instrument is intended for indoor use in an installation category II, pollution degree 2 environment. It is designed to operate at a maximum relative humidity of 95% and at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. Refer to the specifications tables for the ac mains voltage requirements and ambient operating temperature range.

Before Applying Power

Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage, the correct fuse is installed, and all safety precautions are taken. Note the instrument's external markings described under Safety Symbols on

page 8.

Safety Summary

Ground the Instrument

To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cover must be connected to an electrical protective earth ground. The instrument must be connected to the ac power mains through a grounded power cable, with the ground wire firmly connected to an electrical ground (safety ground) at the power outlet. Any interruption of the protective (grounding) conductor or disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause a potential shock hazard that could result in personal injury.

Fuses

Only fuses with the required rated current, voltage, and specified type (normal blow, time delay, etc.) should be used. Do not use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse holders. To do so could cause a shock or fire hazard.

Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere

Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.

Do Not Remove the Instrument Cover

Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers. Component replacement and internal adjustments must be made only by qualified service personnel.

Instruments that appear damaged or defective should be made inoperative and secured against unintended operation until they can be repaired by qualified service personnel.

Safety Summary

Safety Symbols

Caution (refer to accompanying documents)

Protective earth (ground) terminal

In the manuals:

WARNING

CAUTION

The WARNING sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

The CAUTION sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part or all of the product. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

About this Book

This guide provides reference information primarily for programming the Agilent 81130A via remote control.

Chapter 1 General Programming Aspects on page 13 gives general

hints for programming instruments like the Agilent 81130A using SCPI commands.

Chapter 2 Programming Reference on page 25 provides detailed

information on the SCPI commands supported by the instrument.

Chapter 3 Specifications on page 95 lists the instruments technical

specifications and provides exact definitions for the instruments parameters.

For an introduction and information on the Agilent 81130As user interface, please refer to the Quick Start Guide, p/n 81130-91020.

About this Book

Conventions Used in this Book

This book uses certain conventions to indicate elements of the Agilent 81130As user interface. The following table shows some examples:

Softkeys Press the MODE/TRG softkey to access the Mode/

Trigger screen.

Hardkeys Press the MORE key to switch to the alternative

softkey layout.

Alternate Keys Press SHIFT + 0 (ON/OFF1) to switch on output1.

The alternate key labelwhich is selected by pressing the SHIFT keyis given in parentheses.

Screen Quotes Move the entry focus down to P

turn the knob to select

INTERNAL

ULSE-PERIOD

PLL.

and

Entry Focus The highlight field, that can be moved with the

cursor keys, to change modes, parameters, or parameter formats.

:VOLTage:HIGH 3V

Full command for programming a 3 V high level. The upper case letters represent the short form of the command, which results in faster programming times.

*RST

Common IEEE 488 command, to reset instrument to default status.

Contents

Notice ......................................................................................... 4

Safety Summary ......................................................................... 6

About this Book ......................................................................... 9

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

General Programming Aspects

The GP-IB Interface Bus ......................................................... 14

Agilent 81130A Remote Control ............................................ 15

Programming Recommendations ............................................ 16

Common Command Summary ................................................. 18

Status Model ............................................................................ 19

Programming Reference

Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary ............................ 26

Default Values, Standard Settings ......................................... 34

Programming the Instrument Trigger Modes ........................ 38

SCPI Instrument Command List ............................................ 42

Specifications

Declaration of Conformity ...................................................... 96

Contents

Agilent 81130A Specifications ............................................... 97

General ................................................................................................... 97

Timing Specifications ........................................................................... 99

Main Output Level Specifications ..................................................... 102

External Input, External Clock/PLL Reference Input .................... 103

Trigger Modes ...................................................................................... 105

Output Modes ...................................................................................... 106

Human Interface .................................................................................. 108

Memory ................................................................................................. 109

Remote Control ................................................................................... 109

Pulse Parameter Definitions ................................................ 111

xii

1General Programming

Aspects

This chapter provides general information on writing GP-IB/SCPI programs for instruments like the Agilent 81130A.

Detailed information on programming the Agilent 81130A can be found in

Chapter 2 Programming Reference on page 25.

General Programming Aspects

The GP-IB Interface Bus

The GP Interface Bus is the interface used for communication between a controller and an external device, such as the Agilent 81130A. The GP-IB conforms to IEEE standard 488-1987, ANSI standard MC 1.1, and IEC recommendation 625-1.

If you are not familiar with the GP-IB, please refer to the following books:



The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers: IEEE Standard

488.1-1987, IEEE Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation.



