Agilent Technologies E4406A VSA Series Manual

Programmer’s Guide
Agilent Technologies E4406A VSA Series
Transmitter Tester
Manufacturing Part Number: E4406-90135
Printed in USA
February 2000
© Copyright 1999 - 2000 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

2
The information contained in this document is subject to change
without notice.
Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this
material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent
Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
Safety Information
The following safety notes are used throughout this manual.
Familiarize yourself with each of the notes and its meaning before
operating this instrument.
WARNING Warning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning note
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
CAUTION Caution denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or
destruction of the instrument. Do not proceed beyond a caution sign
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
WARNING This is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protective
earthing ground incorporated in the power cord). The mains
plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a
protected earth contact. Any interruption of the protective
conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the
product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
WARNING These servicing instructions are for use by qualified personnel
only. To avoid electrical shock, do not perform any servicing
unless you are qualified to do so.
WARNING The power cord is connected to internal capacitors that may
remain live for 5 seconds after disconnecting the plug from its
power supply.

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Warranty
This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against
defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date
of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies
Company will, at its option, either repair or replace products which
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 and 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.
Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware
designated by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will
execute its programming instructions when properly installed on that
instrument. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation
of the instrument, or 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 Buyer, Buyer-supplied
software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation
outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper
site preparation or maintenance.
NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AGILENT
TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON
CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.

4

Contents
5
1. Preparing for Use
What’s in This Chapter?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
www.agilent.com/find/vsa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Digital Communications Measurements Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Programming the Transmitter Tester. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installing Optional
Measurement Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Available Personality Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
License Key Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Installing a License Key Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Using the Uninstall Key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Writing Your First Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Three Basic Steps in a Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Programming a Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
File Naming Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Cables for Connecting to RS-232. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Connecting to a LAN Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
2. Programming Fundamentals
SCPI Language Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Creating Valid Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Command Key Words and Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Special Characters in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Parameters in Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Putting Multiple Commands on the Same Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Using the Instrument Status Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
What are the Status Registers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Why Would You Use the Status Registers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Using a Status Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Using the Service Request (SRQ) Method. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Overall Status Register System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Status Byte Register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Standard Event Status Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Operation and Questionable Status Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
C Programming Examples using VTL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Typical Example Program Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Linking to VTL Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Compiling and Linking a VTL Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Example Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Including the VISA Declarations File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Opening a Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Device Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Addressing a Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Closing a Session. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Overview of the GPIB Bus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
GPIB Instrument Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
GPIB Command Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Overview of the RS-232 Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Settings for the Serial Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

6
Contents
Handshake and Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Character Format Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Modem Line Handshaking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Data Transfer Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Using the LAN to Control the Analyzer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Using ftp for File Transfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Using Telnet to Send Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Using Socket LAN to Send Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Using SICL LAN to Control the Analyzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Using HP/Agilent VEE Over Socket LAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Using a Java™ Applet Over Socket LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Using a C Program Over Socket LAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
General LAN Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
3. Programming Examples
Types of Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Using Markers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Saving Binary Trace Data in an ASCII File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Saving ASCII Trace Data in an ASCII File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Saving and Recalling Instrument State Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Performing Alignments and Getting Pass/Fail Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Using C Programming Over Socket LAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Using C Programming Over Socket LAN (Windows NT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
Using Java Programming Over Socket LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Example:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
4. Programming Command Cross References
Functional Sort of SCPI Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
5. Language Reference
SCPI Command Subsystems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
IEEE Common Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Calibration Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Clear Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Standard Event Status Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Standard Event Status Register Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Identification Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Instrument State Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Operation Complete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Query Instrument Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Recall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Contents
7
Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Service Request Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Read Status Byte Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Wait-to-Continue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
ABORt Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
CALCulate Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Adjacent Channel Power—Limit Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Query the Current Measurement Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Calculate/Compress Trace Data Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Calculate Peaks of Trace Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
CALCulate:MARKers Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
CALibration Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Calibration Abort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Align the ADC Auto-range Threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Align the ADC Dither Center Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Align the ADC Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Align the ADC RAM Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Align Everything . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Calibrate the Attenuator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Automatic Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Calibration Comb Alignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Calibration Correction On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Calibration Display Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Align the IF Flatness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Auto Adjust the Internal 10 MHz Frequency Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Align the ADC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Align the IF Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Calibrate the Nominal System Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Align the IF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Align the RF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Align the Image Filter Circuitry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Load the Factory Default Calibration Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Align the Wide LC Prefilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Align the Narrow LC Prefilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Align the Wide Crystal Prefilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Align the Narrow Crystal Prefilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Adjust the Level of the 321.4 MHz Alignment Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
External Signal Power for Internal 50 MHz Amplitude Reference Alignment . . . . . . . . 166
Internal 50 MHz Amplitude Reference Alignment Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Internal 50 MHz Amplitude Reference Alignment Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Enter Interactive Mode for Internal 50 MHz Amplitude Reference Alignment . . . . . . . . 168
Exit Interactive Mode for Internal 50 MHz Amplitude Reference Alignment . . . . . . . . . 168
Query the Absolute Level for the 50 MHz Amplitude Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Query the ALC DAC Value for the 50 MHz Amplitude Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Align the RF Circuitry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

