User’s Manual
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3488 Mode Supplement
This manual describes the Agilent 3499A/B/C Switch/Control System
used in the 3488 mode of o pe rat io n. T his m anual is a suppl e ment
when
to the Agilent 3499A/B/C Switch/Control System User’s Manual (shipped
with the instrument).
© Copyright Agilent Technolo gies, Inc. 1999-200 2
Agilent 349 9A/B/C
Switch/Control System
Agilent 3499A/B/C at a Glance
The Agilent Technologies 3499A/B/C Switch/Control System provides a
convenient mechanical and programming environment for a v ariety of
plug-in modules. With appropriate plug-in modules, the Switch/Control
System pr ov id e s high density/high speed switching and digi tal I/O
capability.
Switch/Control System Features
•
Intuitive and easy-to-use user interface
•
GPIB (IEEE 488) or RS-232 interface control
•
External triggering capability
•
Built-in 4-bit digital I/O port
•
Store and recall up to 50 customized instrument setups
•
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments)
compatibilit y
•
Relay cycle count informa tion for preventive maintenance
•
Downloadable fir m war e upgrades
Agilent 3499A Features
•
Five plug -in slots
•
Full rack width
Agilent 3499B Features
•
Two plug -i n slots
•
Half rack width
Agilent 3499C Features
•
Nine plug-in slots
•
Full rack width
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, this manual applies to all Serial Numbers.
2
Plug-in Mo du les at a Glance
The Agilent 3499A/B/C mainframes support a variety of plug-in modules
to make test sys te m configuration easy.
Multip lexer Modules
N2260A 40-Channel MUX Module (armature relays)
N2266A 40-Channel MUX Module (reed relays)
N2270A 10-Channel High Voltage MUX Module
44470A 10-Channel MUX Module
44470D 20-Channel MUX Module
General Purpose Relay Modules
N2261A 40-Channel GP Relay Module
N2267A 8-Channel High Current GP Module
44471A 10-Channel GP Relay Module
44471D 20-Channel GP Relay Module
44477A 7-Channel Form-C Relay Module
Matrix Modules
N2262A 4 x 8 Matrix Module
44473A 4 x 4 Matrix Module
High Frequency Switching Modules
N2268A 50Ω 3.5GHz Dual 4-to-1 MUX Module
N2272A 1 GHz RF 1-to-9 MUX Module
N2276A/B Dual 1-to-6 (4) Microwave MUX/Attenuator Module
44472A Dual 4-Channel VHF Switch Module
44478A/B 50Ω/75Ω 1.3 GHz Multiplexer
44476A 3-Channel 18 GHz Switch Module
44476B 2-Channel Microwave Switch Module
1
1
Optic al Switch Modules
N2280A Optical Switch Quad 1-to-2 MUX Module
N2281A Optical Switch Dual 1-to-4 MUX Module
N2282A Optical Switch 1-to-8 MUX Module
1
Digita l I/ O M odules
N2263A 32 -Bit Digital I/O Module
44474A 16-Bit Digital I/O Module
Multifunc tion/Special Purpose Modules
N2264A 12-Channel GP & 3-Channel High-current GP & 16-Bit Digital I/O
N2265A 4 x 4 Matrix & 16-Bit Digital I/O Module
44475A Breadboard Module
1
These modules are NOT supported in the 3488 Mode of operation.
3
The Front Pane l at a G lance
1. Power On/Standby 8. Scan Keys (see page 78)
2. Reset Module/Instrument 9. Main Menu
3. Shift/Local 10. Open/Close Relay Channels
4. Store/Recall Instrument State 11. Enter a Value/Confirm Selection
5. Monitor Channel/Port/Module 12. Read/Write Digital I/O Ports
6. View Menu 13. Knob
7. Mode Menu 14. Navigation Arrow Keys
Note The front panel shown above is the Agilent 3499B. The 3499A and 3499C
front panels are similar and have identical functionality.
4
Annunciators
The Display at a Glance
Channel/Slot Number
The display is divided into several areas. The channel and slot number is
always displayed on the right corner of the display. The main area,
which is in the center of the display, is primarily used to display channel
status (open or closed), information messages, menu items, prompt information, error messages, and so on. Around the display are annunciators
to indicate var ious sta te s of the inst ru m ent ope rati o n. The a n nunciators
are summarized below.
