34 Keysight 34950A User’s Guide
Counter 
The 34950A has two 10 MHz frequency counter/totalizer measurement input 
channels. The counters can operate in two general modes: Totalizer mode, and 
Initiated Measurement mode. In the totalizer mode, the counter acts as a basic 
totalizer. In the initiated measurement mode, the counter can make frequency, 
period, duty cycle, and pulse width measurements. 
Totalizer Mode 
Totalizer mode is the default operating mode for the counters. When the counter 
is configured for TOTalizer mode, it automatically starts running. The totalized 
count can be read, reset, scanned, and monitored. 
The simplest way to take a totalizer measurement is to use the MEASure form of 
the command. For example, the following command configures the totalizer on 
the first bank, initiates the measurement, and returns the result. The data is 
returned in a floating point format.
MEAS:COUN:TOT? READ, (@1301)
You can also reset the totalizer count by setting the parameter to RRESet. For 
example, the following command configures the totalizer on the first bank, 
initiates the measurement, and returns the result. The totalize count is reset when 
the data is read. 
MEAS:COUN:TOT? RRES, (@1301)
Totalizer counts begin as soon as the channel is configured for the totalize 
measurement. You can stop a count by sending SENSe:COUNter:ABORt 
command and restart the count using the SENSe:COUNter:INITiate command. 
The slope of the edges being counted can be configured using the 
SENSe:COUNter:SLOPe command. By default, when started, the totalizer counts 
rising edges.
Additionally, you can control when the edges are counted by setting the gate 
source to external and providing a gate signal on the gate input. In external gate 
mode the counter totalizes when the gate is asserted. The gate time setting 
controls how long the counter totalizes. Once the external gate has been 
de-asserted a new measurement must be armed via the 
SENSe:COUNter:INITiate command. The figure below shows an externally