Lecroy LW400, LW400A User Manual

LeCroy WaveStation
LW4001LW400A Series AWG

Remote Programmer’s Manual

August 1996

Rev. C

LeCroy

Corporate Headquarters
700 Chestnut Ridge Road

Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977-6499
Tel: [phone], FAX: [phone]

European Headquarters
Mannheimerstrasse 175

D-69123 Heidelberg, Germany
Tel: [phone]

FAX: [phone]

European Manufacturing
2, rue du Pr6-de-la-Fontaine

P.O. Box 341
1217 Meyrin 1/Geneva, Switzerland

Tel: [phone], FAX: [phone]

Copyright August 1996, LeCroy. All dghts reserved. Information in this publication supersedes all earlier versions.
Specifications subject to change.

LeCroy® Is a registered trademark of LeCroy Corporation

WaveStation® is a registered trademark of LeCroy Corporation
Centronics® is a registered trademark of Data Computer Corp.

Citizen® is a registered trademark of Citizen America Corp.
Epson® is a registered trademark of Epson Amedca Inc.

Hewlett-Packard® is a registered trademark, and HP
IBM® is a registered trademark, and IBM PC/XT

Business Machines Corporation.
MATHCAD® is a registered trademark of MATHSOFT INC.

MATLAB® is a registered trademark of MATHWORKS
PSPICE® is a registered trademark of MICROSIM Corporation

Smart Trigger
Microsoft®, MS-DOS®, QuickBasic®, Excel® and Windows® are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

PCX is a file format developed by ZSoft Corporation for use with PC Paint programs.
Bubble Jet® is a registered trademark of Canon USA, Incorporated.

Apple® and Macintosh® are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Incorporated.

TM

is a trademark of LeCroy Corporation

TM

is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard, Co.

r",

PC/AT

TM

and PSI2

TM

are trademarks of International

TABLE OF CONTENTS I

SECTION 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

Initial Inspection .............................................................................. 1-1

Warranty .........................................................................................

Product Assistance ..........................................................................

Maintenance Agreements ................................................................ 1-2

Service Procedure ........................................................................... 1-2

Return Procedure ............................................................................ 1-2

How to Use This Manual ................................................................. 1-3

Introduction .....................................................................................

What is SCPI ...................................................................................

SECTION 2

ABOUT REMOTE CONTROL

Interface Configuration and Special Commands ............................. 2-1

GPIB Remote Control ...................................................................... 2-1

GPIB Signals and Lines .................................................................. 2-1

Setting the GPIB Address ............................................................... 2-1

GPIB Remote Control and Hardcopy Operation ..............................

Remote Control Operation over GPIB ............................................. 2-2

End or Identity (EOI) Operation ....................................................... 2-2

Hardcopy Operation over GPIB .......................................................

IEEE-488 Standard Messages ........................................................ 2-3

Checking GPIB Communications Using National

Instruments IBIC Program ............................................................. 2-5

Error Code .......................................................................................2-7

1-1
1-1

1-5
1-5

2-2

2-2

SECTION 3

INSTRUMENT MODEL AND SUBSYSTEM HIERARCHY

Remote Command System Model ................................................... 3-1

Introduction to SCPI Command Syntax ........................................... 3-1

Command Subsystems ................................................................... 3-4

Overview of OUTPut Commands .................................................... 3-5

Overview of WAVE Commands ....................................................... 3-5

Overview of FGEN Commands .....................................................

Overview of EQUation Commands ................................................

Overview of DISPlay Commands .................................................. 3-15

Overview of HCOPy Commands ................................................... 3-17

3-11
3-14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview of TRIGger Commands .................................................

Overview of MMEMory Commands ...............................................

Overview of PROJect Commands .................................................

Overview of SYSTem Commands .................................................

Overview of STATus Commands .................................................

488.2 Command Commands .........................................................

SECTION 4

STATUS & ERROR REPORTING

Status Register ................................................................................

Status Byte Operation .... . ................................................................

Status Data Structures ....................................................................

Querying the Operational and Questionable Status Register ..........

Event Enable Registers ...................................................................

Status Byte Register Definition ........................................................

Checking Status and Requesting Service .....................................

GPIB Service Request ..................................................................

SECTION 5

WAVEFORM TRANSFERS VIA GPIB

Introduction .....................................................................................

Transferring Waveforms via GPIB .................. . ................................5-1

The Data Interchange Format (DIF) ................................................

Viewing Waveform Data in the DIF File ...........................................

Other Data Formats ........................................................................

