Ametek RFB 6000A User manual

COMPLIANCE TEST SOLUTIONS
RF SWITCH NETWORK
RFB 6000A
USER MANUAL

RF SWITCH NETWORK
RFB 6000A
USER MANUAL
This manual is based on firmware version 2:02.

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85-258150 E01
CONTENT
1. Safety advice ........................................................................................................................ 5
1.1. General...................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2. Connection to the mains and PE ............................................................................................................. 5
1.3. Disconnection from the mains................................................................................................................. 5
1.4. Risk of electric shock................................................................................................................................ 5
1.5. Operating Environment ............................................................................................................................ 5
1.6. Test execution .......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.7. Applicable safety standards..................................................................................................................... 6
2. Storage, transport, unpacking and delivery information ................................................... 7
2.1. General...................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2. Storage and transport .............................................................................................................................. 7
2.3. Unpacking ................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.4. Scope of delivery ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Description of the instrument.............................................................................................. 8
3.1. General...................................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2. Touch screen .......................................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.1. Start screen ............................................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.2. Compact control screen......................................................................................................................... 10
3.2.3. Relay control screen .............................................................................................................................. 11
3.2.4. User port control screen ....................................................................................................................... 11
3.2.5. User port setup screen .......................................................................................................................... 12
3.2.6. Relay position and range buttons.......................................................................................................... 12
3.3. Remote interface .................................................................................................................................... 13
3.4. User port and power meter interface.................................................................................................... 14
3.5. RFswitchmoduleconguration ............................................................................................................ 14
4. Operation ............................................................................................................................ 15
4.1. General.................................................................................................................................................... 15
4.2. Cold Switching ........................................................................................................................................ 15
4.3. Remote control and USO 4013............................................................................................................... 15
5. Applications ........................................................................................................................ 16
5.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 16
5.2. Example................................................................................................................................................... 16
6. Software commands .......................................................................................................... 19
6.1. Construction of a command line: .......................................................................................................... 19
6.2. Common Commands ............................................................................................................................. 19
6.2.1. *IDN?....................................................................................................................................................... 19
6.2.2. *GTL......................................................................................................................................................... 19
6.2.3. *RST?....................................................................................................................................................... 19
6.3. Device Depended Commands ............................................................................................................... 19
6.3.1. REBOOT ................................................................................................................................................... 19
6.3.2. IDN_PM?.................................................................................................................................................. 19
6.3.3. UPD_PM_CONF; UPD_PM_CONF?......................................................................................................... 20
6.3.4. RST_PM_CONF; RST_PM_CONF?........................................................................................................... 20
6.3.5. HW_CONF? ............................................................................................................................................. 20
6.3.6. POW?....................................................................................................................................................... 20
6.3.7. POWARR?................................................................................................................................................ 20
6.3.8. AVG; AVG? .............................................................................................................................................. 20
6.3.9. BLINK; BLINK?.......................................................................................................................................... 21
6.3.10. MONitor:UserOUT; MONitor:UserOUT? ................................................................................................. 21
6.3.11. MONitor:DIGital? ..................................................................................................................................... 21
6.3.12. GET:POS? ................................................................................................................................................ 21

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RFB 6000A
6.3.13. GET:POSARR?.......................................................................................................................................... 21
6.3.14. GET:STATE?............................................................................................................................................. 22
6.3.15. GET:STATEARR?...................................................................................................................................... 22
6.3.16. GET:UPORTARR?..................................................................................................................................... 22
6.3.17. GET:TEMPerature?.................................................................................................................................. 22
6.3.18. SET:END_TEMPerature, SET:END_TEMPerature?.................................................................................. 22
6.3.19. SET:TEMPerature_CONTrol, SET:TEMPerature_CONTrol? .................................................................... 22
6.3.20. SET:PWM_DUTY, SET:PWM_DUTY? ....................................................................................................... 22
6.3.21. SET:STATE, SET:STATE? .......................................................................................................................... 22
6.3.22. SET:STATEARR?....................................................................................................................................... 23
6.3.23. SET:USPOARR?........................................................................................................................................ 23
6.3.24. WRT:FLASH?............................................................................................................................................ 23
7. RFB 6000 Control Program ................................................................................................. 24
7.1. Basic functions ....................................................................................................................................... 24
7.2. Description of the program.................................................................................................................... 24
8. Technicalspecications ..................................................................................................... 26
9. Maintenance ....................................................................................................................... 29
9.1. General.................................................................................................................................................... 29
9.2. Cleaning .................................................................................................................................................. 29
10. Disposal............................................................................................................................... 29

