Hewlett-Packard HP 53131A, 132A User Manual

HP 53131A/132A 225 MHz Universal Counter

Programming Guide

This guide describes how to program the HP 53131A/132A 225 MHz Universal Counter. The information in this guide applies to instruments having the number prefix listed below, unless accompanied by a “Manual Updating Changes” package indicating otherwise.

SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX:3546 to 3622 (HP 53131A)

3546 to 3646 (HP 53132A)

HP 53131A/132A 225 MHz Universal Counter

Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 1996

Printed: November 1996

Printed in USA

Manual part number 53131-90044

Certification and Warranty

Certification

Hewlett-Packard Company certifies that this product met its published specification at the time of shipment from the factory. Hewlett-Packard further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly National Bureau of Standards), to the extent allowed by the Institute's calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization members.

Warranty

This Hewlett-Packard instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from date of shipment. During the warranty period, HewlettPackard Company will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective.

For detailed warranty information, see back matter.

Safety Considerations General

This product and related documentation must be reviewed for familiarization with this safety markings and instructions before operation.

This product is a safety Class I instrument (provided with a protective earth terminal).

Before Applying Power

Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage and the correct fuse is installed. Refer to instructions in Chapter 1 of the Manual.

Safety Earth Ground

An uninterruptible safety earth ground must be provided from the mains power source to the product input wiring terminals or supplied power cable.

Warning Symbols That May Be Used In This Book

Instruction manual symbol; the product will be marked with this symbol when it is necessary for the user to refer to the instruction manual.

Indicates hazardous voltages.

Safety Considerations (contd)

Indicates earth (ground) terminal.

Indicated terminal is connected to chassis when such connection is not apparent.

Indicates Alternating current.

Indicates Direct current.

WARNING

BODILY INJURY OR DEATH MAY RESULT FROM FAILURE TO HEED A WARNING. DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND A WARNING SIGN UNTIL THE INDICATED CONDITIONS ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND MET.

CAUTION

Damage to equipment, or incorrect measurement data, may result from failure to heed a caution. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Hewlett-Packard Company Santa Clara Division 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard Santa Clara, California 95052-8059

For additional safety and acoustic noise information, see back matter.

Contents

1 Before You Start ...

Introduction 1-2 Differences Between Prior and Current Revisions of the HP 53131A/132A

1-3

HP 53131A Containing Firmware Revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402) 1-3

HP 53132A Time Interval Delay Arming 1-5

Getting Started 1-6 How to Use This Guide 1-6

New Users 1-6

What You Should Understand 1-6

Learning to Program the Counter 1-7 Experienced Programmers 1-7 Applications 1-8

Programming Guide Contents 1-9 Assumptions 1-9 Related Documentation 1-10

2 Command Summary

Introduction 2-2

Chapter Summary 2-2

Front Panel to SCPI Command Maps 2-3

Some SCPI Syntax Conventions 2-3 Input Channels Conditioning Keys to SCPI

Command Map 2-4 Instrument Control, Utility, Recall, and Save & Print

Keys to SCPI Command Map 2-6 MEASURE Keys to SCPI Command Map 2-8 Gate & ExtArm Key to SCPI Command Map 2-10 Gate & ExtArm Key to SCPI Command Map — For HP 53131A (and

HP 53132A With S/N Prefix Below 3646) 2-13

LIMITS and MATH Keys to SCPI Command Map 2-16

Programming Guide iii

Contents

Calibration Menu to SCPI Command Map 2-18

HP 53131A/132A Command Summary 2-20

SCPI Conformance Information 2-20 IEEE 488.2 Common Commands 2-21 HP 53131A/132A SCPI Subsystem Commands 2-24 Std/New Column 2-24 Parameter Form Column 2-24

*RST Response 2-40

3 Programming Your Universal Counter for Remote Operation

Introduction 3-2

Chapter Summary 3-2 Where to Find Some Specific Information 3-2 Where to Find HP BASIC Programming Examples 3-3 Where to Find QuickBASIC Programming Examples 3-3 Where to Find Turbo C Programming Examples 3-3

Configuring the HP-IB 3-4

To Set the HP-IB Mode and Address 3-4 To Connect the Counter to a Computer 3-6 Remote/Local Operation 3-6