3-18
3-19
3-20

3-21

.3-22

3-23

4-1
4-1
4-1

4-3
4-4

4-6
4-12
4-15

5-1
5-2

5-5
5-8

SECTION 6

REMOTE COMMANDS .......................................................................

SECTION 7

REMOTE PROGRAMMING EXAMPLES

Introduction .....................................................................................

Setting Up the Environment for

QuickBASIC Programming ............................................................

The LWGPIB.BAS Program ............................................................

End Or Identify (EOI) Operation ......................................................

Initializing GPIB Communication with the AWG ...............................

Sending a Command to the LW400 Series AWG ............................

6-1

7-1
7-1

7-2
7-9
7-9
7-9

I TABLE OFCONTENTS I

Sending a Query, Reading the Response, and

Using Status to Determine When the Operation is Done ...............

Downloading a Waveform .............................................................

Uploading a Waveform DIF File to the AWG ................................. 7-12

INDEX
INDEX OF REMOTE COMMANDS

7-10
7-11

I TABLEOF CONTENTS

THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

INITIAL INSPECTION

It is recommended that the shipment be thoroughly inspected
immediately upon delivery to the purchaser. All material in the

container should be checked against the enclosed Packing List.
LeCroy cannot accept responsibility for shortages in comparison

with the Packing List unless notified promptly. If the shipment is
damaged in any way, please contact the Customer Service

Department.

WARRANTY

LeCroy warrants its products to operate within specifications
under normal use for a period of one year from the date of

shipment. Spares, replacement parts and repairs are warranted
for 90 days. The instrument’s firmware is thoroughly tested and

thought to be functional, but is supplied "as is" with no warranty
of any kind covering detailed performance. Products not
manufactured by LeCroy are covered solely by the warranty of

the original equipment manufacturer.

In exercising this warranty, LeCroy will repair or, at its option, re­place any product returned to the Customer Service Department
or an authorized service facility within the warranty period,
provided that the warrantor’s examination discloses that the

product is defective due to workmanship or materials and that
the defect has not been caused by misuse, neglect, accident or

abnormal conditions or operation.
The purchaser is responsible for transportation and insurance

charges for the retum of products to the servicing facility. LeCroy

will return all in-warranty products with transportation prepaid.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or im-

plied, including but not limited to any implied warranty of mer-

chantability, fitness, or adequacy for any particular purpose or

use. LeCroy shall not be liable for any special, incidental, or con-

sequential damages, whether in contract or otherwise.

PRODUCT ASSISTANCE

Answers to questions concerning installation, calibration, and

use of LeCroy equipment are available from the Customer

Service Dept., 700 Chestnut Ridge Road, Chestnut Ridge, New

York 10977-6499, U.S.A., tel. [phone].

1-1

GENERAL INFORMATION

MAINTENANCE

AGREEMENTS

LeCroy offers a selection of customer support services. Mainte­nance agreements provide extended warranty and allow the

customer to budget maintenance costs after the initial one year
warranty has expired. Other services such as installation,
training, enhancements and on-site repair are available through

specific Supplemental Support Agreements.

UPDATED MANUALS

SERVICE PROCEDURE

LeCroy is committed to providing state-of-the-art instrumentation
and is continually refining and improving the performance of its
products. While physical modifications can be implemented

quite rapidly, the corrected documentation frequently requires

more time to produce. Consequently, this manual may not agree
in every detail with the accompanying product. There may be

small discrepancies in the values of components for the

purposes of pulse shape, timing, offset, etc., and occasionally,
minor logic changes. Where any such inconsistencies exist,

please be assured that the unit is correct and incorporates the
most up-to-date circuitry. In a similar way the firmware may

undergo revision when the instrument is serviced. Should this be

the case, manual updates will be made available as necessary.

Products requiring maintenance should be retumed to the
Customer Service Department or authorized service facility.

LeCroy will repair or replace any product under warranty at no
charge. The customer is responsible for transportation charges

to the factory. All in-warranty products will be returned to the

customer with transportation prepaid.
For all LeCroy products in need of repair after the warranty

period, the customer must provide a Purchase Order Number
before repairs can be initiated. The customer will be billed for

parts and labor for the repair, as well as for shipping.

1-2

Introduction

GENERAL INFORMATION

RETURN PROCEDURE

HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL

To determine your nearest authorized service facility, contact the
Customer Service Department or your field office. All products

retumed for repair should be identified by the model and serial
numbers and include a description of the defect or failure, name

and phone number of the user, and, in the case of products
returned to the factory, a Retum Authorization Number (RAN).

