HP E1725C User manual

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E1725C / E1741A Time Interval Analyzer - Getting Started Guide
E1725-90011
April 1, 1998

Getting
Started Guide
HP E1725C/E1741A
Time Interval Analyzer
Includes information on:
• HP E1725C Time Interval Analyzer
• HP E1741A Time Interval Analyzer Software
• TIA User Interface Software

HP E1725C/E1741A
Time Interval Analyzer
Getting Started Guide
This guide describes the HP E1725C Time Interval Analyzer and provides
getting started information for the HP E1741A Time Interval Analyzer
and the TIA User Interface software.

Hewlett-Packard Company 7.CD.NL.A.03.11.97.R1.J.CW2F
Santa Clara Division
5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Santa Clara, California 95052-8059
Copyright Hewlett-Packard
Company 1998
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction, adaptation, or
translations without prior
written permission is
prohibited, except as allowed
under the copyright laws.
Printed: April 1998
Printed in USA
Manual part number
E1725-90011
Certification
and Warranty
Certification
Hewlett-Packard Company
certifies that this product met
its published specification at the
time of shipment from the
factory. Hewlett-Packard
further certifies that its
calibration measurements are
traceable to the United States
National Institute of Standards
and Technology (formerly
National Bureau of Standards),
to the extent allowed by the
Institute’s calibration facility,
and to the calibration facilities
of other International
Standards Organization
members.
Warranty
HP warrants HP hardware,
accessories and supplies against
defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of one
year from date of shipment. 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.
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.
For detailed warranty
information, see back matter.
Safety Considerations
General
This product and related
documentation must be
reviewed for familiarization
with this safety markings and
instructions before operation.
This product is a safety Class I
instrument (provided with a
protective earth terminal).
Before Applying Power
Verify that the product is set to
match the available line voltage
and the correct fuse is installed.
Refer to instructions in Chapter
1 of the Manual.
Before Cleaning
Disconnect the product from
operating power before
cleaning.
Safety Earth Ground
An uninterruptible safety earth
ground must be provided from
the mains power source to the
product input wiring terminals
or supplied power cable.
Warning Symbols That May
Be Used In This Book
Instruction manual symbol; the
product will be marked with
this symbol when it is necessary
for the user to refer to the
instruction manual.
Indicates hazardous voltages.
Safety Considerations
(contd)
Indicates earth (ground)
terminal.
or
Indicates terminal is connected
to chassis when such connection
is not apparent.
Indicates Alternating
current.
Indicates Direct current.
WARNING
BODILY INJURY OR DEATH
MAY RESULT FROM
FAILURE TO HEED A
WARNING. DO NOT
PROCEED BEYOND A
WARNING SIGN UNTIL THE
INDICATED CONDITIONS
ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD
AND MET.
CAUTION
Damage to equipment, or
incorrect measurement data,
may result from failure to
heed a caution. Do not
proceed beyond a CAUTION
sign until the indicated
conditions are fully
understood and met.
For additional safety and
acoustic noise information, see
back matter.

Contents
Getting Started Guide iii
In This Guide
Guide Organization viii
Description of the High Performance Time Interval
Analyzer ix
Available Software x
Software Characteristics xi
Option 002 HP E1725C TIA Hardware
Configuration xii
Documentation List xii
Where to Find Information xiii
1 How to Begin
In this Chapter 1-2
Assembling the TIA 1-3
HP E1725C TIA Assembly 1-3
Installing the HP E1741A Time Interval Analyzer or
TIA User Interface Software 1-5
Computer Requirements 1-5
Install the Software 1-5
Installation Choices 1-6
Install the Software 1-9
Start the Application Software 1-9
Power-Up and Health Check 1-10
Start 1-10
Start the HP TIA Software 1-10
Set the Interface Type 1-10
Set the TIA to Collect Actual Data 1-11
Send Request for Identification 1-11

Contents
iv Getting Started Guide
Where to Go Now 1-12
2 Learning About the On-line Help
In this Chapter 2-2
Using Online Help 2-3
Suggested Help Screen Size 2-5
3 Practice Using the TIA Software
In this Chapter 3-2
Conventions Used in the Tutorial 3-3
Selecting Commands with the Mouse 3-3
Hints Provided in Italics 3-3
TIA Software Tutorial 3-4
Start 3-4
Define Segments 3-9
Segment Definition 3-10
Clock Definition 3-11
Acquire Data 3-11
Analyze the Histogram Data 3-12
Segmented Histogram Analysis (Applies to HP E1741A or
HP E1747A Software Only) 3-13
Window Margin Analysis (Applies to HP E1741A Software
Only) 3-15
Sequential Data Analysis 3-17
Where to Go Now 3-19
4 Demo Waveforms
In this Chapter 4-2
Demo 1: Data-to-Data 4-3
Start 4-3
Overview 4-4
Histograms and Statistics 4-7
Segmented Histogram 4-9