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85-258150 E01
These operating instructions form an integral part of the equipment and must be available to the operating
personnel at all times. All the safety instructions and advice notes are to be observed.
Neither AMETEK CTS Europe GmbH nor any of its subsidiary sales organizations can accept any responsibility
for personal, material or consequential injury, loss or damage that results from improper use of the equipment
and accessories.
1. SAFETY ADVICE
WARNING: Improper or careless handling can be fatal!
Use of the RF Switch Network is restricted to authorized and trained specialists
1.1. General
XUse of the RF Switch Network is restricted to authorized and trained personnel only.
XThe RF Switch Network is to be used only for the purposes indicated by the manufacturer..
1.2. Connection to the mains and PE
XThe instrument conforms to protection class 1.
XOperation without a protective earth connection is forbidden!
XUnplug the power cord when not using the unit for a long periods of time
XHandle the power cord carefully. Hold the plug when unplugging the cord.
XNever use the product if the power cable is damaged.
1.3. Disconnection from the mains
XAlways set the power switch to the “Off” position and wait few seconds before disconnecting the power
cord.
XDisconnect the power cord and all connection cords when moving the unit.
1.4. Risk of electric shock
XTo reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove parts from the housing.
XThere are no user serviceable parts inside the unit. Certain parts inside the instrument work at mains
voltage or at high frequency and are not provided with any protection against being touched.
XOnly approved accessory items, connectors, adapters, etc. are to be used to ensure safe operation.
1.5. Operating Environment
X Operate the equipment only in dry surroundings. Allow any condensation that occurs to evaporate before
putting the instrument into operation. Do not exceed the permissible ambient temperature, humidity or
altitude. Operate the unit not in explosive surroundings.
XNo objects filled with liquids, such as coffee cups, shall be placed on the unit.
XAvoid high temperatures. Allow for sufficient heat dispersion when installed in a rack. Do not place the
product on radiators or fan heaters. The ambient temperature must not exceed the maximum specified
temperature of this product.

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RFB 6000A
1.6. Test execution
XCheck once again that all connections are proper and that there are not problems with the connection
cords. The test area must be organized that no unauthorized persons have access during execution of
a test.
X Operating the product requires special training and intense concentration. Make certain that persons who
use the products are physically, mentally and emotionally fit enough to operate the products; otherwise
injuries or material damage may occur.
XEUTs together with all accessories and cables are to be regarded as being live during the execution of a
test.
X The safety instructions concerning all the instruments and associated equipment involved in the test
setup are to be observed.
X The configuration of the test setup is to be strictly in compliance with the methods described in the
relevant standard to ensure that the test is executed in a compliant manner.
Caution: Never operate the switch with RF power on.
Switching by absence of RF power only!
1.7. Applicable safety standards
Development and manufacture of the instrument complies with ISO 9001.
The equipment conforms with the essential requirements of the EMC Directive 2014/30 / EU and Low
Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35 / EU based on the following specifications applied: DIN EN 61326-1:2013
and DIN EN 61010-1:2011.
It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the test setup does not emit radiation which could disrupt
other equipment.

