HP E1725C, E1740A Getting Started Manual
HP E1725C and HP E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Getting
Started Guide
Analysis Software
Getting Started Guide
This guide describes how to start using the HP E1725C and the
HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers (TIA) with the HP E1742A,
HP E1743A, HP E1744A, HP 1746A, and HP E1748A Analysis Software
(HP E1725C options 242, 243, 244, 246, and 248, respectively).
Information on installation, start-up, and first use of the TIA are
provided.
HP E1725C and HP E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software
Copyright Hewlett- P ac ka rd
Company 1998
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, adaptation, or
translations without prior
written permission is
prohibited, except as allowed
under the copyright laws.
Printed: April 1998
Printed in USA
Manual part number
E1725-900 12
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 Technol ogy (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
HP warrants HP hardware,
accessories and supplies against
defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one
year from date of shipment. If
HP receives notice of such
defects during the warranty
period, HP will, at its option,
either repair or replace products
which prove to be defective.
Replacement products may be
either new or like-new.
HP warrants that HP software
will not fail to execute its
programming instructions, for
the period specified above, due
to defects in material and
workmanship when properly
installed and used. If HP
receives notice of such defects
during the warranty period, HP
will replace software media
which does not execute its
programming instructions due
to such defects.
For detailed warra nty
information, see back matter.
Safety Considerations
General
This product and related
documentation must be
reviewed for familiariza ti on
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.
Before Cleaning
Disconnect the product from
operating power before
cleaning.
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.
or
Indicates terminal is connected
to chassis when such connection
is not apparent.
Indicates Alternating
current.
Indicates Direct current.
WARNING
BODILY INJUR Y 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.
For additional safety and
acoustic noise information, see
back matter.
Hewlett-Packard Company 7.CD.NL.A.03.11.97.R1.J.CW2F
Santa Clara Division
5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Santa Clara, California 95052-8059
Contents
In This Guide
Guide Organization vii
Description of the High Performance Time Interval
Analyzer viii
Documentation List ix
Where to Find Information x
1 How to Begin
In this Chapter 1-2
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers with
the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software 1-4
Assembling the TIA 1-5
HP E1725C TIA Assembly 1-5
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis
Software 1-7
HP E1725C TIA Requirements 1-7
Install the HP TIA Software 1-8
To Modify the Directory 1-9
Power-Up and Health Check 1-11
Start 1-11
Start the HP TIA Software 1-11
Verify Communication with the TIA 1-11
Set the Interface Type 1-11
Verify Communication 1-12
Where to Now? 1-13
2 Practice Using the TIA
In this Chapter 2-2
Conventions Used in the Tutorial 2-4
Selecting Commands with the Mouse 2-4
Getting Started Guide iii
Contents
Hints Provided in Italics 2-4
TIA Tutorial 2-5
Presetting the Instrument to a Known State 2-5
Recalling a Saved Data File and Setup 2-6
Configuring the TIA for a Measurement (Setup Menu) 2-7
Initiating a Measurement and Viewing Results (Measure
Menu) 2-16
Using Cursors, Markers and Zooming 2-19
Printing Results 2-25
3 Demo Waveforms
In this Chapter 3-2
Demo 1: Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) Frequency
Step Response and Settling 3-3
Start 3-3
Overview 3-3
Frequency Deviation Results 3-6
Cursors and Markers 3-7
Zooming 3-7
Autoscale and Scaling 3-9
Demo 2: Phase Modulation Analysis (BPSK) 3-12
Start 3-12
Overview 3-13
Phase Deviation Results 3-15
DeTilt 3-16
FFT Analysis 3-17
Demo 3: Sharing TIA Data With Other Windows
Applications 3-20
Sharing Graphics 3-20
Open the Windows’ “WordPad” Progr am 3-21
Now Add the Log Information 3-23
Sharing Data 3-25
iv Getting Started Guide
Index
Contents
Getting Started Guide v
Contents
vi Getting Started Guide
In This Guide
This book is the getting started guide for the HP E1725C and HP E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers. It consists of a table of contents, this preface,
three chapters, and an index.
This preface contains the following information
• Guide Organization
• Description of the High Performance Time Interval
Analyzer
• Documentation List
• Where to Find Information
:
pg. vii
pg. viii
pg. ix
pg. x
Guide Organization
Table of Contents
In This Guide (this preface) introduces you to the getting started guide,
and provides general information on the HP E1725C/HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzer (TIA).
Chapter 1, “How to Begin,” provides complete system requirements and
information, and step-by-step instructions on how to assemble and start
operating your TIA.
Chapter 2, “Practice Using the TIA,” provides a short tutorial that
teaches you how to set up the TIA to acquire and analyze measurement
data without the need for an actual signal to measure.