The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers: IEEE Standard

488.2-1987, IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, and Common

Commands for Use with IEEE Standard 488.1-1987.

General Programming Aspects

Agilent 81130A Remote Control

GP-IB Address

Modes of Operation

You can only set the GP-IB address from the front panel of the instrument (refer to the Quick Start Guide).

The default GP-IB address is 10.

The Agilent 81130A has two modes of operation:



Local The instrument is operated using the front panel keys.



Remote After receiving the first command or query via the GP-IB, the

instrument is put into remote state. The front panel is locked. To return to local operating mode, press SHIFT (LOCAL).

General Programming Aspects

Programming Recommendations

Here are some recommendations for programming the instrument:



Start programming from the default setting. The common command for setting the default setting is:

*RST



Switch off the automatic update of the display to increase the programming speed. The device command for switching off the display is:

:DISPlay OFF



The SCPI standard defines a long and a short form of the commands. For fast programming speed it is recommended to use the short forms. The short forms of the commands are represented by upper case letters. For example the short form of the command to set 100 ns delay is:

:PULS:DEL 100NS



To improve programming speed it is also allowed to skip optional subsystem command parts. Optional subsystem command parts are depicted in square brackets, e.g.: set amplitude voltage of output 1:

[SOURce]:VOLTage[1][:LEVel][:IMMediate][:AMPLitude]

Sufficient to use:



For the commands to set the timing and level parameters, except of period/frequency, you can explicitly specify the output to be programmed (for compatibility reasons). If there is no output specified, the commands will set the default output 1.

So, for setting a high level of 3 Volts for output 1 the commands are:

:VOLT:HIGH 3V # sets high level of 3 V at out 1 :VOLT1:HIGH 3V # sets high level of 3 V at out 1

:VOLT 1.2V

General Programming Aspects

Programming Recommendations



It is recommended to test a new setting that will be programmed on the instrument by setting it up manually.

Enable the outputs so that the instruments error check system is on and possible parameter conflicts are immediately displayed.

When you have found the correct setting, then use this to create the program. In the program it is recommended to send the command for enabling outputs (for example, :



Selftest of the instrument can be invoked by the common command

*TST



If it is important to know whether the last command is completed, then send the common command

*OPC?

OUTPut ON

) as the last command.

General Programming Aspects

Common Command Summary

This table summarizes the IEEE 488.2 common commands supported by the Agilent 81130A:

Command Parameter Description

*CLS  Clear the status structure

*ESE <0255> Set the Standard Event Status register mask

*ESE?  Read the state of the Standard Event Status enable register

*ESR?  Read the state of the Standard Event Status event register

*IDN?  Read the Instrument's Identification string

*LRN?  Read the complete Instrument Setting

*OPC  Set the Operation Complete bit when all pending actions

are complete

*OPC?  Read the status of the Operation Complete bit

*OPT?  Read the installed options

*RCL <04> Recall a complete Instrument Setting from memory

*RST  Reset the instrument to standard settings

*SAV <14> Save the complete Instrument Setting to memory

*SRE <0255> Set the Service Request Enable Mask

*SRE?  Read the Service Request Enable Mask

*STB?  Read the Status Byte

*TRG  Trigger

*TST?  Execute instruments selftest

*WAI  Wait until all pending actions are complete

Status Model

QUESTIONABLE STATUS

Voltage Warning Current Warning

Timin g Warni ng

Frequency Warning

Pattern Warning

Operatio n Complete

Query Error

Device Dependent Error

Execution Error Command Error

Power On

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

OPERation Status

(NOT USED)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Standard Event Status

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

MAV

SRQ

Status Byte

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

General Programming Aspects

Status Model

The instrument has a status reporting system conforming to IEEE 488.2 and SCPI. The above figure shows the status groups available in the instrument.

Each status group is made up of component registers, as shown in the following figure.

General Programming Aspects

Status Model

Condition Register

Hardware and Firmware condition

Transition Filters

1 0

PTR NTR

Event Register

Latched

Enable Register

Summary Bit

Condition Register

A condition register contains the current status of the hardware and firmware. It is continuously updated and is not latched or buffered. You can only read condition registers. If there is no command to read the condition register of a particular status group, then it is simply invisible to you.

Transition Filters

Transition filters are used to detect changes of state in the condition register and set the corresponding bit in the event register. You can set transition filter bits to detect positive transitions (PTR), negative transitions (NTR) or both. Transition filters are therefore read/write registers. They are unaffected by *CLS.