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85-258150 E01
2. STORAGE, TRANSPORT, UNPACKING AND DELIV-
ERY INFORMATION
2.1. General
2.2. Storage and transport
2.3. Unpacking
2.4. Scope of delivery
RFB 6000A mainframe
RF switch plug-in module(s) and power meter interface as ordered separately
Operating manual
Spare fuses (2)
RS232 cable (Nullmodem)
Mains cable GB, CH, USA / JP and EU
LAN cable, crossover, 3 m
USO 4013 (USB to serial / optical converter with 20 m optical cable)
USB stick with drivers and tool software
2. UNPACKING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
2.1. General
Save all packing materials! They will be needed in order to safely package the equipment for calibration service
or repair.
Packaging materials
Carton: Cardboard
Padding: CFC-free polystyrene foam
Plastic bags: Polyethylene
XAvoid the risk of condensation!
If a large temperature difference has occurred, allow time for the temperature to stabilize. This may take
several hours.
2.2. Storage and transport
XDo not stack, either packaged or unpacked.
XDo not stand on end; arrows on the packaging must always point upwards.
XProtect from dampness, heat, cold and rain.
XDo not throw.
XDo not sit or stand on the instrument and packaging.
2.3. Unpacking
Is the packaging damaged? If YES ☎transportation company
Are all the packages present and correct? If NO ☎transportation company
Open the packaging, remove the accessories.
Grip the instrument at the sides and lift it from the packaging.
Are the instrument or accessories damaged? If YES ☎transportation company
Are the contents of the package complete? If NO ☎Teseq sales office
Keep the instruction manual with the instrument.
Keep the packaging.
2.4. Scope of delivery
2. UNPACKING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
2.1. General
Save all packing materials! They will be needed in order to safely package the equipment for calibration service
or repair.
Packaging materials
Carton: Cardboard
Padding: CFC-free polystyrene foam
Plastic bags: Polyethylene
XAvoid the risk of condensation!
If a large temperature difference has occurred, allow time for the temperature to stabilize. This may take
several hours.
2.2. Storage and transport
X
Do not stack, either packaged or unpacked.
XDo not stand on end; arrows on the packaging must always point upwards.
XProtect from dampness, heat, cold and rain.
XDo not throw.
XDo not sit or stand on the instrument and packaging.
2.3. Unpacking
Is the packaging damaged? If YES ☎transportation company
Are all the packages present and correct? If NO ☎transportation company
Open the packaging, remove the accessories.
Grip the instrument at the sides and lift it from the packaging.
Are the instrument or accessories damaged? If YES ☎transportation company
Are the contents of the package complete? If NO ☎Teseq sales office
Keep the instruction manual with the instrument.
Keep the packaging.
2.4. Scope of delivery
2. UNPACKING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
2.1. General
Save all packing materials! They will be needed in order to safely package the equipment for calibration service
or repair.
Packaging materials
Carton: Cardboard
Padding: CFC-free polystyrene foam
Plastic bags: Polyethylene
XAvoid the risk of condensation!
If a large temperature difference has occurred, allow time for the temperature to stabilize. This may take
several hours.
2.2. Storage and transport
XDo not stack, either packaged or unpacked.
XDo not stand on end; arrows on the packaging must always point upwards.
XProtect from dampness, heat, cold and rain.
XDo not throw.
XDo not sit or stand on the instrument and packaging.
2.3. Unpacking
Is the packaging damaged? If YES ☎transportation company
Are all the packages present and correct? If NO ☎transportation company
Open the packaging, remove the accessories.
Grip the instrument at the sides and lift it from the packaging.
Are the instrument or accessories damaged? If YES ☎transportation company
Are the contents of the package complete? If NO ☎Teseq sales office
Keep the instruction manual with the instrument.
Keep the packaging.
2.4. Scope of delivery

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RFB 6000A
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT
3.1. General
TheRFswitchnetworkcanbeconguredtoswitchRFsignalsinawiderangeofautomatictestsystems.
Variousswitchcongurationsareavailable,connectingoneinputtoeithertwoorsixoutputs.The3HUmain
frame consists of a power supply and remote interface and can accept any combination of plug-in modules
up to the maximum dimension of the main frame. In addition up to 8 power meters can be connected to
measuretheforwardpowerclosetotheantenna,e.g.inaseparateamplierroom.Acontrolsignalport(User
port)allowsswitchingofampliersandotherfunctions.Eachswitchaswellastheadditionalfunctionscan
be individually controlled through the front panel touch screen, e.g. for installation and maintenance purpose.
An USB to serial / optical converter with 20 m optical cable allows always a safe and secure remote control of
the device, also in a noisy and electromagnetically disturbed environment.
All RF switches are high quality with an operating lifetime of at least one million operations. While able to pass
high power levels, they are designed to switch only during absence of RF power.
Figure 1: Front panel
Mains switch
Status LED
Touch display
Pen
(Push to get
the pin)
Figure 2: View to the touch panel

