Agilent Technologies A.18.00 User Manual

Agilent Technologies 8920A

RF Communications Test Set

Programmer’s Guide

Firmware Version A.18.00 an d above

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Agilent Part No. 08920-90220

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April 2000

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Notice No part of this manual may be reproduc ed in any form or by any means (i ncluding

electronic sto rage and retrie val or translat ion into a for eign language) wit hout prior agreement and written consent from Agilent Technologies Inc. as governed by United States and international copyright laws.

The material contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to th is material, including, but not limit ed to, the implied war ranties of merc hantabil ity and fi tness for a particular purpo se. Agilent Technologies Inc. shall not be liable fo r errors contained herein or for inciden tal or conseque ntial damages in connection wi th the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

U.S. Government users will receive no greater than Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015 (b)(2) (November 1995), as applicable in any technical data.

Agilent Technologies Learning Products Department 24001 E. Mission Liberty Lake, WA 99019-9599 U.S.A.

Edition/Print Date All Editions and Updates of this manual and their creation dates are listed below.

Rev. A . . . . . December 1997

Rev. B . . . . . April 2000

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 protectiv e featur es of this pro duct may be impaire d if it is used in a manner not specified in the operation instructions.

All Light Emitting Diodes (L EDs) used in this product are Clas s 1 LEDs as per IEC 60825-1.

This product has been designed and tested in accordance with IEC Publication 1010, "Safety Requirements for Electronic Measuring Apparatus," and has been supplied in a safe condition. This ins tr uct io n documentation contains information and warnings which must be followed by the user to ensure safe operation and to maintain the product in a safe condition.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

This instrument is intended for indoor use in an installation category II, pollution degree 2 environment. It is desi gned to operate at a maximum relative humi dity of 95% and at altitudes of up t o 2000 meters. Re fer to the s pecifications tables for the ac mains voltage requirements and ambient operating temperature range.

V entilation Requirements: When installing the product in a cabinet, the convection into and out of the product must not be restricted. The ambient temperature (outside the cabinet ) must be l ess th an the maxi mum operat ing te mperatu re of t he

product by 4° C for every 100 watts dissipated in the cabinet. If the total power dissipated in th e cabi net is gr eater than 8 00 watts , t hen for ced con vec tion mus t be used.

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.

GROUND THE INSTRUMENT

T o mi nimize s hock hazard , the inst rument chas sis and c over must be connec ted 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 requ ired rated current, voltage, and spe cified type (normal blow , time de lay, etc.) should be used. Do not use repai red fuses or short-cir cuited 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 mus t not remove in strument cover s. Component repl acement 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.

WARNING: 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 in dicated conditions are fully understood and met.

CAUTION: 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.

Safety Symbols

Caution, refer to accompanying documents

Warning, risk of electric shock

Earth (ground) terminal

Alternating current

Frame or chassis terminal

Standby (supply). Units with this s ymbol are not compl etely disco nnected from a c mains when th is switch is off.

T o completely disconnec t the unit from ac mains, either disco nnect the power cord, or have a qualified electrician install an external switch.

Product Markings CE - the CE mark is a registered trademark of the European Community. A CE

mark accompanied by a year indicated the year the design was proven. CSA - the CSA mark is a registered trademark of the Canadian Standards

Association.

CERTIFICATION Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its published sp ec if ications at

the time of shipment fr om the fac tory . Agilent T echnol ogies further cer tifies tha t 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

Agilent Technologies Warranty Statement for Commercial Products Agilent Technologies 8920A RF Communications Test Set

Duration of Warranty: 1 year

1. Agilent Technologies warrants Agilent Technologies hardware, accessories and

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

2 Agilent Technologies warrants that Agilent Technologies software will not fail to

execute its programming instructions, for the period specified above, due to defects in material and workmanship when properly inst all ed and us ed. If Agil ent Technologies receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will replace software media which does not execute its programming instructions due to such defects.

3. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation of Agilent Technologies

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

4 Agilent Technologies products may contain remanuf actured parts equ ivalent to new in

performance or may have been subject to incidental use.

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

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

6 Warranty does not apply to defects resu lting from (a) improper or inadequate

maintenance or calibration, (b) software, interfacing, parts or supplies not supplied by Agilent Technologies, (c) unauthorized modification or misuse, (d) operation outside of the published environmental specifications for the product, or (e) improper site preparation or maintenance.

