Agilent E4401B Programmer's Guide

Programmer's Guid

e

Agilent Technologies ESA Spectrum Analyzer

This guide documents firmware revision A

This guide provides documentation for the following instruments

ESA-E Serie

E4401B (9 kHz-1 E4402B (9 kHz-3 E4404B (9 kHz-6 E4405B (9 kHz-13

E4407B (9 kHz-26

an

d

ESA-L Serie

E4411B (9 kHz-1

E4403B (9kHz-3

E4408B (9 kHz-24

s

.5 GHz .0 GHz .7 GHz

.2 GHz .5 GHz

s

.5 GHz

.0 GHz

.5 GHz

) )

)

.05.xx

)

) )

)

s

:

Agilent Technologie

Manufacturing Part Number

Supersedes E4401-9017

Printed in US

June 200

0

s

: E4401-9019

9

A

1

.

COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER NOTICE

Copyright - Agilent Technologies, Inc. Reproduced with the permission of Agilent Technologies Inc. Agilent Technologies, Inc. makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent Technologies, Inc. is not liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material or data.



WARNING

CAUTION

The information contained in this document is subject to chang without notice

.

Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to thi

material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties o merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose

. Agilen

t Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or fo incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing performance, or use of this material

.

The following safety symbols are used throughout this manual Familiarize yourself with the symbols and their meaning befor

operating this instrument

Warning

denotes a hazard

.

. It calls attention to a procedur which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result i injury or loss of life

. Do not proceed beyond a warning note

until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met

Caution

denotes a hazard

. It calls attention to a procedure that, if no correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to o destruction of the instrument

until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met

. Do not proceed beyond a caution sig

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NOTE

Notecalls out special information for the user's attention

. It provide

operational information or additional instructions of which the use should be aware

.

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

WARNING

The instruction documentation symbol

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This is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protective earthing ground incorporated in the power cord) plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with

protected earth contact

conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make th

product dangerous

If this product is not used as specified, the protection provide by the equipment could be impaired in a normal condition (in which all means for protection ar intact) only

marked with this symbol when it is necessary for th user to refer to the instructions in the documentation

This symbol is used to mark the on position of th

power line switch

This symbol is used to mark the standby position of th power line switch

This symbol indicates that the input power required i

AC

.

. Any interruption of the protectiv

. Intentional interruption is prohibited

.

. This product must be use

. The product i

. The mains

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Warrant

y

This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted agains defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years fro date of shipment will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to b defective

For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to service facility designated by Agilent Technologies shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologie

shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country

Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmwar

designated by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument wil

execute its programming instructions when properly installed on tha

instrument

of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be uninterrupted o error-free

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. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologie

a

. Buyer shall prepa

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. However

.

e

. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operatio

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,

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LIMITATION OF WARRANT

The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting fro improper or inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplie

software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operatio outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or imprope

site preparation or maintenance NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED

TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE

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EXCLUSIVE REMEDIE

THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER'S SOLE AN EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NO BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL

OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED O CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY

.

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Where to Find the Latest Informatio

n

Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information abou

Agilent ESA Spectrum Analyzers, including firmware upgrades an

application information, please visit the following Internet URL http

:I/www

.agilent

.com/find/esa

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Content

s

1.Programming Fundamental Creating Valid Commands Command Notation Syntax Special Characters in Commands Parameters in Commands

Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Line

SCPI Termination and Separator Syntax

Overview of GPIB

 GPIB Instrument Nomenclature GPIB Command Statements

Overview of RS-232



Settings for the Serial Interface

Handshake and Baud Rate Character Format Parameters Modem Line Handshaking Data Transfer Errors

Printer Setup and Operation

Equipment

 Interconnection and Setup Testing Printer Operation

6

.

a4il4llti

iwgI

Lel

a

s



Use Status Registers to Determine the State of Analyzer Events and Conditions

What are the Status Registers?

How Do You Access the Status Registers? Using the Service Request (SRQ) Method Generating a Service Request Setting and Querying the Status Register Details of Bits in All Registers Status Byte Register

 Service Request Enable Register Standard Event Status Register Standard Event Status Event Enable Register STATus STATus STATus STATus

STATus

STATus STATus STATus

:OPERation Register :OPERation Condition Register :OPERation Event Enable Register :QUEStionable Registers :QUEStionable :QUEStionable :QUEStionable :QUEStionable :QUEStionable

:POWer Condition Register Bits :FREQuency Condition Register Bits :CALibration Condition Register Bits :INTegrity Condition Register Bits :INTegrity:UNCalibrated Condition Register Bits



1-

3

1-

4

1-

5

1-

6

1-

8

1-

8

1-1

0

1-1

0

1-1

0

1-1

2

1-1

2

1-1

2

1-1

2

1-1

3

1-1

3

1-1

4

1-1

4

1-1

4

1-1

6



2-1

2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2

2-

222-

2-

2 3 6 8 8 0

1

1 3 4

6 7

8 9 0 2

2

3

4

6

3

. Programming Example

s

List of Programming Examples Programming Examples System Requirements

C Programming Examples using VTL

Typical Example Program Contents



33-

2 3

4

vii

Content

s

Linking to VTL Libraries

Compiling and Linking a VTL Program Example Program Including the

Opening a Session Device Sessions Addressing a Session

Closing a Session

Using Marker

Example:

