Agilent Technologies 81200 User manual

Agilent 81200 System
Installation Guide

2Agilent 81200 System Installation Guide, August 2000
Notice
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Agilent Technologies 1999, 2000. All rights reserved.
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particular purpose. Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for
errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential
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of this material.
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defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years
from 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
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Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware
designated by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument
will execute its programming instructions when properly
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warrant that the operation of the instrument software, or
firmware, will be uninterrupted or error free.
Limitation of Warranty
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from
improper or inadequate maintenance by the Buyer, Buyer-
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whether based on contract, tort or any other legal theory.
Certification
Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its
published specifications at the time of shipment. Agilent
Technologies further certifies that its calibration measurements
are traceable to the United States Institute of Standards and
Technology, to the extent allowed by the Institute’s calibrating
facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International
Standards Organization members.
Services and Support
Any adjustment, maintenance, or repair of this product must be
performed by qualified personnel. Contact your customer
engineer through your local Agilent Technologies Service
Center. You can find a list of local service representatives on
the Web at:
http://www.agilent.com/Service/English/index.html
Safety Summary
The following general safety precautions must be observed
during all phases of operation of this instrument. Failure to
comply with these precautions or with specific warnings
elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design,
manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Agilent
Technologies Inc. assumes no liability for the customer’s failure
to comply with these requirements.
General
This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a
protective earth terminal). The protective features of this
product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified
in the operation instructions.
All Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) used in this product are
Class 1 LEDs as per IEC 60825-1.
Environmental Conditions
This instrument is intended for indoor use in an installation
category II, pollution degree 2 environment. It is designed to
operate at a maximum relative humidity of 95% and at altitudes
of up to 2000 meters. Refer to the specifications tables for the
ac mains voltage requirements and ambient operating
temperature range.
Before Applying Power
Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage,
the correct fuse is installed, and all safety precautions are taken.
Note the instrument’s external markings described under
“Safety Symbols”on page 8.
Ground the Instrument
To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cover
must be connected to an electrical protective earth ground. The
instrument must be connected to the ac power mains through a
grounded power cable, with the ground wire firmly connected
to an electrical ground (safety ground) at the power outlet. Any
interruption of the protective (grounding) conductor or
disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause a
potential shock hazard that could result in personal injury.
Fuses
Only fuses with the required rated current, voltage, and
specified type (normal blow, time delay, etc.) should be used.
Do not use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse holders. To do
so could cause a shock or fire hazard.
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable
gases or fumes.
Do Not Remove the Instrument Cover
Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers.
Component replacement and internal adjustments must be made
only by qualified service personnel.
Instruments that appear damaged or defective should be made
inoperative and secured against unintended operation until they
can be repaired by qualified service personnel.
Safety Symbols
In the manuals:
WARNING
Warnings call attention to a procedure, practice, or the like,
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
personal injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a
Warning until the indicated conditions are fully understood and
met.
CAUTION
Cautions call attention to a procedure, practice, or the like,
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
damage to or destruction of part or all of the equipment. Do not
proceed beyond a Caution until the indicated conditions are
fully understood and met.
Documentation History
All Editions and Updates of this manual and their creation date
are listed below. The first Edition of the manual is Edition 1.
The Edition number increments by 1 whenever the manual is
revised. New Editions are complete revisions of the guide
reflecting alterations in the functionality of the instrument.
Updates are occasionally made to the guide between editions.
Edition 1.1, July 1998, related to Agilent E4873A Software
Version 1.10 or higher. Literature Number: E4849-91012
Edition 2, April 1999, related to Agilent E4873A Software
Version 2.00 or higher. Literature Number: E4849-91013
Edition 3, August 2000, related to Agilent E4873A Software
Version 3.00 or higher. Literature Number: E4849-91023
Trademarks
Windows NT 4.0 is registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in
US and other countries
Pentium is registered trademark of Intel Corp. in US and other
countries
Acrobat Reader is registered trademark of Adobe Corp. in US
and other countries.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
On-line Information
Please check the following Internet address on a regular base
for additional information or updates:
http://www.agilent.com/find/dvt
Parts of the instrument marked with
this symbol are subject to damage by
static electricity. In order to protect
against electrostatic discharge to the
instrument use static-free work
stations.
Caution (refer to accompanying
documents)
Protective earth (ground) terminal