The RAN may be obtained by contacting the Customer Service
Department in New York, tel. [phone]. Return shipments

should be made prepaid. LeCroy will not accept C.O.D. or
Collect Return Shipments. Wherever possible, the original

shipping carton should be used. If a substitute carton is used, it
should be rigid and be packed such that the product is

surrounded with a minimum of four inches of excelsior or similar
shock-absorbing material. In addressing the shipment, it is
important that the Return Authorization Number be displayed on

the outside of the container to ensure its prompt routing to the
proper department within LeCroy.

This manual explains the programming protocol for controlling
the LW400/LW400A Series Arbitrary Waveform Generators,

including the LW420,LW420A, LW410 and LW410A, from a
host computer. These models may also be reffered to as the

WaveStation.

Pupose of this manual:

Gain an overview of the instrument remote programming
interface.

Familiarize yourself with the SCPI programming language as
it applies to the LW400/LW40OA.

Provide detailed information on all of the WaveStation
remote commands.

1-3

GENERAL INFORMATION

The following sections are contained in this manual:

Section I

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Section 6

Introduction

Gives a brief history of remote control interfaces and protocols
and explains the advantages of the SCPI command language

and how it is used in the WaveStation.

About Remote Control

Explains how to operate the WaveStation remotely across the
GPIB bus.

Instrument Model and Subsystem Hierarchy

Presents the function representation of the instrument as viewed

from the remote control interface, often referred to as the

instrument Model. Describes the command hierarchy and
introduces basic SCPI syntax and subsystems. Provides an

overview of the command hierarchy and how it relates to the
arbitrary waveform generator functional sections.

Statue and Error Reporting

Describes in detail the Status and Error reporting system.

Waveform Transfers via GPIB

Explains the format for transferring waveforms between an

extemal device and the WAVESTATION via GPIB.

Remote Commands

Provides a detailed command reference, including command
syntax and purpose.

Section 7

1-4

Remote Programming Example

Introduction

Introduction

GENERAL INFORMATION

The remote control interface consists of hardware, the GPIB
port, as well as a software protocol. The hardware interfaces are
described in your user manual for the instrument. The software

protocol is described in this manual and builds upon the rapidly
emerging industry standard SCPI (Standard Commands For

Programmable Instruments).

What is SCPI

SCPI is a remote command language for test and

measurement instruments. It was developed by a consortium of
test and measurement instrument manufacturers and is

intended to provide a consistent programming language for

instrument control and data transfer.

IEEE-488 (GPIB) was adopted as a standard remote control

interface in 1975. The standard specified system

interconnections and communication protocols which provided a

universal hardware interface for integrating multiple instruments

into a test system. The original standard put instruments on a

common bus, but each instrument manufacturer used a

proprietary command set. Every time a user added a new

instrument to the bus, he had to leam another set of, often

enigmatic, commands. Updates to the standard in 1987, led to

IEEE-488.1 and 488.2 which further refined the standard but still

fell short of ensuring a common command syntax beyond a few

mandated "common commands". In 1990, the Standard

Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) consortium

developed a system of common remote commands.

Although SCPI was originally defined for GPIB, it has now

spread well beyond that interface and is being used to support a

wide range of hardware interfaces. For example SCPI has

became a major element in the implementation of VXl based

systems.

The SCPI command language standardizes command syntax

and structure used in remote control of test and measurement
instrumentation and is being rapidly adopted by leaders in test &

measurement instrumentation. This allows the user to learn a
single set of remote commands for instruments which are
supplied by different manufacturers. Because the functionality of

instruments can vary widely, and because new instruments and
measurement techniques are constantly being developed, the

SCPI standard makes provision for new commands to be added

1-5

GENERAL INFORMATION

as needed. Because LW400 has many unique features (for
example, waveform formats), LeCroy has enhanced the SCPI

language to provide access to these advanced capabilities.
SCPI benefits the user by providing a single command set for

integrating multiple instruments into a test system. The greatest

benefit occurs on the second or subsequent system integration

programs, where the user does not leam yet another command
language.

This manual will provide you with all the information you require
to control your LW400 using the SCPI programming language.

Because SCPI is an industry standard and not specific to
LeCroy, details on the generic standard are available in industry

standard SCPI manuals.

1-6

2

ABOUTREMOTECONTROL I

I

Interface Configuration

and Special Commands

GPIB Remote Control

Controller

The WaveStation can be operated remotely from an instrument
controller or computer across the GPIB bus and commands

sent over GPIB can set or read any WaveStation front panel
instruction.

The GPIB bus can interconnect many instruments to allow

communication with one another over shared cables. The GPIB bus
uses a bit-parallel, byte-serial format. A device connected to the

GPIB is either a talker, listener, or controller. Although some
devices can change roles, a device can perform just one role at a

time.