Using Marker Delta Mode and Marker Minimum Search

Performing Internal Self-alignment Reading Trace Data Reading Trace Data Using Real Format Reading Trace Data Using Reading Trace Data Using

Using Limit Lines Measuring Noise Entering Status Register-Determine When a Measurement is Done Determine if an Error has Occurred Measuring Harmonic Distortion Measuring Harmonic Distortion Making Faster Measurements (multiple measurements)

(GPIB)

Amplitude

VISA

Peak



Search and



Declarations File



Peak

using ASCII Format (GPIB)

32-bi

t

ASCII Format (RS-232) 32-bit

Correction Data



Excursion



Real Format



 (GPIB) (RS-232)



(RS-232)

3-

5

3-

5

3-

7

3-

7

3-

8

3-8

3-1

0

3-1

1

3-1

2

3-1

2



3-1 3-2 3-2

3-2 3-3 3-3

3-4 3-4 3-5 3-5 3-6 3-6 3-7 3-8

6 0 4

9 4 9

4 9

3

7

3

9

8

7

4

. Programming Command Cross-Reference

Functional

5.

Language Referenc

SCPI

IEEE CommonCommands

Calibration Clear Status

Standard Standard

IdentificationQuery 094 Instrument State

Operation Complete

Query

Recall Reset

Save

Service Request Read Status Trigger Self TestQuery Wait-to-Continue

Index to SCPI Subsection

e

Sections



and Subsections

Query



Event Status Enable Event Status Register

Query

Instrument



Options

Enable

Byte Query



Query

s

4-

2

5-

3

5-

5

5-

5

5-

5

5-

5



5-

55-

5-

55-

5-

55-

555-

6

6 6

7

7 8

8

8 9

9 9 9

Content

CALCulate Subsystem

CALCulate

s

ABORt Subsystem

Abort

CALibration Subsystem

Align All Instrument Assemblies

Set Auto Align Mode All or Not RF Automatic Alignment Return to the Default Alignment Data Align FM Demodulation Query the Internal or External Frequency Reference

Coarse Adjust the Frequency Reference Fine Adjust the Frequency Reference

Select the Frequency Corrections Align the RF Circuitry Select the Source State for Calibration Calibrate the Tracking Generator

NdBpoints NdBresults NdBstate Test Current Trace Data Against all Limit Lines

Control Set Fixed or Relative Limit Lines Set Limit LineX-axis Units Control Limit Line Frequency Interpolation Define Limit Line Values Merge Additional Values into the Existing Limit Line Delete Limit Line Display the Limit Line

Test the Data Against the Limit Line

Set the Margin Size

Display the Limit Margin

Control Limit Line Testing Select the Type of Limit Line

Markers All Off on All Traces Continuous Peaking Marker Function Frequency Counter Marker Resolution Frequency Counter Marker Resolution Automatic Frequency Counter Marker Marker Function Marker Peak (Maximum) Search Marker Peak (Maximum) Left Search Marker Next Peak (Maximum) Search

Marker Peak (Maximum) Right Search Marker Peak (Minimum) Search

Marker Mode

Define Peak Excursion Define Peak Search



:LLINe Subsection

Li

mit

Tina



:MARKer Subsection



Amplitude Interpolation



5-1

0

5-1

0

5-1

1

5-1

1

5-1

1

5-1

1

5-1

2

5-1

2



5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1

5-1 5-1 5-1

5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1

5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1 5-2 5-2 5-2

5-2 5-2

5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2

5-2

5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2

5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2 5-2

2 2 3

3 3 4 4 6 6 6 7 7

8 8 8 9 0 0

2 2 2 3 3 3 3

4 5

5 5

5 5 6 6 7 7 7

7 8 8 9 9

ix

Content

s

Define Peak Threshold

Peak

to Peak Delta Markers

Set Center Frequency to the Marker Value Set Reference Level to the Marker Value

Set Span

Set Start Frequency to the Marker Value

Set Center Frequency Step Size Set Stop

Marker On/Off Marker Table On/Off

Marker to Trace Marker to Trace Auto

Continuous Signal Tracking Function

Marker X Value

Span Markers Center Frequency

Marker X Position

Span Markers Center Frequency

Span Markers Span X Position Band Markers Start Frequency X Position Band Markers Stop Frequency X Position Marker X-Axis Readout

Span-Markers Span X Value

Band-Markers Start Frequency X Value

Band-Markers Stop Frequency X Value

Marker Read Y Value

CALCulate

Normalize the Trace Data

CONFigure Subsystem

Configure the Adjacent Channel Power Measurements

Configure the Channel Power and Density Measurements Configure the Emission Bandwidth Measurements

Configure the Harmonic Distortion Measurements Configure the OBW and Transmit Frequency Error Measurements