Event Register

An event register latches transition events from the condition register as specified by the transition filters or records status events. Querying (reading) the event register clears it, as does the *CLS command. There is no buffering, so while a bit is set, subsequent transition events are not recorded. Event registers are read only.

General Programming Aspects

Status Model

Enable Register

The enable register defines which bits in an event register are included in the logical OR into the summary bit. The enable register is logically ANDed with the event register and the resulting bits ORed into the summary bit. Enable registers are read/write, and are not affected by

*CLS

or querying.

Although all status groups have all of these registers, not all status groups actually use all of the registers. The following table summarizes the registers used in the instrument status groups.

Registers in Group

Status Group

QUEStionable

OPERation1

Standard Event Status

Status Byte

1 Present, but not used. COND and EVEN always 0.

*ESR?

2 Use 3 Use 4 Use 5 Use

*ESE *STB? *SRE

to query.

to set,

to query

to set,

CONDition NTR PTR EVENt ENABLe

√√√√√

xxxxx

xxx

*ESE?

to query

*SRE?

to query

√

General Programming Aspects

Status Model

Status Byte

The status byte summarizes the information from all other status groups. The summary bit for the status byte actually appears in bit 6 (RQS) of the status byte. When RQS is set it generates an SRQ interrupt to the controller indicating that at least one instrument on the bus requires attention. You can read the status byte using a serial poll or *STB?

Bit Description

0 Unused, always 0

1 Unused, always 0

2 Unused, always 0

3 QUESTionable Status Summary Bit

4 MAVMessage AVailable in output buffer

5 Standard Event Status summary bit

6 RQS; ReQuest Service

7 OPERation Status summary Bit, unused

Standard Event Status Group

Bit Description

0 Operation Complete, set by *OPC

1Unused, always 0

2 Query Error

3 Device Dependent Error

4 Execution Error

5 Command Error

6Unused, always 0

7Power On

General Programming Aspects

OPERation Status Group

This Status Group is not used in the instrument.

Bit Description

0 Unused, always 0

1 Unused, always 0

2 Unused, always 0

3 Unused, always 0

4 Unused, always 0

5 Unused, always 0

6 Unused, always 0

7 Unused, always 0

8 Unused, always 0

9 Unused, always 0

Status Model

10 Unused, always 0

11 Unused, always 0

12 Unused, always 0

13 Unused, always 0

14 Unused, always 0

15 Always 0

General Programming Aspects

Status Model

QUEStionable Status Group

Bit QUEStionable

0 Voltage warning

1 Current warning

2 Time warning

3 Unused, always 0

4 Unused, always 0

5 Frequency warning

6 Unused, always 0

7 Unused, always 0

8 Unused, always 0

9 Pattern warning

10 Unused, always 0

11 Unused, always 0

12 Unused, always

13 Unused, always 0

14 Unused, always 0

15 Always 0

The QUEStionable Status group is used to report warning conditions amongst the voltage, current, pulse timing, frequency and pattern parameters. Warnings occur when a parameter, although not outside its maximum limits, could be causing an invalid signal at the output because of the actual settings and uncertainties of related parameters.

2Programming Reference

This chapter provides reference information on the following topics:



Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary on page 26



Default Values, Standard Settings on page 34



Programming the Instrument Trigger Modes on page 38



SCPI Instrument Command List on page 42

For general programming information, please refer to Chapter 1

General Programming Aspects on page 13.

Programming Reference

Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary

Command Parameter Description see page

:ARM

[:SEQuence[1] | :STARt]

[:LAYer[1]]

:LEVel

[:THReshold] :TERMination

:MODE

:SENSe :SOURce

:INITiate

:CONTinuous

:CHANnel

:MATH

(Trigger mode and source)

<value> Set/read threshold level at EXT INPUT

<value> Set/read the termination voltage at EXT IN-

GATed | STARted Set/read the trigger mode, if the source is

POSitive | NEGative Set/read trigger on edge or gate on level

EXT1| IMM | MAN Set/read trigger source

ON | OFF | 1 | 0 Starts or stops the instrument, if the arming

OFF|DIGital Set/read addition of channels of channels 1

PUT

IMMediate

not

(EXT INPUT| IMMediate | MAN key)

source is

& 2 at output 1

IMMediate

not

Programming Reference

Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary

Command Parameter Description see page

:DIGital

[:STIMulus]

:PATTern

:LOOP

:INFinite

[:STATe] :STARt

[:LEVel[1]]