Talker

Listener

Governs the operation of the bus. A controller, usually a computer,
normally sends program messages to devices and receives
responses from them. One controller task is to decide which device

is the talker and which is a listener(s). The controller may assign
itself to be the talker at one time, and a listener at other times. If
devices on the bus never change their roles, a controller is not
required.

Places messages or data on the GPIB bus for
transmission to other devices. Only one device on
the network can be the talker.

Receives data or commands over the bus. Several
listeners may be active at one time.

GPIB Signals and Lines

Setting the GPIB Address

The GPIB bus has 16 signal lines and eight ground lines. Eight of
the 16 signal lines form a bi-directional data bus which transfers data

and commands. The remaining eight signal lines control the bus
operation. Three lines are for handshaking signals which
synchronize data transmission. The remaining five lines are

management lines which control the flow of information across the
bus and take special action.

The GPIB address is set in the System Sub-menu, accessed
through the Project and Preference menu. From the front panel

press the Project key. Press the soft keys adjacent to the
Preferences and then system entries on the menus to enter the

system menu. Press the soft key adjacent to the GPIB entry on the

2-1

ABOUT REMOTE CONTROL

menu to enter the GPIB setup menu. Turn the rotary to select the
GPIB address.

The factory default setting for the GPIB address is 1.

GPIB Remote Control and
Hardcopy Operation

Remote Control Operation
over GPIB

The WaveStation can communicate across the GPIB bus as a talker

or as a listener with a remote host controller (computer). For this

talker/listener remote control operation, the WaveStation conforms to
the guidelines specified by IEEE 488. The hardcopy output can also

communicate across GPIB in one of two ways. First, if the hardcopy

port is the same as the remote control port, then a remote hardcopy

command sends the output to the remote host as a query response.

Second, if the hardcopy port is different from the remote control port

or the local hardcopy key is pressed (Hardcopy Execute), then the
WaveStation enters talk only mode and does not expect any
controller present on the bus.

Talk/Listen The WaveStation enters this mode whenever a command is

received via the GPIB bus. In this mode, the Wavestation can both
receive commands and setups from the remote host computer

(controller) and send data and measurement results.

End or Identify (EOI)
Operation Except where specifically noted, all commands to and from the

WaveStation are terminated by asserting the EOI signal line
simultaneously with the last byte transmitted. No other command

terminators are required.

Hardcopy Operation over GPIB

Talk Only

2-2

The WaveStation enters this mode whenever the hardcopy
destination is set to GPIB and the Hardcopy Execute soft key is
pressed. Talk only is a special GPIB mode where there is no

controller allowed on the bus; the WaveStation is the only talker and
all connected devices must be listeners (i.e., printers/plotters must be
in Listen Only mode).

I ABOUTREMOTE CONTROL

I

Talk/Listen

IEEE-488 Standard
Messages

Serial Poll Function

If hardcopy destination is GPIB and then sending the HCOPy

command over the GPIB bus will cause the WaveStation to send the
hardcopy output to the host computer as a response message. In

this mode, the WaveStation will wait to be addressed to talk before
sending the hardcopy data. The host computer then has three
options in generating the hardcopy:

The host computer may read the data into internal memory and

1)
then send the data to a printer/plotter.

The host computer may send the HCOPy remote command and

2)
then address the printer to listener and the WaveStation to talk

and read the data from the WaveStation. As the data is read into
the computer, it is also printed to the printer which is a listener.

The host computer may send the HCOPy remote command and

3)
then address the printer/plotter to listen, the WaveStation to talk,

and the controller to go into stand-by mode waiting for EOI.

This section explains how the WaveStation reacts to the Standard

488.2 messages.
The WaveStation implements a full Serial Poll Interface Function:

1. It can assert the SRQ (Service Request) control line.
It will respond with the current serial poll byte or STB when

2.
addressed to Talk and after the Serial Poll Enable interface

message is received.

After transmitting its status message, the WaveStation stops

3.
asserting the SRQ line and clears its intemal status byte.

Receiving the Trigger
Message

Interface Clear

The WaveStation responds to the Trigger message [*’I’RG

command] by triggering the output waveform. It is executed after all
previously received commands have been processed.

The Interface Clear message (asserting IFC line) is an asynchronous
control line that causes all bus activity to halt. When the WaveStation
receives the IFC message, it becomes unaddressed, stops talking or

listening, and will not participate in future bus transactions until
readdressed to talk or listen.

