Ametek JOFRA ASC301 User manual

Remote Manual
Advanced Signal Calibrators
JOFRA ASC301 & ASC321

1
Remote Operation
The calibrator can be remotely controlled using a PC terminal, or by a
computer program running the calibrator in an automated system. It uses an
RS232 serial port connection for remote operation. With this connection the
user can write programs on the PC, with Windows languages like Visual
Basic to operate the calibrator, or use a Windows terminal, such as Hyper
Terminal, to enter single commands. Typical RS232 remote configurations
are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Calibrator-to-Computer Connection
1. Setting up the RS232 Port for Remote Control
Note: The RS232 connection cable should not exceed 15m unless the load
capacitance measured at connection points is less than 2500pF.
Serial parameter values:
9600 baud
8 data bits
1 stop bit
no parity
Xon/Xoff
EOL (End of Line) character or CR (Carriage Return) or both
To set up remote operation of the calibrator on the Windows Hyper Terminal,
connected to a COM port on the PC as in Figure 1, use the following
procedure:
1. Start Hyper Terminal (located in Accessories/Communications of the
Windows Start menu)
2. Select New Connection.
Optional RS-232 or USB Cable
(See section 7.4)
COM PORT USB PORT
OR
F1 F2 F3
CE
1
ENTER
HOME
23
456
789
-0.

2
3. For Name enter ASC301. Select the serial port that the unit is connected
to.
4. Enter the above information for port settings.
5. Select ASCII setup from File/Properties/Settings and mark these
choices:
Echo typed characters locally
Wrap lines that exceed terminal width
6. Select Ok
7. To see if the port works enter *IDN?. This command will return
information on the unit.
2. Changing Between Remote and Local Operation
There are three modes of operation of the calibrator, Local, Remote, and
Remote with Lockout. Local mode is the default mode. Commands may be
entered using the keypad on the unit or using a computer. In Remote mode
the keypad is disabled, and commands may only be entered using a
computer, but choosing [GO TO LOCAL] from the menu on the calibrator
display will restore keypad operation. In Remote with Lockout, the keypad
can not be used at all. To switch modes proceed as follows:
1. To enable Remote mode, type in the serial command REMOTE at the
computer terminal.
2. To enable Remote with Lockout, type in REMOTE and LOCKOUT in either
order.
3. To switch back to local operation enter LOCAL at the terminal. This
command also turns off LOCKOUT if it was on. For more information on
commands refer to the Remote Commands section.
3. Using Commands
3.1 Command types
Refer to the Section on Remote Commands for all available commands.
The calibrator may be controlled using commands and queries. All
commands may be entered using upper or lower case. The commands are
divided into the following categories:
Calibrator Commands
Only the calibrator uses these commands. For example
LOWER_MEAS DCV
tells the calibrator to measure voltage on the lower display.

3
Common Commands
Standard commands used by most devices. These commands always
begin with an "*". For example
*IDN?
tells the calibrator to return its identification.
Query Commands
Commands that ask for information. They always end with a "?". For
example:
FUNC?
Returns the current modes of the upper and lower displays.
Compound Commands
Commands that contain more than one command on one line. For
example:
LOWER_MEAS RTD; RTD_TYPE CU10
Sets the calibrator to measure RTD in the lower display and sets RTD
type to Cu 10.
Overlapped Commands
Commands that require more time to execute than normal. The command
*WAI can be used after the overlapped command to tell the calibrator to
wait until the command finishes before executing the next command. For
example:
TRIG; *WAI
Triggers the pulse train. Once the pulse train has been triggered, the
calibrator can proceed to the next command.
Sequential Commands
Commands that are executed immediately after the are entered. This type
includes most of the commands.
3.2 Character Processing
The data entered into the calibrator is processed as follows:
• ASCII characters are discarded if their decimal equivalent is less than 32
(space), except 10 (LF) and 13 (CR):
• Data is taken as 7-bit ASCII

4
• The most significant data bit is ignored.
• Upper or lower case is acceptable.
3.3 Response Data Types
The data returned by the calibrator can be divided into four types:
Integer
For most computers and controllers they are decimal numbers ranging from
-32768 to 32768. For example:
*ESE 140; *ESE? returns 140
Floating
Numbers that have up to 15 significant figures and exponents. For example:
CPRT_COEFA? returns 3.908000E-03
Character Response Data (CRD)
Data returned as keywords. For example:
RTD_TYPE? returns PT385_10
Indefinite ASCII (IAD)
Any ASCII characters followed by a terminator. For example:
*IDN? returns AMETEK, ASC301, 250, 1.00
3.4 Calibrator Status
Status registers, enable registers, and queues provide status information on
the calibrator. Each status register and queue has a summary bit in the
Serial Poll Status Byte. Enable registers generate summary bits in the Serial
Poll Status Byte. The following is a list of registers and queues along with
their function.
Serial Poll Status Byte (STB)
The STB is sent when the calibrator responds to the *STB? command.
Cleared when power is reset.
Service Request Enable Register (SRE)
Enables or disables the bits of the STB. Cleared when power is reset.

5
Setting bits to 0 disables them in the STB. Setting the bits to 1 enables
them. Bit assignments for the SRE and the STB are shown below.
76543210
0 MSS ESB 0 EAV 000
MSS
Master Summary Status. Set to 1 when ESB or EAV are 1
(enabled). Read using the *STB? command.
ESB
Set to 1 when at least one bit in ESR is 1.
EAV
Error Available. An error has been entered into the error queue,
and may be read using the Fault? command.
Event Status Register (ESR)
A two-byte register, in which the lower bits represent conditions of the
Calibrator. Cleared when read and when power is reset.
Event Status Enable Register (ESE)
Enables and disables bits in the ESR. Setting a bit to 1 enables the
corresponding bit in the ESR, and setting it to 0 disables the corresponding
bit. Cleared at power reset. Bit assignments for the ESR and the ESE
respectively are shown below.
15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8
00000000
76543210
PON 0 CME EXE DDE QYE 0 OPC
PON
Power On. Set to 1 if power was turned on and off before the
Event Status Register was read.

6
CME
Command Error. Set to 1 when the calibrator receives an invalid
command. Entering an unsupported RTD type may cause such
an error.
EXE
Execution Error. Set to 1 when the calibrator runs into an error
while executing is last command. A parameter that has too
significant figures may cause such an error.
DDE
Device-dependent Error. Set to 1 when, for example, the output of
the calibrator is overloaded.
QYE
Query Error.
OPC
Operation Complete. Set to 1 when the calibrator has finished
executing all commands before the command *OPC was entered.
Error Queue
If an error occurs due to invalid input or buffer overflow, its error code is sent
to the error queue. The error code can be read from the queue with the
command FAULT?. The error queue holds 15 error codes. When it is empty,
FAULT? returns 0. The error queue is cleared when power is reset or when
the clear command *CLS is entered.
Input Buffer
Calibrator stores all received data in the input buffer. The buffer holds 250
characters. The characters are processed on a first in, first out basis.

7
4. Remote Commands and Error Codes
The following tables list all commands, and their descriptions, that are
accepted by the calibrator.
Table 1: Common Commands
Command Description
*CLS *CLS (Clear status.) Clears the ESR, the error queue, and the RQS bit
in the status byte. Terminates pending Operation Complete commands
*ESE Loads a byte into the Event Status Enable register.
*ESE? Returns the contents of the Event Status Enable register.
*ESR? Returns the contents of the Event Status register and clears the regis-
ter.
*IDN? Identification query. Returns the manufacturer, model number, and firm-
ware revision level of the Calibrator.
*OPC Enables setting of bit 0 (OPC for "Operation Complete") in the Event
Status Register to 1 when all pending device operations are complete.
*OPC? Returns a 1 after all pending operations are complete. This command
causes program execution to pause until all operations are complete.
*RST Resets the state of the instrument to the power-up state. This com-
mand holds off execution of subsequent commands until it is com-
plete.
*SRE Loads a byte into the Service Request Enable register.
*SRE? Returns the byte from the Service Request Enable register.
*STB? Returns the status byte.
*WAI Prevents further remote commands from being executed until all previ-
ous remote commands have been executed.
Table 2: Calibrator Commands
Command Description
CAL_START Puts the calibrator in calibration mode
CJC_STATE Turns CJC on or off.
CJC_STATE? Returns the state of the CJC
CPRT_COEFA Sets the custom RTD coefficient A
CPRT_COEFA? Returns the custom RTD coefficient A
CPRT_COEFB Sets the custom RTD coefficient B
CPRT_COEFB? Returns the custom RTD coefficient B
CPRT_COEFC Sets the custom RTD coefficient C

8
CPRT_COEFC? Returns the custom RTD coefficient C
CPRT_MIN_T Sets the custom RTD minimum temperature
CPRT_MIN_T? Returns the custom RTD minimum temperature
CPRT_MAX_T Sets the custom RTD maximum temperature
CPRT_MAX_T? Returns the custom RTD maximum temperature
CPRT_R0 Sets the custom RTD R0 resistance
CPRT_R0? Returns the custom RTD R0 resistance
FAULT? Returns the error code of an error that has occurred
FREQ_LEVEL Sets the frequency and pulse amplitude
FREQ_LEVEL? Returns the frequency and pulse amplitude
FREQ_TYPE Set the frequency output to continuous (frequency) or pulse.
FREQ_TYPE? Returns frequency output type, continuous or pulse
FREQ_UNIT Sets the unit for frequency and pulse
FREQ_UNIT? Returns the unit for frequency and pulse
FUNC? Returns the current mode of the upper and lower display
HART_ON Turns the HART resistor on
HART_OFF Turns the HART resistor off
HART? Returns the state of the HART resistor
LOCAL Returns user to manual operation of the calibrator
LOCKOUT Locks out the keypad of the calibrator, and allows for remote
operation only
LOOP_PWR_OFF Turns 24V loop power off.
LOOP_PWR_ON Turns 24V loop power on.
LOOP_PWR? Returns the state of 24V loop power.
LOWER_MEAS Sets the mode for measuring on the lower display.
LT_START Begin a leak test
LT_STOP Stop a leak test
LT_INITIAL? Returns the initial leak test value
LT_FINAL? Returns the final leak test value
LT_RATE? Returns the leak rate
L_PRES_UNIT Sets the pressure unit on the lower display
OUT Sets the output of the calibrator
OUT? Returns the output of the calibrator
PRES? Returns the model and serial number of the attached pressure
module
PRES_UNIT? Returns the pressure unit for the upper and lower display

9
PULSE_CNT Sets the number of pulses for the pulse train
PULSE_CNT? Returns the number of pulses in the pulse train
REMOTE Puts the calibrator in remote mode
RTD_TYPE Sets the RTD type
RTD_TYPE? Returns the RTD type
RTD_WIRE Sets the number of wires used by the RTD mode.
RTD_WIRE? Returns the wire number setting used in the RTD mode
SCALE_FUNC Sets the scaling function to volts or mA
SCALE_FUNC? Returns the scaling function
SCL_MA_HI Sets 100% value for mA scaling
SCL_MA_HI? Returns 100% value for mA scaling
SCL_MA_LO Sets 0% value for mA scaling
SCL_MA_LO? Returns 0% value for mA scaling
SCL_V_HI Sets 100% value for volts scaling
SCL_V_HI? Returns 100% value for volt scaling
SCL_V_LO Sets 0% value for volts scaling
SCL_V_LO? Returns 0% value for volt scaling
SCL_ERR_HI Sets 100% value for scaling and %error
SCL_ERR_HI? Returns 100% value for scaling and %error
SCL_ERR_LO Sets 0% value for scaling and %error
SCL_ERR_LO? Returns 0% value scaling and %error
SIM Sets the output for mA simulation
SIM? Returns the output of the mA simulation
ST_START Starts a new switch test if the unit is in switch test mode
ST_CLOSE? Returns the value at which the switch closed
ST_OPEN? Returns the value at which the switch opened
ST_DEAD? Returns the value of the dead band of the switch
TC_TYPE Sets the thermocouple type
TC_TYPE? Returns the thermocouple type
TEMP_UNIT Sets input/output temperature unit for RTD and TC
TEMP_UNIT? Returns the temperature unit for RTD and TC
TRIG Starts and stops the pulse train in pulse mode
TRIG? Returns TRIGGERED when a pulse train is on. Returns
UNTRIGGERED when the pulse train is off.
TSENS_TYPE Sets temperature sensor type.
TSENS_TYPE? Returns temperature sensor type

10
UPPER_MEAS Sets the measuring mode for the upper display.
U_PRES_UNIT Sets the upper pressure unit
VAL? Returns the measured values
ZERO_MEAS Zeros the pressure module
ZERO_MEAS? Returns the zero offset of the pressure module
Table 3: Parameter units
Units Meaning
MA milliamps of current
MV Voltage in millivolts
VVoltage in volts
CPM Frequency in cycles per minute
Hz Frequency in Hertz
KHz Frequency in kiloHertz
Ohms Resistance in Ohms
Cel Temperature in Celsius
Far Temperature in Fahrenheit
Psi Pressure in pounds per square-inch
InH2O4C Pressure in inches of water at 4°C
InH2O20C Pressure in inches of water at 20°C
CmH2O4C Pressure in centimeters of water at 4°C
CmH2O20C Pressure in centimeters of water at 20°C
Bar Pressure in bars
Mbar Pressure in millibars
KPal Pressure in kiloPascals
InHg Pressure in inches of mercury at 0°C
MmHg Pressure in millimeters of mercury at 0°C
Kg/cm2 Pressure in kilograms per square-centimeter
Table 4: Error codes
Error Number Error Description
100 A non-numeric entry was received where it should be a numeric
entry
101 Too many significant digits entered
102 Invalid units or parameter value received

11
103 Entry is above the upper limit of the allowable range
104 Entry is below the lower limit of the allowable range
105 A required command parameter was missing
106 An invalid pressure unit was received
107 An invalid CJC_STATE was received
108 An invalid TSENS_TYPE was received
109 Pressure module not connected
110 An unknown command was received
111 An invalid RTD or TC parameter value was received
112 The serial input buffer overflowed
113 Too many entries in the command line
114 The serial output buffer overflowed
115 Output is overloaded
116 Calibrator not in pulse train mode when TRIG was received
117 An invalid FREQ_TYPE was received
5. Entering Commands
Commands for the calibrator may be entered in upper or lower case. There
is at least one space required between the command and parameter, all
other spaces are optional. Almost all commands for the calibrator are
sequential, any overlapped commands will be indicated as such. This
section will briefly explain each of the commands and describe their general
use, which will include any parameters that may be entered with the
command as well as what the output of the command is.
5.1 Common Commands
*CLS
Clears the ESR, the error queue and the RQS bit. Also terminates all
pending operations. When writing programs, use before each procedure to
avoid buffer overflow.
*ESE
Loads a byte into the Event Status Enable register. The command is entered
with a decimal number that, when converted to binary, enables the right bits
in the Event Status Register. For example:
*ESE 133
When 133 is converted to binary it is 10000101. Bits 7, 2, and 0 will be
enabled.

12
*ESE?
Returns the contents of the Event Status Enable register. The value returned
is a decimal. For example, if the register has the following settings:
10000101 than the value returned will be 133.
*ESR?
Returns the contents of the Event Status Register in decimal form. For
example:
If the ESR contains 10111001, *ESR? will return 185.
*IDN?
Returns the manufacturer, model number, and firmware revision of the
Calibrator. For example:
*IDN? will return AMETEK, ASC301, 250, 1.00
*OPC
Enables the Operation Complete setting in the ESR. This setting makes it
possible to check if an operations is complete after it has been initialized.
For example this operation could be used with the command TRIG.
*OPC?
Returns 1 when all operations are complete, and causes program execution
to pause until all the operations are complete. For example:
TRIG ; *OPC? will return a 1 when the pulse train initiated by TRIG is
complete.
*RST
Resets the state of calibrator to the power-up state. All subsequent
commands are held off until the execution of the command is complete.
*SRE
Loads a byte into the Service Request Enable register. A decimal number
must be entered, which when converted to binary, corresponds to the
correct settings.
For example:
*SRE 8 enters the binary number 00001000 to the SRE. This enables bit
3. Bit 6 is not used.

13
*SRE?
Returns a byte from the SRE. The byte is returned in decimal format. For
example:
If 40 is returned, bits 5 and 3 are enabled.
*STB
Returns the status byte in decimal form from the Serial Poll Status Byte. For
example;
If 72 is returned, bits 6 and 3 are enabled.
*WAI
Prevents further remote commands from being executed until all previous
commands are executed. For example:
OUT 10 MA ; *WAI ; OUT 5 V will out put 10mA and wait until output
settles, than volts command will be processed.
5.2 Calibrator Commands
CAL_START
Puts the calibrator in calibration mode. The main display will say
CALIBRATION MODE and a calibration menu will be displayed on the
terminal.
CJC_STATE
Turns Cold Junction Compensation (CJC) on or off, when the calibrator is in
thermocouple (TC) mode. The command is used by adding ON or OFF after
it.
For example:
CJC_ STATE OFF turns CJC off.
CJC_STATE?
Tells whether the Cold Junction Compensation in thermocouple mode is
turned on or turned off. The calibrator returns OFF if CJC is off, and ON if
CJC is on.

14
CPRT_COEFA
This command is used for entering a custom RTD into the calibrator. The
numeric value entered after the command will be set as the first coefficient
of the polynomial used by the custom RTD.
For example:
CPRT_COEFA 3.9083E-3 enters 3.9083E-3 as coefficient A.
CPRT_COEFA?
Returns the number which was entered for the first coefficient of the
polynomial used in the custom RTD. Using the example above CPRT_
COEFA? Would return:
3.9083E-3
CPRT_COEFB
This command is used for entering a custom RTD into the calibrator. The
numeric value entered after the command will be set as the second
coefficient of the polynomial used by the custom RTD.
For example:
CPRT_COEFB -5.775x10-7 enters -5.775x10-7 as coefficient B.
CPRT_COEFB?
Returns the number, which was entered for the first coefficient of the
polynomial used in the custom RTD. Using the example above, CPRT_
COEFB? Would return:
-5.775x10-7
CPRT_COEFC
This command is used for entering a custom RTD into the calibrator. The
numeric value entered after the command will be set as the first coefficient
of the polynomial used by the custom RTD.
For example:
CPRT_COEFC -4.183x10-12 enters -4.183x10-12 as coefficient C.

15
CPRT_COEFC?
Returns the number which was entered for the first coefficient of the
polynomial used in the custom RTD. Using the example above CPRT_
COEFC? Would return:
-4.183x10-12
CPRT_MIN_T
Sets the minimum temperature of the custom RTD range. The temperature
value must be entered with a degrees label, CEL for Celsius and FAR for
Fahrenheit.
For example:
CPRT_MIN_T -260 CEL enters -260°C as the minimum temperature.
CPRT_MIN_T?
Returns the value entered for minimum temperature in the range for a
custom RTD. Note that the Calibrator always returns numbers in scientific
notation. The above example would return:
-2.600000E+02, CEL
CPRT_MAX_T
Sets the maximum temperature of the custom RTD range. The temperature
value must be entered with a degrees label, CEL for Celsius and FAR for
Fahrenheit.
For example:
CPRT_MAX_T 0.0 CEL enters 0.0°C as the maximum temperature.
CPRT_MIN_T?
Returns the value entered for minimum temperature in the range for a
custom RTD. The above example would return:
0.000000E+00, CEL

16
CPRT_R0
Sets the 0° resistance, R0, in the custom RTD. The value must be entered
with a units label. Refer to the Parameter Units table for assistance.
For example:
CPRT_R0 100 OHM sets R0 to 100 ohms.
CPRT_R0?
Returns the value for the resistance in custom RTD. The above example
would return:
1.000000E+02, OHM
FAULT?
Returns the error code number of an error that has occurred. The command
may be entered when the previous command did not do what it was meant
to do.
For example, if a value for current output is entered that is bigger than the
supported range (0-24mA) FAULT? Would return:
103 which is the code number for an entry over range.
Refer to the Error Codes table for more information on error code numbers.
FREQ_LEVEL
Sets the amplitude of the wave used in the Frequency Out and Pulse
modes. The range for amplitude entered may be found in the Specifications
section.
For example:
FREQ_LEVEL 5 V sets the amplitude at 5Vpp.
FREQ_LEVEL?
Returns the amplitude of the wave used in Frequency Out and Pulse modes.
FREQ_LEVEL? with the above example would return:
5.000000E+00, V
FREQ_TYPE
When in frequency mode, sets the calibrator to output a continuous wave
(Frequency Out), or a pulse train. To set the calibrator to continuous wave
enter CONT after the command. To set the calibrator to pulse enter PULSE
after the command. For example:
FREQ_TYPE CONT will set the calibrator to FREQ OUT.

17
Note: This command does not put the calibrator in frequency mode. Use
the OUT command to put the calibrator in frequency mode.
FREQ_TYPE?
Tells whether calibrator is sourcing a pulse or a continuous wave. The
command will return CONT if the calibrator is in FREQ OUT mode, and
PULSE if the calibrator is in PULSE mode.
FREQ_UNIT
Sets the unit for frequency. There are three ranges of frequencies for
frequency and pulse modes, CPM (cycles per minute), Hz, and kHz. Use
this command to select the right range. For example:
FREQ_UNIT HZ sets the frequency to Hz range
FREQ_UNIT?
Returns the frequency unit currently being used by the frequency and pulse
modes.
FUNC?
Returns the current mode of the upper and lower displays. For example if
the calibrator is set to volts on the upper display, and pressure on the lower
display, FUNC? Would return:
DCV, PRESSURE
HART_ON
Puts a 250ΩHart resistor in series with the mA source circuit and the
isolated mA read with loop power circuit.
HART_OFF
Removes the 250ΩHart resistor from the mA source circuit and the isolated
mA read with loop power circuit.
HART?
Returns the state of the Hart resistors.

18
LOCAL
Restores the calibrator to local operation if it was in remote mode. Also
clears LOCKOUT if the unit was in lockout mode.
LOOP_PWR_OFF
Turns 24V loop power off for isolated mA read functions including %Error
and Scaled mA.
LOOP_PWR_ON
Turns 24V loop power on for isolated mA read functions including %Error
and Scaled mA.
LOOP_PWR?
Returns the state of the 24V loop power supply for isolated mA read
functions including %Error and Scaled mA, either ON of OFF.
LOWER_MEAS
Sets the lower display to measure mode. The command is followed by any
of the parameters except for pulse and mA sim, which are source only. Enter
DCI for mA, DCV for volts, TC for thermocouple, RTD for RTD, FREQUENCY
for frequency, and PRESSURE for pressure. For example:
LOWER_MEAS DCV sets the lower display mode to VOLTS IN
LT_START
Starts a leak test if you are in leak test mode.
LT_STOP
Stops the leak test timer and puts the unit in leak test recall mode.
LT_INITIAL?
If the unit is in leak test recall mode the query returns the pressure at the
start of the leak test.
LT_FINAL?
If the unit is in leak test recall mode the query returns the pressure at the
end of the leak test.