Annunciator Indication
SCAN Scan is initiated.
MON Instrument is in monitor mode.
VIEW Scan list, errors or relay cycle counts are being viewed.
CONFIG Any configuration key has been pressed.
* Instrument is advancing a scan step.
ADRS Instrument is active on the remote interface.
RMT Instrument is in remote mode.
ERROR Error queue is not empty.
EXT Scan is waiting for external trigger source.
SHIFT Shift key has been pressed.
Other annunciators in the display are not used in the Agilent 3499A/B/C
system.
5
The Rear Panel at a Glance
The figure be low sh o ws the A gilent 3499A rear panel.
Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 0
Control Module
The figure be low sh o ws the A gilent 3499B rear panel.
Slot 4
Slot 5
GPIB Connector RS-232 Connector
Mini DIN Connector
Power Input
Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 0
Control Module
GPIB Connector RS-232 Connector
Power Input
Mini DIN Connector
6
The figure be low sh o ws the A gilent 3499C rear panel.
Option FP1 (1 -s lot) and FP2 (2-slot) filler panels can be ordered to cover
any un used slo ts.
Slot 0
Control Module
Mini DIN Connector
Slot 7
(2 slot width)
Slot 6
Slot 8
Slot 9
(3 slot width)
(3 slot width)
Slot 5
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 1
Slot 2
GPIB Connector
RS-232 Connector
Power Input
WARNING For prot ection from electri cal shock, the power cord grou nd must not be
defeated.
The Mini DIN Connector
The rear panel mini DIN connector is used to make connections to
external triggers and the built-in digital I/O port. An Agilent N2289A
cable (mini DIN to D9) can be ordered to assist connections to external
devices. The figure below shows the pins used in the mini DIN connector.
7
In This Book
Quick Start Chapter 1 prepares the switch/control sy stem for use and
helps you get familiar with a few of its front-panel features.
Front - Panel Menu Operation Chapter 2 introduces you to the frontpanel menu and describes some of the switch/control system’s menu
features.
System Overview Chapt er 3 gives an overview of a switch/control
system, describes how parts of the system work together, and describes
the channel addressing scheme used.
Feature s and Function s Chapter 4 gives a detailed description of the
swit c h/control system’s capabilities and operation. This chapter is useful
for operating the sw it ch/c on t r ol s y st e m from th e front panel or the remote
interface.
Remote Interface Reference Chapter 5 contains the 3488 mode
language reference used to program the switch/control system over a
remote inter fa ce.
Error Mess ag es Chapter 6 lists the error messages that may appear as
you are working with the instrument.
Application Programs Chapter 7 contains several remote int er f a ce
application programs to help you develop programs for your switch/
contr ol sy st e m.
Note
This manual does not describe the
way. Use the Agilent 3499A/B/C User’s Manual (shipped with the
instrument) for complete details.
8
plug-in modules except in a general
Contents
Chapter 1 Quick Start 11
To Prepare the Instrument for Use 13
To Install a Module in the 3499A/B/C 15
Basic Operation 17
To Rack Mount the 3499A/B/C 21
Filler Panels 24
Chapter 2 Front-Panel Operation 25
To Power On the Instru ment 27
To Select the System Mode 27
To Monitor a Channel or a Slot 28
To Use a Digital I/O Port 30
To View Instrument Errors 35
Scanning Operation 37
To Pair Two Modules Together 40
To Configure fo r External Trig ge r 41
To Configur e th e Po we r- o n Sta te 4 3
To Configure th e Rem o te Interface 45
To Perform a Self-test 47
To Query the Firmware Revision 48
To Query the Serial Number 49
Local/Remote Control 50
Contents
Chapter 3 System Overview 51
Agilent 3499A/B/C Switch/Control System 53
Mainframes Overview 54
Firmware and Control Module Description 55
3488 Mode Differences 57
Plug-in Modules Overview 58
Channel and Slot Addressing 67
Factory Default and Reset States 71
9
Contents
Chapter 4 Features and Functions 73
Monitoring a Channel or a Slot 75
Switching a Relay Channel 77
Scanning 78
Digi tal I/O Ope r ation 84
