HP HP 8712ET Owner's manual

Automating Measurements
HP 8712ET/ES and HP 8714ET/ES
RF Network Analyzers
User’s Guide Supplement
HP Part No. 08714-90014
Printed in USA
Print Date: October 1999
Supersedes: October 1998
© Copyright 1998, 1999 Hewlett-Packard Company

ii
Notice
The information contained in this document is subject to change without
notice. Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to
this material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Hewlett-Packard
shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance,
or use of this material.
Key Conventions
This manual uses the following conventions:
: This represents a key physically located on the
analyzer (a “hardkey”).
: This indicates a “softkey”—a key whose label is determined
by the instrument’s firmware, and is displayed on the right side of the
instrument’s screen next to the eight unlabeled keys.
FRONT PANEL KEY
Softkey

iii
Acknowledgments
Portions of the software include source code from the Info–ZIP group.
This code is freely available on the Internet by anonymous ftp
asftp.uu.net:/pub/archiving/zip/unzip51/.tar.Z, and from CompuServe
asunz51.zip in the IBMPRO forum, library 10, (data compression).
Excel™ is a product of Microsoft Corp.
Lotus® 1-2-3®, and Lotus WordProare U.S. registered trademarks of
Lotus Development Corporation.
Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
QuickBasic™ is a product of Microsoft Corp.

iv
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v
HP 8712ET/ES and HP 8714ET/ES
Network Analyzer
Documentation Map
The CDROM provides the contents of all of the documents
listed below.
The User’s Guide shows how to make measurements,
explains commonly-used features, and tells you how to get
the most performance from the analyzer.
The LAN Interface User’s Guide Supplement shows
how to use a local area network (LAN) for programming and
remote operation of the analyzer.
The Automating Measurements User’s Guide
Supplement provides information on how to configure and
control test systems for automation of test processes.
The Programmer’s Guide provides programming
information including HP-IB and SCPI command
references, as well as short programming examples.

vi
The Example Programs Guide provides a tutorial
introduction using BASIC programming examples to
demonstrate the remote operation of the analyzer.
The Service Guide provides the information needed to
adjust, troubleshoot, repair, and verify analyzer
conformance to published specifications.
The HP Instrument BASIC User’s Handbook describes
programming and interfacing techniques using
HP Instrument BASIC, and includes a language reference.
The HP Instrument BASIC User’s Handbook
Supplement shows how to use HP Instrument BASIC to
program the analyzer.
The Option 100 Fault Location and Structural Return
Loss Measurements User’s Guide Supplement provides
theory and measurement examples for making fault location
and SRL measurements. (Shipped only with Option 100
analyzers.)
The CATV Quick Start Guide provides abbreviated
instructions for testing the quality of coaxial cables.
(Shipped only with Option 100 analyzers.)
The Cellular Antenna Quick Start Guide provides
abbreviated instructions for verifying the performance of
cellular antenna systems. (Shipped only with Option 100
analyzers.)

Contents
vii
1. Introduction
Automating Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
2. Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Stand-Alone Network Analyzers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
External Computer Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Expandability and Large Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Throughput Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Selecting a Measurement Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Stand-Alone Operation using IBASIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Computer-Controlled HP-IB Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Computer-Controlled LAN Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Using IBASIC and External Control Together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Selecting a Programming Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
HP BASIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
IBASIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
HP VEE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Microsoft® QuickBasic™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
C and C++ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
VXI plug&play Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Example Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
3. Operator Interaction
Prompting the Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Using Graphics to Create On-Screen Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
User-Defined BEGIN Key Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Loading a User BEGIN Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Modifying a User BEGIN Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Using a Switch with User BEGIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Using a Barcode Reader for Data Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Using an External Keyboard for Data Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Using the Analyzer's Title Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Hot Keys on External Keyboard for Common Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
User-Defined TTL Input/Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Using a Foot or Hand Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19