Overview of Command Types and Formats 3-7

Common Command Format 3-7 SCPI Command and Query Format 3-7

Elements of SCPI Commands 3-8

Subsystem Command Syntax 3-8 Common Command Syntax 3-8 Abbreviated Commands 3-9 Keyword Separator 3-9 Optional Keyword 3-9 Implied Channel (Optional Numeric Keyword Suffix) 3-10 Parameter Types 3-11 Parameter Separator 3-12 Query Parameters 3-12

iv Programming Guide

Contents

Suffixes 3-12

Suffix Elements 3-12

Suffix Multipliers 3-13 Command Terminator 3-13

Using Multiple Commands 3-14

Program Messages 3-14 Program Message Syntax 3-14

Overview of Response Message Formats 3-16

Response Messages 3-16 Response Message Syntax 3-16 Response Message Data Types 3-17

Status Reporting 3-19

Status Byte Register and Service Request Enable Register 3-21

Status Byte Register 3-21

Service Request Enable Register 3-23 Standard Event Status Register Group 3-24

Standard Event Status Register 3-24

Standard Event Status Enable Register 3-26 Operation Status Register Group and Questionable Data/Signal Status

Condition Register 3-28

Transition Filter 3-28

Event Register 3-29

Event Enable Register 3-29

Operation Status Register Group 3-30

Questionable Data/Signal Status Register Group 3-32

Command Settings for Optimizing Throughput 3-35

Commands to Set Counter for Optimal Throughput 3-35 Typical Optimizing Throughput Results for Different Computers 3-37

How to Program the Counter for Status Reporting 3-38

Determining the Condition of the Counter 3-38 Resetting the Counter and Clearing the HP-IB

Interface—Example 1 3-38 Using the Standard Event Status Register to Trap an Incorrect HP-IB

command—Example 2 3-39

Programming Guide v

Contents

Event Status Register 3-39 Using the Questionable Data/Signal Status Register to Alert the Computer

When Automatic Interpolator Calibration is Disabled—Example 3 3-39

Questionable Data Status Register 3-40 Using the Operation Status Register to Alert the Computer When

Measuring has Completed— Example 4 3-40

Operation Status Register 3-40

How to Program the Counter to Display Results 3-43

Configuring the Counter’s Display 3-43 Commands for Displaying Non-Scaled/Offset Results 3-43 Commands for Displaying Scaled/Offset Results 3-44 Commands for Displaying the Limit Graph 3-44 Commands for Displaying Statistics Results 3-44 Commands for Enabling and Disabling the Display 3-45

How to Program the Counter to Synchronize Measurements 3-46

Synchronizing Measurement Completion 3-46 Resetting the Counter and Clearing the HP-IB Interface 3-46 Using the *WAI Command 3-46 Using the *OPC? Command 3-47 Using the *OPC Command to Assert SRQ 3-48

How to Program the Counter for Math/Limit Operations 3-49

Updating Math and Limit Results Over HP-IB 3-49 Using the Scale and Offset Over HP-IB 3-50

How to Program the Counter to Define Macros 3-52 Writing SCPI Programs 3-55 Programming Examples 3-58

Using HP BASIC 3-58

To Send a Double-Quoted String 3-58

To Send a Single-Quoted String 3-58 Using QuickBASIC 3-59 Using Turbo C 3-59 List of the Programming Examples 3-59 Easiest Way to Make a Measurement (HP BASIC) 3-60 To Make a Frequency Measurement (HP BASIC) 3-62

vi Programming Guide

Contents

To Perform Limit Testing (HP BASIC) 3-63 To Measure the Statistics of 50 Measurements

(HP BASIC) 3-64 To Use Limits to Filter Data Before Measuring Stats

(HP BASIC) 3-66 To Read and Store Calibration Information

(HP BASIC) 3-68 To Perform a Time Interval Calibration (HP BASIC) 3-69 To Optimize Throughput (HP BASIC) 3-73 To Use Macros (HP BASIC) 3-75 To Make a Frequency Measurement (QuickBASIC) 3-77 To Perform Limit Testing (QuickBASIC) 3-78 To Measure the Statistics of 50 Measurements

(QuickBASIC) 3-80 To Use Limits to Filter Data Before Measuring Stats (QuickBASIC) 3-

82 To Read and Store Calibration Data (QuickBASIC) 3-85 To Optimize Throughput (QuickBASIC) 3-86 To Use Macros (QuickBASIC) 3-88 To Make a Frequency Measurement (Turbo C) 3-91 To Use Limits to Filter Data Before Measuring Statistics (Turbo C) 3-

93 To Optimize Throughput (Turbo C) 3-96

Programming Guide vii

Contents

4 Command Reference

Introduction 4-2 :ABORt Command 4-4 :CALCulate Subsystems 4-5 :CALCulate[1] Subsystem 4-7

