Tektronix System 41 Mainframe,RF Modules Instruction Manual Rev. A Instruction Manual

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System 41 Mainframe

and RF Modules

Instruction Manual

41MWS-901-01 Rev. A / 3-00

WARRANTY

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 1 year from date of shipment.

Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants the following items for 90 days from the date of shipment: probes, cables, rechargeable batteries, diskettes, and documentation.

During the warranty period, we will, at our option, either repair or replace any product that proves to be defective.

To exercise this warranty, write or call your local Keithley representative, or contact Keithley headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. You will be given prompt assistance and return instructions. Send the product, transportation prepaid, to the indicated service facility. Repairs will be made and the product returned, transportation prepaid. Repaired or replaced products are warranted for the balance of the original warranty period, or at least 90 days.

LIMITATION OF WARRANTY

This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modiﬁcation without Keithley’s express written consent, or misuse of any product or part. This warranty also does not apply to fuses, software, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leakage, or problems arising from normal wear or failure to follow instructions.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.

NEITHER KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC. NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF ITS INSTRUMENTS AND SOFTWARE EVEN IF KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC., HAS BEEN ADVISED IN ADVANCE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SUCH EXCLUDED DAMAGES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: COSTS OF REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION, LOSSES SUSTAINED AS THE RESULT OF INJURY TO ANY PERSON, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

Keithley Instruments, Inc.

BELGIUM: Keithley Instruments B.V. CHINA: Keithley Instruments China FRANCE: Keithley Instruments Sarl GERMANY: Keithley Instruments GmbH GREAT BRITAIN: Keithley Instruments Ltd INDIA: Keithley Instruments GmbH ITALY: Keithley Instruments s.r.l. NETHERLANDS: Keithley Instruments B.V. SWITZERLAND: Keithley Instruments SA TAIWAN: Keithley Instruments Taiwan

• 28775 Aurora Road • Cleveland, OH 44139 • 440-248-0400 • Fax: 440-248-6168 • http://www.keithley.com

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Flat 2B, WILOCRISSA • 14, Rest House Crescent • Bangalore 560 001 • 91-80-509-1320/21 • Fax: 91-80-509-1322 Viale S. Gimignano, 38 • 20146 Milano • 02/48 30 30 08 • Fax: 02/48 30 22 74 Postbus 559 • 4200 AN Gorinchem • 0183-635333 • Fax: 0183-630821

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1 Fl. 85 Po Ai Street • Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C. • 886-3572-9077• Fax: 886-3572-903

10/99

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules

Instruction Manual

Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.

First Printing, March 2000

Document Number: 41MWS-901-01 Rev. A

Manual Print History

The print history shown below lists the printing dates of all Revisions and Addenda created for this manual. The Revision Level letter increases alphabetically as the manual undergoes subsequent updates. Addenda, which are released between Revisions, contain important change information that the user should incorporate immediately into the manual. Addenda are numbered sequentially. When a new Revision is created, all Addenda associated with the previous Revision of the manual are incorporated into the new Revision of the manual. Each new Revision includes a revised copy of this print history page.

Revision A (Document Number 41MWS-901-01)................................................................................ March 2000

All Keithley product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc.

Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Safety Precautions

The following safety precautions should be observed before using this product and any associated instrumentation. Although some instruments and accessories would normally be used with non-hazardous voltages, there are situations where hazardous conditions may be present.

This product is intended for use by qualiﬁed personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety precautions required to avoid possible injury. Read the operating information carefully before using the product.

The types of product users are:

Responsible body

and maintenance of equipment, for ensuring that the equipment is operated within its speciﬁcations and operating limits, and for ensuring that operators are adequately trained.

Operators

trained in electrical safety procedures and proper use of the instrument. They must be protected from electric shock and contact with hazardous live circuits.

Maintenance personnel

to keep it operating, for example, setting the line voltage or replacing consumable materials. Maintenance procedures are described in the manual. The procedures explicitly state if the operator may perform them. Otherwise, they should be performed only by service personnel.

Service personnel

safe installations and repairs of products. Only properly trained service personnel may perform installation and service procedures.

is the individual or group responsible for the use

use the product for its intended function. They must be

perform routine procedures on the product

are trained to work on live circuits, and perform

Users of this product must be protected from electric shock at all times. The responsible body must ensure that users are prevented access and/or insulated from every connection point. In some cases, connections must be exposed to potential human contact. Product users in these circumstances must be trained to protect themselves from the risk of electric shock. If the circuit is capable of operating at or above 1000 volts,

exposed.

As described in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standard IEC 664, digital multimeter measuring circuits (e.g., Keithley Models 175A, 199, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2010) are Installation Category II. All other instruments’ signal terminals are Installation Category I and must not be connected to mains.

Do not connect switching cards directly to unlimited power circuits. They are intended to be used with impedance limited sources. NEVER connect switching cards directly to AC mains. When connecting sources to switching cards, install protective devices to limit fault current and voltage to the card.

Before operating an instrument, make sure the line cord is connected to a properly grounded power receptacle. Inspect the connecting cables, test leads, and jumpers for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.

For maximum safety, do not touch the product, test cables, or any other instruments while power is applied to the circuit under test. ALWAYS remove power from the entire test system and discharge any capacitors before: connecting or disconnecting cables or jumpers, installing or removing switching cards, or making internal changes, such as installing or removing jumpers.

no conductive part of the circuit may be

Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present. Lethal voltage may be present on cable connector jacks or test ﬁxtures. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than 30V RMS, 42.4V peak, or 60VDC are present.

that hazardous voltage is present in any unknown circuit before measuring.

A good safety practice is to expect

Do not touch any object that could provide a current path to the common side of the circuit under test or power line (earth) ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on a dry, insulated surface capable of withstanding the voltage being measured.

The instrument and accessories must be used in accordance with its speciﬁcations and operating instructions or the safety of the equipment may be impaired.

Do not exceed the maximum signal levels of the instruments and accessories, as deﬁned in the speciﬁcations and operating information, and as shown on the instrument or test ﬁxture panels, or switching card.

The

WARNING

result in personal injury or death. Always read the associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.

The

CAUTION

damage the instrument. Such damage may invalidate the warranty.

Instrumentation and accessories shall not be connected to humans.

heading in a manual explains dangers that might

heading in a manual explains hazards that could

When fuses are used in a product, replace with same type and rating for continued protection against ﬁre hazard.

Chassis connections must only be used as shield connections for measuring circuits, NOT as safety earth ground connections.

If you are using a test ﬁxture, keep the lid closed while power is applied to the device under test. Safe operation requires the use of a lid interlock.

If a screw is present, connect it to safety earth ground using the wire recommended in the user documentation.

The symbol on an instrument indicates that the user should refer to the operating instructions located in the manual.

The symbol on an instrument shows that it can source or measure 1000 volts or more, including the combined effect of normal and common mode voltages. Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal contact with these voltages.

Before performing any maintenance, disconnect the line cord and all test cables.

To maintain protection from electric shock and ﬁre, replacement components in mains circuits, including the power transformer, test leads, and input jacks, must be purchased from Keithley Instruments. Standard fuses, with applicable national safety approvals, may be used if the rating and type are the same. Other components that are not safety related may be purchased from other suppliers as long as they are equivalent to the original component. (Note that selected parts should be purchased only through Keithley Instruments to maintain accuracy and functionality of the product.) If you are unsure about the applicability of a replacement component, call a Keithley Instruments ofﬁce for information.

To clean an instrument, use a damp cloth or mild, water based cleaner. Clean the exterior of the instrument only. Do not apply cleaner directly to the instrument or allow liquids to enter or spill on the instrument. Products that consist of a circuit board with no case or chassis (e.g., data acquisition board for installation into a computer) should never require cleaning if handled according to instructions. If the board becomes contaminated and operation is affected, the board should be returned to the factory for proper cleaning/servicing.

Rev. 10/99

S41/RF6X6 Matrix

RF PARAMETERS:

Frequency: DC–8GHz 8–18GHz Insertion Loss: 2.5 dB max 4.0 dB max VSWR: 1.5:1 2.0:1 Isolation: 70 dB min 60 dB min

SWITCH CONFIGURATION:Non-blocking coaxial matrix with six inputs

and six outputs.

IMPEDANCE: 50½. ACTUA TION TIME:15ms. RF CONTACTS:Break-before-make, normally open OPERATING LIFE:1,000,000 operations, cold switched.

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES

LIGHT PEN Provides interactive programming of channels, cross

points, scan lists, and memory.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

8503 DIN to BNC Trigger Cable: Provides BNC connector

interface to hardware trigger lines.

S41-RMK-1 Fixed Rack Mount Kit: Enables rack mounting without

chassis support for one System 41 Mainframe.

ORDERING INFORMATION

S41/RF6X6 Non-blocking 6´6 RF coaxial matrix switch system S41/RF6X6-T Test data on the RF module – must be purchased at the

same time the switch system is purchased

GENERAL

DISPLAY:Dual line vacuum fluorescent.

1st Line:20-character alphanumeric. 2nd Line: 32-character alphanumeric.

Channel status LED grid.

IEEE-488 BUS IMPLEMENTATION:Conforms to SCPI-1990,

IEEE-488.2 and IEEE-488.1.

REAR PANEL CONNECTORS:

SMA IEEE-488 8-pin micro DIN for Trigger Link 8-pin micro DIN for Trigger Link expansion

POWER:100–240V AC universal input, 50-60Hz, 270VA maximum STANDARDS:

Safety: Conforms with European Union Directive 73/23/EEC EMC: Conforms with European Union Directive 89/336/EEC.

ENVIRONMENT:

Operating: 0°C to 50°C, <80% relative humidity (0°C to 35°C). Storage: –25°C to +65°C.

DIMENSIONS,WEIGHT:178mm high ´ 482mm wide ´ 515mm deep

(7 in ´ 19 in ´ 20 in). Net weight 11kg (24 lbs).

RACK MOUNTING: Standard 19˝ rack shelf or chassis support angles.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

S41/RF1X72 M ultiplex er

RF PARAMETERS:

Frequency DC–8GHz 8–18GHz Insertion Loss 1.0 dB max 2.5 dB max VSWR 1.5:1 2.0:1 Isolation 70 dB min 60 dB min

SWITCH CONFIGURATION:One 1´72 or two 1´36 or fourteen 1´6 coax-

ial multiplexers when RF cables are removed.

IMPEDANCE: 50½. ACTUA TION TIME:15ms RF CONTACTS:Break-before-make, normally open OPERATING LIFE:1,000,000 operations, cold switched.

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES

LIGHT PEN Provides interactive programming of channels, cross

points, scan lists, and memory.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

8503 DIN to BNC Trigger Cable: Provides BNC connector

interface to hardware trigger lines.

S41-RMK-1 Fixed Rack Mount Kit: Enables rack mounting without

chassis support for one System 41 Mainframe.

ORDERING INFORMATION

S41/RF1X72 1´72 RF coaxial multiplexer switch system S41/RF1X72-T Test data on the RF module – must be purchased at the

same time the switch system is purchased

GENERAL

DISPLAY:Dual line vacuum fluorescent.

1st Line: 20-character alphanumeric. 2nd Line:32-character alphanumeric.

Channel status LED grid.

IEEE-488 BUS IMPLEMENTATION: Conforms to SCPI-1990,

IEEE-488.2 and IEEE-488.1.

REAR PANEL CONNECTORS:

SMA IEEE-488 8-pin micro DIN for Trigger Link 8-pin micro DIN for Trigger Link expansion

POWER:100–240V AC universal input, 50–60Hz, 270VA maximum. STANDARDS:

Safety: Conforms with European Union Directive 73/23/EEC. EMC:Conforms with European Union Directive 89/336/EEC.

ENVIRONMENT:

Operating: 0°C to 50°C, <80% relative humidity (0°C to 35°C) Storage: –25°C to +65°C

DIMENSIONS,WEIGHT:178mm high ´ 482mm wide ´ 515mm deep

(7 in ´ 19 in ´ 20 in). Net weight 10kg (21 lbs).

RACK MOUNTING: Standard 19˝ rack shelf or chassis support angles.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

S41/RF10X10 Matrix

RF PARAMETERS:

Frequency: DC–8GHz 8–18GHz Insertion Loss: 3.5 dB max 5.5 dB max VSWR: 1.5:1 2.0:1 Isolation: 70 dB min 60 dB min

SWITCH CONFIGURATION:Non-blocking coaxial matrix with ten inputs

and ten outputs.

IMPEDANCE: 50½. ACTUA TION TIME:15ms. RF CONTACTS:Break-before-make, normally open. OPERATING LIFE:1,000,000 operations, cold switched.

SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES

LIGHT PEN Provides interactive programming of channels, cross

points, scan lists, and memory.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

8503 DIN to BNC Trigger Cable: Provides BNC connector

interface to hardware trigger lines.

S41-RMK-1 Fixed Rack Mount Kit: Enables rack mounting without

chassis support for one System 41 Mainframe.

ORDERING INFORMATION

S41/RF10X10 Non-blocking 10´10 RF coaxial matrix switch system S41/RF10X10-T T est data on the RF module – must be purchased at the

same time the switch system is purchased

GENERAL

DISPLAY:Dual line vacuum fluorescent.

1st Line: 20-character alphanumeric. 2nd Line: 32-character alphanumeric.

Channel status LED grid.

IEEE-488 BUS IMPLEMENTATION: Conforms to SCPI-1990,

IEEE-488.2 and IEEE-488.1.

REAR PANEL CONNECTORS:

SMA IEEE-488 8-pin micro DIN for Trigger Link 8-pin micro DIN for Trigger Link expansion

POWER:100–240V AC universal input, 50–60Hz, 270VA maximum STANDARDS:

Safety: Conforms with European Union Directive 73/23/EEC EMC:Conforms with European Union Directive 89/336/EEC.

ENVIRONMENT:

Operating: 0°C to 50°C, <80% relative humidity (0°C to 35°C) Storage: –25°C to +65°C

DIMENSIONS,WEIGHT:178mm high ´ 482mm wide ´ 515mm deep

(7 in ´ 19 in ´ 20 in). Net weight 15kg (33 lbs).

RACK MOUNTING: Standard 19˝ rack shelf or chassis support angles.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

1 General Information

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 1-2

Features .............................................................................................................................................................. 1-2

Warranty information ......................................................................................................................................... 1-2

Manual addenda ................................................................................................................................................. 1-2

Safety symbols and terms ................................................................................................................................... 1-3

Specifications ..................................................................................................................................................... 1-3

Inspection ........................................................................................................................................................... 1-3

Optional accessories ........................................................................................................................................... 1-3

Table of Contents

2 Installation and Connections

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 2-2

Installation .......................................................................................................................................................... 2-2

Rack mount ................................................................................................................................................ 2-3

Line power, GPIB, and trigger link connections ................................................................................................ 2-4

Line power ................................................................................................................................................. 2-4

GPIB ........................................................................................................................................................... 2-4

Trigger link ................................................................................................................................................ 2-4

SMA coaxial connections .................................................................................................................................. 2-5

SMA connector cleaning ............................................................................................................................ 2-5

SMA connector mating .............................................................................................................................. 2-5

3 Getting Started

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 3-2

Power-up procedure ........................................................................................................................................... 3-3

Line power connections ............................................................................................................................. 3-3

Power switch .............................................................................................................................................. 3-3

Power-up sequence ..................................................................................................................................... 3-3

Cooling fan ................................................................................................................................................. 3-4

Front and rear panel configurations ................................................................................................................... 3-4

Front panel ................................................................................................................................................. 3-4

Rear panel .................................................................................................................................................. 3-6

Quick start .......................................................................................................................................................... 3-7

Restore defaults .......................................................................................................................................... 3-7

Open and close channel patterns ................................................................................................................ 3-7

Display modes .................................................................................................................................................... 3-8

Changing the display mode (keypad method) ............................................................................................ 3-9

Channel LEDs, patterns, and assignments ....................................................................................................... 3-10

Channel LEDs .......................................................................................................................................... 3-10

Channel patterns ....................................................................................................................................... 3-10

Channel assignments ................................................................................................................................ 3-10

Operation demos ............................................................................................................................................... 3-11

Restoring default settings ......................................................................................................................... 3-11

Demo — Close and open channels ........................................................................................................... 3-12

Front panel operation summary ........................................................................................................................ 3-13

Create channel list and/or scan list ........................................................................................................... 3-14

Close and open channel patterns .............................................................................................................. 3-15

Introduction to IEEE-488.2 and SCPI .............................................................................................................. 3-15

Bus connections ........................................................................................................................................ 3-16

Primary address ........................................................................................................................................ 3-16

Abbreviated common command summary ............................................................................................... 3-16

Abbreviated SCPI command summary .................................................................................................... 3-16

Abbreviated syntax rules .......................................................................................................................... 3-17

Programming example .............................................................................................................................. 3-19

4 RF Modules

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 4-2

Model RF6X6 module ........................................................................................................................................ 4-2

Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 4-2

Connections ................................................................................................................................................ 4-3

Switch control ............................................................................................................................................. 4-4

Channel pattern memory ............................................................................................................................ 4-6

Model RF10X10 module .................................................................................................................................... 4-9

Overview .................................................................................................................................................... 4-9

Connections .............................................................................................................................................. 4-10

Switch control ........................................................................................................................................... 4-11

Channel pattern memory .......................................................................................................................... 4-14

Model RF1X72 module .................................................................................................................................... 4-18

Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 4-18

Connections .............................................................................................................................................. 4-20

Switch control ........................................................................................................................................... 4-20

Channel pattern memory .......................................................................................................................... 4-23

5 Front Panel Operation

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 5-2

Front panel displays ............................................................................................................................................ 5-3

Vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) ............................................................................................................ 5-3

LED display ................................................................................................................................................ 5-6

Light pen ............................................................................................................................................................. 5-7

Light pen connection .................................................................................................................................. 5-7

Light pen operations ................................................................................................................................... 5-7

Light pen messages ..................................................................................................................................... 5-9

Display modes .................................................................................................................................................... 5-9

Relay status display mode .......................................................................................................................... 5-9

Changing the display mode ...................................................................................................................... 5-12

LED graticule control ............................................................................................................................... 5-13

Channel list and scan list .................................................................................................................................. 5-13

Channel patterns ....................................................................................................................................... 5-14

Channel assignments ................................................................................................................................ 5-15

Editing a list ............................................................................................................................................. 5-17

Using the light pen ................................................................................................................................... 5-18

Closing and opening channels .......................................................................................................................... 5-19

Overview of scan process ................................................................................................................................. 5-21

Scan channel patterns ............................................................................................................................... 5-23

Storing and recalling channel patterns ............................................................................................................. 5-24

Storing channel patterns (STORE) ........................................................................................................... 5-24

Recalling channel patterns (RECALL) .................................................................................................... 5-25

MENU .............................................................................................................................................................. 5-25

SAVESETUP ........................................................................................................................................... 5-27

GPIB ......................................................................................................................................................... 5-29

DIGITAL I/O ........................................................................................................................................... 5-29

TEST ........................................................................................................................................................ 5-29

LANGUAGE ........................................................................................................................................... 5-30

GENERAL ............................................................................................................................................... 5-30

Card configuration ........................................................................................................................................... 5-33

TYPE ........................................................................................................................................................ 5-34

# OF POLES ............................................................................................................................................ 5-34

CARD PAIR ............................................................................................................................................ 5-34

DELAY .................................................................................................................................................... 5-34

READ I/O CARD .................................................................................................................................... 5-35

Scan configuration ........................................................................................................................................... 5-35

