Rohde & Schwarz R&S FSL3 - Introduction; Remote Control - Basics

R&S FSL Introduction
1300.2519.12 5.1 E-11
5 Remote Control – Basics
This chapter assumes basic knowledge of programming and operation of the controller. It
provides the
following
:
• Instructions on how to put the R&S FSL into operation via remote control.
• A general introduction to remote control of programmable instruments. This includes the description
of the command structure and syntax according to the SCPI standard, the description of command
execution and of the status registers.
• Diagrams and tables describing the status registers used in the R&S FSL.
• A description of the interfaces and protocols used for remote control.
In chapter "Instrument Functions" of this manual and in the Online Help, the remote control commands
available for an instrument function are listed after each function description. In the Online Help, these
remote control commands are linked to their description, provided in the manual in chapter "Remote
Control – Commands". Program examples for the R&S FSL are given in chapter 7 "Remote Control –
Programming Examples".
Introduction
The instrument is equipped with the following interfaces for remote control:
- LAN interface: The protocol is based on TCP/IP and supports the VXI–11 standard.
- Option GPIB Interface, R&S FSL–B10: GPIB interface according to standard IEC 625/IEEE 488
The connectors are located at the rear of the instrument and permit a connection to a controller for
remote control via a local area network (LAN) or directly (option GPIB Interface, R&S FSL–B10).
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) commands – messages – are used for
remote control. Commands that are not taken from the SCPI standard follow the SCPI syntax rules. The
instrument supports the SCPI version 1999. The SCPI standard is based on standard IEEE 488.2 and
aims at the standardization of device–specific commands, error handling and the status registers. The
tutorial "Automatic Measurement Control – A tutorial on SCPI and IEEE 488.2" from John M. Pieper
(R&S order number 0002.3536.00) offers detailed information on concepts and definitions of SCPI.
The requirements that the SCPI standard places on command syntax, error handling and configuration
of the status registers are explained in detail in the following sections. Tables provide a fast overview of
the bit assignment in the status registers. The tables are supplemented by a comprehensive description
of the status registers.
VISA is a standardized software interface library providing input and output functions to communicate
with instruments. The I/O channel (LAN, GPIB…) is selected at initialization time by means of a
channel–specific resource string. For more information about VISA refer to its user documentation.
The programming examples for remote control are all written in Microsoft
®
VISUAL BASIC
®
. Access to
the VISA functions require the declaration of the functions and constants prior to their use in the project.
This can be accomplished either by adding the modules VISA32.BAS and VPPTYPE.BAS or a
reference to the VISA32.DLL to the project.