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Note: View to the back panel, example with power meter interface RFI 6008, RF switch SRS 16002B: 2x 1 to 6
SMA type, RF switch NRS 1200B: 1 to 2 N type, RF switch SRS 1600B: 1 to 6 N type
RS 485, LAN
and System
Control
Power supply
input and fuse
100 - 240 V AC,
User port RF switch module
2x 1 to 6 SMA
(option SRS 1602B)
RF switch module
1 to 6 N
(option NRS 1600B)
Remote control
via RS 232 optical
RF switch module
1 to 2 N
(option NRS 1200B)
Power meter in-
terface (option)
Figure 3: Back panel

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RFB 6000A
3.2. Touch screen
The unit has a touch screen for manual control of the RF relays. In addition to the individual control of
the relays, 5 freely programmable range keys allow simultaneous switching of several relays and
optionally available user port outputs. With the appropriate assignment of these keys, switch-
ing between different frequency ranges of an amplier rack is possible with just one key press.
3. 2.1. Start screen
To RF-Switch and user port control screens
Note: Right arrow is only visible if at least one RF relay
was detected at startup. Detection only takes place at
program start.
Sets frequency of all power meter
Switches to the next four relays
RF switch control
Touch to change the switch position
Note: The relays are displayed according to the equip-
ment, not existing relays are drawn as empty fields.
Start/ stop power meter measurement
User port input 1 to 4
Note: A TTL high signal changes the color.
To compact control screen
Note: Left arrow is only visible if at least the Userport-
LP (option????) is connected. Detection only takes
place at program start.
Power meter 1 to 8
Touch to let corresponding PM blinking
Note: The whole field is only visible, if the option
RFI6008 was detected at startup. Use the start / stop
button for reading out the power meters.
ON / OFF user port outputs 1 to 10
Note: By touching the user port fields the correspond-
ing bits High / Low are set.
ON / OFF user port open collector outputs 1 to 4
Note: By touching the user port fields the correspond-
ing bits High / Low are set.
Software version
3.2.2. Compact control screen

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85-258150 E01
3.2.3. Relay control screen
Shows current relay number (position)
Blue color shows the selected path of the switch
Switches to the next relay
Set the switch position
Touch to change the switch position
Relay overview and range button screen
User port control screen
User port setup screen
Switch to pervious relay or to Start screen
Switch to relay control screen
3.2.4. User port control screen
User port input 1 to 4
Note: A TTL high signal changes the color.
ON / OFF user port outputs 1 to 10
Note: By touching the user port fields the correspond-
ing bits High / Low are set.
ON / OFF user port open collector outputs 1 to 4
Note: By touching the user port fields the correspond-
ing bits High / Low are set.
Activation of the open collector outputs pulls the
respective output to low level (wiring see figure )

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RFB 6000A
Shows the relay number
Shows the relay position
Defines the pre- and post-activation time of the
user port bits.
Saving the changes for further use in the internal
FLASH
Saving the changes of the Range Button function
for further use in the internal FLASH: Store /Recall
Selects a user port Bit for Passive Level switching
Range Buttons 1..5
Allow common switching of relays and user port
Bits
Defines the Passive Level 0 /1 of the related Bit
3.2.5. User port setup screen
Pre- and post-times are activated if passive level ON is set for at least one of the user port outputs. With a
check mark, the corresponding User Port Bit goes to the set passive level. Without a check mark, the cor-
responding bit is set to the value stored in the Range Button. After the pre-time has elapsed, the relays have
been switched and the post time has elapsed, the corresponding user port bits are set from the passive level
to the value stored in the range button.
The time window around relay switching is approx. -30 ms to +100 ms. The 100 ms result from the response
time of the PIC on the relay control module. Without a check mark, the corresponding bit is not changed during
relayswitchingorisimmediatelysettothestoredvalue.Viathepassivelevel,amplierscanbedeactivated
by low or high level during relay switching.
Thelowerfoureldsindicatethestateoftheopencollectoroutputs.InSTOREmode,thecurrentrelayand
user port settings are stored in the FLASH memory by pressing the RANGE keys.
3.2.6. Relay position and range buttons
Display of user port bits 1 to 10
Display of user port open collector bits 1 to 4
Switch to relay control screen