CHAN CONTROL .................................................................................................................................. 5-37

SCAN CONTROL ................................................................................................................................... 5-41

ARM CONTROL ..................................................................................................................................... 5-43

Channel restrictions .................................................................................................................................. 5-45

External triggering (Trigger Link) ................................................................................................................... 5-47

Asynchronous operation .......................................................................................................................... 5-47

Semi-synchronous operation .................................................................................................................... 5-48

Trigger link connections .......................................................................................................................... 5-48

6 IEEE-488 Reference

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 6-2

IEEE-488 bus connections ................................................................................................................................. 6-3

Primary address selection ................................................................................................................................... 6-6

General bus commands ...................................................................................................................................... 6-7

REN (remote enable) .................................................................................................................................. 6-7

IFC (interface clear) ................................................................................................................................... 6-7

LLO (local lockout) ................................................................................................................................... 6-7

GTL (go to local) ....................................................................................................................................... 6-8

DCL (device clear) ..................................................................................................................................... 6-8

SDC (selective device clear) ...................................................................................................................... 6-8

GET (group execute trigger) ...................................................................................................................... 6-8

SPE, SPD (serial polling) ........................................................................................................................... 6-8

Front panel aspects of IEEE-488 operation ....................................................................................................... 6-9

Error and status messages .......................................................................................................................... 6-9

IEEE-488 status indicators ......................................................................................................................... 6-9

LOCAL key ................................................................................................................................................ 6-9

iii

Status structure ................................................................................................................................................... 6-9

Standard event status ................................................................................................................................ 6-11

Operation event status .............................................................................................................................. 6-13

Arm event status ....................................................................................................................................... 6-16

Sequence event status ............................................................................................................................... 6-19

Trigger event status .................................................................................................................................. 6-22

Questionable event status ......................................................................................................................... 6-25

Queues ...................................................................................................................................................... 6-28

Status byte and service request (SRQ) ..................................................................................................... 6-29

Trigger Model (IEEE-488 operation) ............................................................................................................... 6-31

Idle and initiate ......................................................................................................................................... 6-33

Arm layer1 ................................................................................................................................................ 6-33

Arm layer2 ................................................................................................................................................ 6-34

Trigger layer ............................................................................................................................................. 6-35

Programming syntax ......................................................................................................................................... 6-37

Command words ....................................................................................................................................... 6-37

Program messages .................................................................................................................................... 6-40

Response messages ................................................................................................................................... 6-42

Message exchange protocol ...................................................................................................................... 6-42

Common commands ......................................................................................................................................... 6-43

SCPI command subsystems ...................................................................................................................... 6-58

:DISPlay subsystem .......................................................................................................................................... 6-58

:TEXT commands .................................................................................................................................... 6-59

:ROUTe] subsystem ......................................................................................................................................... 6-63

:INTerlock:LIST commands .................................................................................................................... 6-67

:CONFigure Commands: .......................................................................................................................... 6-69

:MEMory Commands: .............................................................................................................................. 6-73

STATus subsystem ........................................................................................................................................... 6-75

:QUEue commands ................................................................................................................................... 6-92

:SYSTem subsystem ......................................................................................................................................... 6-94

Trigger subsystem ............................................................................................................................................ 6-96

:INITiate commands ................................................................................................................................. 6-98

TCONfigure commands ......................................................................................................................... 6-103

7 Maintenance

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 7-2

Power-up tests .................................................................................................................................................... 7-2

Power line fuse replacement ............................................................................................................................... 7-2

Cooling fan ......................................................................................................................................................... 7-3

Non-volatile memory test ................................................................................................................................... 7-3

Display tests ........................................................................................................................................................ 7-4

Keys test ..................................................................................................................................................... 7-4

Patterns test ................................................................................................................................................. 7-4

LED board test ............................................................................................................................................ 7-5

Char set test ................................................................................................................................................ 7-6

A Interface Function Codes

B ASCII Character Codes and IEEE-488 Multiline Interface

Command Messages

C IEEE-488 Bus Overview

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... C-2

Bus Description ................................................................................................................................................. C-2

Bus Lines ........................................................................................................................................................... C-4

Data lines ................................................................................................................................................... C-4

Bus management lines .............................................................................................................................. C-4

Handshake lines ........................................................................................................................................ C-4

Bus Commands ................................................................................................................................................. C-5

Uniline commands .................................................................................................................................... C-6

Universal multiline commands ................................................................................................................. C-7

Addressed multiline commands ................................................................................................................ C-7

Address commands ................................................................................................................................... C-7

Unaddress commands ............................................................................................................................... C-8

Common commands ................................................................................................................................. C-8

SCPI commands ........................................................................................................................................ C-8

Command codes ........................................................................................................................................ C-8

Typical command sequences ................................................................................................................... C-10

IEEE command groups ........................................................................................................................... C-11

D IEEE-488 Conformance Information

Information ........................................................................................................................................................ D-2

E SCPI Conformance Information

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ E-2

F IEEE-488.2 Common Commands

List of Illustrations

3 Getting Started

Figure 3-1 System 41 front panel ................................................................................................................................ 3-5

Figure 3-2 System 41 rear panel .................................................................................................................................. 3-6

Figure 3-3 Relay status display mode .......................................................................................................................... 3-8

Figure 3-4 List display modes ..................................................................................................................................... 3-9

Figure 3-5 Status interpretation of channel LEDs ....................................................................................................... 3-9

Figure 3-6 Channel assignment format ...................................................................................................................... 3-10

Figure 3-7 Channel assignments ................................................................................................................................ 3-11

4 RF Modules

Figure 4-1 Model RF6X6 simplified diagram ............................................................................................................. 4-3

Figure 4-2 Model RF10X10 simplified diagram ....................................................................................................... 4-10

Figure 4-3 Model RF1X72 simplified diagram ......................................................................................................... 4-19

Figure 4-4 Model RF1X72 connections .................................................................................................................... 4-20

5 Front Panel Operation

Figure 5-1 Vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) ........................................................................................................... 5-3

Figure 5-2 LED display ............................................................................................................................................... 5-6

Figure 5-3 VFD relay status mode ............................................................................................................................. 5-10

Figure 5-4 Interpreting channel LEDs (relay status display mode) ........................................................................... 5-10

Figure 5-5 VFD list display modes ............................................................................................................................ 5-11

Figure 5-6 Interpreting channel LEDs (list display mode) ........................................................................................ 5-12

Figure 5-7 Channel assignments ................................................................................................................................ 5-16

Figure 5-8 Simplified model of scan operation ......................................................................................................... 5-21

Figure 5-9 Asynchronous trigger input pulse specifications ..................................................................................... 5-47

Figure 5-10 Asynchronous trigger output pulse specifications ................................................................................... 5-48

Figure 5-11 Semi-synchronous trigger link pulse specifications ................................................................................. 5-48

Figure 5-12 Trigger link connectors ............................................................................................................................ 5-49

vii

6 IEEE-488 Reference

Figure 6-1 IEEE-488 connector ................................................................................................................................... 6-3

Figure 6-2 IEEE-488 connections ................................................................................................................................ 6-3

Figure 6-3 IEEE-488 connector location ..................................................................................................................... 6-4

Figure 6-4 Contact configuration ................................................................................................................................. 6-5

Figure 6-5 System 41 status register structure ........................................................................................................... 6-10

Figure 6-6 Standard event status ................................................................................................................................ 6-11

Figure 6-7 Operation event status .............................................................................................................................. 6-13

Figure 6-8 Arm event status ....................................................................................................................................... 6-16

Figure 6-9 Sequence event status ............................................................................................................................... 6-19

Figure 6-10 Trigger event status .................................................................................................................................. 6-22

Figure 6-11 Questionable event status ......................................................................................................................... 6-25

Figure 6-12 Status byte and service request (SRQ) ..................................................................................................... 6-29

Figure 6-13 Trigger Model (IEEE-488 bus operation) ................................................................................................ 6-32

Figure 6-14 Standard Event Status Enable Register .................................................................................................... 6-46

Figure 6-15 Standard Event Status Register ................................................................................................................ 6-48

Figure 6-16 Service Request Enable Register .............................................................................................................. 6-54

Figure 6-17 Status Byte Register ................................................................................................................................. 6-56

Figure 6-18 Operation Event Register ......................................................................................................................... 6-77

Figure 6-19 Trigger Event Register ............................................................................................................................. 6-78

Figure 6-20 Arm Event Register .................................................................................................................................. 6-78

Figure 6-21 Sequence Event Register .......................................................................................................................... 6-79

Figure 6-22 Questionable Event Register .................................................................................................................... 6-79

Figure 6-23 Operation Event Enable Register ............................................................................................................. 6-81

Figure 6-24 Trigger Event Enable Register ................................................................................................................. 6-81

Figure 6-25 Arm Event Enable Register ...................................................................................................................... 6-82

Figure 6-26 Sequence Event Enable Register .............................................................................................................. 6-82

Figure 6-27 Questionable Event Enable Register ........................................................................................................ 6-82

Figure 6-28 Operation Transition Filter ....................................................................................................................... 6-84

Figure 6-29 Trigger Transition Filter ........................................................................................................................... 6-85

Figure 6-30 Arm Transition Filter ................................................................................................................................ 6-86

Figure 6-31 Sequence Transition Filter ........................................................................................................................ 6-87

Figure 6-32 Questionable Transition Filter .................................................................................................................. 6-88

7 Maintenance

Figure 7-1 First pattern for display test ........................................................................................................................ 7-4

C IEEE-488 Bus Overview

Figure C-1 IEEE-488 bus configuration ...................................................................................................................... C-3

Figure C-2 IEEE-488 handshake sequence .................................................................................................................. C-5

Figure C-3 Command codes ........................................................................................................................................ C-9

viii

List of Tables

3 Getting Started

Table 3-1 Abbreviated common command summary .............................................................................................. 3-16

Table 3-2 Abbreviated SCPI command summary .................................................................................................... 3-17

4 RF Modules

Table 4-1 Model RF6X6 — pre-programmed channel patterns ................................................................................. 4-5

Table 4-2 Model RF6X6 — commands to store channel patterns in memory ........................................................... 4-8

Table 4-3 Model RF10X10 — pre-programmed channel patterns ........................................................................... 4-12

Table 4-4 Model RF10X10 — commands to store channel patterns in memory ..................................................... 4-16

Table 4-5 Model RF1X72 — pre-programmed channel patterns ............................................................................. 4-21

Table 4-6 Model RF1X72 — commands to store channel patterns in memory ....................................................... 4-25

5 Front Panel Operation

Table 5-1 Error and status messages .......................................................................................................................... 5-4

Table 5-2 Significance of channel LEDs .................................................................................................................... 5-8

Table 5-3 MENU structure ....................................................................................................................................... 5-26

Table 5-4 Default conditions .................................................................................................................................... 5-28

Table 5-5 CARD CONFIG MENU structure ........................................................................................................... 5-33

Table 5-6 CONFIGURE SCAN menu structure ...................................................................................................... 5-36

6 IEEE-488 Reference

Table 6-1 IEEE contact designations ......................................................................................................................... 6-5

Table 6-2 General bus commands .............................................................................................................................. 6-7

Table 6-3 IEEE-488.2 common commands and queries .......................................................................................... 6-43

Table 6-4 Default conditions .................................................................................................................................... 6-52

Table 6-5 DISPlay command summary ................................................................................................................... 6-58

Table 6-6 ROUTe command summary .................................................................................................................... 6-63

Table 6-7 STATus command summary ................................................................................................................... 6-75

Table 6-8 SYSTem command summary .................................................................................................................. 6-94

Table 6-9 Trigger command summary ..................................................................................................................... 6-96

A Interface Function Codes

Table A-1 System 41 interface function codes ........................................................................................................... A-3

C IEEE-488 Bus Overview

Table C-1 IEEE-488 bus command summary ............................................................................................................ C-6

Table C-2 Hexadecimal and decimal command codes ............................................................................................. C-10

Table C-3 Typical addressed command sequence .................................................................................................... C-10

Table C-4 Typical common command sequence ..................................................................................................... C-10

Table C-5 IEEE command groups ............................................................................................................................ C-11

D IEEE-488 Conformance Information

Table D-1 IEEE-488 documentation requirements .................................................................................................... D-2

E SCPI Conformance Information

Table E-1 Syntax of SCPI confirmed commands implemented by System 41 .......................................................... E-2

Table E-2 Syntax of non-SCPI commands implemented by System 41 .................................................................... E-5

General Information

•

1-2 General Information System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Introduction

This section contains general information about the System 41.

Features

Warranty Information

Manual Addenda

Safety Symbols and Terms

Speciﬁcations

Inspection

Optional Accessories

Features

Some important System 41 features include:

High Density Switching  The System 41 can control up to 240 RF switch contacts.

RF Modules  RF modules available for the System 41 include the Models RF6 × 6 and RF10 × 10 (which are full access non-blocking coaxial matrices), and the Model RF1 × 72 (which is a coaxial multiplexer.

Close/Open or Scan  The System 41 can simply close and/or open one or more channel patterns, or scan through a speciﬁed list of channel patterns.

Channel LED Display  The real-time LED display monitors the state (closed or open) of all available channels.

Memory  Pre-programmed channel patterns are saved in memory to accommodate all input/output combinations for the installed RF module. Also, ten customized instrument setups can be saved in memory for later recall.

IEEE-488 Bus  Bus operation conforms to the IEEE-488.2 and SCPI standards.

Trigger Link  Allows the System 41 to trigger (or be triggered by) one or more external instruments.

A light pen provides point and click programming from the front panel.

Warranty information

Warranty information is located on the inside front cover of this instruction manual. Should your System 41 require warranty service, contact the Keithley representative or authorized repair facility in your area for further information. When returning the instrument for repair, be sure to ﬁll out and include the service form at the back of this manual in order to provide the repair facility with the necessary information.

Manual addenda

Any improvements or changes concerning the instrument or manual will be explained in an addendum included with the manual. Be sure to note these changes and incorporate them into the manual.

•

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual General Information 1-3

Safety symbols and terms

The following symbols and terms may be found on an instrument or used in this manual.

Speciﬁcations

Inspection

The symbol tions located in the instruction manual.

The symbol on an instrument shows that high voltage may be present on the terminal(s). Use standard safety precautions to avoid personal contact with these voltages.

The WARNING heading used in this manual explains dangers that might result in personal injury or death. Always read the associated information very carefully before performing the indicated procedure.

The CAUTION heading used in this manual explains hazards that could damage the instruments. Such damage may invalidate the warranty.

System 41 speciﬁcations may be found at the front of this manual.

The System 41 was carefully inspected, both electrically and mechanically before shipment. After unpacking all items from the shipping carton, check for any obvious signs of physical damage that may have occurred during transit. Report any damage to the shipping agent immediately. Save the original packing carton for possible future reshipment. The following items are included with every System 41 order:

on an instrument indicates that the user should refer to the operating instruc-

System 41

System 41 Instruction Manual

Accessories as ordered.

If an additional instruction manual is required, order the manual package, Keithley part number 41MWS-901-00. The manual package includes an instruction manual and any pertinent addenda.

Optional accessories

The following accessories are available from Keithley for use with the System 41.

Model S41-RMK-1 Fixed Rack Mount Kit: Mounts a System 41 to a standard 19-inch rack.

Model 8503 DIN to BNC Trigger Cable: Allows you to connect the trigger link to an external

instrument that uses two BNC connectors for external triggering.

Models 8501-1 and 8501-2 Trigger Link Cables: The Model 8501-1 is one meter in length, and

the Model 8501-2 is two meters in length.

Model 7007 Shielded IEEE-488 Cables: Connects the System 41 to the IEEE-488 bus using

shielded cables to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The Model 7007-1 is one meter in length and has an EMI shielded IEEE-488 connector at each end. The Model 7007-2 is identical to the Model 7007-1, but is two meters in length.

1-4 General Information System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Installation

and Connections

2-2 Installation and Connections System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Introduction

Information in this section is organized as follows:

•

Installation

•

Line power, GPIB and trigger link connections

41 to line power, how to make connections for the GPIB, and how to make connections for external triggering.

•

SMA coaxial connections

connect your test cables to the System 41.

— Explains how to mount the System 41 in a standard 19-inch equipment rack.

— Summarizes how to connect the System

— Provides tips to clean SMA connections, and explains how to

Installation

The System 41 must be installed in a standard 19-inch metal equipment rack. The rack must be connected to a known earth ground.

General installation guidelines

In order to meet EN 55022, Class A Radiated Emissions levels, all components in your RF test system require the following:

•

All components must be mounted in a metal enclosure or the equivalent. All surfaces of the enclosure must be adequately grounded to adjacent surfaces to provide electrical conductivity. Cables external to the enclosures must be in metal conduit or the equivalent. Using shielded cables and power line ﬁltering is equivalent to using metal conduit.

•

The conduit (shielded coaxial cable) must be connected to the enclosures using standard procedures and hardware to ensure electrical conductivity between the enclosures and conduit.

CAUTION

To avoid back injury, use two or more people to lift and move the System 41.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Installation and Connections 2-3

Rack mount

A System 41 can be mounted into a standard 19-inch equipment rack using user-supplied angle support brackets, shelf, or Model S41-RMK-1 Fixed Rack Mounting Kit.

Angle support brackets

using user-supplied angle support brackets or shelf:

1. Select a position in the rack. The System 41 typically takes up 7 inches of vertical space.

NOTE

2. Install the angle support brackets to the rack and secure them.

3. Lift the System 41 onto the support brackets and slide it into the rack. The four slotted mounting holes in the front panel dictate the location of the captive nut fasteners on the front rack rails. Mark where the supplied fasteners are to be installed, and remove the System 41 from the rack.

4. Install four #10 captive nut fasteners to the front rack rails. Position them such that the captive nuts are located behind the holes of the front rack rails.

5. Lift the System 41 onto the support brackets and slide it into the rack. Secure the chassis to the front rack ﬂanges with four 10-32 × ⅝ inch Phillips pan head screws.

Model S41-RMK-1 Fixed Rack Mount Kit — The following steps summarize rack mounting a System 41. For detailed installation information, see the packing list that is included with the kit.

1. Select a position in the rack. The System 41 typically takes up 7 inches of vertical space.

NOTE The chassis must be mounted at a height that is an increment of 1¾ inch

The chassis must be mounted at a height that is an increment of 1 from the top or bottom of the rack. Attempting to mount the mainframe at a non-incremental height will lead to difﬁculties with hole alignment.

from the top or bottom of the rack. Attempting to mount the mainframe at a non-incremental height will lead to difﬁculties with hole alignment.

— Perform the following steps to mount the System 41 into the rack

¾ inch

2. Hold up the System 41 at the selected location in the rack. The four slotted mounting holes in the front panel dictate the location of the captive nut fasteners on the front rack rails. Mark where the supplied fasteners are to be installed.

3. Install the four fasteners so the captive nuts are located behind the appropriate holes on the front rack rails.

4. Loosely attach the two rear support brackets to the sides of the mainframe. Each bracket is secured using two supplied screws.

5. Position the mainframe in the rack to adjust the support brackets, and note the location for the four captive nut fasteners on the rear rack rails.

6. Install the four fasteners so the captive nuts are located behind the appropriate holes on the rear rack rails.

7. Loosely mount the mainframe to the front and rear rack rails using 10-32 × ⅝ inch screws. Secure the rear support brackets to the chassis.

8. Tighten all screws.

2-4 Installation and Connections System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Line power, GPIB, and trigger link connections

WARNING Before beginning any connection procedure, make sure the power

switch, which is located on the rear panel, is in the off (0) position.