:CALCulate[1]:MATH Subtree 4-9

:CALCulate2 Subsystem 4-11

:CALCulate2:LIMit Subtree 4-12

:CALCulate3 Subsystem 4-19

:CALCulate3:AVERage Subtree 4-19 :CALCulate3:LFILter Subtree 4-23

:CALibration Subsystem 4-26

:CALibration:SECurity Subtree 4-28

:CONFigure Subsystem 4-30 Device Clear 4-31 :DIAGnostic Subsystem 4-32 :DISPlay Subsystem 4-37 :FETCh Subsystem 4-40 :FORMat Subsystem 4-41 Group Execute Trigger (GET) 4-42 :HCOPy Subsystem 4-43 :INITiate Subsystem 4-44 :INPut[1|2] Subsystem 4-48 :INPut3 Subsystem 4-50 :MEASure Subsystem 4-51 Measurement Instructions (:CONFigure, :FETCh, :MEASure, :READ)

4-52

Using :MEAsure 4-75

Using :CONFigure with :READ? 4-76

Using :CONFigure with :INITiate and :FETCh? 4-76

Firmware Revision Work-Around Commands 4-77

:MEMory Subsystem 4-79 [:SENSe] Subsystem 4-80

[:SENSe]:EVENt[1|2] Subtree 4-80

viii Programming Guide

Contents

[:SENSe]:EVENt3 Subtree 4-84 [:SENSe]:FREQuency Subtree 4-85

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:ARM Subtree 85 [:SENSe]:PHASe Subtree 4-91

[:SENSe]:PHASe:ARM Subtree 4-91 [:SENSe]:ROSCillator Subtree 4-92 [:SENSe]:TINTerval Subtree (HP 53131A and

HP 53132A With S/N Prefix Below 3646) 4-95

[:SENSe]:TINTerval:ARM Subtree (HP 53131A and HP 53132A

With S/N Prefix Below 3646) 4-95 [:SENSe]:TINTerval Subtree (HP 53132A With S/N Prefix 3646 and

Above) 4-98

[:SENSe]:TINTerval:ARM:ESTART and :ESTOP Subtrees

(HP 53132A With S/N Prefix 3646 and Above) 4-98 [:SENSe]:TOTalize Subtree 4-104

[:SENSe]:TOTalize:ARM Subtree 4-104

:STATus Subsystem 4-107

:STATus:OPERation Subtree 4-107 :STATus:QUEStionable Subtree 4-110

:SYSTem Subsystem 4-114

:SYSTem:COMMunicate Subtree 4-114

:TRACe Subsystem 4-119 :TRIGger Subsystem 4-121 *CAL? (Calibration Query) 4-122 *CLS (Clear Status Command) 4-123 *DDT <arbitrary block> (Define Device Trigger

Command) 4-124 *DMC <string>, <arbitrary block>

(Define Macro Command) 4-125 *EMC <NRf> (Enable Macro Command) 4-126 *EMC? (Enable Macro Query) 4-126 *ESE <NRf> (Standard Event Status Enable

Command) 4-127 *ESE? (Standard Event Status Enable Query) 4-127 *ESR? (Event Status Register Query) 4-128 *GMC? <string> (Get Macro Contents Query) 4-129

Programming Guide ix

Contents

*IDN? (Identification Query) 4-130 *LMC? (Learn Macro Query) 4-131 *OPC (Operation Complete Command) 4-132 *OPC? (Operation Complete Query) 4-133 *OPT? (Option Identification Query) 4-134 *PMC (Purge Macro Command) 4-135 *RCL <NRf> (Recall Command) 4-136 *RST (Reset Command) 4-137 *SAV <NRf> (Save Command) 4-138 *SRE <NRf> (Service Request Enable Command) 4-139 *SRE? (Service Request Enable Query) 4-139 *STB? (Status Byte Query) 4-140 *TRG (Trigger Command) 4-141 *TST? (Self-Test Query) 4-142 *WAI (Wait-to-Continue Command) 4-143

5 Errors

Introduction 5-2 Displaying Errors 5-2 Reading an Error 5-2 Error Queue 5-3 Error Types 5-4

No Error 5-4 Command Error 5-4 Execution Error 5-5 Device- or Counter-Specific Error 5-5 Query Error 5-6

x Programming Guide

Before You Start ...

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Introduction

This programming guide contains programming information for the HP 53131A/132A Universal Counter.

This guide assumes you are familiar with the front-panel operation of the Counter. See the HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide for detailed information about front- panel operation. You should use this programming guide together with the operating guide. Knowing how to control the Counter from the front panel and understanding the measurements you wish to perform makes the programming task much easier. The operating guide provides explanations and task procedures for all of the Counter’s measurement functions, and contains the specifications for the Counter.