State Storage 94
Error Conditions 96
Self-Test 96
Display Control 97
Relay Cycle Counts 98
Chapter 5 Remote Interface Reference 99
Command Syntax 101
3488 Mode Command Q uick Reference 1 02
3488 Mode Commands 104
Chapter 6 Error Messages 135
Contents
Error Messages 136
Self T est Errors 136
Chapter 7 Application Programs 137
Visual C++ Example Program 139
Visual BASIC Example Program 141
BASIC Example Program 143
Index 145
10
1
1
Quick Start
Quick Start
1
This chapter describes the procedure to install the plug-in modules into
an Agilent 3499A/B/C mainframe and mount t he m ainfram e onto a
system rack. The basic operations of the Agilent 3499A/B/C Switch/
Control System is also described. The chapter contents include:
•
To Prepare the Instrument for Use, on page 13
•
To Install a Modu le in the 3499A/B/C, on page 15
•
Basic Operation, on page 17
•
To Rack Mount the 3499A/B/C, on page 21
12
Chapter 1 Quick Start
To Prepare the Instrument for Use
To Prepare the Instrument for Use
1 Check the list of suppl ied ite ms
Verify that you have received the following items with your
Agilent 3499A/B/C mainframe:
1
❏ One power cord;
❏ This User’s Manual;
❏ One Quick Reference Guide;
❏ One Tie Down Clip 03499-21002 (for Agilent 3499B only);
❏ Any plug-in modules that you ordered are delivered in separate
shipping containers.
2 Connect the power cord and turn on the instrument
1. Connect the 3499A/B/C to an AC po we r sou rc e with the supplied
power cor d .
2. Push the Power sw itc h located on the low e r left s ide of the front
panel.
3. On power-up, every segment in the display will light up briefly,
including all annunciators. Following this “starburst” display, the
internal self- test will begin.
4. If the self-test passe s
address are displayed, together with a “beep” sound. Then the display
shows the instrument model number and the active slot (slot 0).
1
, the default system mode and the GPIB
4
SCPI GPIB 9
3499 0
1
If the self-test failed, the failure will be displayed on the front panel. For
details of all self-test errors, refer to “Error Messages” starting on page
135.
13
Chapter 1 Quick Start
To Prepare the Instrument for Use
1
When shipped from the factory, the SCPI mode and the GPIB interface
address of “9” are used. Slot 0 refers to the built-in controller board of the
switch/control system.
If the Instrument Does Not Turn On
1. Verify that the power cord is firmly plugged into the power receptacle
on the rear panel of the 3499A/B/C.
2. Make sure that the power source the 3499A/B/C is plugged into is
energized.
3. Verify that the 3499A/B/C is turned on.
Note If the 3499A/B/C DOES NOT turn on after you perform the above
procedure, contact your nearest Agilent Service Center (see page 8).
14
Chapter 1 Quick Start
To Install a Module in the 3499A/B/C
To Install a Module in the 3499A/B/C
The plug-in modules you ordered were not installed in the mainframe.
The figur e on pag e 16 sho ws how to install a pl ug -in m o dule into the
3499B mainframe. Other mainframes use similar procedures.
1
WARNING Disconnect th e p o wer cor d from the rear panel of the ma inframe prior to
installing or removing an y modules.
Caution Use anti-static procedure s when c onfiguring, installing or removing any
plug-in modules. To prevent contamination to the modules that could
degrade performance, handle the modules by the side edges or shields
only. Do not touch the board surfaces or components.
Each plug-in module may have terminal block(s) and/or the cables for
wiring to external cir cui ts . These terminations are also shipped
separately.
For more details about terminal blocks, cables, and connections, see the
Agilent 3499A/B/C User’s Manual (shipped with the instrument)
4
Module Removal
To remove a plug-in module from the Agilent 3499A/B/C mainframe,
reverse the procedures shown on page 16.
15
1
STEP 1
STEP 2
1. Face the mainframe rear panel toward you.
2. Select a slot in which the module is to be
installed.
STEP 3
1. Wire the screw terminal block (module
dependent).
2. Attach the screw terminal block to the plug-in
module.
