ISO-TECH IDS-820, IDS-810, IDS-806, IDS-720, IDS-710 User Manual

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

Digital Storage Oscilloscope

IDS-700 & IDS-800 Series

Programming Manual

© 2003 RS Components Ltd. All rights reserved

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

Due to continuous improvements in the IDS-700 & 800 series Digital Storage

Oscilloscopes, information contained in this manual is subject to change

without notice. Contact RS Components for revisions and corrections.

This document supports firmware version v1.07 and previous version

S

RS Components Ltd.

PO Box 99, Corby,

Northants., NN17 9RS

United Kingdom.

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Internet: rswww.com

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

1. Introduction

The IDS-820/IDS-840 Digital Storage Oscilloscope can be driven using the GPIB
(General Purpose Interface Bus) or the RS-232 serial connection system with a
computer. Commands sent over either interface can read or set any IDS-820/840’s
instruction. This chapter explains how to carry out the following tasks.

Note: Not all interface options are available on all models – refer to
individual product specifications for applicable options.

Notes for GPIB installation

If you are setting up the IDS-820/IDS-840 with a GPIB system, please comply with the
following requirements:

� Only a maximum of 15 devices can be connected to a single GPIB bus.
� Do not use more than 20 m of cable to connect devices to a bus.
� Connect one device for every 2 m of cable used.
� Each device on the bus needs a unique device address. No two devices

can share the same device address.
� Turn on at least two-thirds of the devices on the GPIB system

while you use the system.

� Do not use loop or parallel structure for the topology of the GPIB system.

Notes for RS-232 Configuration

This oscilloscope contains a DB 9-pin, male RS-232 connector for serial
communication with a computer or terminal. The RS-232 interface of this oscilloscope
is configured as an RS-232 “Data Terminal Equipment”, so that data is sent from pin 3
and received on pin 2. For remote controls, the RS-232 interface has to be connected
with a computer or terminal.

Pin Assignments

The pin assignments for RS-232 interface of the IDS-820/IDS-840 series are listed
below.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

1 No connection
2 Receive Data(RxD) (input)
3 Transmit Data(TxD) (output)
4 No connection
5 Signal Ground (GND)
6 No connection
7 No connection
8 No connection
9 No connection

Figure 1-1: Pin assignments for the IDS-820’s RS232 connector

DB9 to DB9 Wiring

The wiring configuration is used for computer with DB9 connectors that configured as
Data Terminal Equipment.

Figure 1-2: DB9 to DB9 wiring

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

When the oscilloscope is set up with an RS-232 interface, please check the following

points:

ٛ

� Do not connect the output line of one DTE device to the output line of the other.

ٛ

� Many devices require a constant high signal on one or more input pins.

ٛ

� Ensure that the signal ground of the equipment is connected to the signal

ground of the external device.

ٛ

� Ensure that the chassis ground of the equipment is connected to the chassis

ground of the external device.

ٛ

� Do not use more than 15m of cable to connect devices to a PC.

ٛ

� Ensure the same configurations are used on the device as the one used on PC

terminal.

ٛ

� Ensure the connector for the both side of cable and the internal connected line

are met the demand of the instrument.

Computer’s Connection for RS-232

A personal computer with a COM port is the essential facilities in order to operate the
digitizing oscilloscope via RS-232 interface.

The connections between oscilloscope and computer are as follows:

I. Connect one end of a RS-232 cable to the computer.

II. Connect the other end of the cable to the RS-232 port on the oscilloscope.

III. Turn on the oscilloscope.

IV. Turn on the computer.

Figure 1-3, shows the GPIB port and RS-232 port’s locations on the rear panel of the
IDS-820/IDS-840 Digital storage Oscilloscope.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

Figure 1-3. Rear Panel of IDS-820/840

(1): Main power switch (6): “GO/NO GO” BNC output
(2): AC power socket (7): USB connector
(3): GPIB port (option) (8): Printer port
(4): Fuse drawer (9): RS-232 port
(5): “SELF CAL” BNC output

2. Computer Connection

A personal computer with a GPIB card is the essential stuff in order to operate the
IDS-820/IDS-840 via GPIB interface.

Connect between IDS-820/IDS-840 Digital storage Oscilloscope and computer as
follows:

I. Connect one end of a GPIB cable to the computer.

II. Connect the other end of the GPIB cable to the GPIB port on the IDS-820/IDS-840

Digital storage Oscilloscope.