8
Contents
Select the Source for Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Select the Source State for Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Align the Trigger Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Align the Trigger Interpolator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Calibration Wait . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
CONFigure Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
DISPlay Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Display Annotation Title Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Display Annotation Title On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Turn the Whole Display On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Select Display Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Select Display Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Spectrum - Y-Axis Reference Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Turn a Trace Display On/Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Waveform - Y-Axis Reference Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
FETCh Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
FORMat Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Byte Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Numeric Data format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
HCOPy Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Print a Hard Copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Screen Dump Query. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
INITiate Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Continuous or Single Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Take New Data Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Restart the Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183
INPut Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
Input Impedance for IQ Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
INSTrument Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Catalog Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Select Application by Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Select Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
MEASure Group of Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Measure Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
Configure Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Fetch Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Read Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACP) Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190
50 MHz Amplitude Reference Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
Channel Power Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Power vs. Time Measurement [VSA-G,S ESA-G]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Sensor Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Spectrum (Frequency Domain) Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Timebase Frequency Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Waveform (Time Domain) Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
MEMory Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Install Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Un-install Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
MMEMory Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Contents
9
Delete a File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
READ Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
SENSe Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Adjacent Channel Power Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Channel Power Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Correction for Base Station RF Port External Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Select the Input Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Center Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Center Frequency Step Size Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Center Frequency Step Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
RF Port Input Attenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
RF Port Power Range Maximum Total Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Power vs. Time (Burst Power) Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Reference Oscillator External Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Reference Oscillator Rear Panel Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Reference Oscillator Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Spectrum (Frequency-Domain) Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Waveform (Time-Domain) Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
STATus Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Operation Condition Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Operation Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Operation Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Operation Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Operation Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Preset the Status Byte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Questionable Calibration Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Questionable Calibration Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Questionable Calibration Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Questionable Calibration Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Questionable Calibration Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Questionable Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Questionable Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Questionable Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Questionable Frequency Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Questionable Frequency Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Questionable Frequency Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Questionable Frequency Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Questionable Frequency Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Questionable Integrity Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Questionable Integrity Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Questionable Integrity Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Questionable Integrity Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Questionable Integrity Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Questionable Integrity Signal Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Questionable Integrity Signal Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Questionable Integrity Signal Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Questionable Integrity Signal Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Questionable Integrity Signal Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Questionable Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276

10
Contents
Questionable Power Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Questionable Power Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Questionable Power Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Questionable Power Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .277
Questionable Power Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Questionable Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Questionable Temperature Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Questionable Temperature Enable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Questionable Temperature Event Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Questionable Temperature Negative Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Questionable Temperature Positive Transition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
SYSTem Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
GPIB Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
LAN IP Address & Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Hardware Configuration Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Set Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Error Information Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Exit Main Firmware for Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
SCPI Command Help Headers Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Host Identification Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
License Key for Installing New Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Delete a License Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Service Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Set Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Adjust Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
SCPI Version Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286
TRIGger Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
Automatic Trigger Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287
Automatic Trigger Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Front Panel External Trigger Delay Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
Front Panel External Trigger Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Front Panel External Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Rear Panel External Trigger Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Rear Panel External Trigger Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Rear Panel External Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Frame Trigger Adjust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Frame Trigger Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Frame Trigger Sync Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Frame Trigger Syncronization Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
Trigger Hold Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292
Video (IF) Trigger Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Video (IF) Trigger Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Video (IF) Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
RF Burst Trigger Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
RF Burst Trigger Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
RF Burst Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
6. Error Messages

Contents
11
Error Queues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Front Panel Error Messages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
SCPI Remote Interface Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Clearing the Error Queue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
No Error. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Error Message Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Messages with No Numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Query Error Messages
[−499 to −400] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Device-Specific Error Messages
[−399 to −300] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Execution Error Messages
[−299 to −200] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Command Error Messages
[−199 to −100] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Instrument-Specific Error Messages
[positive numbers]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Core-Specific Error Messages
[1 to 99] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
GSM-Specific Error Messages
[100 to 199] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
CDMA-Specific Error Messages
[200 to 299] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
NADC-Specific Error Messages
[300 to 399] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
PDC-Specific Error Messages
[400 to 499] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328

12
Contents

13
1Preparing for Use
This instrument uses the Standard Commands for Programmable
Instruments (SCPI) programming language. For information on writing
SCPI commands see “SCPI Language Basics” on page 35.

