Agilent Technologies E4406A VSA Series User Manual

70 Chapter2
Programming Fundamentals
Using the Instrument Status Registers
What are the Status Registers?
The status system is comprised of multiple registers which are
arranged in a hierarchical order. The lower-level status registers
propagate their data to the higher-level registers in the data structures
by means of summary bits. The status byte register is at the top of the
hierarchy and contains general status information for the instrument’s
events and conditions. All other individual registers are used to
determine the specific events or conditions.
Most status registers are actually a family of five registers:
Condition A condition register continuously monitors the
hardwareand firmware status of the instrument. There
is no latching or buffering for a condition register. It is
updated in real time.
Negative
Transition A negative transition register specifies the bits in the
condition register that will set corresponding bits inthe
event register when the condition bit changes from 1 to
0.
Positive
Transition A positive transition register specifies the bits in the
condition register that will set corresponding bits inthe
event register when the condition bit changes from 0 to
1.
Event An event register latches transition events from the
condition register as specified by the positive and
negative transition filters. Bits in the event register are
latched, and once set, they remain set until cleared by
either querying the register contents or sending the
*CLS command.
Event
Enable An enable register specifies the bits in the event
register that can generate a summary bit. Summary
bits are, in turn, used by the next higher register.

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.