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Chapter 4  Remote Interface Reference
Amplitude Modulation (AM) Commands
4
Amplitude Modulation (AM) Commands 
See also “Amplitude Modulation” starting on page 72 in chapter 3. 
AM Overview 
The following is an overview of the steps required to generate an 
AM waveform. The commands used for AM are listed on the next page. 
1 Configure the carrier waveform.
Use the APPLy command or the equivalent FUNC, FREQ, VOLT, and 
VOLT:OFFS commands to select the function, frequency, amplitude, and 
offset of the carrier waveform. You can select a sine or square waveform 
for the carrier (ramp, pulse, noise, dc, and arbitrary are not allowed).
2 Select the modulation source. 
The function generator will accept an internal or external modulation 
source. Select the modulation source using the AM:SOUR command. 
For an external source, you can skip steps 3 and 4 below.
3 Select the shape of the modulating waveform. 
You can modulate the carrier with a sine, square, ramp, noise, 
or 
arbitrary waveform (pulse and dc are not allowed). Use the
 AM:INT:FUNC 
command to select the modulating waveshape. 
4 Set the modulating frequency. 
Set the modulating frequency to any value from 2 mHz to 20 kHz using 
the AM:INT:FREQ command. 
5 Set the modulation depth. 
Set the modulation depth (also called “percent modulation”) to any value 
from 0% to 120% using the AM:DEPT command. 
6 Enable AM modulation.
After you have set up the other modulation parameters, use the 
AM:STAT ON command to enable AM. 
33210A users guide.book  Page 189  Wednesday, July 16, 2008  11:16 AM