III. Turn on the IDS-820/IDS-840 Digital storage Oscilloscope.

IV. Turn on the computer.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

The GPIB interface capabilities:

The GPIB interface of the IDS-820/IDS-840 corresponds to the standard of
IEEE488.1-1987, IEEE488.2-1992 and SCPI-1994. The GPIB interface functions are
listed as follows:

SH1(Source The IDS-820/IDS-840 can transmit multilane messages
Handshake): across the GPIB.

AH1(Acceptor The IDS-820/IDS-840 can receive multilane messages across
Handshake): the GPIB.

T6(Talker): Talker interface function includes basic talker, serial poll, and

unaddress if MLA capabilities, without talk only mode function.

L4 (Listener): The IDS-820/IDS-840 becomes a listener when the controller

sends its listen address with the ATN (attention) line asserted.
The IDS-820/IDS-840 does not have listen only capability.

SR1 (Service Request): The IDS-820/IDS-840 asserts the SRQ (Service
request) line to notify the controller when it requires service.

RL1 (Remote/Local): The IDS-820/IDS-840 responds to both the GTL (Go to Local)
and LLO (Local Lock Out) interface messages.

PP0 (Parallel Poll): The IDS-820/IDS-840 has no Parallel Poll interface function.
DC1 (Device Clear): The IDS-820/IDS-840 has Device clear capability to return the

device to power on status.
DT0 (Device Trigger): The IDS-820/IDS-840 has no Device Trigger interface function.
C0 (Controller) : The IDS-820/IDS-840 can not control other devices.

GPIB address setting

To change the GPIB address, use the following steps:

� Press the UTILITY button on the front panel. The utility menu provides
Interface Menu sub-menu by pressing the F2 soft-key in which the GPIB sub menu

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

is included. Press the F1 soft-key to select the GPIB setting menu.
For GPIB sub menu

ٛ

� Type GPIB: Select GPIB port.

ٛ

� Addr 1~30: select the appropriate address for GPIB.

ٛ

� Previous Menu: back to previous menu.

GPIB connection testing

If you want to test the whether the GPIB connection is working or not, use the National
Instrument’s “Interactive Control utility” for instance, you communicate with the GPIB
devices through calls you interactively type in at the keyboard.

The Interactive Control can help you to learn about the instrument and to troubleshoot
problems by displaying the following information on your screen after you enter a
command:

ٛ

� Results of the status word (ibsta) in hexadecimal notation

ٛ

� Mnemonic constant of each bit set in ibsta

ٛ

� Mnemonic value of the error variable (iberr) if an error exists (the ERR bit

is set in ibsta)

ٛ

� Count value for each read, write, or command function

ٛ

� Data received from your instrument

You can access online help in Interactive Control by entering help at the prompt, or
you can get help on a specific function by entering help <function> at the prompt,
where <function> is the name of the function for which you want help.

To start Interactive Control within National Instrument’s “Measurement & Automation
Explorer”, complete the following steps:
1 Select Tools→I-488.2 Utilities→Interactive Control.

2 Open either a board handle or device handle to use for further NI-488.2 calls.

Use ibdev to open a device handle, ibfind to open a board handle, or the set

488.2 command to switch to a 488.2 prompt.

The following example uses ibdev to open a device, assigns it to access board gpib0,
chooses a primary address of 7 with no secondary address, sets a timeout of 10
seconds, enables the END message, and disables the EOS mode.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

:ibdev

enter board index: 0
enter primary address: 7
enter secondary address: 0
enter timeout: 13
enter ‘EOI on last byte’ flag: 1
enter end-of-string mode/byte: 0

ud0:

Note: If you type a command and no parameters, Interactive Control prompts you for
the necessary arguments. If you already know the required arguments, you can type
them at the command prompt, as follows:

:ibdev 0 7 0 13 1 0 ud0:

Note: If you do not know the primary and secondary address of your GPIB instrument,
right-click on your GPIB interface in Measurement & Automation Explorer and select
Scan for Instruments. After Explorer scans your interface, it displays your instrument
address in the right window panel.

3. After you successfully complete ibdev, you have a ud prompt. The new prompt, ud0,
represents a device-level handle that you can use for further NI-488.2 calls. To clear
the device, use ibclr, as follows:

ud0: ibclr [0100] (cmpl)

To write data to the device, use ibwrt.ud0: ibwrt "*IDN?"[0100] (cmpl)count: 5
To read data from your device, use ibrd. The data that is read from
theinstrument is displayed. For example, to read 28 bytes, enter the following:

ud0: ibrd 28
[0100] (cmpl) count: 28

47 57 2C 20 47 44 53 2D , IDS-
38 32 30 2C 20 50 39 32 820, P92

30 31 33 30 2C 20 56 2E 0130, V.
31 2E 30 39 1.09

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

6. When you finish communicating with the device, make
sure you put it offline using the ibonl command, as follows:

ud0: ibonl 0 [0100] (cmpl)
: The ibonl command properly closes the device handle and the ud0 prompt is no

longer available.