3

4

5
Chapter 1 Getting Started ......................................................................9
Steps to Get Started ................................................................................10
Initial Inspection .......................................................................................10
Determine Your System ............................................................................10
Additional Information .............................................................................11
Chapter 2 Setting up a proprietary System ........................................13
The Small and Economical System Configuration ...................................14
The Medium System Configuration .........................................................14
The Extended System Configuration ........................................................15
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A
Small Mainframe ....................................................................................16
Connecting external peripherals ...............................................................16
Apply AC Line Voltage to the Agilent 81200 System .............................19
Next Step ...................................................................................................19
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on
Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe ...............................................................20
Connecting external peripherals ...............................................................21
Apply AC Line Voltage to the Agilent 81200 System .............................23
Next Step ...................................................................................................23
Setting up an Extended Agilent 81200 System based on
Agilent E4849B/C and Agilent E4848B Mainframes ...........................24
Connecting external peripherals ...............................................................25
MXI/VXI and INTX Interconnection .......................................................26
Clock Reference Interconnection ..............................................................29
Apply AC Line Voltage to the Agilent 81200 System .............................32
Next Step ...................................................................................................32
First steps to use the Touchpad of the Option 001 Display and
Entry Panel ..............................................................................................33
Display Control Panel .............................................................................34
Chapter 3 Setting up an Open VXI System ........................................37
System Configuration Overview ............................................................38
Embedded PC VXI System .......................................................................38
External PC VXI System ..........................................................................39

6
Installing Agilent 81200 Modules into Embedded PC VXI Systems .40
Install VXI hardware ................................................................................ 40
Configure your PC ...................................................................................40
Installing Agilent 81200 Modules into External PC VXI Systems .....41
Configure your PC ...................................................................................41
Install VXI Hardware ............................................................................... 41
Connect Interface Cable ...........................................................................42
Install Libraries and User Software ..........................................................42
Chapter 4 Start the System ..................................................................43
Select your kind of Display ....................................................................44
How to Set the Kind of Display ...............................................................44
How to Set the Resolution of a CRT Display ..........................................44
Select the System Operating Mode .......................................................46
Select Auto Start Option .......................................................................... 47
Build your System ....................................................................................47
Define your I/O Interface .........................................................................47
How to Start the Agilent 81200 User Software ....................................48
Getting Help .............................................................................................48
How to Test your System .......................................................................49
Chapter 5 Software Installation & Update .........................................51
Installing/Updating the Agilent E4873A User Software .....................52
Prerequisites .............................................................................................52
Installation Procedure ...............................................................................52
Using a different Controller .....................................................................54
Standalone or Connecting to the LAN .....................................................54
Updating the Firmware (BIOS) ................................................................54
Chapter 6 Modify Your System ...........................................................55
Adding a Module ....................................................................................56
Removing Modules .................................................................................58

7
Adding the Trigger Input Pod ...............................................................59
Prerequisites ..............................................................................................59
Installing the Trigger Input Pod ................................................................59
Replacement ..............................................................................................60
Connecting a CD-ROM Drive to the Agilent 81200 System ...............61
Connecting a Local Printer to the Agilent 81200 System ....................63
Installing a Local Printer ...........................................................................64
Installing a Network Printer ..................................................................66
Connecting the Agilent 81200 System to LAN .....................................67
Receiving Administrator Privileges ..........................................................67
Configuring the Agilent 81200 System for LAN Connection ..................68

8

9
Chapter 1 Getting Started
This Installation Guide should guide you through a set of steps to identify, install and configure your
Agilent 81200 System or any component of this system.
The Agilent 81200 is a modular platform consisting of front-ends, modules, mainframes and user
interfaces which can be tailored to your specific test needs and how you want to integrate the Agilent
81200 into your test environment. In general two different fundamental possibilities in configuring the
system are provided:
1. The Agilent 81200 can be used as a proprietary system means that you cannot combine it with
other VXI modules in one system. It can be controlled by a LAN or GPIB interface.
Typically that system is factory pre-installed and only a small amount of activities is required to
get this system up and running.
2. The modules of the Agilent 81200 system can be combined with other VXI modules to build an
open VXI system.
Due to the flexibility of that solution a different set of activities must be done to integrate these
modules into a new or existing VXI system. In addition during system installation you must take
care of the other system components building up your complete test system. Therefore please use
the manuals coming with the other system components in addition to this one.
This guide is addressing:
• the installation procedure for both system combinations
• the software installation procedure for not factory pre-installed systems
• the software update procedure from a previous version
• required system modifications like adding printers or network connections
As soon as the user interface is running you should switch to on-line help or on-line documentation.