2-3

4BOUT REMOTE CONTROL

~

Device Clear
(Selective or Universal)

Go to Local, Go to
Remote, Go to

Remote with Lockout

Local

The WaveStation will respond to a Selective Device Clear or a
the WaveStation first be addressed to listen, followed by the

the input buffer, the output queue, and the message available (MAV)
status bit to be cleared.

The WaveStation can operate in Local or Remote mode. In Local
the host computer will also be processed. In Remote mode, the

Universal Device Clear interface message. The former requires that
Selective Device Clear message. The latter does not require that the

instrument be previously addressed to listen. Device Clear causes

mode, all front panel controls are operational and commands from
WaveStation operates under computer control and no front panel

controls are operational except the Local soft key (if enabled). The
WaveStation always powers on in Local mode).

Note: The WaveStation processes all messages regardless of
being in Remote or Local modes.

The WaveStation switches to Remote mode (with Local soft key
enabled) when the WaveStation receives a command with the

REN line asserted. All instrument settings remain unchanged
during local-to-remote transitions. The WaveStation screen
indicates that Remote mode is enabled by the appearance of the
Local soft key. No other front panel controls operate.

2-4

If the WaveStation is under remote control and the Local soft key
is pressed, the instrument interrupts program control and returns
to local control. Data and/or settings cannot be changed locally.

Caution:. In Local Lockout state, all front panel keys and knobs

are disabled. Once Remote with Local Lockout is set using the

"RWLS" or "LLO" commands it can only be cleared when the
WaveStation is put into Local mode by sending the "LOC"
command or readdressing the WaveStation with REN

deasserted.

I ABOUTREMOTECONTROLI

Checking GPIB
Communications Using

National Instruments IBIC

Program

This quick checkout requires a computer with a National Instrument

GPIB card and the National Instruments IBIC program supplied by

National Instruments with the purchase of a GPIB card. This quick
checkout also assumes that the GPIB card is already installed in the
computer and has passed all test successfully. For help installing or

configuring the National Instruments GPIB card please contact

National Instruments at (800) IEEE-488 or [phone].

These example instructions are for an IBM-PC or compatible

computer. The method for other computers is very similar.

Change to the National Instruments GPIB-PC subdirectory with

the command:

CD \GPIB-PC

Start the IBIC program by with the command:

IBIC

Tell the IBIC program the address of the WaveStation (we

assume address 1) with the command:

IBFIND DEV1

Send the identify command to the WaveStation with the

command:

IBWRT "*IDN?"

Read the id of the WaveStation with the command:

IBRD 100

2-5

ABOUT REMOTE CONTROL I

I

The WaveStation response should have included the model
number, serial number and other information. The full IBIC

sequence should look as follows:

National Imstruments Interface BUS

Interactive Control Program (IBIC)

Type ’ help ! for help.

: IBFIND DEVI ,

devl: IBWRT ’~* IDN?"

[0100]

count: 55

devl: IBRD 100

[2100] ( end cmpl )

count: 31

4C 65 43 72 6F 79 2C 4C
57 34 30 302c4c5734

32 302f 55 31 3030 30

2C31 2e34 2e32 0a

( cmpl

L e C r o y , L

W 4 0 0. L W 4

2 0 / U 1 0 0 0

, 1 , 4 . 2 .

2-6

If IBIC retumed an error on any of the commands, double check
to make sure you typed the command exactly as given above,
then consult the National Instruments GPIB-PC manual for help

interpreting the error codes. A brief list of some of the common

errors and possible solutions follows:

I ABOUT REMOTECONTROL I

Error Code

EDVR

ENOL

EARG

ESAC

EABO

ENEB

Check

Check that config.sys contains the line:

device = c:\dirkGPIB.COM

where dir is the directory that contains GPIB.COM.
No listener. Check IBFIND DEVx matches the GPIB address of the

WaveStation. Where the WaveStation GPIB address is x.

Invalid argument. Check that the command was typed correctly.

GPIB board is not system controller. Check to make sure the GPIB
board is configured as controller using IBCONF.

Check that the WaveStation is powered on and cables are
connected securely.

Can’t find GPIB board. Check GPIB installation and configuration.

In Case of GPIB Communications Problems Check the
Following:

1. WaveStation is tumed on, and finished booting up.

2. WaveStation passes power up self tests.
GPIB board is installed and passes all tests. (See National

3.
Instruments IBTEST).

4. GPIB cable is connected securely.
GPIB address is set correctly.

5.