By sending Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) commands, all of the Counter’s front-panel functions can be remotely operated via the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB), as well as the additional throughput optimizing function not available from the front panel.

This Counter programming commands conform to the Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) Standard Version 1992.0. The SCPI standard does not completely redefine how to program instruments over the HewlettPackard Interface Bus (HP-IB). However, it does standardize the structure and content of an instrument’s command set to reflect the best programming practices developed by people using HP-IB. It also establishes standard command mnemonics for similar functions in all of the instruments that conform to the SCPI standard.

If you have programmed any HP instruments that have been released over the last few years, you will have seen a general trend toward the techniques specified in the SCPI standard. For example, several instruments are already using a hierarchy of commands that is similar to the command structure defined by the SCPI standard.

1-2 Programming Guide

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Programming Guide Contents

Differences Between Prior and Current Revisions

of the HP 53131A/132A

If you have an HP 53131A containing one of the prior firmware revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402), read the subsection below titled “HP 53131A Containing Firmware Revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402)” to get an overview of the differences between the earlier firmware revisions and current firmware revision.

If you have an HP 53132A with a serial number prefix below 3646, read the subsection titled “HP 53132A Time Interval Delay Arming ” on page 1-5.

NOTE

Note that throughout the guide, differences between the earlier and current firmware revisions are noted where applicable.

HP 53131A Containing Firmware Revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402)

There are four main areas that differ:

• Calibrations

• Measurements

• Statistics

• HP-IB Commands

Calibrations

If your Counter contains other than the current firmware revision, the following calibration features are different:

• The calibration functions are in the Utility menu instead of the Calibration

menu, which is accessed by pressing and holding the front-panel Utility key and then cycling POWER key.

• Calibrations are not protected by a security code.

• A calibration count does not exist to aid in monitoring the number of

calibrations performed.

• A more accurate Time Interval calibration (FINE TI) is not available.

See the section titled “Using the Calibration Menu” in Chapter 2 of the HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide for details.

Programming Guide 1-3

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Differences Between Prior and Current Revisions of the HP 53131A/132A

Measurements

If your Counter contains other than the current firmware revision, the following measurement capabilities are different:

• Ratio channel selections Ratio 2 to 1 and Ratio 3 to 1

(for those counters equipped with Channel 3) are not available.

• Ratio “AUTO-armed” does not automatically extends gate to capture

sufficient edges.

If Channel 1 input frequency is less than approximately 10 Hz, the Ratio gate time is not extended to capture sufficient Channel 1 edges to produce a valid measurement. Default gate time is 100 msec, which is not long enough to capture two edges on a low-frequency signal. The user is required to extend the gate by switching to TIME arming, and selecting a gate time appropriately long.

• Sensitivity for firmware revision below does not have adjusted controls to

LO and MED sensitivity.

In some Counters that contained firmware revision 3317, LO sensitivity fails to correctly count very high frequency signals.

Statistics

If your Counter contains other than the current firmware revision s, single-shot statistics are not available using the ON SINGLE: menu item found in the Statistics menu (use Stats key).

HP-IB Commands

[:SENSe]:EVENt[1|2}:HYSTeresis:RELative

If your Counter contains firmware revisions 3402 and below, the input hysteresis command and query does not operate in the conventional way. That is, [:SENSe]:EVENt[1|2]:HYSTeresis:RELative sets high sensitivity when the parameter is MINimum or 0 percent, and sets low sensitivity when the parameter is MAXimum or 100 percent.

In the prior firmware revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402), MINimum or 0 percent corresponded to low sensitivity, and MAXimum or 100 percent corresponded to high sensitivity.

1-4 Programming Guide

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Programming Guide Contents

:CONFigure:TOTalize:TIMed :CONFigure:TOTalize:CONTinuous :MEASure:TOTalize:TIMed?

If your Counter contains firmware revisions 3402 and below, the Totalize Measurement Instruction commands (shown above) are not available to disable auto-trigger.

In the firmware revisions 3402 and below, these commands enabled auto-trigger at the 50% level.

HP 53132A Time Interval Delay Arming

HP 53131A and HP 53132A Counters with a serial number prefix below 3646 are identical in their TI arming modes. Both only offer Time Interval Delay, where the STOP trigger of a time interval measurement can be delayed by a user -specified time.

Programming Guide 1-5

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Getting Started

Before attempting to program the Counter, take some time to familiarize yourself with the content of this guide. The remainder of this chapter contains the following information:

• An explanation of how you should use the programming guide based on

your experience programming instruments and your testing requirements.

• A description of the guide contents.