COUPle Subsystem

COUPle the Function to Other Settings

DISPlay Subsystem

Display Viewing Angle Date and Time Display Format

Date and Time Display

Display Annotation Title Data

Turn the Entire Display On/Off

Window Annotation Trace Graticule Display

Trace X-Axis Scale Offset

Set the Display Line

Control the Display Line Normalized Reference Level Normalized Reference Level Position

Reference Level Auto

to the Marker Value

Frequency to the Marker Value



:NTData Subsection



Ranging



to the Marker Value



X

Value



Position

X



5-3

0

5-3

0

5-3

0

5-3

0

5-3

1

5-3

1



5-3

5-3 5-3

5-3

5-3 5-3 5-3

5-3

5-4

5-4 5-4

5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4

5-4 5-4

5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4 5-45

1 1

1 2 2 2 2 3 3

3 4 4 4 5 5

6 6 6

7 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 0 0

1 1

1 1 2 2 2

3 3 3

4

4 4

x

Content

s

Trace Y -Axis Amplitude Scaling

Trace Y-Axis Frequency Scaling Trace Y -Axis Reference Level Trace Y -Axis Reference Level Offset Vertical Axis Scaling

FETCh Subsystem

Return Main, Lower, and Upper Channel Power Return Main Channel Power Return Lower Channel Power Return Upper Channel Power Return Channel Power and Density Return Channel Power

Return Channel Power Density Return Emission Bandwidth Return Harmonic Amplitudes Return Harmonic N Amplitude Return % Total Harmonic Distortion Return Harmonic Frequency List Return Harmonic N Frequency Return Fundamental Frequency Return OBW and Transmit Frequency Error Return Occupied Bandwidth Return Transmit Frequency Error

FORMat Subsystem

Byte Order Numeric Data format

HCOPy Subsystem

Abort the Print Printer Type

Color Hard Copy

Print a Hard Copy Form Feed the Print Item Page Orientation Number of Items Printed on a Page

INITiate Subsystem

Continuous or Single Measurements Take New Data Acquisitions Pause the Measurement Restart the Measurement Resume the Measurement

INPut Subsystem

Input Port Coupling Select Internal or External Mixer Select Mixer Type Clear the Input Overload

INSTrument Subsystem

Select Application

MEASure Subsystem

Measure Main, Lower, and Upper Channel Power



 



5-4

5

5-4

5

5-4

6

5-4

6

5-4

7

5-4

8



5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4

5-4 5-4

5-4 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5

5-5 5-5

5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6

5-6 5-6

8 8 8 9

9 9 9 9 9 0 0 0 1 1 1 1

2

3 3 3 6 6 6 6

7 7 7

7 9 9 0 0 1 1

2

2 2

2

3

4

4 5 5

xi

Content

s

Measure Main Channel Power

Measure Lower Channel Power

Measure Upper

Measure Channel Power Measure Channel Power Measure Channel Power Density

Measure Emission Bandwidth

Return Harmonic Amplitudes

Return Harmonic N Amplitude Return % Total Harmonic Distortion Return Harmonic Frequency List

Return Harmonic N Frequency Return Fundamental Frequency

Measure OBW Measure Occupied Bandwidth

Measure Transmit Frequency Error

MMEMory Subsystem

Catalog the Selected Memory Location Copy a File

Move DatatoFile

Delete a File

Load Load LoadanInstrument State fromaFile Load

Create a New Directory Delete a Directory Store a Corrections Table to a File Store a Limit Line in a File

StoreaScreen Image Store

Store a Trace in a File

OUTPut Subsystem

Turn Output On/Off

READ Subsystem

Measure Main, Lower, and Measure Main Measure Lower Channel Power Measure

Measure Channel Power

Measure Channel

Measure Channel Power Density

Measure Emission

Return Harmonic

Return Harmonic N

Return % Total Harmonic Distortion

Return Harmonic Frequency List

Return Harmonic N Frequency

Return Fundamental Frequency

Corrections Table fromaFile

a a Limit Line from Memory to the Instrument

a Trace From a File to the Instrument

an Instrument State in a File

Upper

Channel Power

and Transmit Frequency Error



in a



Channel

Channel Power

Power

Bandwidth

Amplitudes

Amplitude



and Density



Graphic File

UpperChannel Power

Power



 

and

Density



5-6

5



5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6 5-6

5-6

5-6 5-6 5-6

5-7 5-7 5-7

5-7

5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-74

5-7

5-7 5-7 5-7

5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7

5-7 5-7 5-7

5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7

5-8 5-8

5 6 6 6 6 6

6

7 7 7

8

8 8 9 9 0 0 0

1

2

3 3 3 4 4

4

6 6

7

8 8

8

8 8 9 9

9 0 0

xii

Content

s

Measure OBW and Transmit Frequency Error Measure Occupied Bandwidth Measure Transmit Frequency Error

SENSe Subsystem

[

:SENSe]

Set Adjacent Channel Power Number of Averages Adjacent Channel Power Averaging On/Off Set Adjacent Channel Bandwidth Set Main Channel Bandwidth

Set Adjacent Channel Spacing

[

:SENSe]