Line power

NOTE Details on power-up are provided in Section 3, “Power-up procedure.”

The power module (located on the rear panel of the mainframe) has the AC line power receptacle and the power switch.

With the power switch in the off (0) position, connect the supplied line cord to the AC receptacle on the rear and connect the other end to a grounded AC outlet. There are no line voltage settings for the System 41. It is sensed and set automatically.

GPIB

For GPIB operation, you will have to connect a Model 7007 IEEE-488 cable to the System 41 and to the IEEE-488 interface in your computer.

Trigger link

NOTE Details on IEEE-488 connections and all aspects of GPIB operation are

provided in Section 6.

The IEEE-488 connector is located on the rear panel of the System 41. Connect either end of the cable to this connector, and connect the other end to the IEEE-488 connector on your computer.

If you are going to use external triggering in your test system, you will have to connect a Model 8501 trigger link cable from the System 41 to the external instrument that will be sending and/or receiving triggers.

NOTE Details on trigger link connections and all aspects of external triggering

are provided in Section 5, “External triggering (Trigger Link).”

There are two trigger link connectors located on the rear panel of the System 41. Connect either end of the trigger link cable to either one of the trigger link connectors. Connect the other end of the trigger link cable to the other instrument. The other trigger link connector can be connected to a second external instrument using another Model 8501 trigger link cable.

If the external instrument(s) use BNC connectors for external triggering (one for input triggers, one for output triggers), you can use the Model 8503 adapter to make the connections.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Installation and Connections 2-5

SMA coaxial connections

CAUTION Before making any connections to the SMA connectors on the

System 41, you should be familiar with basic operation as explained

in Section 3, “Getting Started”. It is recommended that you perform the operation demos (Section 3, “Operation demos”) before making any SMA connections.

The System 41 uses SMA coaxial connectors suitable for the speciﬁed operating frequency range. These input and output connectors are located on the rear panel.

NOTE Connection information that is speciﬁc to the installed RF module is

provided in Section 4.

Mating connectors must be clean, must meet connector type interface speciﬁcations, and must be tightened to the appropriate torque speciﬁcations.

SMA connector cleaning

WARNING Contact with exposed conductors carrying RF power may cause

burns. Make sure all power is off before cleaning SMA connectors.

System 41 SMA connectors and mating connectors on your test cables must be free of foreign material to prevent performance degradation. Visually inspect the connector using a 4× to 10× magnifying lens. Try to blow foreign material off the connector using canned air (canned air is recommended due to the presence of moisture and oils in air supplied by standard industrial compressors). Use a lint free miniature cleaning swab moistened with clean isopropyl alcohol to wipe off any remaining foreign material.

SMA connector mating

WARNING Contact with exposed conductors carrying RF power may cause

CAUTION Mating connectors with out of tolerance pin depths may destroy the

1. Remove all power from your test system.

2. Remove the protective cap from the SMA connector and save for future use. Keep the caps on all unused connectors.

3. Connect your test cable and tighten using a 5/16 inch torque wrench to 7-10 inch-lb.

CAUTION Application of excessive torque may damage the SMA connector.

burns. Make sure all power is off before connecting test cables. All

cables should be properly mated and shielded.

connector. Verify pin depth before mating connectors.

2-6 Installation and Connections System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Getting Started

3-2 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Introduction

CAUTION The RF switches for the standard switching modules are designed

for cold switching. Hot switching (especially above 1W) may degrade performance and shorten the life of the switches. If hot switching is required, please consult Keithley Instruments for a customized switching module which incorporates switches specially designed for hot switching applications.

NOTE Switching procedures in this manual use cold switching. That is, the sig-

nal is removed before a switch is closed or opened. However, for low power applications, the RF switches are rated to hot switch up to 1W.

This section contains introductory information on using your System 41 Switch System. For detailed front panel and IEEE-488 bus operation, refer to Sections 5 and 6, respectively. Section 4 provides reference information for the installed RF module.

The information in this section is arranged as follows:

• Power-up procedure — Covers information on connecting the instrument to line power, the power-up sequence, and the cooling fan.

• Front and rear panel conﬁguration — Summarizes the controls, light pen receptacle, and the two displays on the front panel of the instrument.

• Light pen — Summarizes the basic operations that can be performed with the optional light pen.

• Display modes — Covers the two basic display modes and explains how to toggle from one display mode to the other.

• Channel LEDs, patterns, and assignments — Shows how the status LEDs correspond to the switch channels, and explains the two formats to specify channels to be opened/closed or scanned.

• Operation demos — Demonstrates basic operation using channel patterns. Recommended for ﬁrst time users.

• Front panel operation summary — Summarizes the general procedures to open/close channel patterns and scan channel patterns.

• Introduction to IEEE-488.2 and SCPI — Discusses some fundamental information con- cerning operation over the IEEE-488 bus.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-3

Power-up procedure

The System 41 can be operated from line voltages from 100 to 240VAC at line frequencies from 50 to 60Hz.

Line power connections

Using the supplied power cord, connect the instrument to an appropriate AC power source. The female end of the cord connects to the AC receptacle on the rear panel of the instrument. The other end of the cord connects to a grounded AC outlet.

WARNING The System 41 must be connected to a grounded outlet to maintain

continued protection against possible shock hazards. Failure to use a grounded outlet may result in personal injury or death due to electric shock.

Power switch

The power switch is located on the rear panel above the AC receptacle. The “1” position for this rocker switch turns the power on and the “0” position turns power off.

Power-up sequence

On power-up, the System 41 will go through the following sequence:

1. The instrument will perform self-tests on its EPROM and RAM memory elements. If a failure is detected, the instrument will lock up and display the following message:

No Comm Link

NOTE If a problem develops while the instrument is under warranty, return it

2. If the instrument passes the self-tests, the ﬁrmware revision levels and current selected IEEE-488 address will be displayed. An example of this display is shown as follows:

where: Model 7002 is the ﬁrmware used for the System 41. BXX is the ﬁrmware revision level for the main CPU. BYY is the ﬁrmware revision level for the VFD display. BZZ is the ﬁrmware revision level for the LED display. 7 is the current IEEE-488 Address. Note that the instrument is shipped from the factory with the address set to 7.

to Keithley Instruments, Inc. for repair.

Model 7002

BXX BYY BZZ IEEE Addr = 07

3-4 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Cooling fan

Excessive heat could damage the System 41. It must be operated in an environment where the ambient temperature does not exceed 50˚C.

The System 41 uses a cooling fan to help keep it from overheating. The fan is located on the rear panel above the power module. It draws in cool air and expels hot air out the exhaust vent. As viewed from the front of the mainframe, the exhaust vent is located on the right side panel, near the front.

To maintain proper ventilation, the fan intake and exhaust vents must be kept from becoming blocked. When installing the System 41, make sure there is adequate airﬂow around the rear and side panels to ensure proper cooling. Installing high power dissipation equipment adjacent to the System 41 could cause excessive heating to occur. The speciﬁed ambient temperature (< must be maintained around the surfaces of the System 41.

50˚C)

Front and rear panel conﬁgurations

Front panel

The front panel of the System 41 is shown in Figure 3-1. This ﬁgure includes important abbreviated information that should be reviewed before operating the instrument. Notice that some of the controls are dual-function, rocker-action type keys. These include SCAN/CARD CONFIGURATION, DELETE/INSERT, EXIT/ENTER and / .

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-5

Figure 3-1

System 41 front panel

SYSTEM 41 MAINFRAME

INFO

LOCAL

SAVE SETUP

SAVE RESTORE PWR ON RESET

CHAN-CONTROL

CHAN-SPACING

POWER

NO. OF CHANS CONTROL

MEMORY CONFIGURATION

GPIB

ADDRESS STATUS

SCAN-CONTROL

SCAN-SPACING NO. OF SCANS CONTROL

TEST

BUILT-IN DISPLAY

SCAN

ARM-CONTROL

ARM-SPACING ARM-COUNT TRIGGER-CONTROL

CONTROL DATA ENTRY STATUS

1 Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD)

Provides two lines of alpha-numeric information and includes annunciators.

2 INFO

Displays on-line help information. Press again (or EXIT) to cancel message.

3 LOCAL

Cancels remote, restores front panel control.

4 POWER INDICATOR

5 OPEN ALL

Opens all channels of all slots. Also, aborts a scan.

6 SCAN LIST

Toggles between Scan List and Channel List.

7 CLEAR LIST

Clears the displayed Channel List or Scan List.

8 STEP

Takes SYSTEM 41 out of idle state and can be used to step through the Scan List.

9 STORE

Stores channel pattern or list at a specified memory location.

10 RECALL

Restores System 41 to a channel pattern stored at a specified memory location.

GENERAL

LANGUAGE

SERIAL #

ENGLISH

STATUS-MSGS

DEUTSCH

DISPLAY

FRANÇAIS

BREAK-BFR-MAKE

CHAN-RESTRICTIONS

SINGLE -CHAN RESTRICTED CHANNELS INTERLOCK

17 18 19

12 SCAN CONFIGURATION

Enables CONFIGURE SCAN menu:

CHAN CONTROL SCAN CONTROL ARM CONTROL CHAN RESTRICTIONS

CARD CONFIGURATION

Enables CARD CONFIG MENU:

TYPE # OF POLES CARD PAIR DELAY READ I/O CARD

13 MENU

Enables MAIN MENU:

SAVESETUP GPIB DIGITAL I/O TEST LANGUAGE GENERAL

14 CLOSE

Closes specified (displayed) channels in Channel List.

15 DELETE

Deletes selected entry from Channel List or Scan List.

INSERT

Insert an entry at selected location in Channel List or Scan List.

16 EXIT

Use to back out of a menu structure. Cancels INFO message.

ENTER

Execute pending operation. Separate channels, and terminate selected list.

SLOT 1

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 2

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 3

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 4

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 5

1234 6785910

ROW

1234 6785910

SLOT 6

ROW

SLOT 7

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 8

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 9

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 10

1234 6785910

ROW

OPEN ALL

OPEN

STEP

SCAN LIST

INSERT

DELETE

BACKSPACE

▲▼

HOME

END

—

SHOW LIST

EXIT

ENTER

LIGHT PEN

PEN

17 Keypad

0-9 Numeric entry

- Channel range separator (i.e. M1-M4).

M Memory location designator (i.e. M6). Move cursor left. Move cursor right. Separate channels, and terminate selected list.

18 Channel LEDs

Provides status (on/off or list inclusion). With light pen, use to open/close or include in selected list.

19 Control LEDs (Light Pen)

OPEN ALL Same as OPEN ALL key.

OPEN Same as OPEN key. CLOSE Same as CLOSE key.

STEP Same as STEP key.

SCAN LIST Same as SCAN LIST key.

Indicates selected list.

INSERT Same as INSERT key.

DELETE Same as DELETE key.

BACKSPACE Move cursor left

and delete entry.

< Same as < key.

> Same as > key.

HOME Move cursor to beginning

of selected list.

END Move cursor to end of selected list.

- Same as - key

SHOW LIST Toggles between display

modes (relay status or list). Indicates selected mode.

EXIT Same as EXIT key.

ENTER Same as ENTER key.

20 LIGHT PEN

Receptacle for plug of light pen.

11 OPEN

Opens the specified (displayed) channels in Channel List.

3-6 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Rear panel

The rear panel of the System 41 is shown in Figure 3-2 (RF Module not installed). This ﬁgure also includes important abbreviated information that should be reviewed before operating the instrument.

Figure 3-2

System 41 rear panel

1 TRIGGER LINK

Two micro 8-pin DIN connectors. Use trigger link cables.

2 IEEE-488 Connector

Use standard IEEE-488 cables.

3 Line Power Module

Contains the AC power line receptacle, power line fuse, and the power on/off switch. WARNING: Connect to grounded outlet using three-wire power cord.

4 Intake Vent for Cooling Fan

WARNING:

NO INTERNAL OPERATOR SERVICEABLE PARTS. SERVICE BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY. FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION

AGAINST FIRE HAZARD, REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING.

LINE RATING 100-240 VAC

50-60 Hz 270 VA MAX. FUSE RATING

2.5 A, 250 V

SLOWBLOW

T R

N G G E R

O I

U N

T K

IEEE-488

MADE IN

U.S.A.

MODEL: SYS 41

SERIAL NUMBER

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-7

Quick start

“Quick start” is an exercise to quickly acquaint you with the process to open and close channels. It is not comprehensive enough to use as stand-alone procedures to switch RF signals. It does not address important considerations, such as cold-switching, and does not cover safety issues.

WARNING To eliminate the possibility of electric shock and to prevent inadvert-

ent damage to RF switches, DO NOT connect test signals to the inputs or outputs of the RF module for the following procedures to open/close channels. If there are any signals connected to the RF module, remove them.

In order to connect an RF input to an output, two or more RF switches (channels) must be closed to complete the signal path. To simplify operation, the System 41 uses pre-programmed channel patterns. When a channel pattern (i.e., M1) is speciﬁed in the channel list, the RF switches assigned to that channel pattern will close when the channel pattern is closed.

Keep in mind that the RF switches closed by a channel pattern depend on which RF module is installed. For example, channel pattern M10 for the Model RF6x6 module closes the appropriate RF switches to connect Input 2 to Output 4, while M10 for the Model RF10x10 module closes switches to connect Input 1 to Output 10.

NOTE The channel status LEDs indicate channels that are closed (relay status

display mode), or channels that are included in the channel or scan list (channel or scan list display mode). See “Display modes” (next topic in this section) for details on selecting the display mode.

Restore defaults

Restoring RESET defaults will ensure that the instrument is properly conﬁgured to perform a manual scan.

1. Press the MENU key to display the MAIN MENU.

2. Use the cursor keys ( and ) to place the cursor on SAVESETUP and press ENTER to display the following menu:

SETUP MENU

SAVE RESTORE PWRON RESET

3. Place the cursor on RESET and press ENTER. The “RESETTING INSTRUMENT” message will be displayed.

4. Press ENTER again. The “RESET COMPLETE” message will be displayed.

5. Press ENTER to return the display to the SETUP MENU.

6. Press EXIT twice to exit from the MAIN MENU.

▲

Open and close channel patterns

▲

1. Set the System 41 to display the channel list:

a. Use the SCAN LIST key to display “SELECT CHANNELS”.

b. Press OPEN ALL to ensure that there are no closed channels.

c. Press CLEAR LIST to clear any channels from the channel list.

3-8 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

2. Perform the following steps to place channel patterns into the channel list.

a. Using the keypad, press “M”, key in a channel pattern number, and press ENTER. For

example, press “M”, “1”, “3” and then ENTER to place channel pattern M13 in the channel list.

b. Repeat step 2a to place additional channels patterns in the channel list.

3. To close the displayed channel pattern(s), press the CLOSE key.

4. To open the channels, press OPEN ALL. Pressing CLEAR LIST will remove the channels from the channel list.

Remote programming — The following command sequence demonstrates how to closes channel patterns:

OPEN:ALL ‘ Open all channels. CLOSe (@M1, M15) ‘ Close channel patterns M1 and M15. CLOSe:STATe? ‘ Request the channels that are closed*. OPEN:ALL ‘ Open all channels.

* After sending CLOSe:STATe?, the System 41 must be addressed to talk to obtain the channel

list.

Display modes

There are two basic display modes; the relay status display mode and the list display mode. In the relay status display mode (see Figure 3-3), the channel LEDs provide the open/close status of the available channels. This is the display mode you want to be in when closing/opening channels or scanning so that you can observe the real-time state of each switch in your system.

In a list display mode (see Figure 3-4), the channel LEDs indicate which channels are included in the list (channel list or scan list). Figure 3-5 provides an example of channel status for the two display modes. If you create a list while in this display mode, be sure to toggle back to the relay status display mode before closing/opening channels or scanning.

Figure 3-3

Relay status display mode

VFD:

EDIT ERR REM TALK LSTN SRQ REAR REL FILT MATH 4W AUTO ARM TRIG SMPL

A) Channel List Selected

VFD:

EDIT ERR REM TALK LSTN SRQ REAR REL FILT MATH 4W AUTO ARM TRIG SMPL

B) Scan List Selected

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-9

Figure 3-4

List display modes

VFD:

EDIT ERR REM TALK LSTN SRQ REAR REL FILT MATH 4W AUTO ARM TRIG SMPL

A) Channel List Display Mode

VFD:

EDIT ERR REM TALK LSTN SRQ REAR REL FILT MATH 4W AUTO ARM TRIG SMPL

B) Scan List Display Mode

Figure 3-5

Status interpretation of channel LEDs

COLUMN

SLOT 1

1234 6785910

(1)

(11)

(21)

(31)

= LED brightly lit

(10)

(20)

(30)

(40)

Channel List Display

Relay Status

= Channel closed

= Channel open

Scan List Display

= Channel included in selected list

Changing the display mode (keypad method)

1. Press the MENU key to display the MAIN MENU.

2. Using the cursor keys ( and ), place the cursor on GENERAL and press ENTER.

3. Place the cursor on DISPLAY and press ENTER to display the following MENU:

CONFIG LED DISPLAY RELAY-STATUS CURRENT LIST

RELAY STATUS selects the relay status display mode and CURRENT LIST selects the list display mode.

4. Place the cursor on the desired display mode and press ENTER.

5. Use EXIT to back out of the menu structure.

3-10 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Channel LEDs, patterns, and assignments

There are two formats to specify channels to be opened/closed or scanned. The rudimentary format uses channel assignments (slot and channel), while the preferred format uses preprogrammed channel patterns stored in memory.

Channel LEDs

The 400 channel LEDs on the front panel are arranged in 10 arrays of 40 LEDs each. Six of these arrays are available for System 41 operation. Each LED array corresponds to a mainframe slot. As shown in Figure 3-5, the ﬁrst row of LEDs corresponds to channels 1 through 10, the second row corresponds to channels 11 through 20, the third row corresponds to channels 21 through 30, and the last row corresponds to channels 31 through 40.

LEDs that are completely turned off indicate that switching channels are not available at those locations. As shown in Figure 3-5, a brightly lit LED indicates that the channel is closed (relay status display mode), or the channel is included in the channel list or scan list.

Channel patterns

A channel pattern is simply a pattern of open and closed channels (switches) that is stored in memory. To simplify operation, the System 41 is shipped with the appropriate channel patterns already stored in memory.

For example, the pre-programmed M1 channel pattern for the RF 6×6 Module has channels 5!6 and 5!18 closed (the rest of the channels are open). When M1 is closed or scanned, channels 5!6 and 5!18 will close to connect Input 1 to Output 1.

For close/open operation, using channel patterns is the easiest way to create a channel list.

Channel assignments

Channel assignments can be used to close/open channels. A channel assignment is based on the channel number and the mainframe slot assignment for the RF switch. Figure 3-6 shows the general channel assignment format, and Figure 3-7 provides the channel assignments for all six slots. Note that an exclamation point (!) is used to separate the slot and channel number.

Note that the channel assignment format cannot be used for scanning. An RF module requires that two or more channels close at the same time for each step of the scan. That cannot be done using individual channels. You must use channel patterns in a scan list.

Figure 3-6

Channel assignment format

S ! C

Slot: S = 1-6

Example: 1 ! 6 = Slot 1, Channel 6

Channel: C = 1-40

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-11

Figure 3-7

Channel assignments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

S!1

S!2

S!3

S!4

S!5

S!6

S!7

S!8

S!9

S!10

Operation demos

S!11

S!21

S!31

S!12

S!22

S!32

S!13

S!23

S!33

S!14

S!24

S!34

S!15

S!25

S!35

S!16

S!26

S!36

S!17

S!27

S!37

S!18

S!28

S!38

S!19

S!29

S!39

S!20

S!30

S!40

where; S is the slot number (1-6)

A fast and easy way to acquaint yourself with basic front panel operation is to use the following operation demos.