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85-258150 E01
3.3. Remote interface
The remote interfaces are located on the rear panel of the device. This allows full access to all RF relays and
can be easily controlled from any PC. The remote port will be selected automatically. Settings for the LAN
port can be changed in the setup menu.
Touch here to toggle in the OFF state
Example: Three relays (5, 7 and 8) are excluded from
the switching with a Range Button
By pressing the relay numbers, the respective relay can be brought into a passive state before programming
a Range button. After programming, the switching position of such relays is not changed when the Range
key is pressed.
Thismeansthatindividualrelaysorrelaygroupscanbeexcludedfrombeinginuencedbythecorresponding
Range button.
Saves the changes
Recalls the default values
Key pad
Selcet the desired field of the IP adress or port
number field first and use the key pad for entering
the numbers.

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RFB 6000A
Position 1
Position 9 Position 10
Position 2 Position 3 Position 4 Position 5
Position 6 Position 7 Position 8
Figure 5: DIP switch SW 2: Sets the position
(number) of the RF switch
Type 1 to 2 Type 1 to 3 Type 1 to 6
Figure 4: DIP switch SW 1: Sets the type of
the RF switch
3.4. User port and power meter interface
The control panel is equipped with a 25-pin user port and up to 8 power meter inputs (Option RFI 6008) for
the PM 600x. These additional components enable
via the user port the switching on and off of amplifiers, amplifier areas and standby functions (10 outputs
TTL level; output level 0.55 V and 3.8 V at 16 mA max)
switching of loads up to 40 V/3 A (e.g. relays for antenna control) via 4 OC outputs of the user port
the query of up to 8 power meters for measuring the forward/reverse power at 4 directional couplers.
the power supply of additional loads with 5 V and 12 V, each with 0.7 A
3.5. RF switch module configuration
EachRFswitchmoduleissuppliedwithtwoDIPswitchestocongurepositionandtypeoftheRFswich.The
DIP switch SW 1 is used to set the type of the RF switch. The following drawing shows the settings.
The DIP switch SW 2 is used to set the position of the RF switch. The following drawing shows the settings.

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4. OPERATION
4.1. General
After switching on, an attempt is made to detect all available relay modules. The software is designed for
processing up to 10 relay modules. If no relay boards are found, the arrow for calling the Relay Control Screen
isnotdisplayed.OnlyemptyeldsareavailableatallrelaypositionsintheCompactControlScreen.
Furthermore, the Userport module, power meter module 1 and 2 are detected and the result of this test
determines the graphical representation of the respective components in the program. Without Userport
module, the Compact Control Screen and the User Port Screen cannot be called up.
Without power meter module 1 and 2, the corresponding measured value boxes are not displayed in the
CompactControlScreen.Theuserportoutputsremaininahigh-impedancestateuntiltherstuserport
output. Output takes place when the User Port keys User Port Screen and Compact Control Screen are pressed
and when the Range keys are pressed. The state of the keys is not saved.
The switching state of the relays is not stored. The state of the relays after switching on depends on the relay
type. With changeover switches, the output is connected to one of the inputs, with 3 to 1 or 6 to 1 switches,
the output is not connected to any input for pressing a key
4.2. Cold Switching
Cold switching is synonymous with switching the RF relays in the powerless state. This is a particu-
lar problem when pressing one of the 5 Range buttons, as the relays and the user port outputs switch
virtually simultaneously. Therefore, when using individual userport outputs for switching RF ampli-
cation on/off, a time window can be dened in the Setup Range Buttons 1...5 window in which these
outputs change to an adjustable level and thus switch off the amplier during this time window. The
time window is adjustable (pre-actv. / post-actv.) and embeds the switching of the relay modules.
According to the settings in the Setup Range Buttons 1...5 window, the behavior of the User Port outputs is
as follows:
The time window is inactive if none of the checkmarks at Passive On is set. I.e. first the relays switch,
immediately afterwards the user port outputs.
Outputs activated with Passive ON change at the beginning of the time window to the level defined in
Passive Level (amplifier switched off), remain there until the end of the time window and then change to
the level defined with the Range buttons (amplifier on).
Outputs not activated with Passive On change immediately at the beginning of the time window to the
level defined with the Range buttons (with at least one output activated).
4.3. Remote control and USO 4013
The RF Switch Network can be remote controlled via the optical RS232 interface. Included in the delivery of
RFB 6000A is an USB-to-serial converter, USO 4013, which allows to connect the RF Switch Network with a
PC with USB interface.
The RFB 6000A bus parameters are as following:
11520 0 baud
8 bit
1 stop bit
no parity
All send commands have to be terminated by CR (carriage return).