Clear the Current Average Set the Average Count Turn Averaging On/Off Type of Averaging for Measurements

[

:SENSe]

Resolution Bandwidth

Resolution Bandwidth Automatic Video Bandwidth Video Bandwidth Automatic Video to Resolution Bandwidth Ratio

[

:SENSe]

Set Channel Power Number of Averages Channel Power Averaging On/Off Set Channel Power Integration Bandwidth

Set Channel Power Span

[

:SENSe]

Perform Amplitude Correction Set Amplitude Correction Data Merge Additional Values into the Existing Amplitude Correction Data Delete Amplitude Correction Set Amplitude Correction Frequency Interpolation Perform Amplitude Correction Input Impedance Correction External Amplifier Correction

[

:SENSe]

Type of Demodulation FM Deviation Demodulation Control

Demod Time

Demod View

[

:SENSe]

Type of Detection

[

:SENSe]

Set Emission BW Number of Averages Emission BW Averaging On/Off Set Emission BW Span

Emission BW Trace Max Hold On/Off Set Emission BW X dB Value

:ACPower Subsection

:AVERage Subsection

:BANDwidth Subsection

:CHPower Subsection

:CORRection Subsection

:DEMod Subsection

:DETector Subsection

:EBWidth Subsection



5-8

0

5-8

1

5-8

1

2

5-8 5-8

3

5-8

3

5-8

3

5-8

3

5-8

3

5-8

4

5-8

5

5-8

5

5-8

5

5-8

5

5-8

6

5-8

7

5-8

7

5-8

7

5-8

7

5-8

8

5-8

8

5-8

9

5-8

9

5-8

9

5-8

9

5-8

9

5-9

1

5-9

1

5-9

1



5-9 5-9 5-9

5-9 5-9

5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9 5-9

5-9 5-9 5-99

2 2 3

3 3

4 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8

8 8 9

Content

[

:SENSe]

Center Frequency

Center Frequency Step Size Automatic

Center Frequency

Frequency Span Full Frequency Span Previous Frequency Span

Start Frequency

Stop Frequency

[

:SENSe]

Harmonic Measurement Averages Turn On or Off Harmonic Measurement Averaging

Set Number of Measured Harmonics

Set Harmonic Measurement Sweep Mode

Set Harmonic Measurement Sweep Time Turn On or Off Fundamental

[SENSe]

Select External Mixer Band

External Mixer Bias Adjust Set External Mixer Bias On/Off

Set External Mixer LO Harmonic Value

Set External MixerLOHarmonic Mode

[

:SENSe]

Set OBW Number of Averages OBW Averaging On/Off

Set OBW Span

Set OBW % Power

[

:SENSe]

Input Attenuation

Input Port Attenuator Auto

Input Port Power Gain Input Port Maximum Mixer Power

Optimize

Preselector Center

[

:SENSe]

Set Mixer Signal Set Mixer Signal Identification State

[

:SENSe]

Sweep Points

Query

Set All Segment Data

Merge Data With Segmented Sweep Data

Delete All Segmented Sweep Data

Delete Some Segmented Sweep Data

Turn On/Off Segmented Sweep

Sweep Time

Automatic Sweep Time

Sweep Time Mode

Time Gating Delay

s

:FREQuency Subsection



Step Size



:HARMonics Subsection

:MIXer Subsection

:OBWidth Subsection



:POWer Subsection



Preselector Frequency

:SlDentify Subsection

Identification Mode

:SWEep Subsection



Number of Segments



Zoom



5-10

0

5-10

0



5-10

5-10 5-10

5-10

5-10 5-10 5-10

5-10 5-10

5-10

5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10

5-10 5-10 5-10

5-10

5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11

5-11 5-11 5-11

5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-11

5-11 5-11 5-11

5-12

5-12 5-12

5-12 5-123

0

1 1

2

2 2 3

4 4

4

4 5 5 6

7 7

7

8

9

0 0 0 0

1 2 2

2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 7 7

7 8 9

0

1 1

2 3

3

xiv

Content

Time Gate Length Time Gate Level Time Gate Polarity Preset Time Gate

Control Time Gate

Time Gate Trigger Type

SOURce Subsystem

Sets the Output Power Offset Correction

Source Attenuation Automatic Source Attenuation Sets the Output Power Sets the Source Output Power Mode Set the Source Sweep Power Range Set the Output Power at the Start of the Sweep Set the Output Power to Step Automatically Set the Output Power Step Size Set the Source Sweep Power Range Output Power Tracking

Output Power Tracking Peak

STATus Subsystem

Operation Condition Query Operation Enable Operation Event Query Operation Negative Transition Operation Positive Transition

Preset the Status Byte

STATus

Questionable Calibration Condition Questionable Calibration Enable Questionable Calibration Event Query Questionable Calibration Negative Transition Questionable Calibration Positive Transition

Questionable Condition Questionable Enable

Questionable Event Query Questionable Frequency Condition Questionable Frequency Enable Questionable Frequency Event Query

Questionable Frequency Negative Transition Questionable Frequency Positive Transition

