Agilent Technologies X Series Manual

Agilent Technologies

Agilent X-Series

Signal Analyzer

X-Series Programmer’s

Guide

This manual provides documentation for the

following X-Series Analyzers:

MXA Signal Analyzer N9020A

EXA Signal Analyzer N9010A

Notices

No part of this manual may be reproduced

in any form or by any means (including

electronic storage and retrieval or transla-

tion into a foreign language) without prior

agreement and written consent from Agi-

lent Technologies, Inc. as governed by

United States and international copyright

laws.

Manual Part Number

N9020-90084

Supersedes:N9020-90077

Print Date

August 2008

Printed in USA

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

1400 Fountaingrove Parkway

Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Warranty

The material contained in this doc-

ument is provided “as is,” and is

subject to being changed, without

notice, in future editions. Further,

to the maximum extent permitted

byapplicablelaw,Agilentdisclaims

all warranties, either express or

implied, with regard to this manual

and any information contained

herein, including but not limited to

the implied warranties of mer-

chantability and fitness for a par-

ticular purpose. Agilent shall not

be liable for errors or for incidental

or consequential damages in con-

nection with the furnishing, use, or

performance of this document or of

any information contained herein.

Should Agilent and the user have a

separate written agreement with

warranty terms covering the mate-

rial in this document that conflict

with these terms, the warranty

terms in the separate agreement

shall control.

Technology Licenses

The hardware and/or software described

in this document are furnished under a

license and may be used or copied only in

accordance with the terms of such license.

Restricted Rights Legend

If software is for use in the performance

of a U.S. Government prime contract or

subcontract, Software is delivered and

licensed as “Commercial computer soft-

ware” as defined in DFAR 252.227-7014

(June 1995), or as a “commercial item” as

defined in FAR 2.101(a) or as “Restricted

computer software” as defined in FAR

52.227-19 (June 1987) or any equivalent

agency regulation or contract clause. Use,

duplication or disclosure of Software is

subject to Agilent Technologies’ standard

commercial license terms, and non-DOD

Departments and Agencies of the U.S.

Government will receive no greater than

Restricted Rights as defined in FAR

52.227-19(c)(1-2) (June 1987). U.S. Gov-

ernment users will receive no greater than

Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-

14 (June 1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015

(b)(2) (November 1995), as applicable in

any technical data.

Safety Notices

CAUTION:

A CAUTION notice denotes a

hazard. It calls attention to an

operating procedure, practice, or

the like that, if not correctly per-

formed or adhered to, could result

in damage to the product or loss of

important data. Do not proceed

beyond a CAUTION notice until

the indicated conditions are fully

understood and met.

WARNING:

A WARNING notice denotes a

hazard. It calls attention to an

operating procedure, practice,

or the like that, if not correctly

performed or adhered to, could

result in personal injury or

death. Do not proceed beyond a

WARNING notice until the indi-

cated conditions are fully

understood and met.

Trademark

Acknowledgements

Microsoft “ is a U.S. registered

trademark of Microsoft

Corporation.

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Sun Microsystems, Inc.

MATLAB “ is a U.S. registered

trademark of Math Works, Inc.

Norton Ghost™ is a U.S.

trademark of Symantec

Corporation.

Warranty

This Agilent technologies instrument product is warranted against defects in material

and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment. during the

warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either repair or replace

products that prove to be defective.

For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility

designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent

Technologies shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However,

Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent

Technologies from another country.

Where to Find the Latest Information

Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information about this analyzer,

including firmware upgrades, application information, and product information, see

the following URLs:

http://www.agilent.com/find/mxa

http://www.agilent.com/find/exa

To receive the latest updates by email, subscribe to Agilent Email Updates:

http://www.agilent.com/find/emailupdates

Information on preventing analyzer damage can be found at:

http://www.agilent.com/find/tips

Contents

1. Introduction to Programming X-Series Applications

What Programming Information is Available? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Using Embedded Help for Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Using the Help System on Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Help System Features Especially Useful for Programmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Communicating SCPI Using Telnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

SCPI Measurement Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Measurement Group of Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Common Measurement Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

STATus Subsystem (Remote Only Commands) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

:STATus Subsystem Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

:STATus Subsystem Commands and Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

2. Programming Fundamentals

SCPI Language Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Command Keywords and Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Creating Valid Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Special Characters in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Parameters in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Improving Measurement Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Turn off the display updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Use binary data format instead of ASCII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Minimize the number of GPIB transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Consider using USB or LAN instead of GPIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Minimize DUT/instrument setup changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Avoid unnecessary use of *RST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Avoid automatic attenuator setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Avoid using RFBurst trigger for single burst signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

N9071A: Optimize your GSM output RF spectrum switching measurement . . . . . . . . . 82