14 Chapter1
Preparing for Use
What’s in This Chapter?
What’s in This Chapter?
•“Programming the Transmitter Tester” on page 15
•“Installing Optional Measurement Personalities” on page 17
•“Writing Your First Program” on page 21
•“Cables for Connecting to RS-232” on page 24
•“Connecting to a LAN Server” on page 31
www.agilent.com/find/vsa
Get the latest listing of SCPI commands for this instrument at the
above web location. Look under technical support information.
Digital Communications Measurements Information
Additional measurement application information is available through
your local Agilent Technologies sales and service office. Some
application notes are listed below:
Description Agilent Part
Number
Digital Modulation in Communications Systems - An
Introduction
Application Note 1298
5965-7160E
Understanding CDMA Measurements for Base
Stations and Their Components
Application Note 1311
5968-0953E
Understanding GSM Transmitter Measurements for
Base Transceiver Stations and Mobile Stations
Application Note 1312
5966-2833E
Understanding PDC and NADC Transmitter
Measurements for Base Transceiver Stations and
Mobile Stations
Application Note 1324
5968-5537E

Chapter 1 15
Preparing for Use
Programming the Transmitter Tester
Programming the Transmitter Tester
The E4406A VSA Series Transmitter Tester has several different
measurement modes. The measurement commands that are available
to you change, depending on which mode is selected. Use
INSTrument:SELect to select the desired mode.
Most modes are optional and must be installed into instrument memory
before they can be used. See “Installing Optional Measurement
Personalities” on page 17, if your measurement mode is not installed.
The SYSTem:HELP:HEADers? command provides a list of all the
commands available in the mode you have currently selected. The
programming commands for each optional mode are documented
separately. The specific measurements available in a particular mode
are indicated below.
Table 1-1 Available Modes and Measurements
Modes Measurement Keywords
Basic - standard • ACP - adjacent channel power measurement
• CHPower - channel power measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
cdmaOne - Option BAC • ACP - adjacent channel power ratio measurement
• CDPower - code domain power measurement
• CHPower - channel power measurement
• CSPur - close spurs measurement
• RHO - rho (waveform quality) measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) measurement
• TSpur - transmit band spurs measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
cdma2000 - Option B78 • ACP - adjacent channel power ratio measurement
• CHPower - channel power measurement
• PSTATistic - power statistics (CCDF) measurement
• EVMQpsk - QPSK error vector magnitude measurement
• RHO - rho (waveform quality) measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement

16 Chapter1
Preparing for Use
Programming the Transmitter Tester
W-CDMA - Option BAF • ACP - adjacent channel power ratio measurement
• CDPower - code domain power measurement
• CHPower - channel power measurement
• PSTATistic - power statistics (CCDF) measurement
• EVMQpsk - QPSK error vector magnitude measurement
• RHO - rho (waveform quality) measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
GSM - Option BAH • ORFSpectrum - output RF spectrum measurement
• PFERror - phase and frequency error measurement
• PVTime - power versus time measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) measurement
• TXPower - transmit power measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
PDC and NADC - Option BAE • ACP - adjacent channel power measurement
• EVM - error vector magnitude measurement
• OBWidth - occupied bandwidth measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) Measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
iDEN - Option HN1 • ACP - adjacent channel power measurement
• BER - bit error rate measurement
• OBWidth - occupied bandwidth measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) Measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
Service - standard • AREFerence - (internal) 50 MHz amplitude reference
measurement
• PVTime - power versus time measurement
• SENSors - (internal) temperature sensors measurement
• SPECtrum - spectrum (frequency domain) measurement
• TBFRequency - (internal) timebase frequency
measurement
• WAVeform - waveform (time domain) measurement
Table 1-1 Available Modes and Measurements
Modes Measurement Keywords

Chapter 1 17
Preparing for Use
Installing Optional Measurement Personalities
Installing Optional
Measurement Personalities
When you Install a measurement personality, you follow a two step
process.
1. The measurement personality firmware must be installed into the
instrument. (See the supplied installation instructions.)
2. A license key number must be entered which enables the
measurement personality to run. (Refer to the “License Key
Numbers” section below.)
Adding additional measurement personalities requires purchasing a
retrofit kit for the desired option. The retrofit kit includes the
measurement personality firmware, usually supplied on a zip disk. The
license key certificate, included in the kit, contains the license key
number. Every retrofit kit will have installation instructions.
The installation instructions require you to know three pieces of
information about your instrument: the amount of memory installed,
the Host ID, and the instrument serial number.
The Exit Main Firmware key is used during the firmware installation
process. This key is only for use when you want to update firmware
using a LAN connection. The Exit Main Firmware key halts the operation
of the resident firmware code so you can install an updated version of
firmware using a LAN connection. Instructions for loading future
firmware updates are available at the following URL:
www.agilent.com/find/vsa/
Available Personality Options
The option designation consists of three characters, as shown in the
Required information: Key Path:
Instrument
Memory:
__________________
System,File System
(the amount of memory in your
instrument will be the sum of the Used
memory and the Free memory)
Host ID:
__________________ System,Show System,Host ID
Instrument
Serial Number:
__________________
System,Show System,Serial Number