6. No other instrument on the GPIB bus is set to the same address.

7. GPIB name (DEV1) set in IBFIND command corresponds to the
name given in the IBCONF device map for address 1.

2-7

4BOUT REMOTE CONTROL

~

This page left intentionally blank

2--8

3

I

¯ 1

INSTRUMENT MODEL AND

I SUBSYSTEM

HIERARCHY

Remote Command
System Model

PROJect

It is important to understand the remote control subsystem
hierarchy in order to rapidly locate the desired command

and associated message you require. Figure 1 shows the

functional block diagram of the arbitrary waveform

generator as viewed by the remote programming interface.
The structure of the instrument subsystems is closely

related to this block diagram.

MMEMory

TRIGger

f

FGENera±or

EQUation

> BUTPu± I>

4,

]]ISPtay

I

HCIqpy

I

Figure I

Introduction to SCPI
Command Syntax SCPI commands are English language based ASCII text strings.

The SCPI command set is based on a hierarchical model of a
generic instrument. The instrument is broken down into major
system elements like OUTPUT, DISPLAY, etc. The command

follows a path from major functional elements down through

3-1

’

Instrument Model and
Subsystem l-llerarchy

subsystems, to specific functions within the subsystem. For
example to turn on Channel l°s 1 MHz output bandwidth limit

filter the command would be:

OUTPutl:FILTer: FREQuency 1E6

The command is shown in its long (or verbose) form. As with all
commands described in this manual, the uppemase letters

indicate the characters required to represent the short form of
the command. Note that SCPI instruments are not case

sensitive, the use of capitalization in this manual is only intended
to show the difference between the long and short forms of the

command.

Note also that the short form and long form are the only
acceptable forms of a command. So, for "frequency" we can

send "freq" or "frequency" but not "frequ", for example. The
short form is the first four letters, unless the fourth is a vowel, in
which case the short form is the first three letters.

3-2

Keywords are separated by colons, while arguments use a
space as a delimiter. Multiple commands can be included in a

single multi-element command by using a semi-colon to
separate each element. Multiple elements within the same
command may be abbreviated if each element is within the

same subsystem. The second element in a multi-element
command must be preceded with a colon if it is not within the
same subsystem. Commands enclosed in square brackets
indicate default subsystems. For example, OUTPutl:STAte ON

is equivalent to OUTPut1 ON.

Instrument Model and

Subsystem Hierarchy I

These are four valid WaveStation commands under two different
subsystems. The WAVE and OUTPut subsystems.

WAVE:SELECT chl - Enable channel 1 editor
WAVE:OPEN "new_wave" - Select waveform new_wave

OUTPut1 :FILTer:FREQuency 1 E6 - Enables the Channel 1

MHz Bandwidth filter

OUTPut1 on - Enables channel 1 output

The above commands may be sent to the WaveStation one
command at a time or they may be combined into a single multi-

element command. Following are valid forms for a multi-element
command. Each element in the command is separated by semi-

colon.

WAVE:SELECT chl ;OPEN "new_wave"
OUTPut1 :FILTer:FREQuency 1E6;:OUTPutl on

Note that when commands are combined using the semicolon
they must be at the same level in the command hierarchy. So
the second line, in the example above, cannot contain just the

argument "on", it requires that the keyword :OUTPut1 be

included. An alternative form of the combined command places
the commands in hierarchical order and doesn’t require a re-

statement of the keyword:

I

OUTPut1 on; FILTer:FREQuency 1E6

A complete discussion of SCPI command structure is contained
in "SCPI 1993, Volume 1:Syntax and Style" available from the
SCPI Consortium.

The English nature of SCPI commands often means that a

command can directly be mapped to a corresponding menu
control. Where standard commands are not available in the

1993 SCPI standard, LeCroy has extended the language to

facilitate control of the instrument. Extensions to the language

use command names and arguments that adhere to the

terminology used in the menu system wherever possible.

3-3

Instrument Model and

I

Subsystem Hierarchy

Command Subsystems

OUTPut Subsystem

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the SCPI
command subsystems. All command keywords are shown. This

section is intended to assist the user in rapidly locating the
command form required to carry out AWG actions or query

settings and values. Commands with only a query form are
shown with a ’?’ as a suffix. Command arguments are not

described in detail in this section. Refer to Section 6 of this

manual for details of command arguments and for additional
information on the commands.

The OUTPut subsystem provides control of the output
channel(s), additive noise, and low pass filter bandwidth

selections.
Because the instrument may have two channels, the OUTPut

subsystem is controlled using OUTPut1 or OUTPut2 in order to
uniquely control each of the arbitrary waveform generator’s

outputs. In this manual, the numeric suffix to the OUTPut
subsystem is shown in general form using a # character i.e.,
OUTPut#:NOISe controls the noise output of either channel.