Questionable Integrity Condition Questionable Integrity Enable Questionable Integrity Event Query Questionable Integrity Negative Transition Questionable Integrity Positive Transition

Questionable Integrity Uncalibrated Enable

Questionable Integrity Uncalibrated Event Query

Questionable Integrity Uncalibrated Negative Transition Questionable Integrity Uncalibrated Positive Transition

s



:QUEStionable Subsection



5-12

4

5-12

4

5-12

4

5-12

5

5-12

5

5-12

5

5-12

6



5-12 5-12

5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12 5-12

5-12 5-12 5-12

5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13

5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13

5-13

5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13

5-13 5-13

5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13

5-13 5-13 5-13 5-13

6 6

7 7 7 8 8

8

9

9 9

0

1 1 1

1 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 4 4

4 5

5

5 6

6

6 6

7 7 7

8 8

8 9 9 9

xv

Content

s

Questionable Questionable Power Condition

Questionable Power Enable

Questionable Power Event Query Questionable Power Negative Transition

Questionable Power Positive Transition Questionable Positive Transition

SYSTem Subsystem

GPIB

Address

Serial Port DTR Setup Serial Port RTS Setup Serial Port Baud Rate Setup Serial Port Receive Pace Setup Serial Port Transmit Pace Setup

Hardware Configuration

Display the Hardware Configuration System Configuration Query

Display System Configuration Set Date

Error Information Query Host Identification Query

License Key - Install

DeleteaLicense Key Query

PowerOnElapsed Time

Power On Time

PowerOnType Enable IF/Video/Sweep Output Ports

Preset Persistent State Reset

Preset Type Save User Preset Speaker

Set Time

SCPI Version Query

TRACe Subsystem

Copy Trace Transfer Trace Data Exchange Traces

Trace Math Add

Mean Trace Data

Query Query NumberofPeaks Found Peak Sorting Smooth Trace Data

Number of Points Trace Math Subtract

Trace Math Subtract From Display Line

Select Trace Display Mode

Instrument Options



the Signal Peaks

Negative Transition



Control 



for Smoothing



Query



Application/Option



5-14

0

5-14

0

5-14

0

5-14

0



5-14 5-14 5-14

5-14 5-14 5-14 5-14 5-14 5-14

5-14 5-14

5-14 5-14 5-14 5-14

5-14 5-14 5-14

5-15

5-15 5-15

5-15

5-15 5-15 5-15

5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15 5-15

5-15

5-158

1 1 1

3 3 3 4 4 5

5 6 6 6 6 6

7 7

7 8 8 8

9 9 9

0

0 0

0

1

1 1

2 2 2 3 4

4 4 4 4 5

7 7

8

Content

s

TRIGger Subsystem

External Trigger, Line, and TV Trigger Delay Value External Trigger, Line, and TV Trigger Delay Enable

External Trigger Slope Trigger Offset Trigger

Trigger Source

Set TV Field Mode

Set TV Line Number for Synchronization

Set Analyzer for TV Picture Monitoring Set the Video Waveform Sync Select TV Signal Path

Select TV Standard Video Trigger Level Amplitude Video Trigger Level Frequency

UNIT Subsystem

Select Power Units of Measure

6.

Agilent 8590/ESA Spectrum Analyzers Programming Conversion Guid

7.

Error Message

Error Messages Status Messages Informational Messages

Error Queues Error Message Format Error Message Types 0

:

No Error

-499 to -400 Query Errors

-

399 to -300

Device-Specific Error Messages

Device-Specific Error Message Descriptions

-299 to -200 Execution Error Messages

Execution Error Message Descriptions

-

199 to -100

Command Errors

201 to 799 Device-Specific Errors

Greater than 1000

Personality Specific Error Messages

Offset



:



:



s



On/Off 



:



. Pulse Direction



 



5-15

9

5-15

9



e

5-15 5-15 5-16 5-16

5-16 5-16 5-16 5-16 5-16 5-16 5-16 5-16 5-16

5-16 5-16

7-1 7-1 7-1

7-1

7-2 7-2

7-2

7-3

777-

9 9 0 1 1

2 3 3

3 4 4 5

6

7

2 3

8 3

4

5

7

8

0

1 1

2

7

xvii

Contents



1

Programming Fundamental

The purpose of this chapter is to serve as a reminder of SCPI (Standar Commands for Programmable Instruments) fundamentals to those wh have previous experience in programming SCPI intended to teach you everything about the SCPI programmin

language

.

. This chapter is no

s

d

o

t

g

1-1



Programming Fundamental

s

The SCPI Consortium or IEEE can provide detailed information on th subject of SCPI programming

IEEE

Standard Digital Interface for Programmable Instrumentation

New York, NY11987, or to IEEE Standard 488

. Refer to IEEE Standard 488

.2-1992,

IEEE

Codes, Formats, Protocols and Common Commands for Use wit

ANSI/IEEE

Std 488

.1-1987.New York, NY, 1992

.