CAUTION To prevent damage to the System 41, the RF switches must be cold

switched. For cold switching, test signals must not be present when an RF switch is opened or closed.

Even though the following procedures use cold switching, the demos should be performed with nothing connected to the inputs and outputs of the System 41.

WARNING Before turning the System 41 on, make sure it is connected to a

grounded power receptacle using the supplied power cord or equivalent. Failure to properly ground the unit creates a shock hazard that could result in injury or death.

Restoring default settings

To ensure that the demos operate properly, perform the following steps to reset the System 41 to its default settings:

1. Press the MENU key. The MAIN MENU will be displayed.

2. Place the cursor on SAVESETUP using the and cursor keys and press the ENTER key. The SETUP MENU will be displayed.

3. Place the cursor on RESET and press ENTER. The “RESETTING INSTRUMENT” message will be displayed.

4. Press ENTER again. The “RESET COMPLETE” message will be displayed.

5. Press ENTER to return the display to the SETUP MENU.

6. Press EXIT twice to exit from the MAIN MENU.

3-12 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Demo — Close and open channels

This demo will use two pre-programmed channel patterns (M1 and M15) to simultaneously close four channels of the RF module. For the RF 6×6 Module, this would connect Input 1 to Output 1, and Input 3 to Output 3.

Step 1 Select the list display mode

In the list display mode, channel LED status will correspond to channels entered in the channel list.

Press MENU, select GENERAL, select DISPLAY, select SHOW LIST and ﬁnally, select CURRENT LIST.

After selecting CURRENT LIST, use the EXIT key to back out of the menu structure.

Note that the SHOW LIST LED is on with the list display mode selected.

NOTE See “Display modes” for details on selecting the list display mode.

Step 2 Display the channel list

The SCAN LIST key toggles between the scan list and the channel list. Press SCAN LIST to display “SELECT CHANNELS.”

Note that the SCAN LIST LED is off (dimly lit) when the channel list is selected.

Step 3 Enter channel patterns (M1 and M15)

To enter the M1 channel pattern, press “M” and “1,” and then ENTER.

To enter the M15 channel pattern, press “M,” “1,” “5,” and then ENTER.

The channel status LEDs that correspond to the M1 and M15 channels will be brightly lit. For example, if the RF 6×6 Module is installed, the LEDs for channels 5!6, 5!18, 4!4 and 4!16 will be brightly lit.

Step 4 Select the relay status display mode

The relay status display mode must be selected in order to view the open and closed channels on the LED display.

Press MENU, select GENERAL, select DISPLAY, select SHOW LIST and ﬁnally, select RELAY STATUS.

After selecting RELAY STATUS, use the EXIT key to back out of the menu structure.

Note that the SHOW LIST LED turns off (dimly lit) when the relay status display mode is selected.

NOTE See “Display modes” for details on selecting the list display mode.

Step 5 Remove test signal

Before closing channels, the test signal must be removed from the input of the System 41. It can effectively be removed by setting it to 0V, 0A.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-13

Step 6 Close channels

To close the M1 and M15 channels, press the CLOSE key. The LEDs for the M1 and M15 channels will be brightly lit to indicate that they are channels.

For the RF 6×6 Module, channels 5!6, 5!18, 4!4 and 4!16 will be closed.

Step 7 Apply test signal

With the M1 and M15 channels closed, it is now safe to apply the test signal and perform your tests.

Step 8 Remove test signal

Before opening channels, the test signal must be removed from the input of the System 41. It can effectively be removed by setting it to 0V, 0A.

Step 9 Open channels

With the test signal removed, it is now safe to open channels.

Press OPEN (or OPEN ALL) to open the channels. Note that OPEN opens the channels speciﬁed in the channel list, while OPEN ALL also opens channels not speciﬁed in the list.

Front panel operation summary

The operation demos (see “Operation demos”) take you through step-by-step procedures to open/close channel patterns. The following information summarizes the general procedure to open/close channel patterns.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches (or in the very least,

shorten their life), cold switching must be exercised. For cold switching, the test signal(s) must be removed (or set to 0V, 0A) before an RF switch is closed or opened.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches and other equipment

connected to the System 41, DO NOT close more than one path through any input or output. In other words …

• NEVER connect an input to more than one output at a time.

• NEVER connect an output to more than one input at a time.

For example, if Input 1 is connected to Output 2, do not connect Input 1 to any other output, and do not connect Output 2 to any other input.

The System 41 is shipped with pre-programmed channel patterns to cover all input/output combinations for the installed RF module. A channel pattern (i.e., M1) is simply a pattern of open and closed channels (switches) stored in memory. For example, for the RF 6×6 Module, channel pattern M1 has channels 5!6 and 5!18 closed (all other channels are open). When you close or scan M1, both those channels will close simultaneously to connect Input 1 to Output 1.

3-14 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Using channel patterns is the preferred format to open/close channels. However, you can instead specify the individual channels in the channel list. Details on using individual channels in a channel list are provided in Section 5.

NOTE The channels closed by a channel pattern depends on which RF module

is installed in the System 41. For example, the M1 channel pattern for the RF 10×10 Module closes channels 5!10 and 5!30, while the M1 channel pattern for the RF 6×6 Module closes channels 5!6 and 5!18. To determine the actual switches closed by the channel patterns, refer to the documentation for the installed RF module (see Section 4).

If a pre-programmed channel pattern becomes corrupted (wrong pattern), you can reprogram it. To reprogram a channel pattern, refer to the documentation for the installed RF module in Section 4.

WARNING Before turning the System 41 on, make sure it is connected to a

grounded power receptacle using the supplied power cord or equivalent. Failure to properly ground the unit creates a shock hazard that could result in injury or death.

Create channel list and/or scan list

A channel list must be speciﬁed in order to close channels, and a scan list must be speciﬁed in order to scan channels.

Display mode consideration

When deﬁning a channel list or a scan list (Step 1 of the following procedure), you may want to place the instrument in the list display mode so that channel LED status corresponds to the channels in the selected list. However, after deﬁning the channel list and/or scan list, return the instrument to the relay status display mode so that channel LED status will correspond to open and closed channels.

“Changing the display mode (keypad method)” explains how to change the display mode using the keypad. With the light pen, the display mode is changed by clicking the SHOW LIST LED.

Step 1 Select list

SELECT CHANNELS (channel list) SCAN CHANNELS (scan list)

Press the SCAN LIST key to toggle between the channel list and the scan list. The EXIT key also selects the channel list.

Step 2 Enter channel patterns

Pressing the CLEAR LIST key removes all channels from the selected list.

Format examples: SELECT CHANNELS M1, M15,

SCAN CHANNELS M1, M2, M3, M4,

• Use the “M” key, and the number keys to enter a channel pattern.

• Press ENTER after keying in each channel pattern.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-15

Close and open channel patterns

Perform the following steps to control (close/open) the channels deﬁned in the channel list.

Step 1 Make sure the RELAY STATUS display mode is selected

If the instrument is not in the RELAY STATUS display mode, perform the following to select it:

Press MENU. From the MAIN MENU, select GENERAL. From the GENERAL MENU, select DISPLAY. From the CONFIG LED DISPLAY menu, select RELAY STATUS. Use EXIT to back out of the menu structure.

NOTE Refer to “Changing the display mode (keypad method)” if you need a

more detailed procedure to change the display mode.

Step 2 Close and open channels

Press the CLOSE key to close the channels speciﬁed in the channel list. Pressing the OPEN key will open the channels speciﬁed in the channel list. The OPEN ALL key opens all channels, including any channels not included in the list.

Introduction to IEEE-488.2 and SCPI

The following paragraphs discuss fundamental information concerning operation over the IEEE488 bus. Detailed information on operating the instrument from over the bus is contained in Section 6 of this manual.

SCPI overview

IEEE-488.2 deﬁnes a syntax for sending data to and from instruments. It also deﬁnes a set of Common Commands that are used to perform basic operations such as reading status registers, providing triggers, and resetting the instrument to default conditions.

SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) deﬁnes a standard set of commands (and format) to control every other aspect of instrument operation. Together, IEEE-488.2 and SCPI create a command structure for all programmable instruments.

Compatibility

An instrument that uses the IEEE-488.2 standard and SCPI does not have special hardware requirements. The IEEE-488 interface that you used with the old standard will work with the new standard. Simply connect the System 41 to a computer that is equipped with an IEEE-488 interface.

NOTE The term GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) is used in this manual

and in the menu structure of the instrument. GPIB is simply another term for the IEEE-488 bus.

3-16 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Bus connections

Before using the instrument over the bus, you must connect the IEEE-488 connector on the rear panel of the instrument to the IEEE-488 connector of your controller. Use a Keithley Model 7007 or similar IEEE-488 cable for this connection.

Primary address

The primary address of the System 41 must agree with the primary address you intend to specify in the controller’s programming language. The factory setting for the primary address is 7, so if you intend to use that address, you need not change it. However, the primary address can be set to any value between 0 and 30 by using the GPIB setup menu (ADDRESS selection) available with the MENU key.

Abbreviated common command summary

Table 3-1 provides an abbreviated list of Common Commands which are deﬁned by the IEEE-

488.2 standard. These are the Common Commands that are most used for bus operation. Note that each Common Command is preceded by a star (*).

Table 3-1

Abbreviated common command summary

Mnemonic Name Description

*CLS Clear status Clears Error Queue and event registers.

*RST Reset Returns the System 41 to *RST default conditions (see

*TRG Trigger Issues a bus trigger (same as group execute trigger

*SAV <n> Save Saves the current setup conﬁguration in memory

*RCL <n> Recall Returns the instrument to the setup conﬁguration stored

Abbreviated SCPI command summary

Most instrument operations are controlled using SCPI commands. Table 3-2 provides an abbreviated list of the SCPI commands necessary to perform some basic operations.

Not shown in the table are companion query commands for the :ARM and :TRIGger Subsystem commands (:COUNt?, :DELay?, :SOURce?, and :TIMer?). For example, the :TRIGger: SOURce? query command is used to request the currently selected control source. After the query command is sent and the System 41 is addressed to talk, a message identifying the selected control source will be sent to the computer.

Table 6-4).

command; GET).

(n = 0 to 9).

in memory (n = 0 to 9).

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-17

Table 3-2

Abbreviated SCPI command summary

:SYSTem

:PRESet

[:ROUTe]

:CLOSe <list>

:STATe? :OPEN <list>|ALL :SCAN <list>

:POINts?

:INITiate :ABORt :ARM

:LAYer2

:COUNt <n>

:DELay <n>

:SOURce <name>

:TIMer <n>

:TRIGger

:COUNt <n>

:AUTo <b> :DELay <n> :SOURce <name>

:TIMer <n>

Subsystem command path.

Set scan to a default conﬁguration (see Table 6-4).

Subsystem command path.

Path and command to close speciﬁed channels:

Request channels that are closed. Open speciﬁed (or all) channels. Path and command to specify channel list:

Query number of channels in scan list.

Initiate one trigger (scan) cycle. Reset trigger system. Subsystem command path to conﬁgure scan:

Path to program scan layer:

Program number of scans (1 to 9999, or INFinite).

Program delay (0 to 99999.999 seconds.

Select control source: HOLD, Immediate, TIMer, MANual,

BUS, TLINk.

Set timer interval (0.001 to 99999.999 sec).

Subsystem command path to program channel layer:

Program number of channels (1 to 9999, or INFinite).

Enable (on) or disable (off) automatic scan list count. Program delay (0 to 99999.999 sec). Select control source: HOLD, Immediate, TIMer, MANual,

BUS, TLINk. Set timer interval (0.001 to 99999.999 sec).

Notes:

1. Command shortform is indicated by the uppercase characters. For example, instead of sending “:arm:layer2:source immediate,” you can send “:arm:lay2:sour imm.”

2. There must be at least one space between a command word and the parameter.

Abbreviated syntax rules

Some of the basic syntax rules for programming the System 41 are covered in this paragraph. Detailed syntax information is provided in Section 6, “Programming syntax.”

Commands and parameters

The general form for SCPI commands is demonstrated in Table 3-2. They are hierarchical in nature and begin with a root command. For example, to open all channels, send the following command:

:OPEN ALL

The root command for the above example is :ROUTe. This is an optional command word (as indicated by the brackets ([]) in the table) and need not be used.

A space must be used to separate the command word (:OPEN) and the parameter (ALL).

The general form for Common Commands is shown in Table 3-1. Note that each common command is preceded by a star (*).

3-18 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Typical parameter types used to program the instrument include:

<name> — Name parameter: Select a parameter name from a listed group.

<list> — List of channels. The following example demonstrates proper format:

(@ M1, M15) Channel patterns M1 and M15

<b> — Boolean: Enable (1 or on) or disable (0 or off) a function.

<NRf> — Numeric representation format: Number can be expressed as an integer, real num-

ber, or an exponent (e.g. 2.3E6).

<n> — Numeric value: An NRf number or one of the following name parameters:

DEFault: Uses the *RST default parameter value MINimum: Uses the lowest allowable parameter value MAXimum: Uses the largest allowable parameter value

Most SCPI command words and name parameters have a short-form version. The short form versions are identiﬁed in the SCPI tables by the upper case characters. Example:

:TRIGger:SOURce:TIMer? = :trig:sour:tim?

Note from the above example that command words and parameter names are not case sensitive.

Query Commands

This type of command requests (queries) information and is identiﬁed by the question mark (?). Example:

:CLOSe:STATe? Queries the channels that are closed.

Whenever a query command is sent, the System 41 must be addressed to talk in order to send the response message to the computer.

Program Messages

A program message is made up of one or more command words sent by the computer to the instrument. Note from Table 3-2 that some programming operations require several command words.

Single Command Message — This program message uses the command words required to perform a single programming operation. Example:

:TRIGger:COUNt:AUTo ON Enables auto scan list count.

Multiple Command Message — This program message contains two or more command operations. Each command string is separated by a semicolon (;). The following example uses the short-form format to reduce the size of the message:

:trig:sour man; :trig:del 0.5

The above program message selects the Manual control source, and then sets delay to 0.5 seconds.

Commands that are on the same command level can be executed without having to repeat the entire command path. For example, the above multiple command message can be formatted as follows:

:trig:sour man; del 0.5

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Getting Started 3-19

Since :SOURce and :DELay are on the same command level (see Table 3-2), the :TRIGger command word does not have to be repeated for the second command string. Note also that the leading colon (:) for :DELay is not used.

Common commands and SCPI commands can be used in the same program message as long as they are separated by a semicolon (;). Example:

*RST; CLOSe (@ M1, M15)

Programming example

The following programming example shows the proper sequence for sending commands to close/open channel patterns. Cold switching is used to protect the RF switches from damage.

Example — Closing and opening channel patterns

The following command sequence will close the channels of M1 and M15.

Before sending any of the following commands, make sure that there are no test signals connected to the inputs or outputs of the System 41.

Comments

*RST; OPEN ALL 1 :CLOSe (@ M1, M15) 2 :CLOSe:STATe? 3

With the channels of M1 and M15 closed, it is now safe to apply the test signal to the System 41. When ﬁnished with the test, remove the test signals and send the following command to open the channels:

OPEN (@ M1, M15) 4

Comments

1. Restore the default settings and open all RF switches.

2. Close the channels of M1 and M15.

3. Request the channels that are closed. Note that for this query command you must address the System 41 to talk to obtain the channel list.

4. Open the channels of M1 and M15.

3-20 Getting Started System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

RF Modules

4-2 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Introduction

CAUTION The RF switches for the standard switching modules are designed

NOTE Switching procedures in this manual use cold switching. That is, the sig-

nal is removed before a switch is closed or opened. However, for low power applications, the RF switches are rated to hot switch up to 1W.

This section contains reference information for the RF modules. The information for each module is organized as follows:

• Overview — Summarizes operation and provides a simpliﬁed diagram of the RF switching module.

• Connections — Provides connection information that is speciﬁc to the installed RF module. General connection information is provided in Section 2.

• Switch control — Deﬁnes the channel patterns used to control the input/output switching combinations of the RF module. Also summarizes the proper method to close/open and scan channel patterns.

• Channel pattern memory — Explains how to check pre-programmed channel patterns, and how to reprogram ones that are inadvertently lost (cleared) or changed.

The RF modules documented in this section are as follows (refer to the RF module installed in your System 41):

• Model RF6×6 module

• Model RF10×10 module

• Model RF1×72 module

Model RF6X6 module

Overview

The Model RF6×6 is a full access non-blocking 6×6 RF coaxial matrix. The simpliﬁed diagram of the 6×6 RF switching matrix is shown in Figure 4-1. This matrix conﬁguration makes it possible to connect any of the six inputs to any of the six outputs.

As shown in Figure 4-1, each input and each output is made up of a 1×6 coaxial switch; six 1×6 coaxial switches for the inputs, and six 1×6 coaxial switches for the outputs. Therefore, there are 36 RF switches for the inputs, and 36 RF switches for the outputs. When a channel pattern is closed or scanned, two RF switches will close; one for the input and one for the output. The two closed switches provide the input-to-output path for the RF signal.

To keep the drawing simple, Figure 4-1 shows only six of the 12 coaxial switches. Therefore, only the signal paths for Input/Outputs 1, 2, and 6 are shown. However, the signal paths for all input/output combinations are listed in Table 4-1.

Example — Assume the RF test signal is connected to Input 1 and you want to access it at Output 6. To do this, you would close the channel pattern that connects Input 1 to Output 6. For the Model RF6×6, this would be channel pattern M6 as explained in “Switch control”.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-3

Figure 4-1

Model RF6X6 simpliﬁed diagram

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch 1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

C D E F

E F

Output 1

Output 2

Input 1

Input 2

B C D E F

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch 1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

B C D E F

Connections

The 12 SMA coaxial connectors are located on the rear panel of the System 41. Six connectors are for input (IN 1 through IN 6), and six are for output (OUT 1 through OUT 6). The center conductor of each SMA connector is connected to a 1 × 6 coaxial switch as shown in Figure 4-1. The outer shell of each SMA connector is connected to earth ground.

The techniques to properly (and safely) connect test cables to SMA connectors are provided in Section 2, “SMA coaxial connections.”

WARNING Contact with exposed conductors carrying RF power may cause

Input 6

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch 1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

B C D E F

B C

= RF Switch

burns. Make sure all power is off before making or breaking connections.

Output 6

4-4 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Switch control

The System 41 has pre-programmed channel patterns to control the installed RF module. These channel patterns cover all input-to-output switching combinations for the RF module.

For the Model RF6×6, each channel pattern closes an input switch and an output switch to route the RF signal through the matrix. The 36 pre-programmed channel patterns for the Model RF6×6 module are provided in Table 4-1. For example, if you want to connect Input 1 to Output 6, you would close M6. Notice that if not using channel patterns, you would have to close channels 5!12 and 5!13 to connect Input 1 to Output 6.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches and other equipment

connected to the System 41, DO NOT close more than one path through any input or output. In other words …

NEVER connect an input to more than one output at a time.

NEVER connect an output to more than one input at a time.

For example, if Input 1 is connected to Output 2, do not connect Input 1 to any other output, and do not connect Output 2 to any other input.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches (or in the very least,

shorten their life), cold switching must be exercised. For cold switching, the test signal(s) must be removed (or set to 0V, 0A) before an RF switch is closed or opened.