3-4

Overview of OUTPut Commands

OUTPut#

[STATe]
FILTer

[LPASs]

FREQuency

NOISe

[STATe]

LEVel

PATH

Enables or disables the output for the specified channel.

Sets the bandwidth for the specified channel.

Enables or disables the addition of uncorrelated, pseudo
random noise into the specified output channel.
Sets the level of noise that is inserted into the waveform for

the specified channel.

INTERNAL or EXTERNAL. EXTERNAL = routed through
BNC’s on rear. Note: OUTPI : NOISE:PATH is functionally

coupled to OUTP2:NOISE:PA TH. Both are either internal or
external

InstrumentModeland

I

Subsystem Hierarchy I

I

OUTPut2:RESample

WAVE Subsystem

Overview of WAVE commands

WAVE

AMPLitude

AMPLitude

MEDian
VMAX
VMIN

Issues command to resample channel 2 waveform. This

command only applies to channel 2.
The WAVE subsystem controls the selection, creation, editing,

and mathematical manipulation of waveforms in the selected
waveform editor, channel 1, channel 2, or scratch pad. The

operation of the WAVE subsystem is augmented by the
FGENerator and EQUation subsystems which handle the
specialized operations associated with waveform creation.

Sets the peak-to-peak amplitude of the region between the
left and right time cursors.
Sets the median voltage level of the region between the left

and right time cursor.

Sets the maximum voltage of the region between the left and
right time cursors.

Sets the minimum voltage of the region between the left and

right time cursors.

3-5

Instrument Model and

I

Subsystem Hierarchy

WAVE

CLOCk

DECade
FiXed
FREQuency

PREServe

ACSet
LIMit

MAX

WAVE

CUT

COPY

DELete
EXTRact

Selects the clock decade in which the internal clock runs.
Selects whether the clock is fixed or variable.
Sets the frequency of the clock.
POINTS or TIME. Affects the operation of CLOCK:DECADE.
Preserve points keep data unchanged; preserve time
resamples to keep output timing the same, if possible.

Selects auto clock set mode or manual.
Selects/deselects option to limit clock to internal filters.

With LIMit set to Yes, MAX selects the clock decade in which
the internal clock runs.

Copies the region between the right and left time cursors to

the cut buffer.

Deletes the data between the left and right time cursors,
stores it to the cut buffer.
Copies the value of the waveform minus the value of the
baseline to the cut buffer.

WAVE

DATA

INSert

3-6

PREamble
MODE

PASTe

[IMMediate]
COUNt

CURSor
WRAP

Transfer waveform in Data Interchange Format (DIF) to
from host computer.
Transfer waveform DIF preamble to or from host computer.

Selects insert or overwrite insertion mode.
Inserts the contents of the cut buffer into the waveform.

Sets the insert repetition count, i.e, number of times the
contents of the cut buffer is inserted into the waveform.

Selects if waves are inserted before or after the cursor.
Selects if waveform is to be continuous with the last point

wrapped to first or if waveform is single shot.

WAVE

INSert

SCOPe

[IMMediate]

ADDRess

BWLimit
CONTrol

PREServe
SOURce

TYPE

SHAPe

DC

PULSe

RAMP

DURation
LEVel

AMPLitude
BASE
CYCLes

ETIMe
PERiod

TDELay
WIDTh
AMPLitude

CYCLes
FREQuency

INVert
OFFSet
SPOSition

Instrument Model and I

I

Subsystem Hierarchy I

Downloads the data from the specified digital oscilloscope
(DSO).

Sets the GPIB address of the source DSO.
Select option to check for and correct waveform

discontinuities or to not check or correct discontinuities.
Selects the GPIB request control mode for DSO transfers.
Sets how the data from the digital oscilloscope is preserved.

The data can be preserved in time or by points.

Selects waveform source from available DSO traces.
Selects DSO type (model),

Set the time duration (length) of the inserted DC function.
Set the voltage level of the inserted DC function.

Sets the base to top amplitude of the standard wave pulse.
Sets the base voltage level of the pulse.

Sets the number of pulse cycles inserted into the waveform.
The 10%-90% transition time of the rising and falling edges
of the standard wave pulse.

Sets the period (1/frequency) of the standard wave pulse.

Sets time delay from the beginning of the waveform and the

beginning of the first edge of the pulse.

Sets the half amplitude width of the standard wave pulse.

Sets the peak-to-peak amplitude of the standard wave ramp.

Sets the number of cycles of the standard wave ramp

inserted into the waveform.

Sets the frequency of the standard wave ramp.

Controls the polarity of the ramp’s slope, i.e. rising or falling.

Sets the voltage of the zero degree phase of the ramp."