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RFB 6000A
For using the USO 4013 it also necessary to install a driver on the control PC in the following way:
Plug in the USB adapter in the PC.
The PC detects a new hardware and searches for a driver.
Insert the delivered USB stick in the PC and install the driver from there. The file USO4013_Util_Inst.EXE
is a self extracting file. It has to be copied and then started there into a new, self created folder. The real
program USO4013_Util.EXE can then be called about a combination on the desktop.
Follow the instruction, which can be found in the driver folder.
5. APPLICATIONS
5.1. Introduction
Many cases especially in high frequency technology demands to switch signals in wide frequency and power
ranges. Not all components of the system are available in the full broadband. Example of system components
with less broadband compatibility are:
Power amplifier
Directional coupler
Antenna
The requirement on the RF switch is, beside the switch functionality, to transmit all signals in best quality with
low transmission error. The height of the transmission error is described by following frequency depending
parameters:
Insertion Loss
Isolation
VSWR
5.2. Example
TheRFswitchnetworkcanbeconguredtoswitchRFsignalsinawiderangeofautomatictestsystems.
Variousswitchcongurationsareavailable,asneededfortheemissionor/andimmunitytestsystem.The
following system drawings provide application examples.
Caution: Never operate the switch with RF power on.
Switching by absence of RF power only!

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85-258150 E01
Figure 6: Example of a setup with 2 power amplifiers, 1 directional coupler, 1 power meter, 1
antenna and measuring receiver
Software
Amp in Amp out
Amp in Amp out
Amp in Amp out
Amp in Amp out
1 to 2 Switch (option SRS 1200B
or NRS 1200B of the RF switch network)
Power amplifier 1 to 4
Signal generator
EUT
EUT
Power meter
PMR 600x
Cable up to
10 m length
RF switch
network
RFB 6000
1 C
2
Power Meter
1 C
2
1 to 6 Switch (option SRS 1600B
of the RF switch network)
2x 1 to 6 Switch
(option SRS 1602B of
the RF switch network)
Power
USB
0.
1
4
7 8
5
23
kHz
dBm
6
9MHz
dBµV
Hz
V
Enter
USB
6
5
43
2
1
C
6
5
43
2
1
C
Power Meter
6
5
43
2
1
C
Directional coupler
Directional coupler
Directional coupler
Power
RFB 6000 RFSWITCH NETWORK

18
RFB 6000A
Figure 7: Example of a setup with 4 power amplifier, 3 directional couplers, 1 power meter
and 2 antennas
Software
Amp in Amp out
Amp in Amp out
Amp in Amp out
Amp in Amp out
1 to 2 Switch (option SRS 1200B
or NRS 1200B of the RF switch network)
Power amplifier 1 to 4
Signal generator
EUT
EUT
RF switch
network
RFB 6000
1 C
2
Power Meter Power Meter
Power Meter Power Meter
Power Meter Power Meter
1 C
2
1 to 6 Switch (option SRS 1600B
of the RF switch network)
Power
USB
0.
1
4
7 8
5
23
kHz
dBm
6
9MHz
dBµV
Hz
V
Enter
USB
Power
6
5
43
2
1
C
Directional coupler
Directional coupler
Directional coupler
RFB 6000 RFSWITCH NETWORK
Power meter
PMR 600x
Cable up to
10 m length
Note: This example shows the recommended short RF connection between
directional coupler and power meter for avoiding measuring errors.