7. To exit Interactive control, type q.

For the details, please refer to National Instrument’s manual.

If you do not receive a proper response from the IDS-820/IDS-840, please check the
power is on, the GPIB address is correct, and all cable connections are active,

RS232 connection testing

If you want to test whether the RS-232 connection is working or not, you can send a
command from computer. For instance, using a terminal program send the query
command

*idn?

should return the Manufacturer, model number, serial number and firmware version in
the following format:

RS ,IDS-820,P920130,V.1.09

If you do not receive a proper response from the oscilloscope, please check if the
power is on, the RS-232 configurations are the same on both sides, and all cable
connections are active.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

3. Remote Control’s Commands

The IDS-820/IDS-840 can be operated from computer via the GPIB port or RS-232
port. The remote commands of IDS-820/IDS-840 are compatible with IEEE-488.2 and
SCPI standards partially.

SCPI

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) is a standard created by
an international consortium of the major test and measurement equipment
manufacturers. The IEEE-488.2 syntax has been adopted by SCPI to furnish common
commands for the identical functions of different programmable instruments.

Common Command & Queries

Syntax & Status Data Structure

Interface Function

D C B A A B C D

SCPI IEEE-488.1 SCPIIEEE-488.2 IEEE-488.2

Figure 3-1: the relationship between IEEE-488.1, IEEE-488.2, and SCPI.

As shown in the figure 3-1, the IEEE-488.1 standard is located at layer A and layer A
belongs to the protocol of interface function on the GPIB bus. The source handshake
(SH), acceptor handshake (AH) and talker are included in this layer (10 interface
functions in total). At layer B, the syntax and data structure are the essence of the
entire IEEE 488.2 standard. The syntax defines the function of the message
communication, which contain the <PROGRAM MESSAGE> (or simply “commands”)
and <RESPONSE MESSAGE>. The two kinds of messages represent the syntax
format of a device command and return value. The data structure is the foundation of

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

the status reporting, which IEEE-488.2 standard have been defined. The common
commands and queries are included in layer C. Commands and queries can be
divided into two parts: mandatory and optional. Commands modify control settings or
tell the instrument to perform a specific action. Queries cause the instrument to send
data or status information back to the computer. A question mark at the end of a
command identifies it as a query. Layer D is interrelated with device information.
Different devices have different functions. SCPI command sets belong to this layer.

Command Syntax

If you want to transfer any of the instructions to an instrument and comply with SCPI,
there are three basic elements which must be included as follows.

ٛ

� Command header

ٛ

� Parameter (if required)

ٛ

� Message terminator or separator

Command Header

The command header has a hierarchical structure that can be represented by a
command tree (Figure 3-2).

The top level of the tree is the root level. A root node is located at the root level. A root
node and one or more lower-level nodes form a header path to the last node called the
leaf node.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

The command header is configured by header path and leaf node. Figure 3-3 shows
the command header for the leaf node.

:TRIGger:DELay:EVENt ?

Figure 3-3: Command header

Parameter

If the command has parameters, the values have to be included. In this manual, when
we expressed the syntax of the command, the < > symbols are used for enclosing the
parameter type. For instance, the syntax of the command in Figure 8-5 includes the
Boolean parameter type

NOTE: Do not include the <, >, or | symbols when entering the actual value for a
parameter.

Space

Figure 3-4: Command Header with Parameter

Table 3-1 defines the Boolean and other parameter types for the IDS-820/IDS-840.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

Parameter Type Description Example
Boolean Boolean numbers or values

1 0

NR1 Integers 0, 1, 18
NR2 Decimal numbers 1.5, 3.141, 8.4
NR3 Floating point numbers 4.5E-1, 8.25E+1
NRf NR1, NR2, or NR3 1, 1.5, 4.5E-1

Table 3-1: Parameter Types for Syntax Descriptions

For the actual value of the parameter type <Boolean>, you have to enter 0 instead of
“OFF” or enter 1 instead of “ON”.