• A statement of assumptions that are made in the guide.

• A list of related documentation.

How to Use This Guide

How you use this guide depends upon how much you already know about programming instruments and how complex your measurement requirements are. Let’s start by establishing your programming background, and then discuss the type of measurements you want to perform.

New Users

What You Should Understand

As a new user, you should understand that you must have some understanding of a high-level language such as Pascal, BASIC, C, or FORTRAN before you can use the command set defined in this guide to control the Counter. (In Chapter 3, “Programming Your Universal Counter for Remote Operation,” there are programming examples provided in HP BASIC, Microsoft  QuickBASIC, and Borland Turbo C.) However, whatever language you use, command strings that control the Counter remain the same.

1-6 Programming Guide

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Programming Guide Contents

Learning to Program the Counter

To learn how to program the Counter, perform the following:

• Scan the summary tables in Chapter 2, “Command Summary ,”

to get a feeling for the number and structure of commands available to you.

• Read and study map drawings in the section titled “Front Panel to SCPI

Command Maps” in Chapter 2.

• Read Chapter 3, “Programming Your Universal Counter for Remote

Operation,” for an overview of the SCPI concepts as they relate to the HP 53131A/132A Universal Counter. Look at the flowcharts, which illustrate some of the decisions you must make when programming the Counter.

• Read the section at the end of Chapter 3 titled “Programming Examples for

Making Common Measurements,” which provides programming examples.

• Modify some of the programming examples to select specific measurement

functions. If the programs work, consider yourself an experienced programmer and use Chapter 4, “Command Reference,” as a reference for detailed information of all the Counter ’s SCPI commands.

Experienced Programmers

If you have programmed other HP-IB instruments, you will probably be familiar with many of the concepts and techniques discussed in this guide. Also, you will find that using the SCPI commands is very similar to using the older HP-IB commands. The main difference is the hierarchy of the subsystem commands. (However, this type of structure has been previously used on other instruments.)

Because the SCPI command set and some of the status reporting techniques are new, you may want to use the following sequence to learn the Counter programming requirements:

• Look over the steps for a new user and perform any that you think are

applicable to your current level of knowledge. In particular, look at the measurement techniques and examples provide in Chapter 3, “Programming Your Universal Counter for Remote Operation.”

• Review the summary tables in Chapter 2, “Command Summary .” If this

chapter contains sufficient information to get you started, write some programs to explore the Counter’s capabilities. If you need additional information on any command, refer to the applicable command description in Chapter 4, “Command Reference.”

Programming Guide 1-7

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

How to Use This Guide

• Review the remaining information in this guide to determine what is applicable

to your programming requirements.

If you need more information than is contained in this guide, see the section in this chapter titled “Related Documentation.”

Applications

After you have read the appropriate information and written some measurement programs, you may want to expand the scope of your applications. The following two techniques are explained in detail:

• If you are going to write interrupt-driven programs (or if you just want to

determine the status of the Counter), read the section titled “Status Reporting” in Chapter 3.

• If you are going to write programs to transfer data between the Counter and

an external computer, read the sections titled “Overview of Response Message Formats,” and “Command Settings for Optimizing Throughput” in Chapter 3.

1-8 Programming Guide

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...

Programming Guide Contents

The following information is contained in this guide:

• Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 (this chapter) ,“Before You Start,” is a preface that introduces you

to the programming guide.

• Chapter 2, “Command Summary,” is a quick reference that summarizes the

Counter’s programming commands. It provides you with front-panel to SCPI command maps, SCPI conformance information, and command summary tables.

• Chapter 3, “Programming Your Universal Counter for Remote

Operation,” describes how to set up the Counter for remote operation, briefly

explains the SCPI elements and formats, describes status reporting, describes how to write programs, and provides programming examples for each of the main tasks that you will want your Counter to perform.

• Chapter 4, “Command Reference,” is a dictionary that describes the SCPI

subsystems and IEEE 488.2 Common commands.

• Chapter 5, “Errors,” lists all the error messages the Counter can generate and

what caused the error.

• Index

Assumptions

This guide assumes the Counter is correctly installed and interfaced to an external computer. If it is not, see IEEE HP-IB Interconnection information in Hewlett-

Packard Company, Tutorial Description of the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus,

1987. (See the following section in this chapter titled “Related Documentation” for

ordering information.)

As previously mentioned, this guide also assumes you are familiar with the frontpanel operation of the Counter. See the HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide for detailed information about front-panel operation. Knowing how to control the Counter from the front panel and understanding the measurements you wish to perform makes the programming task much easier.

Programming Guide 1-9

Chapter 1 Before You Start ...