Contents
Getting Started Guide v
Window Margin Analysis 4-12
Demo 2: Data-to-Clock 4-15
Start 4-15
Overview 4-16
Histograms and Statistics 4-17
Window Margin and Extrapolation Levels 4-19
Demo 3: PLL Frequency Settling 4-23
Start 4-23
Demo 4: Sharing TIA Data 4-27
Sharing Graphics 4-27
Open the Windows’ “WordPad” Program 4-28
Now Add the Picture 4-29
Sharing Data With Other Applications 4-31
5 General Information
In this Chapter 5-2
HP E1741A Software License Agreement 5-3
Grant of License 5-3
Unpacking and Inspection 5-4
Available Accessories 5-5
Parts Information 5-6
Contacting Hewlett-Packard 5-6
Replaceable Parts 5-7
Index

Contents
vi Getting Started Guide

Getting Started Guide vii
In This Guide
This book is the getting started guide for the HP E1725C and HP E1741A
Time Interval Analyzer. It consists of a table of contents, this preface, five
chapters, and an index.
This preface contains the following information:
• Guide Organization pg. viii
• Description of the High Performance Time Interval
Analyzer pg. ix
• Available Software pg. x
• Software Characteristics pg. xi
• Option 002 HP E1725C TIA Hardware Configuration pg. xii
• Documentation List pg. xii
• Where to Find Information pg. xiii

In This Guide
viii Getting Started Guide
Guide Organization
Table of Contents
In This Guide (this preface) introduces you to the getting started guide,
and provides general information on the HP E1725C/HP E1741A Time
Interval Analyzer (TIA).
Chapter 1, “How to Begin,” provides complete system requirements and
information, and step-by-step instructions on how to assemble and start
operating your TIA.
Chapter 2, “Learning About the On-line Help,” provides instructions
on how to use the online help information that comes with the software.
Chapter 3, “Practice Using the TIA Software,” provides a short
tutorial that teaches you how to set up the TIA to acquire and analyze
measurement data without the need for an actual signal to measure.
Chapter 4, “Demo Waveforms,” provides detailed demonstrations about
measuring and analyzing actual signals. Data files are included with your
software to be used as examples to illustrate key points.
Chapter 5, “General Information,” provides information on how to
contact HP for parts information. A brief parts list is included in this
chapter.
Index

In This Guide
Getting Started Guide ix
Description of the High Performance Time
Interval Analyzer
The HP E1725C Time Interval Analyzer series provides new insight into
the timing performance of disk drives, tape drives, heads, media, and
optical drives. This TIA series is designed specifically for the data storage
industry.
There are several possible configurations for the software associated with
the HP E1725C. This guide covers the HP E1741A Time Interval Analyzer
software and the TIA User Interface software. Check the label on the
disks to determine which type of software you have.
The TIA User Interface software and the HP E1741A software are very
similar, the only difference is that the HP E1741A has added analysis
capabilities for data storage test measurements.
If you have the HP E1741A software, this guide is equally applicable
whether you ordered it as the HP E1725C Option 141 or as the
HP E1741A.
Other software that can be used with the HP E1725C is not covered in this
guide. The HP E1747A Timing Pattern Analysis software provides added
capability to the HP E1741A, so if you have the HP E1747A, you might
want to begin with this guide and then proceed to the HP E1747A Timing
Pattern Analysis User’s Guide.

In This Guide
x Getting Started Guide
Available Software
The following table summarizes the available software for use with the
HP E1725C Time Interval Analyzer.
HP E1725C TIA Software Documentation Sources
Option 141
(separately orderable as HP E1741A) This guide and online help
Option 147
(separately orderable as HP E1747A) This guide, separate user’s guide, and online help
TIA User Interface This guide and online help
Any other software Separate user’s guide and online help
for that software

In This Guide
Getting Started Guide xi
Software Characteristics
Whether you have the HP E1741A Time Interval Analyzer software or the
TIA User Interface software, your software provides the following
measurement and analysis features:
• Graphical user interface implemented in Windows
A mouse, or similar pointing device, can be used to set up the TIA,
control operation, and analyze results.
• Up to 512K time records for the capture of an entire track of data
Over 500 thousand data-to-data measurements can be acquired in
sequence.
• Large histogram capacity
Large amounts of data can be collected into a histogram very quickly.
Window margin results can be produced from the histogram data.
• 80 MHz sample rate
Every edge can be timed in a pulse series up to an 80 MHz rate (12.5 ns
minimum continuous interval).
• Easily share data with other applications
Export your time interval analysis results and graphs to other
applications via the Clipboard. Typical applications include word
processing, spread sheets, and advanced math analysis packages.
•50psLSD
Characterize small amounts of jitter and timing noise on a single-shot
basis.