7 TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE ABOVE WARRANTIES

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

8. Agilent Technologies will be liable for damage to tangible property per incident up to

the greater of $300,000 or the actual amou nt pai d for the prod uct that i s the subject of the claim, and for damages for bodily injury or death, to the extent that all such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been directly caused by a defective Agilent Technologies product.

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

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

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

ASSISTANCE Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are

available for Agilent Technologies products. For any assistance, contact your nearest Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office.

DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014

Manufacturer’s Name:

Agilent Technologies

Manufacturer’s Address:

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

declares that the product

Product Name: Model Number: Product Options:

RF Communications T est Set / Cell Site Test Set A g i l e nt Te c h n o l o gi e s 8 9 20 A , 8 92 0 B , a nd 8 92 1 A This declaration covers all options of th e above

product.

conforms to the following Product specifications:

Safety: IEC 1010-1:1990+A1+A2/EN 61010-1:1993

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

EN 50082 -1 : 1 9 9 2 IEC 801-2:1991 - 4 kV CD, 8 kV AD IEC 801-3:1984 - 3V/m IEC 801-4:1988 - 0.5 kV Sig. Lines, 1 kV Power Lines

Supplementary Information:

This is a class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.

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

Spokane, Washington USA November 20, 1998 Vince Roland/Quality Manager

Table 1 Regional Sales Offices

United States of America: Agilent Technologies Test and Measurement Call Center P.O. Box 4026

Englewood, CO 80155-4026

(tel) 1 800 452 4844

Japan:

Agilent Technologies Japan Ltd. Measurement Assist ance Center 9-1 Takakura-Cho, Hachioji-Shi, Tokyo 192-8510, Japan

(tel) (81) 456-56-7832 (fax) (81) 426-56-7840

Asia Pacific:

Agilent Technologies 24/F, Cityplaza One, 111 Kings Road, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong

Canada: Agilent Technologies Canada Inc. 5150 Spectrum Way Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5G1

(tel) 1 877 894 4414

Latin America:

Agilent Technologies Latin America Region Headquarters 5200 Blue Lagoon Drive, Suite #950 Miami, Florida 33126 U.S. A.

(tel) (305) 267 4245 (fax) (305) 267 4286

Europe: Agilent Technologies European Marketing Organization P.O. Box 999 1180 AZ Amstelveen The Netherlands

(tel) (3120) 547 9999 Australia/New Zealand:

Agilent Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. 347 Burwood Highway Forest Hill, Victoria 3131

Australia (tel) 1 800 629 485 (fax) (61 3) 9272 0749

New Zealand (tel) 0 800 738 378 (fax) (64 4) 802 6881

(tel) (852) 3197 7777 (fax) (852) 2506 9233

Service and Support

Table 2

Any adjustment, maintenance, or repair of this product must be performed by qualified personnel. Contact your customer engineer through your local Agilent T echnologies Ser vice Center . You can find a list of local service representat ives on the Web at:

http://www.agilent-tech.com/services/English/index.html If you do not have ac cess to the I nternet, one of these centers c an direct you t o your

nearest representative:

United States Test and Measu rement Call Center (Toll free in US)

Europe

Canada

Japan Measurement Assistance Center

Latin America

Australia/New Zealand

Asia-Pacific

(800) 452-4844

(31 20) 547 9 900

(905) 206-4725

(81) 426 56 7832 |(81) 426 56 7840 (FAX)

(305) 267 4288 (FAX)

1 800 629 485 (Australia) 0800 738 378 (New Zealand)

(852) 2599 7777 (852) 2506 9285 (FAX)

Manufacturer’s Declaration

This statement is provi ded to co mply with the req uiremen ts of t he German Sou nd Emission Directive, from 18 January 1991.

This product has a sound pressure emission (at the operator position) < 70 dB(A).

• Sound Pressure Lp < 70 dB(A).

• At Operator Position.

• Normal Operation.

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

Herstellerbescheinigung

Diese Information steht im Zusammenhang mit den Anforderungen der

Maschinenlärminformationsverordnung vom 18 Januar 1991.

• Schalldruckpegel Lp < 70 dB(A).

• Am Arbeitsplatz.

• Normaler Betrieb.

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter 4, HP-IB Commands,

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

Chapter 5, Advanced Operations, includes information about increasing measurement throughput, status reporting, error reporting, service requests, instrume nt initialization, and passing control.