(for modules with terminal blocks)
1. Hold the sides of the module, component side
down
2. Insert the module into the slot guides and slide
3. Push firmly until the module “snaps” into place.
4. Push both plastic levers inward to lock the
STEP 4
1. Push firmly until the terminal block “snaps” into
2. Secure the screw terminal block with the two
, by the metal shields.
the module toward the front of the instrument.
module.
(for modules with terminal blocks)
place.
screws (Torque < 8 in-lbs).
Module installation
16
Chapter 1 Quick Start
Basic Operation
Basic Operation
An Agilent 3499A/B/C Switch/Control System can be easily operated
from the front-panel, or programmed with SCPI commands over the
remote inter fa ce.
The following sections are only intended to show the basic front-panel
operation. F or deta iled front-panel op erat i on, refer to the “Front-Panel
Operation” chapter on page 25. For more information about
programming the instrument, refer to the “Remote Interface Reference”
chapter on page 99.
Channel Addressing
A channel refers to an individ ual relay on a switching module, or an
individual bit/port on a digital I/O module. The channel address is in the
form of snn, where s repres ents sl ot number and nn represents a channel
number.
4
1
For all mainframes, slot 0 refers to the 3499 controller board. Valid slot
numbers are:
3499A slots 0 through 5
3499B slots 0 through 2
3499C slots 0 through 9
The chan ne l nu m b e r, nn, is plug-in module dependent. For additional
information about channel numbers of individual plug-in modules, refer
to the table beginning on page 67.
17
1
Chapter 1 Quick Start
Basic Operation
To Sele ct a Slot and Channel
When the instrument is first turned on, the display shows the model
number and the slot n umber of the controller board.
3499
Use the knob to selec t a channel on the acti ve slot. For example, with the
display shown above, turning the knob to the right will select the first of
the individual built-in digital I/ O ports.
DIN
The “DIN ” indic a te s the p o rt is set for a digital input operation. As the
knob is turned, the additional ports are displayed followed by any
installed plug-in modules.
If you have installed one or more plug-in modules, you can select the
module by pressing the right arrow key. F o r example, if an N2260A (40channel MUX module) is installed in slot 1, pressing the r ight arrow key
will show the module name and slot number.
0
090
N2260A 1
Turning the knob will then step through the individual channels on that
module.
MUX
OPEN
100
18
Chapter 1 Quick Start
Basic Operation
To Open or Clo s e a C h annel
When a channel is selected, y ou can open or close the channel using the
front panel keys. For example, with an N2260A 40-channel MUX
installed in slot 1, select channel 00 as de scribed on t he previous page.
1
MUX
OPEN
100
4
Press the CLOSE key to close the channel.
MUX
Press the OPEN key to open the channel
MUX
In this manner, you can select and control as many channels as you need.
The N2260A has 40 channels numbered 0 through 39 (in slot 1, 100
through 139). You may also select additional plug-in modules and
channels by turning the knob.
CLOSED
OPEN
100
100
19
1
Chapter 1 Quick Start
Basic Operation
To Open All Channels on a Module
You can open individual channels on a module one at a time as described
above. There are times, however, when it would be more expedient to
open all channels on a module at once.
Use the arrow keys to select the module to work with. You cannot have
an individual channel selected for this operation. For example, select the
module in slot 1 (using t he N2 260A as an example) to show a display
similar to this:
N2260A
Press and hold the card reset key. When you first press the k e y, the
display shows:
1
HOLD TO RESET
When the card has been reset, the display briefly shows:
RESET CARD
and then returns to:
N2260A
1
To Reset All Modules
You can reset all channels on all modules in the mainframe at once.
Press the shift key and th e n press and hold th e res et key. The display
shows:
HOLD TO RESET
When the mainframe has been reset, the display will briefly show the
reset and then return to the slot or channel display.
RESET . . .
20
Chapter 1 Quick Start
To Rack Mount the 3499A/B/C
To Rack Mount the 3499A/B/C
You can mount the Agilent 3499A/B/C on a standard 19-inch EIA rack
cabinet with the opti on al rack -mo unting kits. The ins tru ct io ns and
mounting hardware are included with each rack-mounting kit.
1
Agilent 34 99A
To rack mount a 3499A, the full-rack-width mainframe, order either:
•
Rack-mount kit with hand les, part number 5183-7170, or
•
Rack-mount kit without handles, part number 5183-7171.