viii
Contents
Limit-Test Pass/Fail TTL Input/Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-21
Analyzer Port Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-22
Output for External VGA-Compatible Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-24
4. Measurement Setup and Control with Fast Recall
Using Fast Recall with the Front Panel or a Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Using Fast Recall with a Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
5. Automated Measurement Setup and Control
Setting the Instrument State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Recalling Instrument States from Disk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Using Learn Strings to Save and Recall Instrument States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6
SCPI Commands that Modify a Single Parameter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
Fast Iterative Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8
Responsive Communication using SRQs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Using Both of the Analyzer's Measurement Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11
Using Single Sweep to Measure and View All Four S-Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12
AUTOST files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15
6. Controlling Peripherals
Using the Parallel Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-3
Writing to the Parallel Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-6
Reading from the Parallel Port. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9
Hardcopy Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-10
Using the Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-11
7. Displaying Measurement Results
Graticule On/Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
Limit Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4
To turn limit lines on or off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4
To turn the fail icon on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4
To turn the pass/fail text on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4
To move the position of the pass/fail indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-5
Customized X-axis Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-6
To turn on user-defined X-axis annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-6
To specify your start and stop values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-6

Contents
ix
To specify a custom suffix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6
To turn the X-axis annotation on or off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Customized Measurement-Channel Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
To turn on user-defined measurement-channel annotation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
To specify the string to be displayed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
To restore default measurement-channel annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
To turn measurement-channel annotation on or off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Title and Clock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
8. Saving Measurement Results
Querying Measurement Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Saving the Measurement to Disk — Save ASCII. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Saving the Measurement to Disk — Save Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Querying Marker Searches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Saving Measurement Results to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7
Using Hardcopy Features to Print or Plot Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Faster Hardcopies using a PCL5 Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Customizing Page Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Custom Data Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Statistical Process Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Transferring Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15

x
Contents

1-1
1 Introduction

1-2 AutomatingMeasurements
Introduction
Automating Measurements
Automating Measurements
An automated measurement system is one where a computer performs
some of the tasks that you would normally have to do manually.
The information in this book will help you learn how to automate your
measurement system. Several features of the instrument that are useful
for automation are explained.
NOTE The information in this book assumes that you are familiar with the
information provided in the Programmer's Guide, the HP Instrument
BASIC User's Handbook, and the HP Instrument BASIC User’s
Handbook Supplement that were supplied with your analyzer.
This book explains how to control your analyzer using internal IBASIC
or with an external computer connected via HP-IB. The analyzer’s
internal CPU running IBASIC programs acts as a complete system
controller residing inside your analyzer. You have the additional
capability of controlling the analyzer over a LAN. Refer to the LAN
Interface User’s Guide Supplement (supplied with the analyzer) for
information.
Some of the analyzer features that support automation are built-in and
operate solely on the analyzer; limit testing is one example of a built-in
automation feature. Other features can be executed by programs
running internally under IBASIC or on an external computer.
NOTE Example programs can be found in the following four locations:
• Web site http://www.hp.com or http://www.agilent.com. Use the
search function to find Web pages related to 8712 example programs.
• Example Programs Disk, HP 8712ET/ES and HP 8714ET/ES (DOS
format): HP part number 08714-10003
• Example Programs Disk, HP 8712ET/ES and HP 8714ET/ES (LIF
format): HP part number 08714-10004
•Example Programs Guide, HP 8712ET/ES and HP 8714ET/ES: HP
part number 08714-90016

Automating Measurements 1-3
Introduction
Automating Measurements
Use of automation improves the productivity of a measurement system
by increasing the system's throughput. Throughput is typically
measured as the amount of units or components produced over a
particular period of time. Throughput can be increased by minimizing
the time for the following factors:
• device handling time
• operator interaction time
• measurement speed
• data transfer speed
• computation speed (when applicable)
Be sure to consider all of these factors when choosing and setting up an
automated system.
Automating your measurements can help ensure consistent quality on a
production line. An automated system can perform repetitive tasks
quickly and consistently. Automation can be used to direct you through a
sequence of tests, to set instrument parameters, and to send prompts
with helpful directions or diagrams. Automation is also used to collect
data, to monitor production line performance, and to archive and analyze
data.
Using a consistent, documented production process, while monitoring
product quality, are important attributes of modern production and
quality standards such as ISO-9000. These attributes are best achieved
with an automated system.
NOTE Hewlett-Packard offers professional consulting services to help increase
your manufacturing productivity. A complete test process analysis can be
performed by HP system engineers, who will work with your factory
management, engineering, and production groups to evaluate various
automation solutions. For more information contact the nearest HP sales
office. Refer to the front of this book for a table of sales and service
offices.