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

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

programs for use on the Test Set’s built-in IBASIC Controller. Topics discussed are: interfacing to the IBASIC Controller using the serial ports, overview of the three program development methods, ent ering and editing IBASIC programs , pro gram co nt rol us ing t he PROGram Subsystem, and an i ntroduction to writin g programs for the TESTS subs ys t em.

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

Error Message s describes the Text Only HP-IB Errors and the Numbered HP-IB Errors. This section also describes other types of error messages that the Test Set displays and where to find more information about those types of error messages.

Contents

1 Using GPIB

Overview of the Test Set 26

Getting Started 34

Remote Operation 47

Addressing 49

IEEE 488.1 Remote Interface Message Capabilities 50

Remote/Local Modes 53

Contents

2 Methods For Reading Measurement Results

Background 58

BASIC ‘ON TIMEOUT’ Example Program 60

BASIC ‘MAV’ Example Program 64

Contents

3 GPIB Command Guidelines

Sequential and Overlapped Commands 70

Guidelines for Operation 71

Contents

4 GPIB Commands

GPIB Syntax Diagrams 92

Adjacent Channel Power (ACP) 95

AF Analyzer 97

AF Generator 1 100

AF Generator 2 Pre-Modulation Filters 101

AF Generator 2/Encoder 102

Configure, I/O Configure 117

Call Processing 122

Decoder 141

Display 145

Measure 147

Oscilloscope 154

Program 159

Save/Recall Registers 160

RF Analyzer 161

RF Generator 163

Radio Interface 164

Spectrum A nalyzer 165

GPIB Only Commands 167

Contents

Status 168

System 169

Tests 170

Trigger 173

Integer Number Setting Syntax 174

Real Number Setting Syntax 175

Multiple Real Number Setting Syntax 176

Number Measurement Syntax 177

Multiple Number Measurement Syntax 179

Equivalent Front-Panel Key Commands 180

IEEE 488.2 Common Commands 208

Triggering Measurements 224

Contents

5 Advanced Operations

Increasing Measurement Throughput 234

Status Reporting 239

GPIB Service Requests 293

Instrument Initialization 303

Passing Control 313

Contents

6 Memory Cards/Mass Storage

Default File System 324

Mass Storage Device Overview 325

Default Mass Storage Locations 331

Mass Storage Access 333

DOS and LIF File System Considerations 334

Using the ROM Disk 340

Using Memory Cards 341

Backing Up Procedure and Library Files 346

Copying Files Using IBASIC Commands 347

Using RAM Disk 349

Using External Disk Drives 351

Contents

7 IBASIC Controller

Introduction 354

The IBASIC Controller Screen 355

Important Notes for Program Development 357

Program Development 358

Interfacing to the IBASIC Controller using Serial Ports 360

Choosing Your Development Method 373

Method #1. Program Development on an External BASIC Language Computer 375

Method #2. Developing Progra ms on the Test Set Using the IBASIC EDIT Mode 381

Method #3. Developing Programs Using Word Processor on a PC (Least Preferred) 385

Uploading Programs from the Test Set to a PC 392

Serial I/O from IBASIC Programs 393

PROGram Subsystem 396

The TESTS Subsystem 419

Contents

8 Programming the Call Processing Subsystem

Description of the Call Processing Subsystem’s Remote User Interface 426

Using the Call Processing Subsystem’s Remote User Interface 429

Programming the CALL CONTROL Screen 439

Programming the CALL DATA Screen 464

CALL DATA Screen Message Field Descriptions 468

Programming the CALL BIT Screen 478

CALL BIT Screen Message Field Descriptions 487

Programming the ANALOG MEAS Screen 510

Programming the CALL CONFIGURE Screen 517

Example Programs 520

Contents

9 Error Messages

Contents

Index 569

Contents

Using GPIB

1. GPIB was formerly called HP-IB for Hewlett-Packard instruments. Some labels on the instrument may still reflect the former HP

name.

Chapter 1, Using GPIB

Overview of the Test Set

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

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

Developing programs for the Test Set is simplified if the programmer has a basic understanding of how the Test Set operates. An overview of the Test Set’s operation is best presented in terms of how information flows through the unit. The simplified block diagrams shown in

depict how instrument control information and measurement result information

are routed among the Test Set’ s inst rumen ts, in stru ment c ontrol ha rdware, built -in IBASIC controller, and other components.

