Agilent Technologies E4406A VSA Series User Manual

48 Chapter1
Preparing for Use
Writing Your First Program
Writing Your First Program
When the instrument has been connected to a computer, the computer
can be used to send instrument instructions to make fast, repeatable
measurements. A variety of different programming languages,
computer types, and interface buses can be used for this process. The
following section describes some basic steps for making a measurement
program.
Three Basic Steps in a Measurement
Programming a Measurement
General recommendations for writing a measurement program:
• Include comment lines in your program to describe what is
happening at each point. The way you include comment lines is
dependent on the controller and the programming language that you
are using.
• Use variables for function values. List the variables at the beginning
of the program.
• Perform the measurement manually, keeping track of the key
functions used. Identify the programming commands equivalent to
these front panel keys.
Step Tasks (SCPI Command Subsystem)
1. Set system
parameters
• Printer setup (HCOPy)
• I/O & addressing (SYSTem)
• Display configuration (DISPlay)
• Data formatting (FORMat)
• Status and errors (*commands/STATus)
2. Select mode & setup
mode
• Mode selection (INSTrument:SELect)
• Standard selection (SENSe:RADio)
• RF channel (SENSe:CHANnel)
• Frequency (SENSe:FREQuency)
• Triggering (TRIGger)
• Input (INPut)
3. Select measurement
& setup measurement
• Measurement selection (MEASure)
• Meas control/restart (INITiate)
• Markers (CALCulate:<meas>:MARKer)
• Averaging (SENSe:<meas>:AVERage)
• Bandwidth (SENSe:<meas>:BWIDth)
• FFT & meas window (SENSe:<meas>:FFT)

Agilent Technologies E4406A VSA Series Specifications

General

Brand	Agilent Technologies
Model	E4406A VSA Series
Category	Test Equipment
Language	English

Summary

Safety Information

Front Panel Error Messages Annunciators

Describes status indicators for transmitter tester functions and error conditions.

1 Preparing for Use

Programming the Transmitter Tester

Explains how to program the E4406A VSA Series Transmitter Tester.

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

Details the two-step process for installing measurement personalities.

Cables for Connecting to RS-232

Describes various cables and adapters for connecting to PCs and printers via RS-232.

Connecting to a LAN Server

Explains how to connect to a LAN server for instrument control.

2 Programming Fundamentals

SCPI Language Basics

Introduces the SCPI programming language and its core concepts.

Using the Instrument Status Registers

Explains how to monitor instrument hardware and firmware events using status registers.

Overview of the GPIB Bus

Explains the fundamentals of the GPIB instrument nomenclature and command statements.

Using the LAN to Control the Analyzer

Covers various methods to control the analyzer via LAN connection.

3 Programming Examples

Using Markers

Demonstrates how to use markers in a C programming example.

Saving Binary Trace Data in an ASCII File

Provides a C programming example for saving binary trace data to an ASCII file.

Using C Programming Over Socket LAN

Demonstrates simple socket programming using C for analyzer control.

4 Programming Command Cross References

Functional Sort of SCPI Commands

Organizes SCPI commands by function for easier reference.

5 Language Reference

SCPI Command Subsystems

Lists and describes various SCPI command subsystems available in the instrument.

Common IEEE Commands

Details commands specified in IEEE Standard 488.2 for instrument control.

6 Error Messages

Error Queues

Explains the instrument's history and SCPI remote interface error queues.

Error Message Descriptions

Provides descriptions for unnumbered, query, device-specific, execution, and command errors.