Valid ESA Spectrum Analyzer SCPI commands are used for example

in this chapter

•

"Creating Valid Commands

•

"Command Notation Syntax

•

"Special Characters in Commands

•

'Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Line "Overview of GPIB

•

"Overview of RS-232

•

'Printer Setup and Operation

. Topics included in this chapter are

"

:

"

.1-1987

Standar

h

e

,

.

d

s

1-2

Chapter 1



Command Syntax

[:SENSe ]

<freq>

: BANDwidth [

Programming Fundamental

Creating Valid Command

s

Commands are not case sensitive and there are often many differen ways of writing a particular command commands for a given command syntax

Sample Valid Command

: RESolution ]

The following sample commands are al

identical . They will all cause the same result

•

:Sense

•

:BANDWIDTH

•

:sens

•

:SENS

•

:band 1

. These are examples of vali

:

s

:Band

:Res 170

:RESOLUTION 1 .7e :band 1 :band 1

.7kH

.7KH Z .7E3H

z

0

z

s

t

d

l

.

3

:

MEASure

[n?]

[

:SENSe]

NEGative POSitive SAMPle

:INfl'iate

: HARMonics

:DETector[

:CONTinuous OFFIONl0

:FUNCtion

: AMPLitude

]

l 1

•

:bandwidth

The last command below returns differen

results than the commands above it number 3 in the command causes this command description for more information

•

:MEAS

•

: Maas

•

:MEAS

DET

:FUNC NE

•

:sense

The sample commands below are identical

•

:INIT

•

:init

:RES 1

:HARM : Harm

:HARM

:Detector

:CONT O :continuous 1

:AMPL

: Ampl ?

:AMPL3

G

:Function Sampl

N

.7e3H

?

z

t

. Th

e

. See th

e

.

e

.

Chapter 1

1-

3



NOTE

Programming Fundamental

Command Notation Synta

s

x

A typical command is made up of key words set off by colons words are followed by parameters that can be followed by optiona

units

.

Example::

TRIGger

: SEQuence

: VlDeo

: LEVel 2.5V

The instrument does not distinguish between upper and lower cas letters of the key word long form of the key word

Example:Trig trigger

The command

because

. In the documentation, upper case letters indicate the short for

. The upper and lower case letters, together, indicate th

. Either form may be used in the command

:Seq Vid

:sequence

TRIGG

is

neither the long, nor the short form of the command

:Lev 2

:video

:Sequence

:level 2

.5V

is the same a

.5V

:Video

.

:Level 2

s

.5V

is not vali

. The ke

l

d

y

e

m

e

.

1-4

Chapter 1



Special Characters in

Specia Character

l

Command

Meaning

A vertical stroke betwee

parameters

alternative choices effect of the command i different depending o which parameter i

selected

A vertical stroke betwee

key words indicate

identical effects exist fo several key words of these key words is used a a time

. The comman

functions the same for

.

indicate

. Th

s

. Only on

s

n

s

d

Programming Fundamental

Special Characters In Command

s

Exampl

n

e

s

n

r

Command:[:SENSe]

or[ NEGative POSitive

l

e

The choices are neg, pos, an samp..

:SENSe n SAMPl

is one possible comman choice

Command

[

:

idth~BWIDth

e

Two identical commands are

t

SENSe

:

th :ACHanne

a CRTCRal a APAnwnr a RWTi]f h

ACHanne

e

:FUNCtion

:DETector

e

.

:

SENSe ]

: ACPower

l

:DETec

]

:FUNCti

: ACPower

:ACHanne l

: BANDwi

l

I

SAM

d

: BAND

s

t

P

d

o

w

:

d

e

[ ]

< >

Key words in squar brackets are optiona when composing th command key words will be execute even if they are omitted

Angle brackets around word, or words, indicate

they are not to be use literally in the command

They represent the neede item

. These implie

.

e

Command

l

[

:SENSe]

ge [

d

The

d

.

all valid and have identica effects

:

:ACPower

: STATe] OFF ON 01

following commands ar

:

:AVER

1

l

a

e

:SENSe :ACPower :AVER a

ge

:STATe OF

:ACPower :AVERage :ST

Te OF

F

ACPower

a

s

d

Command

:SENSe g <freq

.

In this command example th

d

word replaced by an actua

frequency

:SENSe g 9

.7MHz

:

:ACPower

>

<freq>

:

:ACPower

F

:AVERage OF

:CSPaci

should b

e

l

:CSPaci

A

F

n

e

n

Chapter 1

1- 5



Programming Fundamental

Special Characters in Command

Specia

l

s

Meaning

Character { }

Parameters in braces ca optionally be used in th command either not at all once, or several times

Parameters in Command

s

There are four basic types of parameters

and arbitrary block program data

Exampl

n

e

.

Command

[

SENSe

,

T [1]~2~3~4 <f

eq>,<rel

A valid form of this comman

is

:

[SENSe:]CORRection Ti:DATA 740000, 3320000,1

: boolean, key words, variable

: ] CORRection

req>,

e

:

: DATA

<rel_ampl>{

ampl>

:NERG

e

.94 1250000,

.7

: ERG

}

:CS

e

, <f

:CS

.31

E

r

d

E

s

.