Figure 1 on page 32 and Figure 2 on page

The Test Set has two operating modes: Manual Control mode and Automatic Control mode. In Manual Control mode the Test Set’s operation is con trolled through the front panel keypad/rotary knob. There are two Automatic Control modes: Internal and External. In Internal Automatic Control mode the Test Set’s operation is controll ed by an ap pli ca ti on program running on the built-in IBASIC Controlle r. In Extern al Automatic Control mode the Test Set’s operation is controlled by an external controller connected to the Test Set through the GPIB interface.

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Manual Control Mode

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

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

Chapter 1, Using GPIB

Overview of the Test Set

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

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

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

hardware which routes the selected instrument’s front panel to the CRT for display. Once an instrument’s front panel is displayed on the CRT, the user can manipulate the i nstrume nt sett ings, such as turni ng a s pecific measurement or data field on or off, using the keypad/rotary knob.

Figure 1 also shows that instrument

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

A GPIB/RS-232/Parallel Printer interface capability is available in the Test Set. In Manual Control mode this provides the capability of connecting an external GPIB, serial, or parallel printer to the Test Set so that display screens can be printed.

Chapter 1, Using GPIB

Overview of the Test Set

Internal Automatic Control Mode

In Internal Automatic Control mode the Test Set’s operation is controlled by an application program running on the built-in Instrument BASIC (IBASIC) Controller. The built-in controller runs programs written in IBASIC, a subset of the HP

System Controllers. IBASIC is the only programming language supported on the built-in IBASIC Controller.

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

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

BASIC programming language used on the HP® 9000 Series 200/300

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

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

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Chapter 1, Using GPIB

Overview of the Test Set

Differences Between the Test Set’s IBASIC Controller and Other Single-Tasking Controllers

The IBASIC Controller is unlike other single tasking instrumentation controllers in several ways. First , i t d oes not have a keyboard. Thi s i mposes some limitations on creating and editing IBASIC programs directly on the Test Set. In Internal

Automatic Control mode a “virtual” keyboard is available in firmware which allows the operator to enter alphanumeric data into a dedicated input field using the rotary knob. This i s not t he re commended pr ogramming mode for the I BASIC Controller. This feature is provided to allow user access to IBASIC programs for short edits or troubleshooting. Several programming modes for developing IBASIC pro grams to run on the interna l IBASIC Controller are discussed in this manual.

Secondly, the IBASIC Controller has a dedicated GPIB interface, select code 8 in

Figure 2, for communi cating with the internal instruments of the Test Set. This

GPIB interface is only available to the IB ASIC Controll er. There is no external connector for this GPIB interface. No external instruments may be added to this GPIB interface. The GPIB interfa ce, se le ct code 7 in

Figure 2, is used to interface

the Test Set to external instruments or to an external controller. The dedicated GPIB interface at select code 8 conforms to the IEEE 488.2 Standard in all respects but one. The difference being that each instrument on the bus does not have a unique address. The Instrument Control Hardware determines which instrument is being addressed through the command syntax. Refer to

“GPIB Commands,”

for a listing of the GPIB c ommand syntax for the Test Set.

Chapter 4,

Chapter 1, Using GPIB

Overview of the Test Set

External Automatic Control Mode

In External Automatic Cont rol mode the Test Set’s operation is controlled by an external controlle r co nnec te d to t he Test Set through the GPIB interface. When in External Automatic Control mode the Test Set’s int ernal confi guratio n is the same as in Manual Control Mode with two exceptions:

1. Configuration and setup commands are received through the external GPIB interface,

select code 7, rather than from the front-panel keypad/rotary knob.

2. The MEASure command is used to obtain measurement results and DUT data through

the external GPIB interface.

Figure 1 on page 32

Control mode.

shows how informat ion i s rout ed i nside the Test Set in Manual

Figure 1 on page 32 also shows that certain Test Set resources are

dedicated to the IBASIC Con troller (Memory Card, ROM disk, Serial Interface #10) and are not directly accessible to the user in Manual Control Mode. In addition,

Figure 1 on page 32 shows that Serial Interface #9 and Parallel Printer

Interface #15 are accessible as write-only interfaces for printing in Manual Control mode. These same conditions are true when in External Automatic Control mode. If the user wished to access these resources from an external controller, an IBASIC program would have to be run on the Test Set from the external controller.

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