The following example includes both the header and a value for the parameter type:

:TRIGger:NREJ 0

Parameter values that appear in this manual are usually separated by a vertical line.
This vertical line has the same meaning as the word "or," For example, values for the
parameter <Boolean> are

0|1

This is the same as saying "0 (off) or 1 (on)" Any single value is a valid parameter.

Message Terminator and Message Separator

In accordance with the IEEE 488.2 standard, the IDS-820/IDS-840 accepts any of the
following message terminators:

ٛ

� LF^END Line feed code (hexadecimal 0A) with END message

ٛ

� LF Line feed code

ٛ

� <dab>

^

END Last data byte with END message

These terminators are compatible with most application programs. A semicolon
separates one command from another when the commands appear on the same line.

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

Entering Commands

The standards that govern the command set for the IDS-820/IDS-840 allow for a
certain amount of flexibility when you enter commands. For instance, you can
abbreviate many commands or combine commands into one message that you send
to the IDS-820/IDS-840. This flexibility, called friendly listening, saves programming
time and makes the command set easier to remember and use.

Command Characters

The IDS-820/IDS-840 is not sensitive to the case of command characters. You can
enter commands in either uppercase or lowercase.

You can precede any command with white space characters. You must, however, use
at least one space between the parameter and the command header.

Abbreviating Commands

Most commands have a long form and a short form. The listing for each command in
this section shows the abbreviations in upper case. For instance, you can enter the
query

:TIMebase:SCALe ?

simply as

:TIM:SCAL ?

Combining Commands

You can use a semicolon (;) to combine commands and queries. The
IDS-820/IDS-840 executes coherent commands in the order it receives them. When
you coherent queries, the IDS-820/IDS-840 will combine the responses into a single
response message. For example, if the frequency and amplitude of the signal are
equal to 100kHz and 1V, the command

:MEASure:FREQuency?;:MEASure:VAMPlitude?

returns the message
100kHz 1v

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

4. Details of Command Reference

Each command in this chapter will be given a brief description. The examples of each
command will be provided and what query form might return.

*CLS (no query form)
Clears all event status data register. This includes the Output Queue, Operation Event

Status Register, Questionable Event Status Register, and Standard Event Status
Register.

Syntax

*CLS

Examples
*CLS clears all event registers.

*ESE
Sets or returns the bits in the Event Status Enable Register (ESER). The ESER

enables the Standard Event Status Register (SESR) to be summarized on bit 5 (ESB)
of the Status Byte Register (SBR).

Syntax

*ESE<NR1> *ESE?

Arguments
<NR1> is a number from 0 to 255. The binary bits of the ESER are set according to

this value.
Returns
<NR1> is a number from 0 to 255 that indicates the decimal value of the binary bits of

the ESER.
Examples

*ESE 65 sets the ESER to binary 0100 0001.If the ESER contains the binary value
1000 0010, the *ESE? will return thevalue of 130.

*ESR? (query only)

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

Returns and clears the contents of the Standard Event Status Register (SESR).
Syntax

*ESR?

Returns
<NR1> is a number from 0 to 255 that indicates the decimal value of the binary bits of

the ESER.
Examples
If the ESER contains the binary value 1100 0110, the *ESR? will return the value of

198.

*IDN? (query only)
Returns the unique identification code of the IDS-820/IDS-840.
Syntax

*IDN?

Examples

*IDN?

Returns ,IDS-820/IDS-840,0,<Firmware version>
*LRN? (query only)

Returns the string that the IDS-820/IDS-840 settings will be listed.
Syntax

*LRN?

Returns

IDS-700 & 800 Series Programming Manual

The command form (*OPC) sets the operation complete bit (bit 0) in the
Standard Event Status Register (SESR) when all pending operations finish. The query

form (*OPC?) tells the oscilloscope to place an ASCII 1 in the Output Queue when the
oscilloscope completes all pending operations.

Syntax

*OPC *OPC?

Returns *RCL
Recall the setting data from memory which were previously saved. The settings of the

RS-232 (or GPIB) can be stored in memories M1 to M15. However, if the user recalls a
stored memory in which the settings of the RS-232 or GPIB are different to the present
settings, the RS-232 (or GPIB) settings will remain unchanged. The current RS-232
(or GPIB) settings will not to be affected by the recalled setting of RS-232 (or GPIB) for
the moment.

Syntax

*RCL <NR1>

Arguments: 1~15
Examples
*RCL 1 recalls the setting data located at the- first position of memory address.
*RST (no query form)
Sets all control settings of the oscilloscope to their default values, but does not purge

stored setting.