Agilent Technologies E4445A User Manual

Chapter 5 297
Programming Fundamentals
Improving Measurement Speed
Programming Fundamentals
Improving Measurement Speed
There are a number of things you can do in your programs to make
them run faster:
“Turn off the display updates.” on page 297
“Use binary data format instead of ASCII” on page 297
“Minimize the number of GPIB transactions.” on page 298
“Put ADC Ranging in Bypass for FFT Measurements” on page 299
“Minimize DUT/instrument setup changes.” on page 299
“Consider using LAN instead of GPIB.” on page 299
There are additional things you can do to run faster if you are using a
measurement personality option (i.e. instrument Modes other than the
standard Spectrum Analysis Mode). These considerations only apply to
specific option modes.
“Using an Option Mode: Minimize the number of GPIB
transactions.” on page 299
“Using an Option Mode: Avoid automatic attenuator setting.” on
page 300
“Using an Option Mode: Optimize your GSM output RF spectrum
switching measurement.” on page 301
“Using an Option Mode: Avoid using RFBurst trigger for single burst
signals.” on page 301
“Using an Option Mode: When making power measurements on
multiple bursts or slots, use CALCulate:DATA<n>:COMPress?” on
page 302
Turn off the display updates.
:DISPlay:ENABle OFF turns off the display. That is, the data may still
be visible, but it will no longer be updated. Updating the display slows
down the measurement. For remote testing, since the computer is
processing the data rather than a person, there is no need to display the
data on the analyzer screen.
Use binary data format instead of ASCII
The ASCII data format is the instrument default since it is easier for
people to understand and is required by SCPI for *RST. However, data
input/output is faster using the binary formats.
:FORMat:DATA REAL,64 selects the 64-bit binary data format for all

Agilent Technologies E4445A Specifications

General

Brand	Agilent Technologies
Model	E4445A
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English

Summary

2. Instrument Functions: A − L

Marker Functions

Manages markers for trace analysis: Normal, Delta, Span Pair, Off, Marker Trace, Readout.

MEASURE Functions

Displays measurement menu for transmitter power, ACP, OBW, and distortion measurements.

MODE and Mode Setup

Selects measurement mode and configures common settings across measurements.

Peak Search Functions

Places marker on highest peak and displays search menu with parameters like Threshold and Excursion.

Preset Functions

Provides actions for instrument state reset: User, Mode, Factory presets, and Save User Preset.

SPAN / X Scale Functions

Activates Span function and displays menu for Span, Span Zoom, Full Span, Zero Span, Last Span.

SWEEP Functions

Controls sweep time, mode (continuous/single), auto sweep time, and gate parameters.

5 Programming Fundamentals

SCPI Language Basics

Introduces SCPI programming language, keywords, syntax, and parameters.

Improving Measurement Speed

Provides tips to make programs run faster, such as turning off display updates and using binary format.

Using the LAN to Control the Instrument

Details on configuring and controlling the instrument using LAN, including FTP, Telnet, Socket LAN, SICL.

Programming in C Using the VTL

Provides basic information about programming in C language using Agilent VTL (VISA transition library).

6 Using the STATus System

Status System Commands

Lists IEEE (*) Commands and STATus Commands for instrument status monitoring.

Using the Status Registers

Explains the PSA instrument status registers, their hierarchy, and how to use them.

7 Menu Maps: Spectrum Analysis

AMPLITUDE Y Scale Key

Menu maps for AMPLITUDE Y Scale functions, covering Reference Level, Attenuation, Scale, Presel, Corrections.

Auto Couple Key

Menu maps for Auto Couple, covering Auto All, FFT & Sweep, Detector, Avg/VBW Type, ADC Dither/Ranging.

BW/Avg Key

Det/Demod Key

Display Key

File Key

FREQUENCY Channel Key

Input/Output Key

Marker Key

Accesses marker control menu: Normal, Delta, Delta Pair, Span Pair, Off, Marker Trace, Readout.

Marker --> Key

Marker Fctn Key

MODE Key

Peak Search Key

Places marker on highest peak and displays search menu with parameters like Threshold and Excursion.

Preset Key

Provides actions for instrument state reset: User, Mode, Factory presets, and Save User Preset.

SPAN X Scale Key

SWEEP Key

System Key

Trig Key