In This Guide
xii Getting Started Guide
Option 002 HP E1725C TIA Hardware
Configuration
An Option 002 hardware configuration is available. It replaces the
standard 6-slot VXI cardcage with an HP E1401B 13-slot VXI cardcage.
Documentation List
The following manuals are part of the standard HP E1725C Time Interval
Analyzer:
Manual Title HP Part Number
HP E1725C/E1741A Time Interval Analyzer Getting
Started Guide (this guide) E1725-90011
HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzer User’s Guide E1740-90005
HP E1421B VXI Mainframe Manual E1421-90000
HP E1406A Command Module User’s Guide E1406-90004
HP E1406A Command Module Installation Guide E1406-90027
HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop Computer manuals _____
National Instruments GPIB User’s Manual _____
HP E1747A Timing Pattern Analysis User’s Guide E1725-90013
If you purchased any other software, documentation
will be included. _____
MS-DOS and Windows manuals _____

In This Guide
Getting Started Guide xiii
Where to Find Information
The order in which you use these manuals will depend on your situation.
When first starting to use the HP E1725C TIA or HP E1741A, refer to this
Getting Started Guide. When setting up the HP E1740A TIA in a
VXI system you will find important information in the HP E1740A
User’s Guide.
To find out more about... Refer to the following manual...
installing the HP E1725C TIA HP E1725C/E1741A Getting Started
Guide (this guide)
installing the HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzer VXI module HP E1740A User’s Guide
the specifications for the
HP E1725C/HP E1740A TIA HP E1740A User’s Guide
how to program the HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzer VXI module HP E1740A User’s Guide
the HP E1421B six-slot mainframe HP E1421B Mainframe Manual
the portable computer for the
HP E1725C HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop Computer manuals

In This Guide
xiv Getting Started Guide

1
How to Begin

Chapter 1 How to Begin
In this Chapter
1-2 Getting Started Guide
1
In this Chapter
This chapter describes how to assemble and start operating your
Hewlett-Packard E1725C TIA (Time Interval Analyzer). Although the
steps provided in this chapter are written so you can put a TIA together
from a completely disassembled state, the steps make a good checklist to
follow when you suspect a problem with your setup.
Components Needed
to Configure a TIA
Components Provided
with the Standard
HP E1725C TIA Possible Alternatives
VXI mainframe 6-slot mainframe (included) 13-slot mainframe, e.g.,
HP E1401B
Computer HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop
Computer HP Vectra or IBM-compatible PC with HP 82335B or
HP 82341B HP-IB card installed
VXI interface/control Included in HP 1406A Slot-0
command module (with HP-IB
card in computer) _____
TIA module HP E1740A (included) None
Measurement control
softwareand histogram
analysis software
HP E1741A Time Interval
Analyzer software or TIA User
Interface software
Create custom programs to
control the module.
Specialized analysis
software Specific to your TIA configuration (see this chapter). Create custom programs to control the module.
MS-DOS 6.0 (or later) (included) MS-DOS 5.0 (or later)
Windows®3.1 or
Windows®95 Windows®95 _____
National Instruments
PCMCIA-GPIB Kit (included) None

Chapter 1 How to Begin
Assembling the TIA
Getting Started Guide 1-3
1
Assembling the TIA
HP E1725C TIA Assembly
This section assumes that the HP E1725C TIA is completely
disassembled. Just skip the steps that do not apply to your situation.
The intention is to meet your needs if in the future you need to rebuild an
HP E1725C TIA that has been disassembled. The standard HP E1725C
TIA is shipped from the factory assembled and configured.
1Before you start, make sure power is shut off to all of the components.
2Install the HP E1406A Command Module in slot 0 of the VXI mainframe.
(With the standard HP E1725C 6-slot mainframe, this will be the slot at
the bottom or left side, depending on the orientation of the mainframe.)
Line up the module with the slot guides and then press the module firmly
into the backplane connectors. Tighten the screws attached to the
command module to fully seat the module into the backplane connectors of
the mainframe.
3Install the HP E1740A TIA module in slots 1 and 2 of the VXI mainframe
or any other open slots.
NOTE Always check that the mainframe power is OFF before installing any
boards or instruments into the backplane connectors.
Line up the module with the slot guides and then press the module firmly
into the backplane connectors. Use the screws attached to the module to
securely tighten down the module.
4Install blank panels over any unused slots of the VXI mainframe to help
maintain proper cooling of VXI modules.
5Install the National Instruments PCMCIA-GPIB Interface Card into a
PCMCIA slot of the HP Omnibook Portable Computer. Follow the
instructions provided with the interface card to install the drivers
associated with the interface.

Chapter 1 How to Begin
Assembling the TIA
1-4 Getting Started Guide
1
6Connect the National Instruments PCMCIA-GPIB interface cable
between the PCMCIA-GPIB card and the connector on the command
module.
7Apply power to the computer and the VXI mainframe.