18 Chapter1
Preparing for Use
Installing Optional Measurement Personalities
Option column of the table below.
License Key Numbers
The measurement personality you have purchased with your
instrument has been installed and enabled at the factory. With the
purchase of the measurement personality, and with any future
purchase of a new personality, you will receive a unique license key
number. The license key number is a hexadecimal number that is for
your specific measurement personality and instrument serial number.
The license key enables you to install, or reactivate any personality you
have purchased.
Follow these steps to locate the unique license key number for the
measurement personality that has come installed in your instrument:
1. Press System,More (1 of 3),More (2 of 3),Install,Choose Option. When
you press the Choose Option key the alpha editor will be activated.
Use the alpha editor to enter the letters (upper-case) and the
front-panel numeric keyboard to enter the numbers (if required) for
the personality option that has been installed in the instrument.
2. Press the Done key on the alpha editor menu. The unique license key
number for your instrument will now appear on the License Key
softkey.
Available Personality OptionsaOption
GSM with EDGE, measurement
personality BAH
cdmaOne measurement personality BAC
NADC, PDC measurement personalities BAE
iDEN measurement personality HN1
W-CDMA measurement personality BAF
cdma2000 measurement personality B78
a. As of the print date of this measurement guide.

Chapter 1 19
Preparing for Use
Installing Optional Measurement Personalities
You will want to keep a copy of your license key number in a secure
location. Please enter your license key numbers in the box provided
below for future reference. If you should lose your license key number,
call your nearest Agilent Technologies service or sales office for
assistance.
If you purchase an option later, you will receive a certificate which
displays the unique license key number that you will need to install
that option.
NOTE You will need to use a license key number only if you purchase an
additional measurement personality, or if you want to reactivate a
measurement personality that has been deactivated.
Installing a License Key Number
NOTE Follow this procedure to reinstall a license key number which has been
deleted during the uninstall process, or lost due to a memory failure.
To install a license key number for the selected option, use the following
procedure:
1. Press System,More(1 of 3),More(2 of 3),Install,Choose Option.
Pressing the Choose Option key will activate the alpha editor menu.
Use the alpha editor to enter the letters (upper-case) and the
front-panel numeric keyboard to enter the numbers (if required) for
the option designation, then press the Done key. As you enter the
option, you will see your entry in the active function area of the
display.
2. Press License Key. Entering the license key number will require
entry of both letters and numbers. Use the alpha editor to enter
letters. Use the front-panel numeric keyboard to enter numbers. You
will see your entry in the active function area of the display. When
you have completed entering the license key number, press the Done
key.
License Key Numbers for Instrument with Serial # ________
For Option______________ the license key number is _____________________
For Option______________ the license key number is _____________________
For Option______________ the license key number is _____________________
For Option______________ the license key number is _____________________
For Option______________ the license key number is _____________________
For Option______________ the license key number is _____________________

20 Chapter1
Preparing for Use
Installing Optional Measurement Personalities
3. Press the Install Now key after you have entered the active license
key number and the personality option. When pressed, a message
may appear in the function area of the display which reads, “Insert
disk and power cycle the instrument”. Disregard this
message. Press the No key only if you wish to cancel the installation
process. If you want to proceed with the installation, press the Yes
key and cycle the instrument power off and then on.
Using the Uninstall Key
The following procedure removes the license key number for the
selected option. This will make the option unavailable for use, and the
message “Application Not Licensed” will appear in the Status/Info
bar at the bottom of the display. Please write down the 12-digit license
key number for the option before proceeding. If that measurement
personality is to be used at a later date you will need the license key
number to reactivate the personality firmware.
NOTE Using the Uninstall key does not remove the personality from the
instrument memory, and does not free memory to be available to install
another option. If you need to free memory to install another option,
refer to the instructions for loading firmware updates located at the
URL: www.agilent.com/find/vsa/
1. Press System,More(1 of 3),More(2 of 3),Uninstall,Choose Option.
Pressing the Choose Option key will activate the alpha editor menu.
Use the alpha editor to enter the letters (upper-case) and the
front-panel numeric keyboard to enter the numbers (if required) for
the option, then press the Done key. As you enter the option, you will
see your entry in the active function area of the display.
2. Press the Uninstall Now key after you have entered the personality
option. Press the No key only if you wish to cancel the uninstall
process. Press the Yes key if you want to continue the uninstall
process.
3. Cycle the instrument power off and then on to complete the uninstall
process.