3499A
SWITCH/CONTROL SYSTEM
To Rack Mount an Agilent 3499A
4
21
1
Flange
Filler Panel
Chapter 1 Quick Start
To Rack Mount the 3499A/B/C
Agilent 34 99B
To rack mount a single 3499B, order either:
•
Adapter kit, part number 5183-7172
(includes t he f lange and filler panel).
3499B
SWITCH/CONTROL SYSTEM
To Rack Mount a Single Agilent 3499B with Adapter kit 5183-7172
OR
•
A Support Shelf, part number 5063-9255,
•
A slide kit, part number 1494-0015,
•
And a filler panel, part number 5002-3999.
To Rack Mount a Single Agilent 3499B on a support shelf
22
Chapter 1 Quick Start
To Rack Mount the 3499A/B/C
To rack mount two Agilent 3499B’s side-by-side (or any Syst em II
instrument next to an Agilent 3499B), order:
•
A Support Shelf, part number 5063-9255,
•
And a slide kit, part number 1494-0015.
1
4
To Rack Mount Two Agilent 3499B’s Side-by-side
23
1
Chapter 1 Quick Start
Filler Panels
Agilent 34 99C
To rack mount an Agilent 3499C, order either:
•
Adapter kit without handles, part number 5063-9216, or
•
Adapter kit with handles, part number 5063-9223.
Adapter kit
To Rack Mount an Agilent 3499C
Filler Panels
Order filler panels to cover any unused slots in an Agilent 3499A/B/C.
•
1-slot filler panel, part number 03499-00023 (option FP1)
•
2-slot filler panel, part number 03499-00024 (option FP2)
24
2
2
Front- Panel Operation
2
Front-Panel Operation
The Agilent 3499A/B/C mainframes all operate the same from the frontpanel. This chapter does not give a detailed description of every possible
front-panel operation. It does, however, give you a good overview of the
front-panel menus and front-panel keys. See the “Features and
Functions” chapter on page 73 for additional discussions of the
instrument’s capabilities and operation. This chapter contents include:
•
To Power On the Inst rument, on page 27
•
To Select the System Mode, on page 27
•
To Monitor a Channel or a Slot, on page 28
•
To Use a Digital I/O Port, on pag e 30
•
To View Instrument Errors, on page 35
•
Scanning Operation, on page 37
•
To Pair Two Modules Together, on page 40
•
To Configure for External Trigger, on page 41
•
To Configure the Power-on State, on page 43
•
To Configure the Remote Interface, on page 45
•
To Perform a Self-test, on page 47
•
To Que r y the Firmware Revision, on pa ge 48
•
To Query the Serial Number, on page 49
•
Local/Remote Control, on page 50
The following con ventions are used for the front-panel operation.
•
All keys on the front-panel keyboard are expressed in bold font and
normally associated with a “press”. For example, press Mon.
•
All the front panel display annunciators are expressed in bold font
followed by an “annunciator”. For example, MON annunciator.
•
The information shown on the fron t panel dis play is enclosed w ithin a
pair of quotation mark s.
26
To Power On the Instrument
Chapter 2 Front-Panel Operation
To Power On the Instrument
To power on the ins trument, press the power switch on the front panel.
If the instrument is powered up for the first time, the instrument will
use the fact ory default settings as shown on page 71. Other w i se, the
instrument will power on to the state specified. Refer to "To Configure
the Power-on State", on page 43 for more details.
4
To Select the System Mode
The instrument can be operated in either SCPI mode or 3488A mode
(except Firmware REV 3.0, see page page 55 for mor e details). When
shipped from the factory, the instrument is set to the SCPI mode.
Perform the fol lowing procedure to select the desired system mode for
the instrument before any operation.
1. Press Menu, the CONFIG annunciator lights up. Turn the knob
until “SYSTEM MODE” is dis p layed, then press Enter.
SYSTEM MODE
2. Turn the knob until the desired system mode (i.e. 3488A MOD E ) is
displayed, then press Enter.
2
HP 3488A MODE
3. The instrument will be reset if the system mode has been changed.
Otherwise, it retains the current mode and you can press Menu
again to exit this operation.