Chapter 3, “Demo Waveforms,” provides detailed demonstrations about
measuring and analyzing actual signals. Data files are included with your
software to be used as examples to illustrate key points.
Index
Getting Started Guide vii
In This Guide
Description of the High Performance Time Interval Analyzer
The HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers provide new
insight into critical timing issues for applications in computer,
communications, and defense industries. The HP E1725C TIA features a
modular architecture that offers both high performance timing
measurements and a customized user-interface, which can be configured
to specific measurement applications. The HP E1740A Time Interval
Analyzer VXI module is the measurement hardware of the system.
The HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A series of analysis software is designed
to “tune” the TIA to specific needs for greater ease-of-use and higher
productivity. The TIA and software provide the following measurement
and analysis features:
• Graphical user interface implemented in Windows® 3.1 or
Windows® 95
A mouse, or similar pointing device, can be used to set up the TIA,
control operation, and analyze results.
• Large sequential data capture
Up to 256 thousand single-channel measurements can be acquired in
sequence. This can be useful when studying phenomena which occur
over many measurement samples.
• Large histogram capacity
Large amounts of data can be collected into a histogram very quickly.
Statistical analysis is enhanced with higher confidence due to large
sample sizes.
• Continuous edge sampling up to 80 MHz rate
In the HP E1743A and E1744A, every edge can be timed in a pulse
series up to an 80 MHz rate (12.5 ns minimum continuous interval,
3.2 µsec maximum interval). In the HP E1742A, HP E1746A, and
HP E1748A (and optionally the HP E1743A and HP E1744A), every
viii Getting Started Guide
In This Guide
edge can be captured up to a 40 MHz rate (25 ns minimum continuous
interval, 104 ms maximum interval).
• Easily share data with other applications
Include TIA results in lab reports using Windows word processing
software such as Microsoft Word for Windows or Lotus® Amipro®.
• Resolve signal edge timing to within 50 ps LSD
Characterize small amounts of jitter and timing noise on a single-shot
basis.
Documentation List
The following manuals are part of the standard HP E1725C Time Interval
Analyzer:
Manual Title HP Part Number
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers
with the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
Getting Started Guide (this guide)
HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzer User’s Guide E1740-90005
HP E1421B VXI Mainframe Manual E1421-90000
HP E1406A Command Module User’s Guide E1406-90004
HP E1406A Command Module Installation Guide E1406-90027
HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop Computer manuals _____
National Instruments GPIB User’s Manual _____
MS-DOS
®
and Windows® 95 manuals _____
E1725-90012
Getting Started Guide ix
In This Guide
Where to Find Information
The order in which you use these resources will depend on your
situation. When first starting to use the HP E1725C or
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A, refer to this Getting Started Guide.
When setting up the HP E1740A TIA in a VXI system you will find very
important information in the HP E1740A User’s Guide.
To find out more about... Refer to the following...
installing the HP E1725C Time
Interval Analyzer or
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis software
installing the HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzer VXI module
the specifications for the
HP E1725C/HP E1740A TIA
how to program the HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzer VXI module
the HP E1421B six-slot mainframe HP E1421B Mainframe Manual
the portable computer for the
HP E1725C
making specific
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
measurements
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742/43/44A/46A/48A Analysis
Software Getting Started Guide
(this guide)
HP E1740A User’s Guide
HP E1740A User’s Guide
HP E1740A User’s Guide
HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop
Computer manuals
HP E174XA on-line Help
x Getting Started Guide
1
How to Begin
Chapter 1 How to Begin
In this Chapter
In this Chapter
1
This chapter describes in a step-by-step fashion how to assemble and start
operating your Hewlett-Packard TIA (Time Interval Analyzer). The steps
also make a good checklist to follow when you suspect a problem with your
setup.
Components Provided
Components Needed
to Configure a TIA
VXI mainfra me 6-slot mainframe (inc luded) 13-slot mainframe, such as
Computer HP Omnibook 5 700 CTX Laptop
VXI interface/control Included in HP 1406A Slot-0
TIA module HP E1740A (included) None
Measurement control
and analysis software
with a Standard
HP E1725C Possible Alternatives
the HP E1401B
HP Vectra or IBM-
Computer
command module (with HP-IB
card in computer)
HP E1742A Tributary Jitter
Analysis
HP E1743A Clock Jitter
Analysis
HP E1744A Token Ring Jitter
Analysis
HP E1746A Network
Synchronization Measurement
Software
HP E1748A Multiple-Channel
Network Synchr o niz a t io n
Measurement Software
(one included)
compatible PC with
HP 82335B or HP 82341B
HP-IB card installed
_____
Create custom programs to
control the HP E1740A TIA
module.