1-4 AutomatingMeasurements
Introduction
Automating Measurements

2-1
2 Configuring Your Test System

2-2 AutomatingMeasurements
Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations
Measurement System Configurations
and Considerations
When configuring your test system, there are many things to consider,
such as:
• how many test stations do you need now?
• how many test stations will be needed in the future?
• how much space is available at each test station?
• what type of testing will be done?
• how will the measurements be controlled?
• how will the data be analyzed and archived?
• what level of throughput is required?
After answering these questions, you should decide which of the
following configurations best meets your needs.

Automating Measurements 2-3
Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations
Stand-Alone Network Analyzers
In the stand-alone configuration, you can either take advantage of the
operator-initiated automation features, or you can use the internal CPU
and IBASIC programs to further automate your measurements.
Stand-Alone Analyzer under Operator Control
In this configuration, the measurement is controlled directly by the
operator, with very little automation. No computer or IBASIC control is
used, however the fast-recall feature may be used to quickly change
between different instrument states. This configuration is well suited for
simple pass/fail testing using the built-in limit-testing features.
Configure your system as a stand-alone analyzer if you would like to
• simplify test-system configuration
• maintain full control by operators
• minimize test-development time
Stand-Alone Analyzer under IBASIC Control
In this configuration, the measurement is controlled by an IBASIC
program running inside the analyzer. With IBASIC, the measurement
setup and control can be highly automated, reducing the burden on the
operator. Since the measurement is under programmatic control, data
can be collected and analyzed in order to monitor your process and
quality. IBASIC's keystroke recording lets you construct programs
quickly, without needing to refer to the programming documentation.
Using AUTOST files, the analyzer will load and run your program when
power is turned on.
Since no external computer is required, there are fewer system
components to purchase, maintain, connect, and synchronize.

2-4 AutomatingMeasurements
Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations
Configure your system as a stand-alone instrument with IBASIC if you
would like to
• simplify test-system configuration
• minimize the space required for a system
• simplify programming with keystroke recording
• use key macros
• automate measurement setup and control
• simplify measurements
• collect data
• run application programs on the analyzer
Figure 2-1 depicts a stand-alone network analyzer running IBASIC.
Figure 2-1 Stand-Alone Network Analyzer Running IBASIC
BEGIN

Automating Measurements 2-5
Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations
External Computer Control
You can use an external computer to control your analyzer or test system
by using the LAN or HP-IB interface on your analyzer. Additionally, you
can use an external computer in conjunction with the analyzer’s internal
CPU running IBASIC for optimum throughput. (For more information on
using the LAN interface, refer to The LAN Interface User’s Guide
Supplement.)
External Computer Alone
In this configuration, the measurement is controlled by a computer
external to the analyzer, using the LAN or the HP-IB interface. The
measurement setup and control can be highly automated and designed
for optimum throughput. Data can be automatically collected and
analyzed in order to monitor quality and processes. You can connect one
or more analyzers to each computer. Since the computer can be
connected to other computers via a Local Area Network (LAN),
measurement statistics can be easily tracked and archived using
computer applications.
Configure your system as an analyzer controlled by an external
computer if you would like to
• centralize automation and application programs
• develop a more sophisticated data collection system
• add networking capability
Figure 2-2 Network Analyzer Controlled by a Computer

2-6 AutomatingMeasurements
Configuring Your Test System
Measurement System Configurations and Considerations
External Computer in Conjunction with IBASIC
In this configuration, the measurement is controlled by an IBASIC
program running inside the analyzer. IBASIC can provide high-speed
measurement control and data collection, and save the results in
program memory or on a disk. The external computer then
communicates with IBASIC, and collects the measurement results at
some defined interval. This configuration can result in higher
throughput, especially if the measurement setup and control is complex.
Configure your system as an analyzer with IBASIC and an external
computer if you would like to
• centralize automation and application programs
• develop a more sophisticated data collection system
• add networking capability
• add local-automation capability
Figure 2-3 Network Analyzer Running IBASIC, Controlled by a Computer