HP E1725C User manual

Getting
Started Guide
HP E1725C and HP E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software

HP E1725C and HP E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software
Getting Started Guide
This guide describes how to start using the HP E1725C and the
HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers (TIA) with the HP E1742A,
HP E1743A, HP E1744A, HP 1746A, and HP E1748A Analysis Software
(HP E1725C options 242, 243, 244, 246, and 248, respectively).
Information on installation, start-up, and first use of the TIA are
provided.

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
E1725-90012
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 vii
Description of the High Performance Time Interval
Analyzer viii
Documentation List ix
Where to Find Information x
1 How to Begin
In this Chapter 1-2
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers with
the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software 1-4
Assembling the TIA 1-5
HP E1725C TIA Assembly 1-5
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis
Software 1-7
HP E1725C TIA Requirements 1-7
Install the HP TIA Software 1-8
To Modify the Directory 1-9
Power-Up and Health Check 1-11
Start 1-11
Start the HP TIA Software 1-11
Verify Communication with the TIA 1-11
Set the Interface Type 1-11
Verify Communication 1-12
Where to Now? 1-13
2 Practice Using the TIA
In this Chapter 2-2
Conventions Used in the Tutorial 2-4
Selecting Commands with the Mouse 2-4

Contents
iv Getting Started Guide
Hints Provided in Italics 2-4
TIA Tutorial 2-5
Presetting the Instrument to a Known State 2-5
Recalling a Saved Data File and Setup 2-6
Configuring the TIA for a Measurement (Setup Menu) 2-7
Initiating a Measurement and Viewing Results (Measure
Menu) 2-16
Using Cursors, Markers and Zooming 2-19
Printing Results 2-25
3 Demo Waveforms
In this Chapter 3-2
Demo 1: Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) Frequency
Step Response and Settling 3-3
Start 3-3
Overview 3-3
Frequency Deviation Results 3-6
Cursors and Markers 3-7
Zooming 3-7
Autoscale and Scaling 3-9
Demo 2: Phase Modulation Analysis (BPSK) 3-12
Start 3-12
Overview 3-13
Phase Deviation Results 3-15
DeTilt 3-16
FFT Analysis 3-17
Demo 3: Sharing TIA Data With Other Windows
Applications 3-20
Sharing Graphics 3-20
Open the Windows’ “WordPad” Program 3-21
Now Add the Log Information 3-23
Sharing Data 3-25

Contents
Getting Started Guide v
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 E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers. It consists of a table of contents, this preface,
three chapters, and an index.
This preface contains the following information:
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 E1740A 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, “Practice Using the TIA,” 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 3, “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.
Index
• Guide Organization pg. vii
• Description of the High Performance Time Interval
Analyzer pg. viii
• Documentation List pg. ix
• Where to Find Information pg. x

In This Guide
viii Getting Started Guide
Description of the High Performance Time
Interval Analyzer
The HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers provide new
insight into critical timing issues for applications in computer,
communications, and defense industries. The HP E1725C TIA features a
modular architecture that offers both high performance timing
measurements and a customized user-interface, which can be configured
to specific measurement applications. The HP E1740A Time Interval
Analyzer VXI module is the measurement hardware of the system.
The HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A series of analysis software is designed
to “tune” the TIA to specific needs for greater ease-of-use and higher
productivity. The TIA and software provide the following measurement
and analysis features:
• Graphical user interface implemented in Windows® 3.1 or
Windows® 95
A mouse, or similar pointing device, can be used to set up the TIA,
control operation, and analyze results.
• Large sequential data capture
Up to 256 thousand single-channel measurements can be acquired in
sequence. This can be useful when studying phenomena which occur
over many measurement samples.
• Large histogram capacity
Large amounts of data can be collected into a histogram very quickly.
Statistical analysis is enhanced with higher confidence due to large
sample sizes.
• Continuous edge sampling up to 80 MHz rate
In the HP E1743A and E1744A, every edge can be timed in a pulse
series up to an 80 MHz rate (12.5 ns minimum continuous interval,
3.2 µsec maximum interval). In the HP E1742A, HP E1746A, and
HP E1748A (and optionally the HP E1743A and HP E1744A), every

In This Guide
Getting Started Guide ix
edge can be captured up to a 40 MHz rate (25 ns minimum continuous
interval, 104 ms maximum interval).
• Easily share data with other applications
Include TIA results in lab reports using Windows word processing
software such as Microsoft Word for Windows or Lotus® Amipro®.
• Resolve signal edge timing to within 50 ps LSD
Characterize small amounts of jitter and timing noise on a single-shot
basis.
Documentation List
The following manuals are part of the standard HP E1725C Time Interval
Analyzer:
Manual Title HP Part Number
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers
with the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
Getting Started Guide (this guide)
E1725-90012
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 _____
MS-DOS®and Windows®95 manuals _____

In This Guide
x Getting Started Guide
Where to Find Information
The order in which you use these resources will depend on your
situation. When first starting to use the HP E1725C or
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A, refer to this Getting Started Guide.
When setting up the HP E1740A TIA in a VXI system you will find very
important information in the HP E1740A User’s Guide.
To find out more about... Refer to the following...
installing the HP E1725C Time
Interval Analyzer or
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis software
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time
Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742/43/44A/46A/48A Analysis
Software 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
making specific
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
measurements
HP E174XA on-line Help