1-2 Getting Started Guide
Chapter 1 How to Begin
In this Chapter
Components Provided
Components Needed
to Configure a TIA
MS-DOS 6.0 (or later) (included) MS-DOS 5.0 (or later)
Windows®3.1 or
Windows
®
95
with a Standard
HP E1725C Possible Alternatives
Windows
®
95 _____
1
National Instruments
PCMCIA-GPIB Kit
(included) None
Getting Started Guide 1-3
Chapter 1 How to Begin
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
HP E1725C and HP E1740A
1
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software
The HP E1725C TIA is a stand-alone instrument. Connect the pieces as
described below and apply power. Skip the steps that do not apply.
The TIA is then ready to start measuring.
The HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A are options to the HP E1725C
(option 242, 243, 244, 246 and 248, respectively). These software packages
are Microsoft Windows applications, which serve as the user interface and
analysis portion of the TIA. At least one of these packages must be
included with the HP E1725C.
This guide describes how to assemble the TIA and start using it. If you are
assembling the HP E1725C for the first time, reassembling it after some
time, or building the TIA using other computers or VXI mainframes, this
procedure will help.
The standard HP E1725C TIA instrument consists of the following items:
• HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzer (two-slot, C-size VXI module )
• HP E1406A Slot-0 Command Module (one-slot, C-size VXI module)
Time Interval Analyzers with the
• HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
• HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop Computer
• Six-slot VXI C-size mainframe
• National Instruments PCMCIA-GPIB Kit (includes a PCMCIA card
and a GPIB cable)
• DOS and Windows software
• Four oscilloscope probes (three 10:1 and one 1:1)
• Blank panels for covering unused VXI mainframe slots
1-4 Getting Started Guide
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Assembling the TIA
Assembling the TIA
NOTE
HP E1725C TIA Assembl y
This section assumes that the HP E1725C is completely disassembled.
Just skip the steps that do not apply to your situation. The intention is to
meet your needs if in the future you need to rebuild an HP E1725C that
has been disassembled. The standard HP E1725C is shipped from the
factory assembled and configured.
1 Before you start, make sure power is shut off to all of the components.
2 Install the HP E1406A Command Module in slot 0 of the VXI mainframe.
(With the standard HP E1725C 6-slot mainframe, this will be the slot at
the bottom or left side, depending on the orientation of the mainframe.)
Line up the module with the slot guides and then press the module firmly
into the backplane connectors. Tighten the screws attached to the
command module to fully seat the module into the backplane connectors of
the mainframe.
3 Install the HP E1740A TIA module in slots 1 and 2 of the VXI mainframe
or any other open slo ts .
Always check that the mainframe power is OFF before installing any
boards or instruments into the backplane connectors. This is also a good
time to check that the TIA module address setting is unique and different
from other modules already installed in the mainframe. The HP E1740A
address (ULA) is set to 48 at the factory, corresponding to a secondary
address of 06 when using the HP 82335A/B HP-IB Interface Card. If you
are installing multiple TIAs, make sure each one has its own unique
address. See the HP E1740A TIA User’s Guide for more information about
address switch settings.
1
4 Line up the module with the slot guides and then press the module firmly
into the backplane connectors. Use the screws attached to the module to
securely tighten down the module.
Getting Started Guide 1-5
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Assembling the TIA
5 Install blank panels over any unused slots of the VXI mainframe to help
maintain proper cooling of VXI modules.
1
6 Apply power to the laptop computer and the VXI mainframe.
1-6 Getting Started Guide
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software
This section provides instructions for installing the user-interface
software onto your computer. This software is already installed on the
HP E1725C TIA. If you have purchased the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software by itself, follow these instructions to install the
software.
HP E1725C TIA Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements to support operation of the
HP E1725C TIA using the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A software.
• 20 MHz 386-based PC with a 387 co-processor
• 8 megabytes of RAM
• A hard disk with at least 6 megabytes of free disk space
• DOS version 5.0 (or later) and Microsoft Windows
Windows
• A two-button mouse
It is recommended that you always read any “readme” files associated
with the software before proceeding with the installation. These files
contain important information which may not be found elsewhere.
The HP E174XA readme file can be viewed by one of the following
methods:
®
95)
®
version 3.1 (or
1
• Insert the HP E174XA disk 1 in drive a: (or whatever floppy drive is
appropriate). Start Windows 95, select Programs group, double-click
on Windows Explor er ic on, choose drive a:, and double-click on the
“readme.wri” file.
• If the HP E174XA software is already installed on the PC, double-click
on the “readme” icon in the HP Applications program group.
Getting Started Guide 1-7
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
Install the HP TIA Software
1 Insert the HPE1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A disk 1 into the 3.5-inch floppy
drive.
1
2 Start Windows.
3 Open Windows Explorer and double-click on Setup File to install the
software.
NOTE
The software cannot be installed while another Visual Basic program is
open in Windows. If you see an error message to this effect, close all other
Visual Basic programs to proceed with the installation.