Boolea

The expression

The numeric value0is equivalent to than 0 used in the command instead of parameter always return a numeric value of 0 or

Hey Wor

n

OFF~ON~0

is equivalent to

ON

.

d

~ 1

is a two state boolean-type parameter

OFF

.

Any numeric value othe

The numeric values of0or 1 are commonl

OFF

or

ON,

and queries of th

1

.

The parameter key words that are allowed for a particular comman

are defined in the command description and are separated with

vertical slash

Unit

s

Numerical variables may include units depends on the variable type being used

.

. The valid units for a comman

. See the following variabl descriptions. If no units are sent, the indicated default units will b used

. Units can follow the numerical value with, or without, a space

Variabl

e

A variable can be entered in exponential format as well as standar numeric format

are defined in the command description

. The appropriate variable range and its optional unit

.

r

y

e

d

a

d

e

.

d

s

In addition to these values, the following key words may also be used i

commands where they are applicable

.

MINimum - sets the parameter to the smallest possible value MAXimum - sets the parameter to the largest possible value

1-6

.

Chapter

n

1



Programming Fundamental

Parameters in Command

Include the key word MINimum or MAXimum after the question mar in a query in order to return the numeric value of the key word

Example query

Variable Parameter

<freq

>

: [

:SENSE]: FREQuency

s

: CENTer? MAXimu

m

A frequency parameter is a positive rational number followed b optional units kHz, MHz, GHz

<time

>

. The default unit is Hz

.

. Acceptable units include

A time parameter is a rational number followed by optional units default units are seconds

<ampl>, <rel_ampl

>

. Acceptable units include

: S, MS, US

The <ampl> (amplitude) parameter and the <rel_ampl> (relativ amplitude) parameter consist of a rational number followed by optiona units

. Acceptable units include

W

.

: V, mV, µV, dBm, dBmV, dBµV, Watts

: Hz

.

s s

k

.

y

,

. Th

e

l

,

<angle

>

An angle parameter is a rational number followed by optional units

The default units are degrees <integer

>

There are no units associated with an integer parameter

<percent

>

. Acceptable units include

: DEG, RAD

.

A percent parameter is a rational number between 0 and 100, with n units

.

<string

> A string parameter includes a series of alpha numeric characters Block Program Dat

a

Definite length arbitrary block response data is defined in sectio 8

.7.9

.2 of IEEE Standard 488

.2-1992,

IEEE Standard Codes, Formats

Protocols and Common Commands for Use with ANSI/IEEE St

488

.1-1987

New York, NY11992

.

<definite length block

>

.

It allows data to be transmitted over the system interface as a series o 8 bit data bytes

. This element is particularly useful for sending larg

quantities of data, 8 bit extended ASCII codes, or other data that ar not able to be directly displayed

.

o

.

n

,

d

f e e

Chapter 1

1-7



Programming Fundamental Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Lin

s

e

Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Lin

Multiple commands can be written on the same line, reducing your cod

space requirement

•

Commands must be separated with a semicolon (

•

If the commands are in different subsystems, the key word for th new subsystem must be preceded by a colon (

•

If the commands are in the same subsystem, the full hierarchy of th command key words need not be included start at the same key word level as the command that was jus executed

.

SCPI Termination and Separator Synta

A terminator must be provided when an instrument is controlled usin

RS-232 proper SCPI terminator and separator when this is the case no current SCPI standard for RS-232 be interface independent, <END> is only defined for IEEE 48 operation in the process of being addressed in IEEE standard 1174

. There are several issues to be understood about choosing th

. At the time of this writing, the RS-232 terminator issue wa

. To do this

:

;)

.

:)

.

. The second command ca

x

. Although one intent of SCPI is t

.

t

. There i

8

e

n

g

e

s

o

s

A semicolon (

;) is not a SCPI terminator, it is a separator

. The purpos of the separator is to queue multiple commands or queries in order t obtain multiple actions and/or responses

. Make sure that you do no attempt to use the semicolon as a terminator when using RS-23 control

.

Basically all binary trace and response data is terminated wit <NL><END>, as defined in Section 8

.5 of IEEE Standard 488

IEEE Standard Codes, Formats, Protocols and Common Commands fo

Use with ANSI/IEEE Std

488

.1-1987

.

New York, NY11992

.

The following are some examples of good and bad commands examples are created from an ESA spectrum analyzer with the simpl set of commands indicated below

[

:SENSe

:TRIGge

]

:POWe

r

:RF

]

[

:ATTenuation 40d

r

[

:SEQuence

:EXTernal [1

]

:SLOPe

POSitiv

]

e

:

B

2

h .2-1992

. Th

e

o

t

,

r

e

[

:SENSe

1-8

]

Chapter 1



:FREQuenc

:STAR

:POWe

r

[

:RF]

:MIXer

Bad Command

PWR

:ATT 40dB

The short form of

FREQ

:STAR 30MHz

-20dBm

MIX

: RANG

Pow

to get to the

The executing the specify

Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Lin

y

t

:RANG

e

[

:UPPer

POWER is POW,

;MIX

command is in the same

FREQ

command puts you back at the

]

:RAN

MIX

not

G

: RANG

Good Comman

POW

PWR

.