Getting Started
Steps to Get Started
10
Steps to Get Started
Initial Inspection
When you receive your Agilent 81200 system inspect the container and its contents.
NOTE: If the contents are incomplete, if there is mechanical damage or if the instrument does not pass the
selftest, notify your nearest Agilent Technologies office. Keep the shipping materials for inspection
by the carrier. The Agilent office will arrange for repair or replacement without awaiting settlement.
1Inspect the shipping container and its contents for damage.
If the container or cushioning material is damaged, keep it until the contents of shipment have
been checked for completeness and the instrument has been verified both mechanically and
electrically.
WARNING To avoid the hazard of electric shock, do not perform electrical tests when there are signs of
shipping damage to any of the instrument’s outer covers or panels.
2Check the contents of shipment.
NOTE: See the packing list which accompanied your system for exact details.
Determine Your System
Please use the box content list to determine your system configuration, than follow the setting up
instructions provided for that system type.
Factory pre-installed as a proprietary system, the Agilent 81200 System has the following major
configurations
•Based on the 3-slot small mainframe Agilent E4840A, see setup instructions “Setting up an
Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe” on page 16
•Based on the 10-slot mainframe Agilent E4849B/C, see setup instructions “Setting up an Agilent
81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe”on page 20
•Based on the mainframe Agilent E4849B/C and extender frame Agilent E4848B, see setup
instructions “Setting up an Extended Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C and
Agilent E4848B Mainframes”on page 24
An extended Agilent 81200 system includes up to two Agilent E4848B Expander Frames, each
equipped with an MXI/VXI Interface Card Agilent E1482B. Each Expander Frame has 12 free
slots.
The Agilent E4849B/C mainframe includes also an Agilent E1482B MXI/VXI Interface card, so
there are 9 free slots.
If the Agilent 81200 System components are ordered to be used in an open VXI system your shipment
may contain:
•at least on clock module, either an Agilent E4805A Central Clock Module or the Agilent E4831A
Clock & Data Module.

Getting Started
Steps to Get Started
11
•a number of Agilent E4841A or E4861A Data Generator & Analyzer Modules equipped with the
ordered front-ends.
•the Agilent E4873A Agilent 81200 User Software on CD-ROM
To install modules and User Software into a new or existing test system, see “Setting up an Open
VXI System” on page 37
Additional Information
On-line Help
As soon as the Agilent 81200 User Software is installed, you can access on-line help via the HELP
buttons or by pressing F1.
On-line Documentation
Via the on-line help system you can also launch several guides stored on your system. These guides
are displayed using the Acrobat Reader also coming with this system. You can print the whole guide
or just the required part using the Acrobat Reader’s printing features:
•The User Guide provides a system introduction and how to use the features and functions.
•The Programming Reference gives an programming overview and a complete reference to SCPI
commands for remote control of the instrument.
•The System Specification summarizes the specification for all components available for the
Agilent 81200 System.
To verify the warranted performance of this system a Performance Verification Procedure is provide
at:
drive:\hp81200\Dsr\Doc\perf_ver.pdf
Use the Acrobat Reader installed on your system to open and view this file.
If you are not familiar in using and configuring VXI systems and you would like to learn how to get
started with VXI, we recommend to download the newest version of the “Getting Started with VXI
Guide”from the Web available at:
www.tm.Agilent.com/
World Wide Web
For latest information, frequently asked questions and related documentation, please check the
following URL:
www.tm.Agilent.com/

Getting Started
Steps to Get Started
12

13
Chapter 2 Setting up a proprietary System
As the Agilent 81200 System is a very modular system which can be tailored to specific application
needs, but offers the possibility to be upgraded for future requirements, there are mainly three pre-
installed system configurations possible to order.
The initial setup of these Agilent 81200 System configuration is easy because the system is supplied
fully hardware and software installed. Only some additional connections to peripherals or to
interconnect the frames of an extended system need to be done.
NOTE: Large system configurations have higher power consumptions, so please make sure that the overall
system power requirements can be satisfied and is present at the place where the system has to be
installed.
For the next steps, please select from the following list the system configuration you have ordered and
received, then go to the section mentioned and perform the steps to set up the Agilent 81200 System
from the components you have received.
The Agilent 81200 System has the following major configurations
•Based on the 3-slot small mainframe Agilent E4840A, see setup instructions “Setting up an
Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe”on page 16
•Based on the 10-slot mainframe Agilent E4849B/C, see setup instructions “Setting up an Agilent
81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe”on page 20
•Based on the mainframe Agilent E4849B/C and extender frame Agilent E4848B, see setup
instructions “Setting up an Extended Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C and
Agilent E4848B Mainframes”on page 24
An extended Agilent 81200 system includes up to two Agilent E4848B Expander Frames, each
equipped with an MXI/VXI Interface Card Agilent E1482B. Each Expander Frame has 12 free
slots.
The Agilent E4849B/C mainframe includes also an Agilent E1482B MXI/VXI Interface card, so
there are 9 free slots.

