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
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2008
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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
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Contents
5
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

6
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

7
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?
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
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