The following examples show proper channel list and scan list format. For details on operation, see Sections 3 and 4.

NOTE To assure that you do not inadvertently close more than one path

through any input or output, you should routinely open all channels before performing a close operation. To open all channels, press OPEN ALL. Over the bus, send the :OPEN ALL command.

Example Front Panel Operation Bus Operation

1 SELECT CHANNELS M4, :clos (@ M4)

2 SELECT CHANNELS M7, M17, :close (@ M7, M17)

3 SCAN CHANNELS M1, M5, M2 :scan (@ M1, M5, M2)

Example Notes:

1. Connects Input 1 to Output 4.

2. Simultaneously connects Input 2 to Output 1, and Input 3 to Output 5.

3. Scans three channel patterns. After each channel pattern is scanned, its two switches will open before the next channel pattern is scanned. The ﬁrst scanned channel pattern connects Input 1 to Output 1, the second scanned channel pattern connects Input 1 to Output 5, and the last scanned channel pattern connects Input 1 to Output 2.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-5

Table 4-1

Model RF6X6 — pre-programmed channel patterns

Connect

1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3

4 4 4 4 4 4

5 5 5 5 5 5

6 6 6 6 6 6

Channel pattern Switch closureIn Out

1 2 3 4 5 6

M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6

M7 M8 M9 M10 M11 M12

M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18

M19 M20 M21 M22 M23 M24

M25 M26 M27 M28 M29 M30

M31 M32 M33 M34 M35 M36

5!18 5!17 5!16 5!15 5!14 5!13

6!18 6!17 6!16 6!15 6!14 6!13

4!18 4!17 4!16 4!15 4!14 4!13

4!24 4!23 4!22 4!21 4!20 4!19

6!24 6!23 6!22 6!21 6!20 6!19

5!24 5!23 5!22 5!21 5!20 5!19

5!6 6!6 4!6 4!12 6!12 5!12

5!5 6!5 4!5 4!11 6!11 5!11

5!4 6!4 4!4 4!10 6!10 5!10

5!3 6!3 4!3 4!9 6!9 5!9

5!2 6!2 4!2 4!8 6!8 5!8

5!1 6!1 4!1 4!7 6!7 5!7

4-6 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Channel pattern memory

The 36 pre-programmed channel patterns for the Model RF6×6 Module are stored in memory. However, an illegal operation could cause one or more (or all) channel patterns to be lost (cleared) or changed. In that event, you will have to re-program lost or changed channel patterns.

Checking pre-programmed channel patterns

If you suspect that one or more pre-programmed channel patterns have been inadvertently lost or changed, you can check to see if a suspect channel pattern is closing the correct channels (switches).

CAUTION Make sure there is nothing connected to the input and output con-

nectors of the System 41. If there is, remove all power from the test system and disconnect all test cables.

1. Press OPEN ALL to make sure that all channels are open.

2. The System 41 must be in the relay status display mode (“RELAY STATUS” displayed). If it is not, use the following menu sequence to select it:

Press MENU, select GENERAL, select DISPLAY, select SHOW LIST, select RELAY STATUS

Use the EXIT key to back out of the menu structure.

3. You can use the close/open operation, or scanning to check channel patterns. To check one channel pattern use the close/open operation. To check many (or all) channel patterns, use scanning:

• Close/open channel patterns:

a. Create a channel list for the suspect channel pattern. For example, if you wish to

check M5, create the following channel list:

SELECT CHANNELS M5,

b. Press the CLOSE key. Use Table 4-1 to verify that the two channels for the speciﬁed

channel pattern are closed. For M5, channels 5!14 and 6!12 should be the only channels closed.

c. Press OPEN ALL to open the channels.

d. Repeat steps A through C to check another channel pattern.

• Scan channel patterns:

a. Create a scan list for the suspect channel patterns. For example, if you wish to check

all the channel patterns for Inputs 1 and 2, create the following scan list:

SCAN CHANNELS M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12,

b. Press the STEP key to arm the scan (ARM indicator turns on).

c. Press the STEP key to scan the ﬁrst channel pattern. For channel pattern M1, chan-

nels 5!6 and 5!18 (as shown in Table 4-1) should be the only channels closed.

d. Press STEP to scan each channel pattern in the scan, and use Table 4-1 to verify that

the correct channels are closed.

e. When ﬁnished, press OPEN ALL to disable the scan and open all channels.

4. Lost or changed channel patterns can be re-programmed as explained in the next paragraph.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-7

Storing channel patterns in memory

Front panel operation — There are two methods to store channel patterns in memory. The preferred method, which is covered here, speciﬁes the two individual channels in the channel list, and then stores it in the appropriate memory location. For the other method, you must actually close the two individual channels and then store the pattern in the appropriate memory location. Details on both methods are provided in Section 5.

Perform the following steps to store channel patterns in memory:

1. Create the channel list specifying the individual closed channels of the channel pattern. For example, if you are reprogramming channel pattern M1, create the following channel list.

SELECT CHANNELS 5!6, 5!18,

Note that f lists the closed channels for every channel pattern.

2. Use the following menu sequence to display the “STORE LIST AT #xxx” message:

Press STORE, select CURRENT LIST

3. Use the keypad to display the appropriate memory location. The channel pattern number indicates its memory location (i.e., M1 belongs in memory location #001, M36 belongs in memory location #036).

4. With the correct memory location displayed, press ENTER.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to reprogram another channel pattern.

GPIB operation — There are two methods to store channel patterns in memory. The preferred method, which is covered here, uses one command to list and save the channels in memory. For the other method, the channels must actually be closed and then the pattern is saved in memory. See :ROUTe subsystem in Section 6 for details on both methods.

Table 4-2 provides the :LIST command strings to reprogram channel patterns.

4-8 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 4-2

Model RF6X6 — commands to store channel patterns in memory

Channel pattern GPIB command

M1 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!18, 5!6), M1

M2 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!17, 6!6), M2

M3 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!16, 4!6), M3

M4 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!15, 4!12), M4

M5 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!14, 6!12), M5

M6 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!13, 5!12), M6

M7 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!18, 5!5), M7

M8 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!17, 6!5), M8

M9 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!16, 4!5), M9

M10 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!15, 4!11), M10

M11 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!14, 6!11), M11

M12 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!13, 5!11), M12

M13 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!18, 5!4), M13

M14 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!17, 6!4), M14

M15 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!16, 4!4), M15

M16 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!15, 4!10), M16

M17 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!14, 6!10), M17

M18 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!13, 5!10), M18

M19 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!24, 5!3), M19

M20 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!23, 6!3), M20

M21 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!22, 4!3), M21

M22 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!21, 4!9), M22

M23 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!20, 6!9), M23

M24 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!19, 5!9), M24

M25 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!24, 5!2), M25

M26 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!23, 6!2), M26

M27 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!22, 4!2), M27

M28 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!21, 4!8), M28

M29 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!20, 6!8), M29

M30 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 6!19, 5!8), M30

M31 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!24, 5!1), M31

M32 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!23, 6!1), M32

M33 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!22, 4!1), M33

M34 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!21, 4!7), M34

M35 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!20, 6!7), M35

M36 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!19, 5!7), M36

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-9

Model RF10X10 module

Overview

The Model RF10×10 is a full access non-blocking 10×10 RF coaxial matrix. The simpliﬁed diagram of the 10×10 RF switching matrix is shown in Figure 4-2. This matrix conﬁguration makes it possible to connect any of the 10 inputs to any of the 10 outputs.

As shown in Figure 4-2, each input and each output is made up of a 1×10 coaxial switch; ten 1×10 coaxial switches for the inputs, and ten 1×10 coaxial switches for the outputs. Therefore, there are 100 RF switches for the inputs, and 100 RF switches for the outputs. When a channel pattern is closed or scanned, two RF switches will close; one for the input and one for the output. The two closed switches provide the input-to-output path for the RF signal.

To keep the drawing simple, Figure 4-2 shows only six of the 20 coaxial switches. Therefore, only the signal paths for Input/Outputs 1, 2, and 10 are shown. However, the signal paths for all input/output combinations are listed in Table 4-3.

Example — Assume the RF test signal is connected to Input 1 and you want to access it at Output 10. To do this you would close the channel pattern that connects Input 1 to Output 10. For the Model RF10×10, this would be channel pattern M10 as explained in “Switch control.”

4-10 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Figure 4-2

Model RF10X10 simpliﬁed diagram

Input 1

Input 2

1 x 10 Coaxial Switch

B C D E F

G H I

1 x 10 Coaxial Switch

B C D E F

G H I

1 x 10 Coaxial Switch

B C D

E F

G H

I J

1 x 10 Coaxial Switch

B C D

G H

I J

Output 1

Output 2

Connections

The 20 SMA coaxial connectors are located on the rear panel of the System 41. Ten connectors are for input (IN 1 through IN 10), and ten are for output (OUT 1 through OUT 10). The center conductor of each SMA connector is connected to a 1 × 10 coaxial switch as shown in Figure 4-2. The outer shell of each SMA connector is connected to earth ground.

Input 10

1 x 10 Coaxial Switch

B C D E F

G H I

= RF Switch

1 x 10 Coaxial Switch

B C D

G H

I J

Output 10

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-11

The techniques to properly (and safely) connect test cables to SMA connectors are provided in Section 2, “SMA coaxial connections.”

WARNING Contact with exposed conductors carrying RF power may cause

burns. Make sure all power is off before making or breaking connections.

Switch control

The System 41 has pre-programmed channel patterns to control the installed RF module. These channel patterns cover all input-to-output switching combinations for the RF module.

For the Model RF10×10, each channel pattern closes an input switch and an output switch to route the RF signal through the matrix. The 100 pre-programmed channel patterns for the Model RF10×10 module are provided in Table 4-3. For example, if you want to connect Input 1 to Output 6, you would close M6. Notice that if not using channel patterns, you would have to close channels 1!20 and 5!25 to connect Input 1 to Output 6.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches and other equipment

connected to the System 41, DO NOT close more than one path through any input or output. In other words …

NEVER connect an input to more than one output at a time.

NEVER connect an output to more than one input at a time.

For example, if Input 1 is connected to Output 2, do not connect Input 1 to any other output, and do not connect Output 2 to any other input.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches (or in the very least,

shorten their life), cold switching must be exercised. For cold switching, the test signal(s) must be removed (or set to 0V, 0A) before an RF switch is closed or opened.

The following examples show proper channel list and scan list format. For details on operation, see Sections 3 and 4.

NOTE To assure that you do not inadvertently close more than one path

through any input or output, you should routinely open all channels before performing a close operation. To open all channels, press OPEN ALL. Over the bus, send the :OPEN ALL command.

Example Front Panel Operation Bus Operation

1 SELECT CHANNELS M4, :clos (@ M4)

2 SELECT CHANNELS M7, M17, :clos (@ M13, M36)

3 SCAN CHANNELS M1, M5, M2, :scan (@ M1, M5, M2)

Example Notes:

1. Connects Input 1 to Output 4.

2. Simultaneously connects Input 2 to Output 3, and Input 4 to Output 6.

4-12 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 4-3

Model RF10X10 — pre-programmed channel patterns

Connect

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Channel pattern Switch closureIn Out

M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10

M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18 M19 M20

M21 M22 M23 M24 M25 M26 M27 M28 M29 M30

M31 M32 M33 M34 M35 M36 M37 M38 M39 M40

M41 M42 M43 M44 M45 M46 M47 M48 M49 M50

5!30 5!29 5!28 5!27 5!26 5!25 5!24 5!23 5!22 5!21

4!30 4!29 4!28 4!27 4!26 4!25 4!24 4!23 4!22 4!21

3!30 3!29 3!28 3!27 3!26 3!25 3!24 3!23 3!22 3!21

2!30 2!29 2!28 2!27 2!26 2!25 2!24 2!23 2!22 2!21

1!30 1!29 1!28 1!27 1!26 1!25 1!24 1!23 1!22 1!21

5!10 4!10 3!10 2!10 1!10 1!20 2!20 3!20 4!20 5!20

5!9 4!9 3!9 2!9 1!9 1!19 2!19 3!19 4!19 5!19

5!8 4!8 3!8 2!8 1!8 1!18 2!18 3!18 4!18 5!18

5!7 4!7 3!7 2!7 1!7 1!17 2!17 3!17 4!17 5!17

5!6 4!6 3!6 2!6 1!6 1!16 2!16 3!16 4!16 5!16

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-13

Table 4-3 (cont.)

Model RF10X10 — pre-programmed channel patterns

Connect

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Channel pattern Switch closureIn Out

M51 M52 M53 M54 M55 M56 M57 M58 M59 M60

M61 M62 M63 M64 M65 M66 M67 M68 M69 M70

M71 M72 M73 M74 M75 M76 M77 M78 M79 M80

M81 M82 M83 M84 M85 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90

M91 M92 M93 M94 M95 M96 M97 M98 M99 M100

1!40 1!39 1!38 1!37 1!36 1!35 1!34 1!33 1!32 1!31

2!40 2!39 2!38 2!37 2!36 2!35 2!34 2!33 2!32 2!31

3!40 3!39 3!38 3!37 3!36 3!35 3!34 3!33 3!32 3!31

4!40 4!39 4!38 4!37 4!36 4!35 4!34 4!33 4!32 4!31

5!40 5!39 5!38 5!37 5!36 5!35 5!34 5!33 5!32 5!31

5!5 4!5 3!5 2!5 1!5 1!15 2!15 3!15 4!15 5!15

5!4 4!4 3!4 2!4 1!4 1!14 2!14 3!14 4!14 5!14

5!3 4!3 3!3 2!3 1!3 1!13 2!13 3!13 4!13 5!13

5!2 4!2 3!2 2!2 1!2 1!12 2!12 3!12 4!12 5!12

5!1 4!1 3!1 2!1 1!1 1!11 2!11 3!11 4!11 5!11

4-14 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Channel pattern memory

The 100 pre-programmed channel patterns for the Model RF10×10 Module are stored in memory. However, an illegal operation could cause one or more (or all) channel patterns to be lost (cleared) or changed. In that event, you will have to re-program lost or changed channel patterns.

Checking pre-programmed channel patterns

If you suspect that one or more pre-programmed channel patterns have been inadvertently lost or changed, you can check to see if a suspect channel pattern is closing the correct channels (switches).

CAUTION Make sure there is nothing connected to the input and output con-

nectors of the System 41. If there is, remove all power from the test system and disconnect all test cables.

1. Press OPEN ALL to make sure that all channels are open.

2. The System 41 must be in the relay status display mode (“RELAY STATUS” displayed). If it is not, use the following menu sequence to select it:

Press MENU, select GENERAL, select DISPLAY, select SHOW LIST, select RELAY STATUS

Use the EXIT key to back out of the menu structure.

3. You can use the close/open operation, or scanning to check channel patterns. To check one channel pattern, use the close/open operation. To check many (or all) channel patterns, use scanning:

• Close/open channel patterns:

a. Create a channel list for the suspect channel pattern. For example, if you want to

check M5, create the following channel list:

SELECT CHANNELS M5,

b. Press the CLOSE key. Use Table 4-3 to verify that the two channels for the speciﬁed

channel pattern are closed. For M5, channels 1!10 and 5!26 should be the only channels closed.

c. Press OPEN ALL to open the channels.

d. Repeat steps A through C to check another channel pattern.

• Scan channel patterns:

a. Create a scan list for the suspect channel patterns. For example, if you wish to check

all the channel patterns for Input 1, create the following scan list:

SCAN CHANNELS M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10,

b. Press the STEP key to arm the scan (ARM indicator turns on).

c. Press the STEP key to scan the ﬁrst channel pattern. For channel pattern M1, chan-

nels 5!10 and 5!30 (as shown in Table 4-3) should be the only channels closed.

d. Press STEP to scan each channel pattern in the scan, and use Table 4-3 to verify that

the correct channels are closed.

e. When ﬁnished, press OPEN ALL to disable the scan and open all channels.

4. Lost or changed channel patterns can be re-programmed as explained in the next paragraph.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-15

Storing channel patterns in memory

Perform the following steps to store channel patterns in memory:

1. Create the channel list specifying the individual closed channels of the channel pattern. For example, if you are reprogramming channel pattern M1, create the following channel list.

SELECT CHANNELS 5!10, 5!30,

Note that Table 4-3 lists the closed channels for every channel pattern.

2. Use the following menu sequence to display the “STORE LIST AT #xxx” message:

Press STORE, select CURRENT LIST

3. Use the keypad to display the appropriate memory location. The channel pattern number indicates its memory location (i.e., M1 belongs in memory location #001, M100 belongs in memory location #100).

4. With the correct memory location displayed, press ENTER.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to reprogram another channel pattern.

GPIB operation — There are two methods to store channel patterns in memory. The preferred method, which is covered here, uses one command to list and save and channels in memory. For the other method, the channels must actually be closed and then the pattern is saved in memory. See :ROUTe subsystem in Section 6 for details on both methods.

Table 4-4 provides the :LIST command strings to reprogram channel patterns.

4-16 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 4-4

Model RF10X10 — commands to store channel patterns in memory

Channel pattern GPIB command

M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10

M11 M12 M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18 M19 M20

M21 M22 M23 M24 M25 M26 M27 M28 M29 M30

M31 M32 M33 M34 M35 M36 M37 M38 M39 M40

M41 M42 M43 M44 M45 M46 M47 M48 M49 M50

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!30, 5!10), M1 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!29, 4!10), M2 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!28, 3!10), M3 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!27, 2!10), M4 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!26, 1!10), M5 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!25, 1!20), M6 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!24, 2!20), M7 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!23, 3!20), M8 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!22, 4!20), M9 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!21, 5!20), M10

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!30, 5!9), M11 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!29, 4!9), M12 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!28, 3!9), M13 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!27, 2!9), M14 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!26, 1!9), M15 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!25, 1!19), M16 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!24, 2!19), M17 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!23, 3!19), M18 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!22, 4!19), M19 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!21, 5!19), M20

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!30, 5!8), M21 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!29, 4!8), M22 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!28, 3!8), M23 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!27, 2!8), M24 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!26, 1!8), M25 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!25, 1!18), M26 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!24, 2!18), M27 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!23, 3!18), M28 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!22, 4!18), M29 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!21, 5!18), M30

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!30, 5!7), M31 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!29, 4!7), M32 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!28, 3!7), M33 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!27, 2!7), M34 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!26, 1!7), M35 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!25, 1!17), M36 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!24, 2!17), M37 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!23, 3!17), M38 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!22, 4!17), M39 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!21, 5!17), M40

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!30, 5!6), M41 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!29, 4!6), M42 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!28, 3!6), M43 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!27, 2!6), M44 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!26, 1!6), M45 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!25, 1!16), M46 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!24, 2!16), M47 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!23, 3!16), M48 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!22, 4!16), M49 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!21, 5!16), M50

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-17

Table 4-4 (cont.)