1
How to Begin

Chapter 1 How to Begin
In this Chapter
1-2 Getting Started Guide
1
In this Chapter
This chapter describes in a step-by-step fashion how to assemble and start
operating your Hewlett-Packard TIA (Time Interval Analyzer). The steps
also make a good checklist to follow when you suspect a problem with your
setup.
Components Needed
to Configure a TIA
Components Provided
with a Standard
HP E1725C Possible Alternatives
VXI mainframe 6-slot mainframe (included) 13-slot mainframe, such as
the 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
and analysis software HP E1742A Tributary Jitter Analysis
HP E1743A Clock Jitter
Analysis
HP E1744A Token Ring Jitter
Analysis
HP E1746A Network
Synchronization Measurement
Software
HP E1748A Multiple-Channel
Network Synchronization
Measurement Software
(one included)
Create custom programs to
control the HP E1740A TIA
module.

Chapter 1 How to Begin
In this Chapter
Getting Started Guide 1-3
1
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
Components Needed
to Configure a TIA
Components Provided
with a Standard
HP E1725C Possible Alternatives

Chapter 1 How to Begin
HP E1725C and HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
1-4 Getting Started Guide
1
HP E1725C and HP E1740A
Time Interval Analyzers with the
HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software
The HP E1725C TIA is a stand-alone instrument. Connect the pieces as
described below and apply power. Skip the steps that do not apply.
The TIA is then ready to start measuring.
The HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A are options to the HP E1725C
(option 242, 243, 244, 246 and 248, respectively). These software packages
are Microsoft Windows applications, which serve as the user interface and
analysis portion of the TIA. At least one of these packages must be
included with the HP E1725C.
This guide describes how to assemble the TIA and start using it. If you are
assembling the HP E1725C for the first time, reassembling it after some
time, or building the TIA using other computers or VXI mainframes, this
procedure will help.
The standard HP E1725C TIA instrument consists of the following items:
• HP E1740A Time Interval Analyzer (two-slot, C-size VXI module)
• HP E1406A Slot-0 Command Module (one-slot, C-size VXI module)
• HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
• HP Omnibook 5700 CTX Laptop Computer
• Six-slot VXI C-size mainframe
• National Instruments PCMCIA-GPIB Kit (includes a PCMCIA card
and a GPIB cable)
• DOS and Windows software
• Four oscilloscope probes (three 10:1 and one 1:1)
• Blank panels for covering unused VXI mainframe slots

Chapter 1 How to Begin
Assembling the TIA
Getting Started Guide 1-5
1
Assembling the TIA
HP E1725C TIA Assembly
This section assumes that the HP E1725C 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 that
has been disassembled. The standard HP E1725C 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. This is also a good
time to check that the TIA module address setting is unique and different
from other modules already installed in the mainframe. The HP E1740A
address (ULA) is set to 48 at the factory, corresponding to a secondary
address of 06 when using the HP 82335A/B HP-IB Interface Card. If you
are installing multiple TIAs, make sure each one has its own unique
address. See the HP E1740A TIA User’s Guide for more information about
address switch settings.
4Line 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.

Chapter 1 How to Begin
Assembling the TIA
1-6 Getting Started Guide
1
5Install blank panels over any unused slots of the VXI mainframe to help
maintain proper cooling of VXI modules.
6Apply power to the laptop computer and the VXI mainframe.

Chapter 1 How to Begin
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
Getting Started Guide 1-7
1
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software
This section provides instructions for installing the user-interface
software onto your computer. This software is already installed on the
HP E1725C TIA. If you have purchased the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A
Analysis Software by itself, follow these instructions to install the
software.
HP E1725C TIA Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements to support operation of the
HP E1725C TIA using the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A software.
• 20 MHz 386-based PC with a 387 co-processor
• 8 megabytes of RAM
• A hard disk with at least 6 megabytes of free disk space
• DOS version 5.0 (or later) and Microsoft Windows®version 3.1 (or
Windows®95)
• A two-button mouse
It is recommended that you always read any “readme” files associated
with the software before proceeding with the installation. These files
contain important information which may not be found elsewhere.
The HP E174XA readme file can be viewed by one of the following
methods:
• Insert the HP E174XA disk 1 in drive a: (or whatever floppy drive is
appropriate). Start Windows 95, select Programs group, double-click
on Windows Explorer icon, choose drive a:, and double-click on the
“readme.wri” file.
• If the HP E174XA software is already installed on the PC, double-click
on the “readme” icon in the HP Applications program group.

Chapter 1 How to Begin
Installing the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A Analysis Software
1-8 Getting Started Guide
1
Install the HP TIA Software
1Insert the HP E1742A/43A/44A/46A/48A disk 1 into the 3.5-inch floppy
drive.
2Start Windows.
3Open Windows Explorer and double-click on Setup File to install the
software.
NOTE The software cannot be installed while another Visual Basic program is
open in Windows. If you see an error message to this effect, close all other
Visual Basic programs to proceed with the installation.
Shortly after double-clicking, you will see the installation window shown
below. If you see a different window, you may have inserted disk 3 by
mistake. (Disk 3 also has a file with the name setup.exe.) Click Cancel
and return to step 1.
This window allows you to modify the directory for the software
installation, or to cancel the installation completely. To cancel the
installation, click Exit Setup or press ALT E.