Note Switching between SCPI mode and 3488A mode will reset the
instrument to the factory default settings, except the GPIB address
which will retain its last setting.
This manual describes programming in the 3488 mode. For information
about the SCPI programming mode please refer to the User’s Manual
shipped with the Agilent 3499A/B/C
27
Chapter 2 Front-Panel Operation
To Monitor a Channel or a Slot
2
To Monitor a Channel or a Slot
You can continuously monitor the current status of a particular
switching channel, a digital I/O port, or an entire plug-in module.
Monitoring from the front pane l is espec ially u seful when devel oping and
debugging remote interface commands.
1. Press the monitor key, the MON annunciator lights up to indicate the
instrument is in the monitoring state.
2. Select the slot or the channel/port to be monitored. The displayed
information depends on the selected module type. Typical displays
are shown in the table on page 76.
3. If only pa r t of the channel status on the module can be displayed at
one t i me, press Enter to display the next part.
For multiplexer modules and GP Relay modules, 10 channels can be
displayed at one time; for matrix modules, one Row or one Column
can be displayed at o ne time; for digital I/O modules, two 8-bit ports
can be displayed at one time. For multifunction modules, the first
function on the module is displayed, then the next.
4. Press the monitor key again to end monitoring (the MON
annunciator turns off).
Note The built-in dig ital I/ O bits/ po rt (on the co ntroller module) can be
monitored either individually as bit channels (numbered 091 through
094) or as a 4-bit port (numbe red 090). However, the individual bit
channels on a digital I/O or multifunction module (with a DIO function)
cannot be monitored.
28
Chapter 2 Front-Panel Operation
To Monitor a Channel or a Slot
.
Display Description
The display for a multiplexer or a GP relay module. This
1:0,,,,,,6,,,9, 2
display indicates that the monitored module is in Slot 2 and
channels 10, 16, and 19 are closed.
The display for a matrix module. The top is the row
ROW 3:,1,,3,,,6,7 3
information, indicating that the relays on Row 3, Columns 1, 3,
6 and 7 of the module (in Slot 3) are closed. The lower display
is the column information, indicating that relays on column 3,
0;,,3,COL 3, 3
row 0 and 3 are closed.
The display for a digital I/O module. The first 2 digits on the left
00:H255 L254. 4
(“00” in this case) represents the “L” 8-bit port address. Adding
one to this value, the “H” 8-bit port address is obtained. Data
with a trailing decimal point indicates that the last operation on
that port was a WRITE, data without a trailing decimal point
indicates that the last operation on that port was a READ. This
display shows that the data last read from Port 401 is 255 and
the data last written to Port 400 is 254.
The top display is for the built-in digital I/O Port 090 (control
DIO 12 090
module) and the data from the last operation.
The lower display indicates that data last written to the bit
channel 091 is 0.
DOUT 0 091
2
4
ROW 0:,1,,3, 5
00:H255 L254. 5
For a multifunction module, the first function on the module is
displayed, then the next. This display is an example of a
multifunction module with matrix and DIO functions (in slot 5).
29
Chapter 2 Front-Panel Operation
t
To Use a Digital I/O Port
To Use a Digital I/O Port
2
You can work with a digital I/O module as a port (all eight bits) or as
individual bits.
Readi ng a Digital I/O Po r t
You can read data from the built-in 4-bit digital I/O port, or any o ne of
the 8-bit ports on a digital I/O or multifunction module (with a DIO
function). You can read the entire p ort (all bit s) w h en you select the slot
(for example, the built-in port is channel 090). Alternately, you can read
an individual bit by selecting the channel (for example the first bit in the
built-in port is channel 091).
Perform the fol lowing procedure to read from a port:
1. Select a digital I/O por t. Use the kno b to sele ct the slot and channel
number. The channel number is in the form of snn, wher e s is the slot
number and nn is the channel number.
2. Read the data read from the selected port. For example, the display
below shows the data read from port 401.
DIN 401
DIN 401
255
11111111
Decimal forma
(default)
Binary format
The data display format of individual 8-bit ports can be specified
either in binar y or deci mal formats (as described on page 33). Once
specified, the format applies to all input and o utput operations on the
same port.
30
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