[:COUNt] :STARt

:LENGth

:PRBS

:SEGMent[1|2|3|4]

:DATA[1|2] :LENGth

:PRESet[1|2] :TYPE[1|2]

[:STATe]

:UPDate

:SIGNal[1|2]

:FORMat

ON | OFF | 1 | 0 Enables/Disables the infinite loop

SEGM1 | SEGM2 | SEGM3 | SEGM4

<value> Set/read the segment loop count

SEGM1 | SEGM2 | SEGM3 | SEGM4

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Set/read the number of segments within the

<base> Set/read the PRBS base (the same for all

<data> Set/read pattern data

<segment-length> Set/read the length of the segment (if the

[<n>,]<length> Set preset pattern with frequency CLOCK÷ n

DATA| PRBS|HIGH|LOW

OFF|ON|0|1 Switch PATTERN pulse-mode on or off

OFF|ON|ONCE Update the hardware with pattern data

RZ | R1 | NRZ Set/read data format of output channel

Set/read the start of the infinite loop (the segment to restart the output after the last bit of the last used segment)

Set/read the start segment for the counted segment loop

segment loop

PRBS segments!)

length is increased, 0 bits are appended)

Set/read the type of the segment

Programming Reference

Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary

Command Parameter Description see page

:DISPlay

[:WINDow]

[:STATe]

:MMEMory

:CATalog? :CDIRectory :COPY

:DELete :INITialize :LOAD

:STATe

:STORe

:STATe

:OUTPut[1|2]

[:NORMal]

[:STATe]

:COMPlement

[:STATe]

ON|OFF|1|0 Set/read frontpanel display state

[A:] Read directory of memory card

[<name>] Change directory on memory card

<source>[,A:],<dest> [,A: ]

<name>[,A:] Delete a file from memory card

[A:[DOS]] Initialize memory card to DOS format

<n>,<name> Load file from memory card to memory n

<n>,<name> Store memory n to memory card

OFF|ON|1|0 Set/read normal output state

OFF|ON|1|0 Set/read complement output state

Copy a file on memory card

Programming Reference

Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary

Command Parameter Description see page

[:SOURce]

:CORRection[1|2]

:EDELay

[:TIMe]

:CURRent[1|2]

[:LEVel]

[:IMMediate]

[:AMPLitude] :OFFSet :HIGH :LOW

:LIMit

:HIGH :LOW :STATe

:FREQency

[:CW]

[:FIXed]

:AUTO

:HOLD[1|2]

<value> Set/read channel delay deskew

The CURRent and VOLTage subsystem cannot be used at the same time. Use the :HOLD command to select between them.

<value> Set/read channel amplitude current

<value> Set/read channel offset current

<value> Set/read channel high-level current

<value> Set/read channel low-level current

<value> Set/read maximum current limits

<value> Set/read minimum current limits

ON|OFF|1|0 Enable/Disable the current limits

<value> Set/read frequency of pulses

ONCE Do a frequency measurement at CLK IN

VOLT|CURR Switch between VOLTage and CURRent

command subtrees

Programming Reference

Agilent 81130A SCPI Command Summary

Command Parameter Description see page

[:SOURce]

:PHASe[1|2]

[:ADJust]

:PULSe

:DCYCle[1|2] :DELay[1|2]

:HOLD

:UNIT

:HOLD[1|2]

:PERiod

:AUTO :TDelay[1|2] :TRANsition[1|2]

:UNIT

[:LEADing]

:TRAiling :TRIGger[1]

:MODE

:POSition

:VOLTage

[:LEVel] [:IMMediate]

:WIDTh[1|2]

<value>

<value> Set/read channel phase

<value> Set/read channel dutycycle

<value> Set/read channel delay (to leading edge)

TIME|PRATio Hold absolute delay|delay as period fixed

S|SEC|PCT|DEG| RAD

WIDTh | DCYCle | TDELay

<value> Set/read pulse period

ONCE Measure pulse period at CLK IN

<value> Set/read trailing edge delay

S|SEC|PCT Set/read transition-time units

<value> Set/read leading-edge transition

<value> Set/read trailing-edge transition

CONTinuous | STARt Set/read the mode of the trigger output sig-

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Set/read the trigger output signal position

TTL | PECL | SYM | ECLGND | ECLN2V

<value> Set/read channel pulse-width

with varying frequency

Set/read delay units

Hold Width|Dutycycle|Trailing edge delay fixed with varying frequency

nal generation (ignored if not in pattern mode)

Set/read TRIGGER OUTput levels

+ 94 hidden pages