FREQ 3 OMHz

SENSE

:

command

:ATT 40d

:STA

R

; POW

: MIX

subsystem as

SENSE

.

Programming Fundamental

s

e

d

B

: RANG -20dB

FREQ,but

level

. You mus

m

t

FREQ

:STAR 30MHz

-2OdBm MIX

and

RANG

:POW

:ATT 40dB ;TRIG

2

.3GHz

FREQ

: STAR

:POW

:ATT? :FREQ

Pow

and

FREQ

separate commands, so they should be separated with a semicolon, not colon

.

POW

:ATT -5dB;:FREQ

10MHz

Attenuation cannot be a negative value

;POW

:MIX RAN

require a colon to separate them

:FREQ

is in the:SENSE

:STAR?

are within the same:SENSE

:STA

G

FREQ

:STA

R

30MHz

:STA

R

2

subsystem, not the:TRIGGER

R

10MH

.

;POW .

:POW

:ATT 40dB;:FREQ

.3GH

z

:POW

:ATT?;:FREQ

subsystem, but they are tw

:POW

:ATT 5dB;:FREQ

z

:MIX

:RANG -20dB

:STA

subsystem

:STAR

?

:STA

m

R

.

o

a

R

Chapter 1

1-

9



Programming Fundamental Overview of GPI

B

Overview of GPI

GPIB Instrument Nomenclatur

An instrument that is part of an GPIB network is categorized as listener, talker, or controller, depending on its current function in th network

Listener

Talker

.

s

B

e

A listener is a device capable of receiving data o

commands from other instruments instruments in the GPIB network can be listener simultaneously

A talker is a device capable of transmitting data o

commands to other instruments GPIB system allows only one device at a time to be a active talker

.

. Any number o

. To avoid confusion, a

a

e

r

f

s

r

n

Controller

GPIB Command Statement

Command statements form the nucleus of GPIB programming are understood by all instruments in the network the programming language codes, they provide all management an data communication instructions for the system programming language manual and your computers I/O programmin manual for more information

The seven fundamental command functions are as follows

•

An abort function that stops all listener/talker activity on th

interface bus, and prepares all instruments to receive a ne command from the controller command used to place the bus in a known starting conditio (sometimes called

•

A remote function that causes an instrument to change from loca

control to remote control disabled except for the Local key and the line power switc (sometimes called

A controller is an instrument, typically a computer capable of managing the various GPIB activities one device at a time can be an active controller

s

. When combined wit

. Refer to the you

.

. Typically, this is an initializatio

: abort, abortio, reset, halt)

. In remote control, the front panel keys ar

: remote, resume)

.

,

. Only

.

. The

y

h

d

r

g

:

e

w

n

l

e

h

•

A local lockout function, that can be used with the remote function

to disable the front panel Local key only the controller (or a hard reset by the line power switch) ca restore local control (sometimes called

1-10

. With the Local key disabled

: local)

.

,

n

Chapter 1



Programming Fundamental

•

A local function that is the complement to the remote command

causing an instrument to return to local control with a fully enable

front panel (sometimes called

•

A clear function that causes all GPIB instruments, or addresse instruments, to assume a cleared condition

unique for each instrument (sometimes called

send)

.

•

An output function that is used to send function commands and dat commands from the controller to the addressed instrumen (sometimes called: output, control, convert, image, iobuffer transfer)

•

An enter function that is the complement of the output function an

is used to transfer data from the addressed instrument to th controller (sometimes called timeout, set timeout, transfer)

.

: local, resume)

: enter, convert, image, iobuffer, o

.

. The definition of clear i

: clear, reset, control

s

Overview of GPI

t

,

e

n

B

,

d

s

,

a

d

Chapter 1

1-11



Programming Fundamental Overview of RS-23

Overview of RS-23

Serial interface programming techniques are similar to most genera I/O applications

Due to the asynchronous nature of serial I/O operations, special car must be exercised to ensure that data is not lost by sending to anothe

device before the device is ready to receive can he used to help solve this problem. These and other topics ar discussed in greater detail in your programming languag documentation

Settings for the Serial Interfac

Please refer to the documentation on your computer and I/O t configure the serial bus

settings are

:

s

2

.

. Modem line handshakin

e

.

e

. Some common serial interface configuratio

l

e

r

g

e

o

n

Baud Rate to Bits per character to

Parity to

Stop bits to

Handshake and Baud Rat

To determine hardware operating parameters, you need to know th

answer for each of the following questions about the peripheral device

•

Which of the following signal and control lines are actively use during communication with the peripheral

-

Data Set Ready (DSR

-

Clear to Send (CTS

•

What baud rate is expected by the peripheral

)

Character Format Parameter

To define the character format, you must know the requirements of th peripheral device for the following parameters

e

s

0

960 8

Odd or disable

1

?

:

d

e

:

d

e

•

Character Length

excluding start, stop, and parity bits

•

Parity Enable

•

Stop Bits

1-12

: One stop bit is included with each character

: Eight data bits are used for each character

: Parity is disabled (absent) for each character

,

.

Chapter 1

Agilent E4401B Programmer's Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual