HP E1563A User manual

Contents 1
Table of Contents
HP E1563A and HP E1564A Digitizer
HEWLETT-PACKARD WARRANTY STATEMENT ..............................................3
Safety Symbols ...........................................................................................................4
WARNINGS.................................................................................................................4
Declaration of Conformity............................................................................................5
WARNINGS.................................................................................................................6
Reader Comment Sheet ................................................................................................7
Chapter 1
Digitizer Module Set-up ................................................................................................9
Using This Chapter.......................................................................................................9
Installing the Digitizer in a Mainframe.......................................................................15
Cable Connector Assembly Instructions.....................................................................20
Chapter 2
Digitizer Application Information ..............................................................................25
Using this Chapter ......................................................................................................25
Digitizer Block Diagrams...........................................................................................25
Power-on and Reset State...........................................................................................27
Triggering the Digitizer ..............................................................................................29
Input Overload Condition...........................................................................................34
HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizer Application Examples........................................35
Chapter 3
Digitizer Command Reference ...................................................................................39
ABORt........................................................................................................................42
CALCulate..................................................................................................................43
CALibration................................................................................................................47
DIAGnostic.................................................................................................................55
FORMat......................................................................................................................63
INITiate.......................................................................................................................64
INPut...........................................................................................................................66
OUTPut.......................................................................................................................68
[SENSe:].....................................................................................................................70
SAMPle.......................................................................................................................78
STATus.......................................................................................................................83
SYSTem......................................................................................................................87
TEST...........................................................................................................................88
TRIGger......................................................................................................................94
IEEE 488.2 Common Command Quick Reference..................................................100

2 Contents
Appendix A
HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizer
Specifications ..............................................................................................................111
Appendix B
HP E1563A and E1564A
Register-Based Programming ...................................................................................113
About This Appendix................................................................................................113
Register Addressing..................................................................................................113
Register Descriptions................................................................................................116
Program Timing and Execution................................................................................130
Appendix C
HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizer
Error Messages ..........................................................................................................139
Execution Errors ....................................................................................................... 139
Self-Test Errors.........................................................................................................144
Calibration Errors .....................................................................................................144
Appendix D
HP E1563A and E1564A
Verification Tests .......................................................................................................145
Introduction...............................................................................................................145
Verification Tests......................................................................................................146
Performance Verification Test Programs .................................................................146
Functional Test .........................................................................................................147
Performance Verification..........................................................................................148
Performance Test Record..........................................................................................152
Appendix E
HP E1563A and E1564A
Adjustments ................................................................................................................157
Introduction...............................................................................................................157
Adjustment Procedures.............................................................................................158

3
HEWLETT-PACKARD WARRANTY STATEMENT
HP PRODUCT: HP E1563A 2-Channel/E1564A 4-Channel Digitizer DURATION OF WARRANTY: 3 years
1. HP warrants HP hardware, accessories and supplies against defects in materials and workmanship for the period specified above. If
HP receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, HP will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be
defective. Replacement products may be either new or like-new.
2. HP warrants that HP software will not fail to execute its programming instructions, for the period specified above, due to defects in
material and workmanship when properly installed and used. If HP receives notice of such defects during the warranty period, HP will
replace software media which does not execute its programming instructions due to such defects.
3. HP does not warrant that the operation of HP products will be interrupted or error free. If HP is unable, within a reasonable time, to
repair or replace any product to a condition as warranted, customer will be entitled to a refund of the purchase price upon prompt return
of the product.
4. HP products may contain remanufactured parts equivalent to new in performance or may have been subject to incidental use.
5. The warranty period begins on the date of delivery or on the date of installation if installed by HP. If customer schedules or delays HP
installation more than 30 days after delivery, warranty begins on the 31st day from delivery.
6. Warranty does not apply to defects resultingfrom (a) improper or inadequate maintenance or calibration, (b) software, interfacing, parts
or supplies not supplied by HP, (c) unauthorized modification or misuse, (d) operation outside of the published environmental
specifications for the product, or (e) improper site preparation or maintenance.
7. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE ABOVE WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND NO OTHER
WARRANTY OR CONDITION, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AND HP SPECIFICALLY
DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
8. HP will be liable for damage to tangible property per incident up to the greater of $300,000 or the actual amount paid for the product
that is the subject of the claim, and for damages for bodily injury or death, to the extent that all such damages are determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction to have been directly caused by a defective HP product.
9. TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE REMEDIES IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT ARE CUSTOMER’S
SOLE AND EXLUSIVE REMEDIES. EXCEPT AS INDICATED ABOVE, IN NO EVENT WILL HP OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE
LIABLE FOR LOSS OF DATA OR FOR DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING LOST PROFIT OR
DATA), OR OTHER DAMAGE, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE.
FOR CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: THE WARRANTY TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS
STATEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT LAWFULLY PERMITTED, DO NOT EXCLUDE, RESTRICT OR MODIFY AND ARE
IN ADDITION TO THE MANDATORY STATUTORY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO THE SALE OF THIS PRODUCT TO YOU.
U.S. Government Restricted Rights
The Software and Documentation have been developed entirely at private expense. They are delivered and licensed as "commercial
computer software" as defined in DFARS 252.227- 7013 (Oct 1988), DFARS 252.211-7015 (May 1991) or DFARS 252.227-7014 (Jun
1995), as a "commercial item" as defined in FAR 2.101(a), or as "Restricted computer software" as defined in FAR 52.227-19 (Jun
1987)(or any equivalent agency regulation or contract clause), whichever is applicable. You have only those rights provided for such
Software and Documentation by the applicable FAR or DFARS clause or the HP standard software agreement for the product involved.
HP E1563A 2-Channel/E1564A 4-Channel Digitizer User's SCPI Programming Manual
Edition 2
Copyright © 1998 Hewlett-Packard Company. All Rights Reserved.

4
Safety Symbols
Instruction manual symbol affixed to
product. Indicates that the user must refer to
the manual for specific WARNING or
CAUTION information to avoid personal
injury or damage to the product.
Alternating current (AC)
Instruction manual symbol affixed to
product. Indicates that the user must refer to
the manual for specific WARNING or
CAUTION information to avoid personal
injury or damage to the product.
Indicates the field wiring terminal that must
be connected to earth ground before
operating the equipmentÅprotects against
electrical shock in case of fault.
Direct current (DC).
Indicates hazardous voltages.
or
Frameorchassisgroundterminal—typically
connects to the equipment's metal frame.
WARNING Calls attention to a procedure, practice, or
condition that could cause bodily injury or
death.
CAUTION Calls attention to a procedure, practice, or
conditionthatcouldpossiblycausedamageto
equipment or permanent loss of data.
WARNINGS
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, service, and repair of this product. Failure to
comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and
intended use of the product. Hewlett-Packard Company assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements.
Ground the equipment: For Safety Class 1 equipment (equipment having a protective earth terminal), an uninterruptible safety earth
ground must be provided from the mains power source to the product input wiring terminals or supplied power cable.
DO NOT operate the product in an explosive atmosphere or in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
For continued protection against fire, replace the line fuse(s) only with fuse(s) of the same voltage and current rating and type. DO NOT
use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse holders.
Keep away from live circuits: Operating personnel must not remove equipment covers or shields. Procedures involving the removal of
covers or shields are for use by service-trained personnel only. Under certain conditions, dangerous voltages may exist even with the
equipment switched off. To avoid dangerous electrical shock, DO NOT perform procedures involving cover or shield removal unless you
are qualified to do so.
DO NOT operate damaged equipment: Whenever it is possible that the safety protection features built into this product have been
impaired, either through physical damage, excessive moisture, or any other reason, REMOVE POWER and do not use the product until
safe operation can be verified by service-trained personnel. If necessary, return the product to a Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office
for service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
DO NOT service or adjust alone: Do not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another person, capable of rendering first aid and
resuscitation, is present.
DO NOT substitute parts or modify equipment: Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install substitute parts
or perform any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the product to a Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office for service
and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
Documentation History
All Editions and Updates of this manual and their creation date are listed below. The first Edition of the manual is Edition 1. The Edition
number increments by 1 whenever the manual is revised. Updates, which are issued between Editions, contain replacement pages to
correct or add additional information to the current Edition of the manual. Whenever a new Edition is created, it will contain all of the
Update information for the previous Edition. Each new Edition or Update also includes a revised copy of this documentation history page.
Edition 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .October 1997
Edition 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 1998

5
Jim White, QA Manager
European contact: Your local Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office or Hewlett-Packard GmbH, Depart-
ment HQ-TRE, Herrenberger Straße 130, D-71034 Böblingen, Germany (FAX [phone])
Declaration of Conformity
according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014
Manufacturer’s Name: Hewlett-Packard Company
Loveland Manufacturing Center
Manufacturer’s Address: 815 14th street S.W.
Loveland, Colorado 80537
declares, that the product:
Product Name: 2-Channel and 4-Channel Digitizer
Model Number: HP E1563A and HP E1564A
Product Options: All
conforms to the following Product Specifications:
Safety: IEC 61010-1 (1990) Incl. Amend 2 (1996)/EN61010-1 (1993)
CSA C22.2 #1010.1 (1992)
UL 3111-1 (1994)
EMC: CISPR 11:1990/EN55011 (1991): Group 1, Class A
EN61000-3-2:1995 Class A
EN61000-3-3:1995
EN50082-1:1992
IEC 1000-4-2:1995 4kV CD, 8kV AD
IEC 1000-4-3:1995 3 V/m
IEC 1000-4-4:1995 1kV Power Line, 0.5kV Signal Lines
ENV50141:1993/prEN50082-1 (1995): 3 Vrms
EN61000-4-5:1995 1kV CM, 0.5kV DM
EN61000-4-8: 1993/prEN50082-1 (1995): 3 A/m
EN61000-4-11:1994/prEN50082-1 (1995): 30%,10ms 60%,100ms
Supplementary Information: The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC (inclusive 93/68/EEC) and carries the "CE" mark accordingly.
Tested in a typical configuration in an HP C-Size VXI mainframe.
November 15, 1997

6
WARNINGS
The HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizers are capable of measuring voltages up to 256V maximum. Voltage levels above the levels
specified for accessible connectors or cable ends could cause bodily injury or death to an operator. Special precautions must be adhered
to (discussed below) when applying voltages in excess of 60 Vdc, 30 Vac rms or 42.4 Vac peak for a continuous, complex waveform.
Module connectors and test signal cables connected to them cannot be operator accessible. Cables and connectors are considered
inaccessible if a tool (e.g., screwdriver, wrench, socket, etc.) or a key (equipment in a locked cabinet) is required to gain access to them.
Additionally, the operator cannot have access to a conductive surface connected to any cable conductor (High, Low or Guard).
Assure the equipment under test has adequate insulation between the cable connections and any operator-accessible parts (doors,
covers, panels, shields, cases, cabinets, etc.). Verify there are multiple and sufficient protective means (rated for the voltages you are
applying) to assure the operator will NOT come into contact with any energized conductor even if one of the protective means fails to
work as intended. For example, the inner side of a case, cabinet, door, cover or panel can be covered with an insulating material as well
as routing the test cables to the module’s front panel connectors through non-conductive, flexible conduit such as that used in electrical
power distribution.

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Reader Comment Sheet
HP E1563A 2-Channel and HP E1564A 4-Channel Digitizer User’s and SCPI Programming Manual
Edition 2
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Digitizer Module Set-up 9
Chapter 1
Digitizer Module Set-up
Note Your Digitizer may have experienced temperature extremes during ship-
ment that can affect it’s calibration. It is recommened you perform a zero
offset calibration upon receipt using the CAL:ZERO<
channel >:ALL?
command for each channel to realize the accuracy specifications in
Appendix A. See Appendix E for the zero adjustment procedure.
Using This Chapter
This chapter provides one page of general module information followed by
the tasks you must perform to set up your module and verify your
installation was successful. Chapter contents are:
•Adding DRAM (PC Memory SIMM) to the Module
•Setting the Module Address Switch
•Interrupt Line
•Input Terminals and Front Panel Indicators
•3-Wire and 2-Wire Input Cabling Considerations
•Initial Operation
General Information The HP E1563A (2-channel) and HP E1564A (4-channel) are 800
kSample/second (14-bit resolution) digitizers capable of handling both
continuous and transient voltages up to 256V. They are ideal for
measurements in electomechanical design characterization, particularily in
environments with high levels of electrical noise. They are also ideal for
characterizing electronic and mechanical transient waveforms. You cannot
upgrade an E1563A 2-Channel to an E1564A 4-Channel Digitizer.
Both digitizers are designed to use PC SIMM memory. Memory sizes that
are supported are 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 Mbytes. The large memory can
easily capture transients or act as FIFO to allow continuous digitizing while
unloading data with block mode transfers.
All channels sample simultaneously. The sample can be from an internal
clock derived from the internal time base or it can come from an external
source. Triggering can beset up for several sources with programmable pre
and post trigger reading counts. External time base, trigger and sample
inputs are provided on the front panel “D” subminiature connector.
Both the E1563A and E1564A digitizers are register-based instruments that
can be programmed at the register level (register programming information
is covered in Appendix C) or at a higher level using SCPI or Plug&Play
drivers.

10 Digitizer Module Set-up
Continuous voltages in a test set-up where the user has access to module
connectors and test signal cable ends are restricted to:
•60 Vdc
•30 Vac-rms
•42.4 Vac peak of a continuous, complex waveform
Continuous voltages in test set-ups where themodule connectors andthe test
signal cables connected to them are made non-accessible are:
•256 Vdc, 240 Vdc floating
•256 Vac peak
Transient voltages:
•Transient voltages are permitted providing the maximum amount of
charge transferred into a human body that contacts the voltage under
normal conditions, does not exceed 45 uCoulombs (45 uA-s).
Overload voltages (opens channel input relay):
4-channel and 2-channel
Module Differences •The E1564A 4-Channel Digitizer has four selectable input filters per
channel (1.5 kHz, 6 kHz, 25 kHz and 100 kHz) that can be enabled.
•The E1563A 2-Channel Digitizer has a fixed 25 kHz input filter per
channel that can be enabled.
•The E1564A 4-Channel Digitizer has a calibration bus output
(High, Low and Guard) and a programmable short.
•The E1563A 2-Channel Digitizer does not have a calibration bus
output however, a programmable short is provided for each channel.
An external calibration source must be provided for calibration.
The HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizers are capable of measuring
voltages up to 256V maximum. Voltage levels above the levels
specified for accessible connectors or cable ends could cause
bodily injury or death to an operator. Special precautions must
be adhered to (discussed below) when applying voltages in
excess of 60 Vdc, 30 Vac rms or 42.4 Vac peak for a continuous,
complex waveform.
Module connectors, and test signal cables connected to them,
must be made NON-accessible to an operator who has not been
told to access them: It is a supervisor’s responsibility to advise
an operator that dangerous voltages exist when the operator is
instructed to access connectors and cables carrying these
Range Voltage Input Condition Vmax
62 mV to 4V High or Low to Guard >20V
16V to 256V Low to Guard >40V

Digitizer Module Set-up 11
WARNING voltages. Making cables and connectors that carry hazardous
voltages inaccessible is a protective measure keeping an
operator from inadvertent or unknowing contact with these
harmful voltages. Cables and connectors are considered
inaccessible if a tool (e.g., screwdriver, wrench, socket, etc.) or
a key (equipment in a locked cabinet) is required to gain access
to them. Additionally, the operator cannot have access to a
conductive surface connected to any cable conductor (High,
Low or Guard).
Assure the equipment under test has adequate insulation
between the cable connections and any operator-accessible
parts (doors, covers, panels, shields, cases, cabinets, etc.):
Verify there are multiple and sufficient protective means (rated
for the voltages you are applying) to assure the operator will
NOT come into contact with any energized conductor even if
one of the protective means fails to work as intended. For
example, the inner side of a case, cabinet, door, cover or panel
can be covered with an insulating material as well as routing
the test cables to the module’s front panel connectors through
non-conductive, flexible conduit such as that used in electrical
power distribution.
WARNING Tighten the faceplate mounting screws after installing the
module in the mainframe to prevent electric shock in the case
of equipment or field wiring failure.
Caution To prevent equipment damage, do not connect this equipment
to mains or to any signal directly derived from mains.
Short-term temporary overvoltages must be limited to 500V or
less.
Caution To prevent equipment damage in the case of an overvoltage
condition, do not connect this equipment to any voltage source
which can deliver greater than 2A at 500V in the case of a fault.
If such a fault condition is possible, insert a 2A fuse in the input
line.
CLEANING THE FRONT PANEL AND TOP/BOTTOM SHIELDS:
Clean the outside surfaces of this module with a cloth slightly
dampened with water. Do not attempt to clean the interior of this
module.

12 Digitizer Module Set-up
Adding RAM to the
Module You can increase the size of RAM on your Digitizer module by purchasing
PC SIMM memory and installing it on the module after you remove the
standard 4 Mbyte SIMM shipped with your digitizer. Both FPM (Fast Page
Mode) and EDO (Extended Data Out) are supported.
Note Although most commercially available PC SIMM RAM will work with
your Digitizer, there are some that are physically too large and will make
contact with the top shield when installed. A standard 72 SIMM specifies
the length (L) or keying but does not specify the depth (D). Certain depths
are too large and not compatible. The E1563/E1564 has about 17.6 mm of
space from the bottom of the SIMM RAM inserted in the socket to the top
module shield (see diagram below). You must verify that the SIMM RAM
you purchase for replacement on the module has a depth (D) that will clear
the top module shield. You can use the 4 Mbyte SIMM RAM you remove
as a guide, as well as the dimensions in the diagram below, when
purchasing your upgrade RAM .
RAM Install Procedure 1. Disconnect any field wiring from the module and remove power
from the mainframe before proceeding.
2. Remove the module from the mainframe and remove the top
shield from the module.
3. Remove the 4 Mbyte SIMM from the PC board by first spreading
the tabs at the ends of the SIMM connector. Store this SIMM in
an anti-static bag and save this part.
Note It is important that you retain the 4 Mbyte SIMM you remove from the
Digitizer. If you return your Digitizer to Hewlett-Packard for repair or
exchange, you must return it in the same configuration as it was shipped to
you. You must remove your large memory SIMM and replace it with the
standard 4 Mbyte SIMM shipped with the product.
4. Add your replacement SIMM to the module’s RAM socket.
5. Reinstall the module’s top shield.
6. Note the new memory configuration by checking the appropriate

Digitizer Module Set-up 13
box on the module’s top shield.
7. Set both the “CALIBRATION CONSTANTS” switch and the
“FLASH” switch to the “Write Enable” position.
8. Install the module in your mainframe and apply power.
9. Set the new RAM memory size by sending the command:
DIAGnostic:MEMory:SIZE <
size >
10. Query the memory size to verify the setting by sending:
DIAGnostic:MEMory:SIZE?
11. Remove mainframe power, remove the module and set the
“CALIBRATION CONSTANTS” and “FLASH” switches back
to the “Read Only” position.
12. Reinstall your module in your mainframe.
WARNING Tighten the faceplate mounting screws to prevent electric
shock in the case of equipment or field wiring failure.

14 Digitizer Module Set-up
Setting the Module
Address Switch The logical address switch factory setting is 40. Valid address are from 1 to
254 for static configuration (the address you set on the switch) and address
255 for dynamic configuration. The HP E1563A and HP E1564A do not
support dynamic configuration of the address.
If you install more than one digitizer, each module must have a different
logical address. If you use a VXIbus command module, the logical address
must be a multiple of eight (e.g., 32, 40, 48, 56, etc.). Each instrumentmust
have a unique secondary address which is the logical address divided by
eight. The Digitizer is shipped from the factory with logical address 40.
Note When using an HP E1405A/B or E1406A as the VXIbus resource manager
with SCPI commands, the digitizer’s address switch value must be a
multiple of 8.
Interrupt Line The HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizers are VXIbus interrupters. You can
specify which interrupt line (1 through 7) the interrupt is transmitted. The
interruptlineisspecifiedusingtheDIAGnostic:INTerrupt:LINEcommand.
You can query the active interrupt line using the DIAGnostic:INTerrupt
:LINE? command. The default is no interrupt line enabled at power-up.
You specify “0” if you do not want an interrupt. Resetting the module does
change the interrupt line setting and you must reset your interrupt setting.

Digitizer Module Set-up 15
Installing the Digitizer in a Mainframe
The HP E1563A or E1564A can be installed in any slot (except slot 0) in a
C-size VXIbus mainframe. Refer to following diagram for the procedure to
install the Digitizer in a mainframe.
Extraction
Levers
1. Set the extraction levers out.
2. Slide the HP E1563/E1564 into any
slot (except slot 0) until the backplane
connectors touch.
3. Seat the digitizer into the
mainframe by pushing in the
extraction levers.
4. Tighten the top and bottom
screws to secure the digitizer
module to the mainframe.
NOTE: The extraction levers will not seat
the backplane connectors on older VXIbus
mainframes. You must manually seat the
connectors by pushing in the module until
the module’s front panel is flush with the
front of the mainframe. The extraction le-
vers may be used to guide or remove the
digitizer.
Reverse the procedure to remove
the digitizer from the mainframe.

16 Digitizer Module Set-up
HP E1563A Front Panel Indicators
The “Failed” LED illuminates momentarily during the digitizer’s
power-on boot.
The “Access” LED illuminates only when the backplane is
communicating with the digitizer.
The “Errors” LED illuminates only when an error is present in the
digitizer’s driver error queue. The error can result from improperly
executing a command or the digitizer being unable to pass self-test
orcalibration. UsetheSYST:ERR?commandrepeatedlytoreadand
clear the error queue (or use *CLS to clear the error queue without
reading errors). A response of +0,”No error” indicates the error
queue is empty. See Appendix B, HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizer
Error Messages, for a list of all errors.
The“Sample”LEDilluminateswhilethedigitizersamples theinputfor
a measurement. The “Sample” indicator typically will blink for slow
sample rates and is on steady-state for high sample rates.
HP E1563A Input Terminals
The HP E1563A Digitizer’s front panel contains two Switchcraft®
EN3™ Mini Weathertight Connectors (female). Mating Switchcraft®
Cord Connectors (male) are supplied with the module and the user
mustprovidethecable and assembletheconnectorto thecable end.
Shielded twisted pair cable is recommended with some recommend-
ations shown in the following table that have an outside dimension
compatible with the cord connector.
HP E1563A D-subminiature Connector Pins
The front panel contains a 9-pin D-subminiature connector with the
following pin-out and associated SCPI commands (do not make any
connections to the top two pins):
Wire gauge Belden® cable P/N Alpha® cable P/N
20 AWG (7x28) 8762 none
22 AWG (7x30) 9462 5481C
24 AWG (7x32) 8641 5491C
TRIGger:SOURce EXT
ROSCillator:SOURce EXT
SAMPle:SOURce EXT

Digitizer Module Set-up 17
HP E1564A Front Panel Indicators
The “Failed” LED illuminates momentarily during the digitizer’s
power-on boot.
The “Access” LED illuminates only when the backplane is
communicating with the digitizer.
The “Errors” LED illuminates only when an error is present in the
digitizer’s driver error queue. The error can result from improperly
executing a command or the digitizer being unable to pass self-test
orcalibration. UsetheSYST:ERR?commandrepeatedlytoreadand
clear the error queue (or use *CLS to clear the error queue without
reading errors). A response of +0,”No error” indicates the error
queue is empty. See Appendix B, HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizer
Error Messages, for a list of all errors.
The“Sample”LEDilluminateswhilethedigitizersamples theinputfor
a measurement. The “Sample” indicator typically will blink for slow
sample rates and is on steady-state for high sample rates.
HP E1564A Input Terminals
The HP E1564A Digitizer’s front panel contains four Switchcraft®
EN3™ Mini Weathertight Connectors (female). Mating Switchcraft®
Cord Connectors (male) are supplied with the module and the user
mustprovidethecable and assembletheconnectorto thecable end.
Shielded twisted pair cable is recommended with some
recommendations shown in the following table that have an outside
dimension compatible with the cord connector.
HP E1564A D-subminiature Connector Pins
The front panel contains a 9-pin D-subminiature connector with the
following pin-out and associated SCPI commands:
Wire gauge Belden® cable P/N Alpha® cable P/N
20 AWG (7x28) 8762 none
22 AWG (7x30) 9462 5481C
24 AWG (7x32) 8641 5491C
CAL:SOURce INT
TRIGger:SOURce EXT
ROSCillator:SOURce EXT
CAL:SOURce INT
SAMPle:SOURce EXT

18 Digitizer Module Set-up
3-Wire and 2-Wire
Input Cabling
Considerations
The HP E1563A and E1564A Digitizers provide a three-terminal input
system (High, Low and Guard). An unavoidable and undesirable current is
injected from chassis ground to the Guard terminal. Dependent on whether
you measure on a low-voltage range or a high-voltage range, the way you
connect the Guard terminal may or may not introduce a measurement error
due to this current. This section describes some considerations you must
take to use the Guard terminal properly to minimize measurement error.
Digitizer Input Model The input model for the digitizer is shown below. Maximum voltage
between Low and Guard is 5V.
Note Maximum voltage between Low and Guard is 5V. Exceeding this
limitation will not damage your digitizer but will generate invalid data for
any measurement taken.
Three-Wire Connection This section shows two examples of connecting the input using a three-wire
connection. Both examples can be constructed using shielded twisted pair.
The first example shows making connections for a bridge measurement
where the L-to-G voltage is ≤5V and wherethe L-to-G voltage exceeds 5V.
A “Wagner ground” is used to satisfy the L-to-G restriction of ≤ 5V and to
make aGuard connection point that minimizesmeasurementerror due to the
digitizer’s injected current. A capacitor is added to the Wagner ground to
provide a signal path to ground to minimize common mode voltages. The
second example shows measuring the voltage across a small current sensing
resistor where the input to the digitizer is switched through a multiplexer
switch module.
3-Wire Cable Connection Example 1

Digitizer Module Set-up 19
3-Wire Cable Connection Example 2
Two-Wire Connection When Low and Guard are simply connected together at the digitizer’s input
on a low-voltage range (4V and below), the injected current is directed to
flow through the source impedance (in a floating source) and the resultant
voltage drop will introduce a measurement error. The resultant voltage drop
through the source impedance can be a significant error on low-voltage
ranges where the voltage of interest is small. It is not as significant an error
on high-voltage ranges simply because the error introduced is not a
significant part of a larger voltage; the percent of error is less significant.
Measurement error can increase significantly when you connect Low to
Guard at the digitizer’s input AND use switches to switch input signals to
the digitizer. Some switches have input protection resistors (usually 100Ω)
in series with the switch. The digitizer’s injected current now generates a
voltage drop across this resistor in addition to the voltage drop generated
across the source impedance. Even with a grounded source, an error voltage
is generated across the switches current limiting resistor.
2-Wire Cable Connection Example

20 Digitizer Module Set-up
Cable Connector Assembly Instructions
Step 1. Strip cable as shown and feed the end of the cable through the boot, cable clamp housing, and coupling
ring in the order and position shown. NOTE: The coupling ring can also be inserted onto the cable connector
from the front.
Step 2. Orient the HI, LO and Guard conductors with the corresponding pins.
Step 3. Solder conductors to pins. CAUTION - Excessive heat on the connector terminals can cause
damage to the connector.