19
85-258150 E01
6. SOFTWARE COMMANDS
6.1. Construction of a command line:
A command line can contain one command
The command line is completed by New Line (NL, 0AH) and/or Carriage Return (CR, 0DH)
No distinction is made between upper and lower case.
The abbreviation of command headers is possible, and either the full command or the defined abbrevia-
tion must be employed.
In the following command description, the abbreviated form of the header is characterized by capital letters
(no distinction is made between upper and lower case)
Example: MONITOR:USEROUT
MONITOR:USEROUT is equivalent to MON:UOUT or moN:UOut ,
while MON:USEROUT causes an error message.
Most of the control commands also exist in a query version, which only delivers a “0” as answer. This is
implemented to simplify the time synchronisation of control program and RFB 6000A. Especially the relay
commands (and all depending commands like *RST?) needs longer processing time.
All*ARR?commandsuseacomposedstringforalltargetstates.Therstentryinthisstringisrelatedtothe
rsttargetdevice(e.g.rstswitchaddressorrstuserport).Thesecondentryrelatedtothesecondtarget
device and so on.
6.2. Common Commands
6. 2.1. *IDN?
Deliversthedevicesidenticationstring.Thisstringiscomposedofthedevicename,thedevicesserialnumber
and its software version.
Command: *IDN?
Return: TESEQ RFB 6000A,000123,V1.01
6.2.2. *GTL
This command switches the device back to local mode. Front panel operation is then permitted.
Command: *GTL
6.2.3. *RST?
This command resets relays to position1 and all user port outputs are turned Low.
Command: *RST?
Return: 0
6.3. Device Depended Commands
6.3.1. REBOOT
Reboots the Firmware of the RFB 6000A.
Command: REBOOT
6.3.2. IDN_PM?
The RFB 6000A provides connectors for up to 8 external PM 600x power meter probes (optional). This command
deliversthedevicesidenticationstringoftheconnectedpowermeterprobes.Thestringiscomposedof
the device name, its software version and its serial number. The command needs the power meter channel
1..8 as parameter.
Unconnected power meter channels deliver “???”.
Command: IDN_PM? 1
Return: Teseq PM 6006,V1.0,0000000123

20
RFB 6000A
6.3.3. UPD_PM_CONF; UPD_PM_CONF?
Detects the currently connected power meters. Future measurements on unconnected power meter ports will
be skipped immediately without any timeout time. Unconnected power meters still deliver a value of “-999”.
Aftercallingthiscommandthersttime,adifferentiationbetween
- power meter not connected; delivers “-999”
- error event power meter time out; delivers “-111”
is possible.
The command must be called after every change of the power meter connections.
Command: UPD_PM_CONF?
Return: 0
6.3.4. RST_PM_CONF; RST_PM_CONF?
Resetsthepowermetercongurationinformationtoitsinitialstate.Afterthat,acontrollingprogramcan
reactimmediatelyonchangingsinthepowermeterconguration.Everypowermeterportdeliversareal
measurement value or a “-999” if not connected. But in this state a differentiation between “not connected”
and a “time out” error is not possible.
6.3.5. HW_CONF?
ReadsthehardwarecongurationoftheRFB6000A.Thiscommanddeliversanidenticationstringwiththree
numbers. They are standing for the BCB with user port string and optical connectors, the PCB with power
meter connectors 1…4 and the PCB with power meter connectors 5…8.
Not existing PCBs deliver a “0”.
Command: HW_CONF?
Return: 1,1,1 ->ifallcomponentsavailable(foropticalremotecontroltherstnumberisalways1)
6.3.6. POW?
Measure the power and return the measured value. This command needs a frequency parameter and a
powermeterchannelnumberbetween1..8.ThefrequencyparametermustbespeciedinfullMHzsteps.
The command returns the currently measured power in dBm.
Unconnected power meter channels deliver a value of “-999”.
Command: POW? 1000 2
Return: 4.75
6.3.7. POWARR?
Measure the power of all 8 power meter channels and return a single string with all measured values. This
command needs a common frequency parameter for all power meters. The frequency parameter must be
speciedinfullMHzsteps.ThecommandreturnsthecurrentlymeasuredpowerindBm.
For not connected power meters a “-999” is inserted into the string.
Command: POWARR? 1000
Return: 4.83,-42.15,-999,12.78,-999,-999,-45.37,-999
6.3.8. AVG; AVG?
Set the averaging count for the power meter measurements. The device averages this amount of measure-
ments, before returning the result. This command expects the number of averages in the range of 1 to 10000
and a power meter channel number between 1..8.
No reaction happens for unconnected power meters.
Command: AVG? 25 2
Return: 0