Sets the start position of the ramp in percentage of the ramp

amplitude.

3-7

lnstrument Model and

l

Subsystem l-llerarchy

WAVE

INSert

SHAPe

SELect

SINE

AMPLitude
CYCLes

FREQuency

Selects which standard wave shape will be inserted into the
wave form.

Sets the peak-to-peak amplitude of the standard wave sine.
Sets the number of cycles of the standard wave sine to be
inserted into the waveform.
Sets the frequency of the standard wave sine.

SQUare

TRiangle

[IMMediate]

OFFSet

PHASe

AMPLitude
BASE
CYCLes

ETIMe
FREQuency

TDELay

AMPLitude
CYCLes
FREQuency

OFFSet
PHASe

Set the voltage of the zero degree phase of the standard
wave sine.

Sets the start phase of the standard wave sine.

Sets the base to top amplitude of the square wave.
Sets the voltage of the base level of the square wave.
Sets the number of cycles of the square wave that will be

inserted into the waveform,
Sets the 10%-90% transition time of the rising and falling
edges of the square wave.
Sets the frequency of the square wave.
Sets the delay time between the start of the waveform and

the first edge of the square wave.
Sets the peak-to-peak amplitude of the standard triangle

wave.
Sets the number of cycles of the triangle wave that will be
inserted into the waveform.
Sets the frequency of the triangle wave.
Set the voltage of the base of the triangle.
Phase of the triangle wave.

Inserts the specified shape at the left time cursor.

3-8

WAVE

Insert the named waveform into the current waveform at the

TIME LEF’r cursor.

WAVE

MARKer

MATH

CLOCk

FIRSt

FREQuency

EDGE

DEFault
NDEFined

TIME

[STATE]

LEVel

TYPE

COUPling
IMMediate

SOURce2
[OPERation]

Instrument Model and

I

Subsystem Hierarchy

Sets the time at which the first edge of the clock marker
begins. WAVE:MARKer:TYPE must be set to CLOCk.

Sets the frequency of the marker clock.

WAVE:MARKer:TYPE must be set to CLOCk."

Sets default edge marker.
Query only. Number of edges defined.
Sets the time at which STATE will act.
Low or High.
Sets the voltage level of the marker to TTL or ECL levels.
Selects either a clock marker or an edge marker.

AC or DC, used only for INTEGRATION. If DC, integration of
a constant non-zero voltage becomes a ramp.

Performs the math function specified by
WAVE:MATH[:OPERation] on the current waveform and

WAVE:SOURce2 (if applicable) on the region between the
left and right time cursors. The result is placed into the
current waveform.
Name of the "other" waveform for two waveform operations
such as ADD, SUBTRACT, MULTIPLY DIVIDE.
Specifies which math operation will be performed by

WAVE:MATH :lMMedate. Operation can be SMOOTH, ADD,
SUBTract, MULTiply, DIVide, INTegrate DIFFerentiate
CONVolve.

NEW
OPEN

REGion

LEFT

RIGHt

Creates a new waveform with the name specified by the
argument.
Opens a waveform from the current project.

Set the position of the left time cursor.
Set the position of the right time cursor. This command
requires time cursors not to be in the track mode.

3-9

Instrument Model and

Subsystem Hierarchy

WAVE

SAVE

Saves the current waveform with the name supplied by the

argument.

SELect
TIME

DELay
DURation

SEQuence

ADVance
AON

COMPile
Data

GDATa
GLINk

GNEW
IREcall

ISAVe
JUMP
LINK

NEW
OPEN

SAVE

MODE
[TIME]

MOVE

Selects the active waveform editor CH1, CH2, or SCR.

Delays the waveform from the left cursor to the end of the
waveform for the given amount of time.

Selects the mode, insert or overwrite, for changing the

duration of a feature.

Changes the duration of the region between the left and right
time cursors using the duration change mode defined by the

duration modes.

Moves the feature between the left and right time cursors.

Advance to the next sequence in a group sequence list.

Specifies which channel advance and jump operate on.

Cause the desired sequence to play.
Tansfers a sequence file identified by a filename to or from
the WaveStation via GPIB in #0 blobk format.
Transfers a group sequence file to or from the AWG via

GPIB in #0 block format.
Add a new sequence to the end of the sequence list in the
currently selected group sequence.

Creates a new group sequence.

Recall a saved image file.

Save a binary image of the hardware to a file.
Jump to the nth sequence in the list.

Add on entry to the end of the sequence list in memory.

Empty the sequence list, associate a new name with
sequence list.
Open and compile a sequence file from the project.
Save the sequence list from memory to the current project.

3-10