Setting up a proprietary System
14
The Small and Economical System Configuration
If you have received a small mainframe like the following, then go to “Setting up an Agilent 81200
System based on E4840A Small Mainframe”on page 16
Figure 1 Small and Economical System Configuration
The Medium System Configuration
If you have received one 13-slot mainframe like the following, then go to “Setting up an Agilent
81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe”on page 20
Figure 2 Medium System Configuration

Setting up a proprietary System
15
The Extended System Configuration
If you have received two or three 13-slot mainframes like the following, then go to “Setting up an
Extended Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C and Agilent E4848B Mainframes”on
page 24
Figure 3 Extended System Configuration

Setting up a proprietary System
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe
16
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe
The Agilent 81200 System consists of the bundled Agilent E4840A small mainframe. The E4840A is
a 3-slot frame with built-in Pentium Processor, 32 MB RAM, 3.5”disk drive, Windows NT 4.0,
Agilent E4873A user software, and HP SICL installed. An installation guide is also part of the
shipment (you are actually reading it).
In addition there is in minimum one module installed, the Agilent E4831A, the Clock and Data
Generator module.
It is possible to add up to two Agilent E4841A modules to this systems.
Figure 4 A typical Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4840A Mainframe including Option 001,
Display and Entry Panel
WARNING The Agilent 81200 System is not designed for outdoor use. Do not expose the Agilent 81200
System to rain or other excessive moisture. Protect the Agilent 81200 System from humidity
and temperature changes which could cause condensation within the instrument.
The systems comes along with all cable connections possible to do at the factory. Nevertheless it is
recommended to check these connections as they can get loose during transportation
1. Check that all generator/analyzer modules are connected to the clock module by the clock
distribution cable, Agilent part number E4805-61601.
Connecting external peripherals
For displaying and data entry with the Agilent E4840A based systems it is possible to connect either
an optional available display and entry panel (Option 001), or a monitor, keyboard and mouse
A. Connecting the Option 001, Display and Entry Panel
On the Display and Entry Panel there are three cables. One cable has the label “Keyboard’, another
cable has the label “Touchpad”, and the third cable is the display cable.
1. Connect the cable with the label “Keyboard”to the connector on the front panel of the mainframe
with the keyboard symbol

Setting up a proprietary System
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe
17
2. Connect the cable with the label “Touchpad”to the connector on the front panel of the mainframe
with the mouse symbol.
3. The third cable has to be connected to the connector named “DISPLAY & ENTRY”on the front
panel.
Figure 5 Option 001 Connections on the Front Panel
Figure 6 Option 001 connected to a standard Agilent E4840A small mainframe

Setting up a proprietary System
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe
18
B. Connecting a monitor, keyboard and mouse to the system
If you have not ordered a display and entry panel (option #001), the following devices are required
•Super VGA monitor
•Keyboard with PS2 connector.
•Mouse with PS2 connector.
NOTE: Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse are not supplied as part of the Agilent 81200 Data Generator and
Analyzer System.
1. Connect the video cable of the monitor to the video in connector of the mainframe, this connector
is on the right-side of the mainframe
2. Connect the keyboard cable to the connector with the keyboard symbol on the mainframe front
panel
3. Connect the mouse cable to the connector with the mouse symbol on the mainframe front panel.
Figure 7 Mouse and Keyboard to connect on the Front Panel of the Agilent E4840A Small
Mainframe

Setting up a proprietary System
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on E4840A Small Mainframe
19
Figure 8 Monitor to connect at the right side of the Agilent E4840A Small Mainframe
Apply AC Line Voltage to the Agilent 81200 System
Connect the power cord delivered to the line in connector at the rear panel of the mainframe. Connect
the other end of the power cord to an AC Line Voltage outlet which provides the required power.
Next Step
After making all the required connections the system can be started, go to “Start the System”on
page 43
Connect Monitor
Video Cable here

Setting up a proprietary System
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe
20
Setting up an Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe
The Agilent 81200 System consists of the bundled Agilent E4849B/C mainframe. The Agilent
E4849B/C consists of a 13-slot frame Agilent E8403A. an embedded Pentium Processor with min 64
MB RAM and 3.5”disk drive and with Windows NT 4.0, Agilent E4873A user software, HP SICL
installed. An installation guide is also part of the shipment (you are actually reading it).
In addition there is in minimum one module installed, the Agilent E4831A, the Clock and Data
Generator module.
It is possible to add up to nine Agilent E4841A or E4861A modules to this systems.
To have a maximum of nine modules working in this mainframe it is necessary to have the Agilent
E4805A Central Clock module instead of the Agilent E4831A Clock and Data Generator Module.
Figure 9 A typical Agilent 81200 System based on Agilent E4849B/C Mainframe
WARNING The Agilent 81200 System is not designed for outdoor use. Do not expose the Agilent 81200
System to rain or other excessive moisture. Protect the Agilent 81200 System from humidity
and temperature changes which could cause condensation within the instrument.