Shortly after double-clicking, you will see the installation window shown
below. If you see a different window, you may have inserted disk 3 by
mistake. (Disk 3 also has a file with the name setup.exe.) Click Cancel
and return to step 1.
This window allows you to modify the directory for the software
installation, or to cancel the installation completely. To cancel the
installation, click Exit Setup or press ALT E.
1-8 Getting Started Guide
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
To Modify the Directory
The default directory is C:\hpe174Xa (where X=2, 3, 4, 6, or 8 depending
on the particular software package you have). If you want to install the
application software files in a different directory, highlight hpe174Xa and
type in the preferred directory name. Highlight the C:\ if you wish to
modify the drive location as well. Make a note of the directory you
have selected as you will need this information later during the
installation. Click the Continue button to continue the installation.
An Interface Options window will appear next. If you are using an
HP 82335A HP-IB interface, the appropriate Window’s driver (hpib.dll
for the HP 82335A) will be installed for you. If you are certain that the
correct interface driver is already available on your system (and in the
“path”), you may leave “Other/None” selected. Otherwise, choose the
appropriate interface. If the interface you are using is not listed, select
“Other/None”. Click Continue to start the actual installation.
1
Getting Started Guide 1-9
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
After the program file s from di sks 1 and 2 are copied to your disk, y ou will
be asked to insert disk 3 into the floppy drive. Insert disk 3 into the floppy
drive and click Continue. A new setup program will be launched to
1
install the Help system. You will see another “Initializing Setup...”
message, and then the opening screen for installing the Help system.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
When you are asked to select a directory to install the Help system files
(not the shared files to be placed in the Windows System directory),
enter the same directory you noted previously.
When the installation is complete, click the OK button. A new program
group “HP Applications” will be created. The HP E174XA software, a
“read-me” file and the Help icon will be placed in this program group.
Be sure to send in your registration card. This will ensure that you are
notified about software updates and other important product information.
1-10 Getting Started Guide
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Power-Up and Health Check
Power-Up and Health Check
Start
1 Switch on the VXI mainframe before the computer.
2 Switch on the computer.
Start the HP TIA Software
1 Double-click the HP Applications Program Group icon in Windows to
open the group.
2 Double-click the HP E174XA icon to start the application.
Verify Communication with the TIA
The default interface setting for the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A is
“none.”
Set the Interface Type
If this is the first time you have started the software, or if no interface has
been previously selected, you will be asked if you wish to select the
interface now. Click Yes and continue with step3. Otherwise, select the
interface with the following steps:
1 Select Setup>In strument Setup... .
1
2 The HP E1740A setup window will appear. Click on the Interface
Setup... button in the lower right hand corner of the window.
3 Select the appropriate interface and addressing. Refer to the on-line Help
under the topic of “Interface” and the corresponding documentation that
came with the interface. Refer to the HP E1740A User’s Guide for details
on address switch settings.
4 Click on OK once the setting is chosen.
Getting Started Guide 1-11
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Power-Up and Health Check
Verify Communication
A convenient way to test the interface with the TIA is to check for an erro r
condition in the HP E1740A. This is a fairly comprehensive test as it
1
requires that the interface is configured correctly and that the hardware is
operational.
1 Select Setup>In strument Setup... .
2 Beneath “Calibration & Errors:” (bottom, center of the HP E1740A Setup
window), click on the Service button.
3 Click on the Get Error button in the bottom right corner of the
“Calibration and Service” window.
4 If the interface is configured correctly, and there are no hardware error
conditions, a small dialog box will appear with the message:
System error code:
+0, “No error”
5 Click on the OK button to exit this window. Close the Calibration and
Service window, and Cancel the HP E1740A Setup window to return to
the application.
If you do not see the above error-free condition, check that the correct
interface has been configured in the HP E1740A Setup window and that
the HP E1740A has a unique address (ULA). For HP E1740A hardware
error conditions, refer to the HP E1740A User’s Guide.
6 You can configure the HP E174XA to always use the interface you just
selected as follows:
Select File>Save Setup As... .
Select the file inisetup.stp in the c:\hpe174Xa directory. This is the
setup file the software uses as its configuration when loaded.
1-12 Getting Started Guide
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Where to Now?
Where to Now?
If this is your first time using the TIA, you may want to follow the short
tutorial in Chapter 2. It demonstrates how to set up the TIA to acquire
and analyze measurement data without the need for an actual signal to
measure.
Chapter 3 goes into more detail about measuring and analyzing actual
signals. Data files are included with your software to be used as examples
to illustrate key points. These data files are “generic” and may not
illustrate the specific application for which you purchased the software.
The on-line Help file is intended to do this.
1
Getting Started Guide 1-13
Chapter 1 How to Begin
Where to Now?
1
1-14 Getting Started Guide
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