Model RF10X10 — commands to store channel patterns in memory

Channel pattern GPIB command

M51 M52 M53 M54 M55 M56 M57 M58 M59 M60

M61 M62 M63 M64 M65 M66 M67 M68 M69 M70

M71 M72 M73 M74 M75 M76 M77 M78 M79 M80

M81 M82 M83 M84 M85 M86 M87 M88 M89 M90

M91 M92 M93 M94 M95 M96 M97 M98 M99 M100

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 5!5), M51 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!39, 4!5), M52 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!38, 3!5), M53 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!37, 2!5), M54 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!36, 1!5), M55 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!35, 1!15), M56 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!34, 2!15), M57 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!33, 3!15), M58 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!32, 4!15), M59 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!31, 5!15), M60

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!40, 5!4), M61 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!39, 4!4), M62 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!38, 3!4), M63 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!37, 2!4), M64 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!36, 1!4), M65 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!35, 1!14), M66 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!34, 2!14), M67 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!33, 3!14), M68 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!32, 4!14), M69 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 2!31, 5!14), M70

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!40, 5!3), M71 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!39, 4!3), M72 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!38, 3!3), M73 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!37, 2!3), M74 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!36, 1!3), M75 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!35, 1!13), M76 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!34, 2!13), M77 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!33, 3!13), M78 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!32, 4!13), M79 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 3!31, 5!13), M80

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!40, 5!2), M81 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!39, 4!2), M82 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!38, 3!2), M83 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!37, 2!2), M84 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!36, 1!2), M85 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!35, 1!12), M86 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!34, 2!12), M87 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!33, 3!12), M88 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!32, 4!12), M89 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 4!31, 5!12), M90

:MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!40, 5!1), M61 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!39, 4!1), M62 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!38, 3!1), M63 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!37, 2!1), M64 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!36, 1!1), M65 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!35, 1!11), M66 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!34, 2!11), M67 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!33, 3!11), M68 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!32, 4!11), M69 :MEM:SAVE:LIST (@ 5!31, 5!11), M70

4-18 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Model RF1X72 module

Overview

The Model RF1×72 is an RF coaxial multiplexer. The simpliﬁed diagram of the 1×72 switching multiplexer is shown in Figure 4-3. This multiplexing conﬁguration allows you to connect the input to any one of 72 outputs.

As shown in Figure 4-3, the 1×72 multiplexer is actually made up of two 1×36 multiplexers (A and B) that feed into a single-pole, double-pole (SPDT) RF switch. The SPDT switch (RL31) is normally closed to connect the input signal to multiplexer A. When RL31 is energized (by closing channel 1!40), the input signal is routed to multiplexer B.

Each 36-output multiplexer is made up of seven 1×6 coaxial switches. When a channel pattern for multiplexer A is closed or scanned, RL31 remains in its normally closed (NC) position and two multiplexer switches close to connect the input to the desired output (1 through 36). When a channel pattern for multiplexer B is closed or scanned, RL31 energizes and two multiplexer switches close to connect the input to the desired output (37 through 72).

Example — if you wish to connect the Input to Output 72, you would close the channel pattern that energizes RL31 and closes the two multiplexer switches that route the RF signal to Output

72. For the Model RF1×72, this would be channel pattern M72 (see “Switch control” for details).

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-19

Figure 4-3

Model RF1X72 simpliﬁed diagram

Input

RL31

SPDT Switch

RL7

1 x 6

Coaxial

Switch

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL1

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL2

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6

RL3

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

Output 1

Output 6

Output 7

Output 12

Output 13

Output 18

Output 19

RL4

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL5

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL6

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

Output 24

Output 25

Output 30

Output 31

Output 36

Output 37

RL17

1 x 6

Coaxial

Switch

RL11

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL12

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6

RL13

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL14

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL15

1 x 6 Coaxial Switch

RL16

Output 42

Output 43

Output 48

Output 49

Output 54

Output 55

Output 60

Output 61

Output 66

Output 67

Output 72

4-20 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Connections

The coaxial switches for the multiplexer are mounted on the rear panel of the System 41 and are shown in Figure 4-4. Your test cables connect directly to the SMA coaxial connectors on the switches. As shown, outputs 1 through 36 are located on the left side of the rear panel, and Outputs 37 through 72 are located on the right side.

The center conductor of each SMA output connector is connected to a coaxial switch as shown in Figure 4-3. The outer shell of all SMA connectors is connected to earth ground.

The techniques to properly (and safely) connect test cables to SMA connectors are provided in Section 2, “SMA coaxial connections.”

WARNING Contact with exposed conductors carrying RF power may cause

burns. Make sure all power is off before making or breaking connections.

Figure 4-4

Model RF1X72 connections

Switch control

The System 41 has pre-programmed channel patterns to control the installed RF module. These channel patterns cover all input-to-output switching combinations for the RF module.

For the Model RF1×72, each channel pattern closes three RF switches to route the RF signal to the appropriate output. The 72 pre-programmed channel patterns for the Model RF1×72 module are provided in Table 4-5. For example, if you want to connect the Input to Output 60, you would close M60. Note that if not using channel patterns, you would have to close channels 1!40, 2!10, and 2!36 to connect the Input to Output 60.

A IN B

CAT I

KEITHLEY

Model RF1X72

Made in USA

SERIAL NUMBER

Refer to system documentation for

maximum signal levels

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches and other equipment

connected to the System 41, DO NOT connect the Input to more than one output at a time.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches (or in the very least,

shorten their life), cold switching must be exercised. For cold switching, the test signal(s) must be removed (or set to 0V, 0A) before an RF switch is closed or opened.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-21

The following examples show proper channel list and scan list format. For details on operation, see Sections 3 and 4.

NOTE To ensure that you do not inadvertently connect the Input to more than

one output at the same time, you should routinely open all channels before performing a close operation. To open all channels, press OPEN ALL. Over the bus, send the :OPEN ALL command.

Example Front Panel Operation Bus Operation

1 SELECT CHANNELS M4, :clos (@ M4)

2 SCAN CHANNELS M1, M5, M2, :scan (@ M1, M5, M2)

Example Notes:

1. Connects the Input to Output 4.

2. Scans three channel patterns. After each channel pattern is scanned, its three switches will open before the next channel pattern is scanned. The ﬁrst scanned channel pattern connects the Input to Output 1, the second scanned channel pattern connects the Input to Output 5, and the last scanned channel pattern connects the Input to Output 2.

Table 4-5

Model RF1X72 — pre-programmed channel patterns

Mux output

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30

Channel pattern Closed channels Signal path

M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6

M7 M8 M9 M10 M11 M12

M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18

M19 M20 M21 M22 M23 M24

M25 M26 M27 M28 M29 M30

1!1 and 1!7 1!1 and 1!8 1!1 and 1!9 1!1 and 1!10 1!1 and 1!11 1!1 and 1!12

1!2 and 1!13 1!2 and 1!14 1!2 and 1!15 1!2 and 1!16 1!2 and 1!17 1!2 and 1!18

1!3 and 1!19 1!3 and 1!20 1!3 and 1!21 1!3 and 1!22 1!3 and 1!23 1!3 and 1!24

1!4 and 1!25 1!4 and 1!26 1!4 and 1!27 1!4 and 1!28 1!4 and 1!29 1!4 and 1!30

1!5 and 1!31 1!5 and 1!32 1!5 and 1!33 1!5 and 1!34 1!5 and 1!35 1!5 and 1!36

Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A1) → RL1(A) → Output 1 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A1) → RL1(B) → Output 2 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A1) → RL1(C) → Output 3 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A1) → RL1(D) → Output 4 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A1) → RL1(E) → Output 5 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A1) → RL1(F) → Output 6

Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A2) → RL2(A) → Output 7 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A2) → RL2(B) → Output 8 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A2) → RL2(C) → Output 9 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A2) → RL2(D) → Output 10 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A2) → RL2(E) → Output 11 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A2) → RL2(F) → Output 12

Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A3) → RL3(A) → Output 13 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A3) → RL3(B) → Output 14 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A3) → RL3(C) → Output 15 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A3) → RL3(D) → Output 16 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A3) → RL3(E) → Output 17 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A3) → RL3(F) → Output 18

Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A4) → RL4(A) → Output 19 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A4) → RL4(B) → Output 20 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A4) → RL4(C) → Output 21 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A4) → RL4(D) → Output 22 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A4) → RL4(E) → Output 23 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A4) → RL4(F) → Output 24

Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A5) → RL5(A) → Output 25 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A5) → RL5(B) → Output 26 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A5) → RL5(C) → Output 27 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A5) → RL5(D) → Output 28 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A5) → RL5(E) → Output 29 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A5) → RL5(F) → Output 30

4-22 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 4-5 (cont.)

Model RF1X72 — pre-programmed channel patterns

Mux output

31 32 33 34 35 36

37 38 39 40 41 42

43 44 45 46 47 48

49 50 51 52 53 54

55 56 57 58 59 60

61 62 63 64 65 66

67 68 69 70 71 72

Channel pattern Closed channels Signal path

M31 M32 M33 M34 M35 M36

M37 M38 M39 M40 M41 M42

M43 M44 M45 M46 M47 M48

M49 M50 M51 M52 M53 M54

M55 M56 M57 M58 M59 M60

M61 M62 M63 M64 M65 M66

M67 M68 M69 M70 M71 M72

1!6 and 2!1 1!6 and 2!2 1!6 and 2!3 1!6 and 2!4 1!6 and 2!5 1!6 and 2!6

1!40, 2!7 and 2!13 1!40, 2!7 and 2!14 1!40, 2!7 and 2!15 1!40, 2!7 and 2!16 1!40, 2!7 and 2!17 1!40, 2!7 and 2!18

1!40, 2!8 and 2!19 1!40, 2!8 and 2!20 1!40, 2!8 and 2!21 1!40, 2!8 and 2!22 1!40, 2!8 and 2!23 1!40, 2!8 and 2!24

1!40, 2!9 and 2!25 1!40, 2!9 and 2!26 1!40, 2!9 and 2!27 1!40, 2!9 and 2!28 1!40, 2!9 and 2!29 1!40, 2!9 and 2!30

1!40, 2!10 and 2!31 1!40, 2!10 and 2!32 1!40, 2!10 and 2!33 1!40, 2!10 and 2!34 1!40, 2!10 and 2!35 1!40, 2!10 and 2!36

1!40, 2!11 and 3!1 1!40, 2!11 and 3!2 1!40, 2!11 and 3!3 1!40, 2!11 and 3!4 1!40, 2!11 and 3!5 1!40, 2!11 and 3!6

1!40, 2!12 and 3!7 1!40, 2!12 and 3!8 1!40, 2!12 and 3!9 1!40, 2!12 and 3!10 1!40, 2!12 and 3!11 1!40, 2!12 and 3!12

Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A6) → RL6(A) → Output 31 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A6) → RL6(B) → Output 32 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A6) → RL6(C) → Output 33 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A6) → RL6(D) → Output 34 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A6) → RL6(E) → Output 35 Input → RL31(A) → RL7(A6) → RL6(F) → Output 36

Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B1) → RL11(A) → Output 37 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B1) → RL11(B) → Output 38 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B1) → RL11(C) → Output 39 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B1) → RL11(D) → Output 40 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B1) → RL11(E) → Output 41 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B1) → RL11(F) → Output 42

Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B2) → RL12(A) → Output 43 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B2) → RL12(B) → Output 44 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B2) → RL12(C) → Output 45 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B2) → RL12(D) → Output 46 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B2) → RL12(E) → Output 47 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B2) → RL12(F) → Output 48

Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B3) → RL13(A) → Output 49 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B3) → RL13(B) → Output 50 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B3) → RL13(C) → Output 51 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B3) → RL13(D) → Output 52 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B3) → RL13(E) → Output 53 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B3) → RL13(F) → Output 54

Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B4) → RL14(A) → Output 55 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B4) → RL14(B) → Output 56 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B4) → RL14(C) → Output 57 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B4) → RL14(D) → Output 58 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B4) → RL14(E) → Output 59 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B4) → RL14(F) → Output 60

Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B5) → RL15(A) → Output 61 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B5) → RL15(B) → Output 62 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B5) → RL15(C) → Output 63 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B5) → RL15(D) → Output 64 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B5) → RL15(E) → Output 65 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B5) → RL15(F) → Output 66

Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B6) → RL16(A) → Output 67 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B6) → RL16(B) → Output 68 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B6) → RL16(C) → Output 69 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B6) → RL16(D) → Output 70 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B6) → RL16(E) → Output 71 Input → RL31(B) → RL17(B6) → RL16(F) → Output 72

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-23

Channel pattern memory

The 72 pre-programmed channel patterns for the Model RF1×72 Module are stored in memory. However, an illegal operation could cause one or more (or all) channel patterns to be lost (cleared) or changed. In that event, you will have to re-program lost or changed channel patterns.

Checking pre-programmed channel patterns

If you suspect that one or more pre-programmed channel patterns have been inadvertently lost or changed, you can check to see if a suspect channel pattern is closing the correct channels (switches).

CAUTION Make sure there is nothing connected to the input and output con-

nectors of the System 41. If there is, remove all power from the test

system and disconnect all test cables.

1. Press OPEN ALL to make sure that all channels are open.

2. The System 41 must be in the relay status display mode (“RELAY STATUS” displayed). If it is not, use the following menu sequence to select it:

Press MENU, select GENERAL, select DISPLAY, select SHOW LIST, select RELAY STATUS

Use the EXIT key to back out of the menu structure.

3. You can use the close/open operation or scanning to check channel patterns. To check one channel pattern, use the close/open operation. To check many (or all) channel patterns, use scanning:

• Close/open channel patterns:

a. Create a channel list for the suspect channel pattern. For example, if you wish to

check M5, create the following channel list:

SELECT CHANNELS M5,

b. Press the CLOSE key. Use Table 4-5 to verify that the three channels for the speciﬁed

channel pattern are closed. For M5, channels 1!1 and 1!11 should be the only channels closed.

c. Press OPEN ALL to open the channels.

d. Repeat steps A through C to check another channel pattern.

• Scan channel patterns:

a. Create a scan list for the suspect channel patterns. For example, if you wish to check

the channel patterns for Outputs 1 through 10, create the following scan list:

SCAN CHANNELS M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10,

b. Press the STEP key to arm the scan (ARM indicator turns on).

c. Press the STEP key to scan the ﬁrst channel pattern. For channel pattern M1, chan-

nels 1!1 and 1!7 (as shown in Table 4-5) should be the only channels closed.

d. Press STEP to scan each channel pattern in the scan, and use Table 4-5 to verify that

the correct channels are closed.

e. When ﬁnished, press OPEN ALL to disable the scan and open all channels.

4. Lost or changed channel patterns can be re-programmed as explained in the next paragraph.

4-24 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Storing channel patterns in memory

Perform the following steps to store channel patterns in memory:

1. Create the channel list specifying the individual closed channels of the channel pattern. For example, if you are reprogramming channel pattern M1, create the following channel list.

SELECT CHANNELS 1!1, 1!7,

Note that Table 4-5 lists the closed channels for every channel pattern.

2. Use the following menu sequence to display the “STORE LIST AT #xxx” message:

Press STORE, select CURRENT LIST

3. Use the keypad to display the appropriate memory location. The channel pattern number indicates its memory location (i.e., M1 belongs in memory location #001, M72 belongs in memory location #072).

4. With the correct memory location displayed, press ENTER.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 to reprogram another channel pattern.

Table 4-6 provides the :LIST command strings to reprogram channel patterns.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual RF Modules 4-25

Table 4-6

Model RF1X72 — commands to store channel patterns in memory

Channel pattern GPIB command

M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6

M7 M8 M9 M10 M11 M12

M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18

M19 M20 M21 M22 M23 M24

M25 M26 M27 M28 M29 M30

M31 M32 M33 M34 M35 M36

M37 M38 M39 M40 M41 M42

M43 M44 M45 M46 M47 M48

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!1, 1!7), M1 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!1, 1!8), M2 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!1, 1!9), M3 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!1, 1!10), M4 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!1, 1!11), M5 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!1, 1!12), M6

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!2, 1!13), M7 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!2, 1!14), M8 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!2, 1!15), M9 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!2, 1!16), M10 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!2, 1!17), M11 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!2, 1!18), M12

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!3, 1!19), M13 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!3, 1!20), M14 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!3, 1!21), M15 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!3, 1!22), M16 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!3, 1!23), M17 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!3, 1!24), M18

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!4, 1!25), M19 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!4, 1!26), M20 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!4, 1!27), M21 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!4, 1!28), M22 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!4, 1!29), M23 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!4, 1!30), M24

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!5, 1!31), M25 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!5, 1!32), M26 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!5, 1!33), M27 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!5, 1!34), M28 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!5, 1!35), M29 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!5, 1!36), M30

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!6, 2!1), M31 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!6, 2!2), M32 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!6, 2!3), M33 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!6, 2!4), M34 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!6, 2!5), M35 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!6, 2!6), M36

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!7, 2!13), M37 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!7, 2!14), M38 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!7, 2!15), M39 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!7, 2!16), M40 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!7, 2!17), M41 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!7, 2!18), M42

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!8, 2!19), M43 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!8, 2!20), M44 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!8, 2!21), M45 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!8, 2!22), M46 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!8, 2!23), M47 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!8, 2!24), M48

4-26 RF Modules System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 4-6 (cont.)

Model RF1X72 — commands to store channel patterns in memory

Channel pattern GPIB command

M49 M50 M51 M52 M53 M54

M55 M56 M57 M58 M59 M60

M61 M62 M63 M64 M65 M66

M67 M68 M69 M70 M71 M72

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!9, 2!25), M49 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!9, 2!26), M50 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!9, 2!27), M51 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!9, 2!28), M52 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!9, 2!29), M53 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!9, 2!30), M54

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!10, 2!31), M55 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!10, 2!32), M56 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!10, 2!33), M57 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!10, 2!34), M58 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!10, 2!35), M59 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!10, 2!36), M60

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!11, 3!1), M61 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!11, 3!2), M62 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!11, 3!3), M63 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!11, 3!4), M64 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!11, 3!5), M65 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!11, 3!6), M66

:MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!12, 3!7), M67 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!12, 3!8), M68 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!12, 3!9), M69 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!12, 3!10), M70 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!12, 3!11), M71 :MEMory:SAVE:LIST (@ 1!40, 2!12, 3!12), M72

Front Panel Operation

5-2 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Introduction

CAUTION The RF switches for the standard switching modules are designed

NOTE Switching procedures in this manual use cold switching. That is, the sig-

nal is removed before a switch is closed or opened. However, for low power applications, the RF switches are rated to hot switch up to 1W.

This section covers all aspects of front panel operation. Paragraphs in this section are organized as follows:

Displays — Covers the two displays of the System 41; the vacuum ﬂuorescent display (VFD) that is used for alphanumeric information and the LED display that provides status information for each channel.

Light pen — Explains how to use the light pen and summarizes the operations that can be performed with it.

Display modes — Covers the two display modes that can be used for normal operation; the relay status display mode and the list display mode.

Channel list and scan list — Provides details on creating channel and scan lists.

Closing and opening channels — Explains how to close and open channels.

Scanning channel patterns — Explains how to scan channel patterns.

Storing and recalling channel patterns — Explains how to create (store) channel patterns, and

how to recall them from memory.

Menu — Covers miscellaneous operations and selections controlled from the MAIN MENU.

Card conﬁguration — Covers the various conﬁguration operations for the 10 slots using the

CARD CONFIG MENU.

Scan conﬁguration — Covers the CONFIGURE SCAN menu, which is used to conﬁgure the three layers of the scan operation.

External triggering (Trigger Link) — Covers external triggering using the trigger link.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-3

Front panel displays

The System 41 uses two displays. The vacuum ﬂuorescent display (VFD) provides alphanumeric information while the LED array display provides status information for each channel.

Vacuum ﬂuorescent display (VFD)

The vacuum ﬂuorescent display (VFD) is shown in Figure 5-1. It provides two lines of alphanumeric information. The ﬁrst line can display up to 20 alphanumeric characters and the second line can display up to 32 alphanumeric characters. Also included are annunciators that are located along the top of the display.