Making power measurements on multiple bursts or slots? Use CALCulate:DA-

TA<n>:COMPress? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

3. Measurement Synchronization with LXI-B

IEEE 1588 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Synchronizing Time on the MXA and MXG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Verifying Time Synchronization on the MXA and MXG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Peer to Peer Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

MXA Instrument Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Outputting LAN Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Contents

Configuring LXI Triggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Configuring an LXI Trigger Using SCPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Configuring an LXI Trigger Using the Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Verifying an LXI Trigger using LXI Interactive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Configuring an LXI State Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Using the LXI Event Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Setting Up and Executing a List Sweep Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Synchronizing a List Sweep Measurement Between an MXA and an MXG . . . . . . . . . .96

For More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

4. Programming Examples

X-Series Spectrum Analyzer Mode Programing Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

89601X VXA Signal Analyzer Programming Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110

5. Installing Application Software

Installing Application Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Viewing a License Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Obtaining and Installing a License Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Missing and Old Measurement Application Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115

1Introduction to Programming

X-Series Applications

This chapter provides overall information regarding programming Agilent X-Series Signal

Analyzers with SCPI, and the how to use the programming documentation provided with

your product.

8Chapter 1

Introduction to Programming X-Series Applications

What Programming Information is Available?

The following resources are available to help you create programs for automating your

X-Series measurements:

•X-Series Programmer’s Guide (this manual, N9020-90084):

—Chapter 1 , “Introduction to Programming X-Series Applications,” on page 7

The Introduction includes sections on the following programming topics:

—“What Programming Information is Available?” on page 8

—“Using Embedded Help for Programming” on page 10

—“Communicating SCPI Using Telnet” on page 13

—“SCPI Measurement Commands” on page 16

—“STATus Subsystem (Remote Only Commands)” on page 30

—Chapter 2 , “Programming Fundamentals,” on page 71 includes the following:

—“SCPI Language Basics” on page 71

—“Improving Measurement Speed” on page 78

—Chapter 3 , “Measurement Synchronization with LXI-B,” on page 85

—Chapter 4 , “Programming Examples,” on page 107

—Chapter 5 , “Installing Application Software,” on page 113

•Getting Started Guide (N9020-90074):

A copy of the Getting Started Guide is shipped with your analyzer, is accessible in the

Help system on the "Additional Documentation" page, and is also available online here:

http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/N9020-90074.pdf

The Getting Started Guide has valuable sections related to programming including:

— Configuring instrument LAN Hostname, IP Address, and Gateway Address

— Using the Windows XP Remote Desktop to connect to the instrument remotely

— Using the Embedded Web Server Telnet connection to communicate SCPI

•Embedded Help in your Instrument - embedded Help provides SCPI command

parameters and other important details associated with measurements and all

front-panel and soft keys. See “Using Embedded Help for Programming” on page 10.

•User’s and Programmer’s Reference manuals - Printable PDF versions of User’s

References for all Measurement Applications are accessible in the instrument Help

system under the "Additional Documentation" link, and are also provided on the

Documentation CD ROM, and in the instrument here:

C:\Program Files\Agilent\SignalAnalysis\Infrastructure\Help\bookfiles

•Agilent Application Notes- Printable PDF versions of many Application Notes are

accessible in the instrument Help system under the "Additional Documentation" link,

and are also provided on the Documentation CD ROM, and in the instrument here:

C:\Program Files\Agilent\SignalAnalysis\Infrastructure\Help\otherdocs

Chapter 1 9

Introduction to Programming X-Series Applications

What Programming Information is Available?

•Agilent VISA User’s Guide - describes the Agilent Virtual Instrument Software

Architecture (VISA) library and shows how to use it to develop I/O applications and

instrument drivers on Windows PCs. Available online here:

http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5989-6135EN.pdf

This document is also provided on the Documentation CD ROM, and in the instrument

here:

C:\Program Files\Agilent\SignalAnalysis\Infrastructure\Help\otherdocs

10 Chapter 1

Introduction to Programming X-Series Applications

Using Embedded Help for Programming

The embedded Help system in your analyzer contains context-sensitive reference

information for each Measurement Application installed. While using the instrument, just

push the green Help key to see the Help topic for the active function or key.

Using the Help System on Your PC

The Compiled Help Metafile (CHM) is also provided on the Documentation CD ROM for

access locally on your PC for reference. In Microsoft Windows, use Windows Explorer to

navigate to the <mode_name>.chm file on the CD ROM, and double-click the file to launch

Help.

Help System Features Especially Useful for Programmers

Help System Contents Pane

The following programming-specific features described below are shown in the Help

system Contents Pane (see Figure 1-1 on page 10) and explained below:

•“Help Topics” on page 11

•“List of Commands” on page 12

• A Section called “Remote Only Commands” may be shown.

Figure 1-1 Example Help System “Contents” Pane

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