Figure 5-1

Vacuum ﬂuorescent display (VFD)

Annunciators

REM TALK LSTN SRQ ARM

2-line Alphanumeric

Display

Display messages

Display messages include the various conﬁguration menus, error messages, status messages, and messages associated with operation of the light pen option. Error and status messages for the System 41 are summarized in Table 5-1. Light pen messages are covered in “Changing the display mode.”

In addition, the front panel INFO key provides context-sensitive operating information. Pressing EXIT or INFO a second time will cancel the message.

5-4 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 5-1

Error and status messages

Code number Description

+551 +550 +530

+529 +528 +527 +526 +525

+524 +523 +522 +521 +510

+350 +174

+173 +172 +171 +161 +126

+125 +124 +123 +122 +121

+101 0

-100

-101

-102

-103

-104

-105

-108

-109

-110

-111

-112

-113

-114

Note: Messages associated with light pen operation are located in “Light pen messages.” EE = Error event SE = Status event

Incorrect software revision (EE) Forbidden channel error (EE) Slot 10 identiﬁcation error (EE)

Slot 9 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 8 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 7 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 6 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 5 identiﬁcation error (EE)

Slot 4 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 3 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 2 identiﬁcation error (EE) Slot 1 identiﬁcation error (EE) Saved state error (EE)

Too many channels closed (EE) Re-entering the idle layers (SE)

Waiting in arm layer 2 (SE) Waiting in arm layer 1 (SE) Waiting in trigger Layer (SE) Program running (SE) Device calculating (SE)

Device measuring (SE) Device sweeping (SE) Device ranging (SE) Device settling (SE) Device calibrating (SE)

Operation Complete (SE) No error (SE) Command Error (EE) Invalid Character (EE) Syntax Error (EE)

Invalid Separator (EE) Data Type Error (EE) GET not allowed (EE) Parameter not allowed (EE) Missing Parameter (EE)

Command Header Error (EE) Command Header Separator Error (EE) Program mnemonic too long (EE) Undeﬁned header (EE) Header sufﬁx out of range (EE)

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-5

Table 5-1 (cont.)

Error and status messages

Code number Description

-120

-121

-123

-124

-128

-140

-141

-144

-148

-150

-151

-154

-158

-160

-161

-168

-170

-171

-178

-200

-201

-202

-210

-211

-212

-213

-214

-215

-220

-221

-222

-223

-224

-241

-260

-281

-282

-284

-285

-330

-350

-410

-420

-430

-440

Note: Messages associated with light pen operation are located in “Light pen messages.” EE = Error event SE = Status event

Numeric data error (EE) Invalid character in number (EE) Exponent too large (EE) Too many digits in number (EE) Numeric data not allowed (EE)

Character data error (EE) Invalid character data (EE) Character data too long (EE) Character data not allowed (EE) String data error (EE)

Invalid string data (EE) String too long String data not allowed (EE) Block data error (EE) Invalid block data (EE)

Block data not allowed (EE) Expression error (EE) Invalid expression (EE) Expression data not allowed (EE) Execution error (EE)

Invalid while in local (EE) Settings lost due to rtl (EE) Trigger error (EE) Trigger ignored (EE) Arm ignored (EE)

Init ignored (EE) Trigger deadlock (EE) Arm deadlock (EE) Parameter Error (EE) Settings conﬂict (EE)

Parameter data out of range (EE) Too much data (EE) Illegal parameter value (EE) Hardware missing (EE) Expression Error (EE)

Cannot create program (EE) Illegal program name (EE) Program currently running (EE) Program syntax error (EE) Self Test failed (EE)

Queue overﬂow (EE) Query interrupted (EE) Query unterminated (EE) Query deadlocked (EE) Query unterminated after indeﬁnite response (EE)

5-6 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Annunciators

The ﬁve annunciators along the top of the display indicate the following conditions:

SRQ — Turns on when the unit requests service over the IEEE-488 bus. Programming the Service Request Enable Register allows you to control which conditions will generate an SRQ (see Section 6).

REM — Turns on to indicate that the System 41 is in remote when used over the IEEE-488 bus. The System 41 can be placed in remote by addressing it to listen with the bus REN line true.

TALK — Turns on to indicate that the System 41 is the active talker on the IEEE-488 bus. The unit can be placed in the talker active state by sending it the correct bus talk command, which is derived from the primary address.

LSTN — Turns on when the unit is an active IEEE-488 bus listener. The System 41 can be placed in the active listener state by addressing it to listen.

ARM — Turns on when the System 41 is taken out of the idle state. A scan can only be performed with the System 41 out of the idle state.

LED display

The LED display (see Figure 5-2) is primarily made up of arrays of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each 40 LED array corresponds to a mainframe slot. The signiﬁcance of these channel LEDs depends on which display mode is currently selected; (relay status display mode or a list display mode), and whether or not the LED Graticule is enabled (see “Display modes”).

Figure 5-2

LED display

1234 6785910

SLOT 1

ROW

SLOT 2

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 3

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 4

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 5

1234 6785910

ROW

1234 6785910

SLOT 6

ROW

SLOT 7

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 8

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 9

1234 6785910

ROW

SLOT 10

1234 6785910

ROW

OPEN ALL

OPEN

STEP

SCAN LIST

INSERT

DELETE

BACKSPACE

▲▼

HOME

END

—

SHOW LIST

EXIT

ENTER

LIGHT PEN

STATUS

PEN

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-7

There is also a column of 16 LEDs located to the right of the channel LEDs. Two of these LEDs, SCAN LIST and SHOW LIST, indicate display mode status.

Note that all of the front panel LEDs can function as control switches with the addition of the light pen option (see “Light pen” for details).

Light pen

When plugged in, the light pen allows you to perform point and click programming using the front panel LEDs. Each LED functions as an electronic switch that is activated (clicked) by the light pen.

NOTE The light pen cannot be used to create a scan list. Channel patterns are

required in a scan list, and can only be entered using the front panel keys. Details on channel patterns are provided later in this section.

Light pen connection

The System 41 should be turned off when connecting the light pen.

The LIGHT PEN receptacle is located at the lower right-hand corner of the front panel. There is a release button on the plug for the light pen. With the button at the 12 o’clock position, push the light pen plug into the receptacle. Light pen operation is automatically activated when it is plugged into the mainframe.

The light pen can be removed by pressing the release button and pulling the plug out of the receptacle.

Light pen operations

To activate (click) an LED, place the head of the light pen near the desired LED and press the button on the barrel of the pen. An LED that is clicked blinks for a couple of seconds and then assumes the appropriate state. Note that the associated operation occurs immediately after the LED is clicked and does not wait for the blinking to ﬁnish. The blinking simply provides feedback to indicate that you clicked the LED.

Channel LEDs

The signiﬁcance of these LEDs depends on which display mode is currently selected and whether or not the LED Graticule is enabled (see “Display modes”). Table 5-2 summarizes the signiﬁcance of the channel LEDs.

In the relay status display mode (RELAY STATUS displayed on the VFD), clicking a channel LED adds that channel to the channel list. For example, if you click an LED for an available channel, the LED blinks for a couple of seconds to indicate that the channel has been added to the list. Keep in mind that the status (open or closed) of the channel is not affected. Clicking an LED simply adds the channel to the channel list.

In the channel list display mode (CHANNEL LIST DISPLAY displayed on the VFD), clicking a channel LED adds (or removes) that channel to (or from) the channel list. For example, a dimly lit (or off) channel LED indicates that channel is not included in the channel list. If you click this dimly lit LED, it blinks for a couple of seconds and then goes to the brightly lit state to indicate that the channel has been added to the channel list. Clicking this brightly lit LED a second time causes it to become dimly lit (or off) indicating that it has been deleted from the channel list.

5-8 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 5-2

Signiﬁcance of channel LEDs

Display

mode

Relay Status On Channel not available Channel open Channel closed

List On Channel not available Channel not included

LED

graticule

Off Channel not available

or Channel open

Off Channel not avail-

able or channel not included in list

Off Dimly lit Brightly lit

Channel LEDs

— Channel closed

Channel included in

in list

— Channel included in

list

Control LEDs

The 16 control LEDs are located to the right of the channel LEDs. Some of these allow you to perform the same operations that are normally performed using the front panel keys. Clicking one of the following LEDs is analogous to pressing the similarly labeled front panel key.

OPEN ALL SCAN LIST OPEN INSERT CLOSE DELETE EXIT STEP ENTER

When one of the above LEDs is clicked, the LED will blink for a couple of seconds to indicate that the associated operation is being performed. Note that the SCAN LIST LED also provides status. When the SCAN LIST LED is brightly lit, the scan list is currently selected, and when dimly lit (or off), the channel list is selected.

The following four LEDs do not have front panel key counterparts and are explained as follows:

BACKSPACE — Clicking this LED moves the VFD cursor back (left) to the previous channel entry and removes it from the list. The channel entry could be a single channel or a range of channels. If the cursor is at the home position (ﬁrst entry in the list), clicking BACKSPACE deletes that channel entry. This is analogous to pressing the key and then the DELETE key.

HOME — Clicking this LED will move the VFD cursor to the beginning of the list.

END — Clicking this LED will move the VFD cursor to the end of the list.

SHOW LIST — Clicking this LED toggles the instrument between the list display mode (LED

brightly lit) and the relay status display mode (LED dimly lit or off).

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-9

Light pen messages

The following VFD messages are associated with light pen operations:

Message Explanation

LIGHT PEN MIS-READ LED not activated when light pen button is pressed. Occurs

when the light pen is too far away from the LED or is not pointed at the LED.

INVALID SELECTION LED not available for activation. Occurs when clicking an

LED for a channel that does not exist (channel LED completely off).

EXIT from menu before LED not available while in a menu. Occurs when an LED using the light pen. (other than Exit or Enter) is clicked while in a menu structure.

When any of the above messages occur, the operation associated with the LED is simply not performed.

Display modes

There are two basic display modes for the System 41:

Relay status display mode — Use this display mode when opening/closing or scanning channels. The channel LEDs provide the real-time state (on or off) of each channel in the switch system.

List display mode — You can use this display mode when creating a channel list or a scan list. The brightly lit channel LEDs correspond to channels that are included in the selected list.

In addition to the two basic display modes, you can also control the LED graticule. Disabling the LED graticule provides increased contrast between on and off LEDs by eliminating the dimly lit state. Each LED will either be off or brightly lit (see “LED graticule control” for more information).

Relay status display mode

In the relay status mode, the channel LEDs provide real-time status (open or closed) of each available channel. This display mode is denoted by the “RELAY STATUS” message on the VFD which also includes the currently selected list. The following table summarizes the various display messages and LED annunciators for the relay status display mode:

Selected List VFD Message Show List LED Scan List LED

Channel list See Figure 5-3A Dimly lit (or off*) Dimly lit (or off*)

Scan list See Figure 5-3B Dimly lit (or off*) Brightly lit

*LED is off if the LED Graticule is disabled (see “LED graticule control”).

5-10 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Figure 5-3

VFD relay status mode

REM TALK LSTN SRQ ARM

A) Channel List Selected (Power-up default)

REM TALK LSTN SRQ ARM

B) Scan List Selected

The signiﬁcance of each channel LED while in the relay status display mode is explained in Table 5-2.

The channels for each LED array (slot) are numbered 1 through 40 as shown in Figure 5-4.

Figure 5-4

Interpreting channel LEDs (relay status display mode)

SLOT 1

1234 6785910

(11)

(21)

(31)

Channels 1 and 37 of slot 1 closed

= Closed channel (Brightly lit LED)

(20)

(30)

(40)

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-11

List display modes

In a list display mode, the channel LEDs indicate which channels are included in the selected list. There are two list display modes; the channel list display mode and the scan list display mode. The following table summarizes the various display messages and LED annunciators for the two list display modes:

Display Mode VFD Message Show List LED Scan List LED

Channel list See Figure 5-5A Brightly lit Dimly lit (or off*)

Scan list See Figure 5-5B Brightly lit Brightly lit

*LED is off if the LED Graticule is disabled (see “LED graticule control”).

Figure 5-5

VFD list display modes

REM TALK LSTN SRQ ARM

A) Channel List Selected

REM TALK LSTN SRQ ARM

B) Scan List Selected

The signiﬁcance of each channel LED while in a list display mode is summarized in Table 5-2.

A channel LED that is brightly lit indicates that it is included in the selected list. Note that the channel LEDs do not provide complete information about the scan list. They do not indicate the order that the channels are to be scanned and they do not indicate whether a channel is used more than one time in the scan list. The complete scan list, including the order of the channel scan is provided by the VFD.

5-12 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Channel designations for the list display mode are the same as for the relay status display mode. Figure 5-6 shows that channels 1 and 37 are included in the selected list.

Figure 5-6

Interpreting channel LEDs (list display mode)

COLUMN

SLOT 1

1234 6785910

(11)

(21)

(31)

List includes channels 1 and 37 of slot 1.

(20)

(30)

(40)

= Channel included in list (Brightly lit LED)

Changing the display mode

During normal operation, the instrument is either in the relay status display mode or in a list display mode. The following information explains how to change the display mode.

Front panel keys method

Perform the following steps to change the display mode using the front panel keys:

1. Press MENU to display the MAIN MENU.

2. Using the cursor keys ( and ), place the cursor on GENERAL and press ENTER to display the GENERAL MENU.

3. Place the cursor on DISPLAY and press ENTER to display the CONFIG LED DISPLAY menu. The cursor position will indicate the currently selected display mode. RELAYSTATUS is the relay status display mode, and CURRENT-LIST is the list display mode.

4. Place the cursor on the alternate display mode selection and press ENTER.

5. Press EXIT two times to back out of the menu structure.

6. The SCAN LIST key toggles between the channel list and the scan list. To select the alternate list, press SCAN LIST.

Light pen method

Perform the following steps to change the display mode using the light pen:

1. The SHOW LIST LED toggles the instrument between the relay status display mode (LED dimly lit or off) and the list display mode (LED brightly lit). If you wish to select the alternate display mode, click SHOW LIST.

2. The SCAN LIST LED toggles the display between the scan list (LED brightly lit) and the channel list (LED dimly lit or off). If the desired list is not already selected, click this LED to select the alternate list.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-13

LED graticule control

LED Graticule control allows you to increase contrast between on and off LEDs by eliminating the dimly lit state for LEDs. With the LED Graticule disabled (off), LEDs will be either off or brightly lit. A disadvantage to disabling the LED graticule is that it is not obvious which channels are available in the test system. Enabling (on) the LED Graticule restores the dimly lit state. Table 5-2 explains the signiﬁcance of the channel LEDs for the two graticule modes.

LED Graticule control is performed from the MAIN MENU as follows:

Press MENU Select GENERAL Select DISPLAY Select GRATCULE-CONTROL

ON OFF

Select OFF to disable the LED Graticule or ON to enable it. Note that the detailed procedure to disable or enable the LED Graticule is contained in “GENERAL.”

The instrument will power-up with the LED Graticule enabled unless the graticule OFF condition is saved as the USER SETUP power-on default (see USER SETUP in “SAVESETUP”).

Front panel RESET, and the *RST and :SYSTem:PRESet bus commands will enable the LED Graticule.

NOTE If the main CPU ﬁrmware is not compatible with the LED display ﬁrm-

Channel list and scan list

The System 41 can close and open a list of channels, and it can scan a list of channels. The channel list can be made up of channel patterns and/or individual channel assignments, while the scan list must be made up of channel patterns only.

For basic close/open operation, the order of channels in the channel list is not important since all channels in the list will either close or open at the same time. For scan operation, the order of channels is important. Channel patterns will be scanned in the order that they are presented in the list.

ware, the following error will occur when trying to disable the LED Graticule:

ERROR:ID CODE = +551 Incorrect software revision

If this error should occur, contact Keithley to resolve the ﬁrmware incompatibility.

5-14 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

NOTES 1. A channel list is lost after the instrument is turned off.

2. Normally, the scan list is not lost (cleared) after the instrument is turned off. However, the scan list clears if any of the following events occur:

• A channel in the list becomes restricted. A channel becomes

restricted by adding it to the restricted list (see “Channel restrictions”).

• Two or more channels become interlocked. Channels become

interlocked by specifying them in the interlock lists (see “Channel restrictions”).

3. A scan list can contain up to 200 channel patterns (including repeats). An entry that exceeds that limit generates the following error:

ERROR: ID CODE = -223

Too much data

When this error occurs, only the ﬁrst 200 channel patterns can be scanned.

4. When a scan list is created or modiﬁed over the IEEE-488 bus, the displayed scan list will not update until a display state change occurs (i.e., pressing the SCAN LIST key).

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches and other equipment

Channel patterns

Using channel patterns to control RF switching is the preferred format. Channel patterns are simple to enter and their use reduces the chance of closing channels that could damage RF switches (see previous CAUTION).

A channel pattern is simply a pattern of closed and open channels stored in memory. The System 41 is shipped with pre-programmed channels patterns that will accommodate all input/output combinations for the installed RF module.

The actual channels closed by a channel pattern depend on which RF module is installed. For example, channel pattern M1 for the RF 10×10 Module closes channels 5!10 and 5!30. For the RF 6×6 Module, M1 closes channel 5!6 and 5!18. See Section 4 to determine the switch closures for all the pre-programmed channel patterns.

connected to the System 41, DO NOT create a channel list or scan list that will close more than one path through any input or output. In other words …

• NEVER connect an input to more than one output at a time.

• NEVER connect an output to more than one input at a time.

For example, if Input 1 is connected to Output 2, do not connect Input 1 to any other output, and do not connect Output 2 to any other input.

The operation demos in Section 3, “Operation demos”, and the operation summary in Section 3, “Front panel operation summary” show how to create a channel list and scan list using channel patterns.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-15

Channel assignments

Channel assignments can be used to create a channel list, but they cannot be used to create a scan list.

NOTE When scanning, two or more channels must close simultaneously for

each step of the scan. You cannot do that using individual channel assignments. You must use channel patterns in a scan list.

A channel assignment is based on the channel number and slot assignment for the RF switch. The following example shows the proper format for a channel list:

SELECT CHANNEL 1!1, 1!37,

The above channel list speciﬁes channels 1 and 37 of slot 1. The System 41 can support up to 240 channels (six slots). Channel assignments for the six slots are provided in Figure 5-7.

Perform the following steps to create a channel list using channel assignments:

Step 1: Make sure channel list is selected.

Open/close operations use the channel list, and scan operations use the scan list. The SCAN LIST key toggles between the channel list and the scan list. If the channel list is not already displayed, press SCAN LIST. Note that pressing EXIT will also select the channel list.

NOTE If you want to display the channels of the selected list on the LED dis-

play, make sure that the list display mode is selected. “Changing the display mode” explains how to change the display mode.

A previously deﬁned list can be cleared from the display by pressing the CLEAR LIST key.

Step 2: Enter slot number and card channel.

1. Enter slot number — Using the keypad, enter the slot number (1 through 6). The separator between slot and channel will automatically be entered after you key in the slot number. For example, if you selected slot 2, the entered channel data will look like this:

SELECT CHANNELS 1!

2. Enter channel number — Use the keypad to enter the channel number. For example, if you entered channel 4 (with slot 1 previously selected), the entered channel data will look like this:

SELECT CHANNELS 1!4

At this point, the entered channel can be cancelled by pressing the left cursor key ( ).

Step 3: Enter channel separator or terminator.

Channel separators are required for multiple channel entries, and a terminator should be used after the last entered channel.

The comma (,) is used to separate channels, and serves to terminate the list. After entering a channel, as explained in Step 2, press the right cursor key ( ) or ENTER to put in the comma separator. Another channel can then be keyed-in. After the last channel in the list is keyed-in, use the ENTER key or the right cursor key ( ) to terminate the list. The comma terminator prevents the last entered channel from being cancelled when the left cursor key ( ) is pressed. The following example shows proper format:

SELECT CHANNELS 1!1, 1!37, 1!15, 3!35,

Step 4: Repeat the basic procedure in steps 2 and 3 to enter all required channels.

5-16 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Figure 5-7

Channel assignments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Slot 1

1!1

1!2

1!3

1!4

1!5

1!6

1!7

1!8

1!9

1!10

Slot 2

Slot 6

1!11

1!21

1!31

1!12

1!22

1!32

1!13

1!23

1!33

1!14

1!24

1!34

1!15

1!25

1!35

1!16

1!26

1!36

1!17

1!27

1!37

1!18

1!28

1!38

1!19

1!29

1!39

1!20

1!30

1!40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2!1

2!11

2!21

2!31

2!2

2!12

2!22

2!32

2!3

2!13

2!23

2!33

2!4

2!14

2!24

2!34

2!5

2!15

2!25

2!35

2!6

2!16

2!26

2!36

2!7

2!17

2!27

2!37

2!8

2!18

2!28

2!38

2!9

2!19

2!29

2!39

2!10

2!20

2!30

2!40

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

6!1

6!11

6!21

6!2

6!12

6!22

6!3

6!13

6!23

6!4

6!14

6!24

6!5

6!15

6!25

6!6

6!16

6!26

6!7

6!17

6!27

6!8

6!18

6!28

6!9

6!19

6!29

6!10

6!20

6!30

6!31

6!32

6!33

6!34

6!35

Format: S!C where; S is the slot number (1-6)

C is the channel number (1-40)

Example: 2!36 = Slot 2, Channel 36

6!36

6!37

6!38

6!39

6!40

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-17

Editing a list

Edit keys are available to make changes to a channel list or a scan list. These keys allow you to change channel entries, delete channel entries, or insert channel entries anywhere in the list. When editing, a channel pattern (i.e., M1) is treated as a single channel entry.

1. Changing a channel entry — Perform the following steps to change a channel entry:

a. Use the cursor keys to place the cursor at the beginning of the channel entry to be

changed.

b. Key in the new channel entry, and press the right cursor key ( ) or ENTER to add the

comma.

2. Deleting a channel entry — Perform the following steps to delete a channel entry:

a. Place the cursor at the beginning of the channel entry to be deleted.

b. Press the DELETE key to delete the channel entry.

3. Inserting a channel entry — Perform the following steps to insert a channel entry anywhere in the list:

a. Position the cursor at the desired location in the list. The channel entry will be inserted

between the cursor and the channel entry before it.

b. Press the INSERT key. The following message will be displayed:

INSERTING ENTRY

c. Key in the new channel entry, and press the right cursor key ( ) or ENTER to add the

comma.

d. Press INSERT a second time to cancel the insert edit function.

4. Deleting all channels — The entire list can be cleared by pressing CLEAR LIST.

Summary of channel list and scan list entry keys:

“M” and number keys — Enter memory location of channel pattern (i.e. M1).

Number keys — Enter slot and channel numbers for channel list.

“-” — DO NOT use this key. If you inadvertently enter the hyphen (-), delete the entry as previously explained.

“ ” — Enter channel entry separator (,).

“ and ” — After terminating list, use cursor keys to select channel entry to be edited.

ENTER: Enter channel entry separator (,) and list terminator (,) (i.e 1!1,).

INSERT: Create new channel entry at selected location in the list.

DELETE: Clear selected channel entry.

CLEAR LIST: Clear displayed list.

5-18 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Using the light pen

You can use the light pen to perform many of the same operations that are performed using front panel keys.

Channel LEDs — You can use the light pen to enter individual channel assignments into a channel list. When a channel status LED is clicked, it will be entered into the channel list.

One important operation that the light pen cannot do is enter channel patterns into a channel or scan list. You must use the “M” and number keys to enter channel patterns.

Control LEDs — There are 16 control LEDs located above the connector for the light pen. Clicking any of the following control LEDs is the same as pressing the equivalent front panel key:

OPEN ALL OPEN CLOSE STEP SCAN LIST INSERT DELETE

EXIT ENTER

BACKSPACE — Clicking this LED moves the cursor back (left) to the previous entry, and removes it from the list. If the cursor is at the home position (ﬁrst entry), clicking BACKSPACE deletes that entry.

HOME — Clicking this LED moves the cursor to the beginning of the list.

END — Clicking this LED moves the cursor to the end of the list.

“–” — DO NOT click this LED. If you inadvertently enter the hyphen (-), delete the entry as

previously explained.

SHOW LIST — Clicking this LED toggles between the list display mode (SHOW LIST LED brightly lit), and the relay status display mode.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-19

Closing and opening channels

A basic operation of the System 41 is to close (and open) channels speciﬁed by the user. All the speciﬁed channels will either close or open at the same time.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches (or in the very least,

shorten their life), cold switching must be exercised. For cold switching, the test signal(s) must be removed (or set to 0V, 0A) before an RF switch is closed or opened.

CAUTION In order to prevent damage to RF switches and other equipment

connected to the System 41, DO NOT close more than one path through any input or output. In other words …

• NEVER connect an input to more than one output at a time.

• NEVER connect an output to more than one input at a time.

For example, if Input 1 is connected to Output 2, do not connect Input 1 to any other output, and do not connect Output 2 to any other input.

Perform the following steps to close and open channels:

NOTE The following procedure assumes that the test signal(s) is, initially, NOT

connected to the System 41. The test signal(s) must not be present when a channel (switch) is closed or opened.

Step 1. Select the channel list.

The channel list must be selected in order to close channels. The SCAN LIST key (or SCAN LIST LED) toggles between the scan list and the channel list. If the channel list is not currently selected, press SCAN LIST (or click the SCAN LIST LED). The following channel list prompt is displayed:

SELECT CHANNELS

Note that when the scan list is selected, pressing EXIT (or clicking the EXIT LED) will also select the channel list.

Step 2. Deﬁne channel list.

NOTE If you want to display the channel list on the LED display, make sure the

list display mode is selected. “Changing the display mode” explains how to change the display mode using the front panel keys. With the optional light pen, the SHOW LIST LED toggles between the relay status display mode and the list display mode.

Enter channels to be closed into the channel list as explained in “Channel list and scan list.” The following example demonstrates proper channel pattern format:

SELECT CHANNELS M1, M15,

With the RF 6×6 Module installed, the above channel list includes channels 5!6, 5!18, 4!4 and 4!16. When these channels are closed, Input 1 will be connected to Ouput 1, and Input 4 will be connected to Output 3. Note that the light pen cannot be used to enter channel patterns.

5-20 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

You can instead enter the individual channel assignments as follows:

SELECT CHANNELS 5!6, 5!18, 4!4, 4!16,

Step 3. Close listed channels.

NOTE Make sure the relay status display mode is selected in order to monitor

the real-time status (open or closed) of each channel on the LED display. “Changing the display mode” explains how to change the display mode using the front panel keys. With the optional light pen, the SHOW LIST LED toggles between the relay status display mode and the list display mode.

Press the CLOSE key (or click the CLOSE LED) to close the listed channels. If in the relay status display mode, the corresponding channel LEDs become brightly lit to indicate which channels are closed.

Step 4. Apply test signal(s).

With the listed channels closed, it is now safe to apply the test signal(s) to the System 41.

Step 5. Remove test signal(s) and open channels.

When ﬁnished, ﬁrst remove the test signal(s) and then open the channels.

Press the OPEN key (or click the OPEN LED) to open channels that are listed in the channel list. Note that only the listed channels will open. To open unlisted channels, press (or click) OPEN ALL.

NOTES 1. CLOSE and OPEN are only functional when the channel list is

selected. OPEN ALL opens all channels and is functional at all times no matter what is currently being displayed.

2. It is possible to exceed the current rating of the +28V supply by closing too many channels. If this occurs, a scan will abort (go into idle), all channels will open, and the following message will be displayed:

ERROR: ID CODE = +350 Too many channels closed

Summary of Close/Open keys and LEDs:

CLOSE — Close channels deﬁned in channel list.

OPEN — Open channels deﬁned in channel list.

OPEN ALL — Open all channels.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-21

Overview of scan process

The following overview is intended to acquaint you with the basic scan fundamentals without the details of enhanced capabilities. This brief overview is sufﬁcient to support the operation examples in this section.

The simpliﬁed model for scan operation is shown in Figure 5-8. As shown, scan operation consists of three layers; the arm layer, scan layer, and channel layer.

Figure 5-8

Simpliﬁed model of scan operation

Idle

Arm

Layer

Scan

Layer

Channel

Layer

Arm

Event

Scan

Event

Channel

Event

Ye s

Device Action

(scan channel)

Another

Arm

Another

Scan

Another

Channel

Arm

Count

Number of

Scans

Number of

Channels

Keep in mind that the RF module must be cold switched. That is, you should not scan a channel pattern while a test signal is applied to the inputs or outputs of the System 41.

When you conﬁgure the trigger model, you must hold up operation so that you can remove the test signal(s) before closing and opening channels. The following steps must be performed for each channel pattern to be scanned:

1. Hold up operation.

2. Remove test signal(s) from System 41.

3. Scan channel pattern.

4. Apply test signal to System 41.

To accommodate cold switching, operation is typically held up in the channel layer of the trigger model.

5-22 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Idle

The instrument is considered to be in the idle state whenever it is not operating within one of the layers of the model. The front panel ARM indicator is off when the instrument is in the idle state.

When the System 41 is taken out of the idle state by pressing STEP (or sending the :INIT or :INIT:CONT ON command over the IEEE-488 bus), the ARM indicator turns on and operation proceeds into the arm layer.

Arm layer

In general, the instrument requires an arm event to allow operation to proceed to the scan layer. With Immediate arm spacing selected, operation immediately proceeds to the next layer when the instrument is taken out of the idle state. With one of the other arm spacing events selected, the instrument waits until the appropriate event occurs.

With Manual arm spacing selected, the instrument waits until the front panel STEP key is pressed. With GPIB arm spacing selected, the instrument waits until a bus trigger (GET or *TRG) is received. With Trigger Link arm spacing selected, the instrument waits until an input trigger is received (via TRIGGER LINK).

After all other scanning operations are completed, the instrument can be returned to the arm layer by programming the instrument for additional arms. The arm count can be set to a ﬁnite value (1 to 9999) or to inﬁnity.

After the instrument leaves the arm layer, operation proceeds into the scan layer.

Scan layer

In general, the instrument requires a scan event to allow operation to proceed to the channel layer. With Immediate scan spacing selected, operation immediately proceeds to the next layer. With one of the other trigger scan spacing events selected (Timer, GPIB, Manual, Trigger Link), the instrument waits until the appropriate event occurs. With Timer scan spacing selected, the ﬁrst pass through the scan layer will occur immediately. For each additional scan, the instrument waits until the Timer times out. The Timer can be set for an interval from 1msec to 99999.999 seconds.

The scan count (number of scans) can be set to a ﬁnite value (1 to 9999) or for an inﬁnite number of scans.

After the instrument leaves the scan layer, operation proceeds into the channel layer.

Channel layer

NOTE Typically, this is the layer where operation is held up to accommodate

cold switching. For example, with GPIB channel spacing selected, a channel pattern will not be scanned until you send a bus trigger (*TRG or GET). With operation held up, you can safely apply or remove the test signal(s).

In general, channel events control the channel scan rate. With Immediate channel spacing selected, a channel is scanned immediately. With one of the other channel spacing events selected (Timer, GPIB, Manual, or Trigger Link), the instrument waits until the appropriate event occurs before scanning a channel. With Timer channel spacing selected, the ﬁrst channel is scanned immediately. Each additional channel waits for the Timer to time out before it will be scanned.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-23

Typically, the channel count (number of channels to scan) is set to the number of channels that are contained in the Scan List (scan-list-length). However, the channel count can be set to a ﬁnite value (1 to 9999) or to inﬁnity.

Scan channel patterns

1. Set the System 41 to display the scan list:

a. Use the SCAN LIST key to display “SCAN CHANNELS”.

b. Press OPEN ALL to ensure that there are no closed channels.

c. Press CLEAR LIST to clear any channels from the scan list.

2. Perform the following steps to place channel patterns into the scan list.

a. Using the keypad, press “M”, key in a channel pattern number, and press ENTER. For

example, press “M”, “1”, and then ENTER to place channel pattern M1 in the scan list.

b. Repeat step 2a to place additional channels patterns in the scan list.

3. Press STEP to take the instrument out of idle, and then press STEP again to scan the ﬁrst channel pattern in the scan list.

4. Press STEP to scan the second channel pattern. Notice that the ﬁrst channel pattern opens.

5. Use the STEP key to scan other channel patterns in the scan.

6. When ﬁnished, press OPEN ALL to open all channels and abort the scan.

Remote programming — The following command sequence demonstrates how to conﬁgure a channel pattern scan:

SYSTem:PREset ‘ Configures System 41 for manual scan. SCAN (@M1:M4) ‘ Define scan list (M1, M2, M3 and M4). INITiate ‘ Take System 41 out of idle and arm the scan.

Press the LOCAL key to return to front panel operation. The STEP key can now be used to scan channels. When ﬁnished, press OPEN ALL to open all channels and terminate the scan.

5-24 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Storing and recalling channel patterns

A channel pattern is simply a pattern of open and closed channels that is stored in memory. The System 41 is shipped with pre-programmed channel patterns already stored in memory. These channel patterns cover all switching combinations to connect inputs to outputs for the RF module. The actual channels that are closed by a channel pattern depend on which RF module is installed in the System 41.

If a pre-programmed channel pattern is lost (cleared) or inadvertently changed, you will have to reprogram the affected memory location. The required channel closures for all channel patterns are provided in Section 4.

Storing channel patterns (STORE)

There are two methods to store a channel pattern. One method is to actually close and open the desired channels and then save that pattern into memory. The other method is to deﬁne a list of channels and then save that channel list into memory. The channels deﬁned in the list will be the closed channels of the pattern. All the unlisted channels will be open.

Perform the following steps to store a channel list in memory:

1. Decide on which storage method you wish to use:

a. If you want to store an actual pattern of open and closed channels into memory, go ahead

and open and close the desired channels.

b. If you want to store a list of the closed channels for the channel pattern, go ahead and

deﬁne the channel list.

2. Press STORE to display the following menu:

STORE TO MEMORY

RELAY-PATTERN CURRENT-LIST

3. Place the cursor on the appropriate selection:

a. Place the cursor on RELAY PATTERN if storing the actual pattern of open and closed

channels.

b. Place the cursor on CURRENT-LIST if storing the deﬁned channel list.

4. With the cursor on the appropriate selection, press ENTER. One of the following typical messages will be displayed:

STORE CHANS AT #001 or STORE LIST AT #001

Both messages indicate that storage will occur at memory location 1 (M1).

NOTE You can cancel the store operation at this time by using the EXIT key to

back out of the menu structure.

5. If you wish storage to occur at the displayed memory location proceed to step 6. Otherwise, use the cursor keys ( and ) and the numeric keypad to key in the desired memory location (001 to 500).

6. To store the channel pattern or list at the displayed memory location, press ENTER.

System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual Front Panel Operation 5-25

Recalling channel patterns (RECALL)

As explained throughout this manual, channel patterns are used in a scan list and channel list to control switching. For example:

SCAN CHANNELS M1, M4, M2, M3, SELECT CHANNELS M1, M15,

Another way to use channel patterns is to immediately access a channel pattern from memory using RECALL. The open/close channel pattern will be reinstated.

NOTE The drawback to using RECALL is that you can only control (open/

close) one channel pattern at a time.

Recalling a channel pattern using RECALL

Perform the following steps to use RECALL:

1. Press RECALL to display the following typical message:

RECALL CHANS AT #001

The above message indicates that the channel pattern will be recalled from memory location M1.

NOTE You can exit from the Recall mode without recalling the channel pattern

by pressing EXIT. The instrument will return to the channel list display state.

2. If you wish to recall the channel pattern from the displayed memory location, proceed to step

3. Otherwise, use the cursor keys ( and ) and the number keys to key in the desired memory location.

3. To recall the channel pattern from the displayed memory location, press ENTER. The instrument will return to the channel status display state and display the recalled channel pattern.

CAUTION As soon as the display updates to the selected channel pattern, the

corresponding RF switches will also update. Thus, make sure you want to close the switches before recalling a channel pattern.

Various instrument operations to conﬁgure the System 41 are performed using the front panel MENU. The MENU structure is shown and summarized in Table 5-3.

General rules to use MENU:

1. The MAIN MENU is displayed by pressing the MENU key. The MAIN MENU selections are shown as follows:

MAIN MENU SAVESETUP GPIB DIGITAL-I/O

TEST LANGUAGE GENERAL

2. Pressing the EXIT key causes the display to back up to the previous menu level. Also, keyedin parameter changes are ignored if an EXIT is performed. When the MAIN MENU is displayed, pressing EXIT or MENU will disable MENU.

5-26 Front Panel Operation System 41 Mainframe and RF Modules Instruction Manual

Table 5-3

MENU structure

Menu item Description

SAVESETUP

SAVE RESTORE PWRON

FACTORY DEFAULT USER SETUP

RESET

GPIB

ADDRESS STATUS

DIGITAL-I/O Not implemented by System 41.

TEST

BUILT-IN TESTS DISPLAY TESTS

KEYS PATTERNS LED BOARD CHAR SET

LANGUAGE

ENGLISH GERMAN FRENCH

GENERAL

SERIAL #

STATUS-MESSAGES DISPLAY

LED DISPLAY SETUP

SHOW-LIST GRATICULE-CONTROL

BREAK BEFORE MAKE

Setup Menu:

Save setup at a memory location (up to 10). Return System 41 to setup stored at a memory location. Power-on Menu:

Power-on to factory default setup conditions. Power-on to setup stored at a memory location.

Return System 41 to original power-on setup.

GPIB Setup Menu:

Check/change IEEE-488 address. Display IEEE-488 status byte.

Self-Test Menu:

For use by Keithley service personnel only. Test Display Board:

Verify operation of front panel keys. Verify operation of VFD display. Verify operation of LED display. Display ASCII character set.

Choose System 41 Language:

Display messages in English. Display messages in German. Display messages in French.

General Menu:

Displays serial number, SCPI version, and

software revision. Enables/disables status message mode. Display Menu:

LED Display Control:

Change Display Mode. Disable/enable LED Graticule.

Enables/disables Break-Before-Make. To prevent

damage to RF switches, DO NOT disable

Break-Before-Make. It must be enabled.

3. The position of the cursor is denoted by the blinking menu selection or parameter. The cursor is moved from one item to the next using the cursor keys ( and ).

4. A displayed arrow ( or ) indicates that there is more information or additional menu items to select from. When “ ” is displayed, use the cursor key to display the additional message(s); and conversely, when “ ” is displayed, use the cursor key.

5. A numeric parameter is keyed in by placing the cursor on the digit to be changed, and pressing the appropriate key on the keypad. After keying in a number, the cursor will move to the next digit to the right.

6. A parameter change is only executed when the ENTER key is pressed.

7. ENTERing an invalid parameter generates an error and ignores the entry.

Tektronix System 41 Mainframe,RF Modules Instruction Manual Rev. A Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual