HP 34970A User manual

HP 34970A
Data Acquisition / Switch Unit
User’s Guide
Part Number 34970-90002
October 1997
For Safety information, Warranties, and Regulatory information,
see the pages behind the Index.
©Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 1997
All Rights Reserved.

The HP 34970A combines precision measurement capability with
flexible signal connections for your production and development test
systems. Three module slots are built into the rear of the instrument
to accept any combination of data acquisition or switching modules.
The combination of data logging and data acquisition features makes
this instrument a versatile solution for your testing requirements now
and in the future.
Convenient Data Logging Features
•Direct measurement of thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, dc voltage,
ac voltage, resistance, dc current, ac current, frequency, and period
•Interval scanning with storage of up to 50,000 time-stamped readings
•Independent channel configuration with function, Mx+B scaling,
and alarm limits available on a per-channel basis
•Intuitive user interface with knob for quick channel selection,
menu navigation, and data entry from the front panel
•Portable, ruggedized case with non-skid feet
•HP BenchLink Data Logger Software for Microsoft® Windows ® included
Flexible Data Acquisition /Switching Features
•61⁄2-digit multimeter accuracy, stability, and noise rejection
•Up to 60 channels per instrument (120 single-ended channels)
•Reading rates up to 600 readings per second on a single channel and
scan rates up to 250 channels per second
•Choice of multiplexing, matrix, general-purpose Form C switching,
RF switching, digital I/O, totalize, and 16-bit analog output functions
•HP-IB (IEEE-488) interface and RS-232 interface are standard
•SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) compatibility
HP 34970A
Data Acquisition / Switch Unit

The Front Panel at a Glance
1State Storage / Remote Interface Menus
2Scan Start / Stop Key
3Measurement Configuration Menu
4Scaling Configuration Menu
5Alarm / Alarm Output Configuration Menu
6Scan-to-Scan Interval Menu
7Scan List Single Step / Read Key
8 Advanced Measurement / Utility Menus
9 Low-Level Module Control Keys
10 Single-Channel Monitor On / Off Key
11 View Scanned Data, Alarms, Errors Menu
12 Shift / Local Key
13 Knob
14 Navigation Arrow Keys
Denotes a menu key. See the next page for details on menu operation.
2

The Front-Panel Menus at a Glance
Several of the front-panel keys guide you through menus to configure
various parameters of the instrument (see previous page). The following
steps demonstrate the menu structure using the key.
Tip: To review the current configuration of a specific menu, press the menu key several times.
A message NO CHANGES is displayed when you exit the menu.
4Press the same menu key again to accept the
change and exit the menu. A brief confirmation
message is displayed.
2Press the same menu key again to move
to the next item of the menu. Typically,
this is where you choose parameter values
for the selected operation.
3Rotate the knob to view the choices on this
level of the menu. When you reach the end
of the list, rotate the knob in the opposite
direction to view all of the other choices.
The current selection is highlighted for emphasis.
All other choices are dimmed.
1Press the menu key. You are automatically
guided to the first level of the menu.
Rotate the knob to view the other choices
on the first level of the menu.
The menu will automatically timeout after
about 20 seconds of inactivity. You will be
returned to the operation in progress prior
to entering the menu.
3

Display Annunciators
To review the display annunciators, hold down the key as you
turn on the instrument.
SCAN
MON
VIEW
CONFIG
ADRS
RMT
ERROR
EXT
ONCE
MEM
LAST
MIN
MAX
SHIFT
4W
OC
Scan is in progress or enabled. Press and hold again to turn off.
Monitor mode is enabled. Press again to turn off.
Scanned readings, alarms, errors, or relay cycles are being viewed.
Channel configuration is in progress on displayed channel.
Measurement is in progress.
Instrument is addressed to listen or talk over the remote interface.
Instrument is in remote mode (remote interface).
Hardware or remote interface errors are detected.
Press to read errors.
Instrument is configured for an external scan interval.
Scan Once mode is enabled.
Press to initiate and hold key to disable.
Reading memory overflow; new readings will overwrite the oldest readings.
Viewed data is the
last reading stored during most recent scan.
Viewed data is the
minimum reading stored during most recent scan.
Viewed data is the
maximum reading stored during most recent scan.
has been pressed.
Press again to turn off.
4-wire function is in use on displayed channel.
Offset compensation is enabled on displayed channel.
Alarms are enabled on displayed channel.
Mx+B scaling is enabled on displayed channel.
HI or LO alarm condition has occurred on indicated alarms.
4

The Rear Panel at a Glance
WARNING For protection from electrical shock, the power cord ground must not be
defeated. If only a two-contact electrical outlet is available, connect the
instrument’s chassis ground screw (see above) to a good earth ground.
1Slot Identifier (100, 200, 300)
2 Ext Trig Input / Alarm Outputs / Channel
Advance Input / Channel Closed Output
3 RS-232 Interface Connector
4 Power-Line Fuse-Holder Assembly
5Power-Line Voltage Setting
6 Chassis Ground Screw
7 HP-IB (IEEE-488) Interface Connector
Use the Menu to:
• Select the HP-IB or RS-232 interface (see chapter 2).
• Set the HP-IB address (see chapter 2).
• Set the RS-232 baud rate, parity, and flow control mode (see chapter 2).
5

HP BenchLink Data Logger Software at a Glance
HP BenchLink Data Logger is a Windows-based application designed
to make it easy to use the HP 34970A with your PC for gathering and
analyzing measurements. Use the software to set up your test, acquire
and archive measurement data, and perform real-time display and
analysis of your incoming measurements.
HP BenchLink Data Logger’s key functions include the following:
•Configure measurements on the spreadsheet-like Scan Setup page.
•Display measurements graphically using the real-time Data Grid,
Strip Chart, Readout, Bar Meter, XY Plot, and Histogram windows.
•Add or configure graphics at any time.
•Use graphical controls to set output voltages, close channels, output
digital values, or view alarms.
•Copy measurement data and graphics to a file or to the Clipboard for
use in other applications.
•Add textual annotation and explanations to measurement results and
test reports.
•Track readings on a single channel through the Monitor toolbar.
•Enter information into the Event Log automatically or manually
while acquiring measurement data or during post-scan analysis.
•Print scan setups, event logs, and graphics.
•Communicate with the instrument using HP-IB, RS-232, modem,
or LAN (using a LAN-to-HP-IB gateway).
To install the software, refer to “Installing HP BenchLink Data Logger
Software” on page 18.
To learn more about the software and its capabilities, refer to the
On-Line Help System for HP BenchLink Data Logger.
6

The Plug-In Modules at a Glance
For complete specifications on each plug-in module, refer to the module
sections in chapter 9.
HP 34901A 20-Channel Armature Multiplexer
•20 channels of 300 V switching
•Two channels for DC or AC current measurements (100 nA to 1A)
•Built-in thermocouple reference junction
•Switching speed of up to 60 channels per second
•Connects to the internal multimeter
•For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 164.
Each of the 20 channels switches both HI and LO inputs, thus providing
fully isolated inputs to the internal multimeter. The module is divided
into two banks of 10 two-wire channels each. When making four-wire
resistance measurements, channels from Bank A are automatically
paired with channels from Bank B. Two additional fused channels are
included on the module (22 channels total) for making calibrated DC or
AC current measurements with the internal multimeter (external shunt
resistors are not required). You can close multiple channels on this
module only if you have not configured any channels to be part of the
scan list. Otherwise, all channels on the module are break-before-make.
HP 34902A 16-Channel Reed Multiplexer
•16 channels of 300 V switching
•Built-in thermocouple reference junction
•Switching speed of up to 250 channels per second
•Connects to the internal multimeter
•For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 166.
Use this module for high-speed scanning and high-throughput
automated test applications. Each of the 16 channels switches both
HI and LO inputs, thus providing fully isolated inputs to the internal
multimeter. The module is divided into two banks of eight two-wire
channels each. When making four-wire resistance measurements,
channels from Bank A are automatically paired with channels from
Bank B. You can close multiple channels on this module only if you have
not configured any channels to be part of the scan list. Otherwise, all
channels on the module are break-before-make.
7

HP 34903A 20-Channel Actuator/General-Purpose Switch
•300 V, 1 A actuation and switching
•SPDT (Form C) latching relays
•Breadboard area for custom circuits
•For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 168.
Use this module for those applications that require high-integrity
contacts or quality connections of non-multiplexed signals. This module
can switch 300 V, 1 A (50 W maximum switch power) to your device
under test or to actuate external devices. Screw terminals on the module
provide access to the Normally-Open, Normally-Closed, and Common
contacts for each of the 20 switches. A breadboard area is provided near
the screw terminals to implement custom circuitry, such as simple
filters, snubbers, or voltage dividers.
HP 34904A 4x8 Two-Wire Matrix Switch
•32 two-wire crosspoints
•Any combination of inputs and outputs can be connected at a time
•300 V, 1 A switching
•For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 170.
Use this module to connect multiple instruments to multiple points on
your device under test at the same time. You can connect rows and
columns between multiple modules to build larger matrices such as
8x8 and 4x16, with up to 96 crosspoints in a single mainframe.
HP 34905/6A Dual 4-Channel RF Multiplexers
•HP 34905A (50Ω) / 34906A (75Ω)
•2 GHz bandwidth with on-board SMB connections
•1 GHz bandwidth with SMB-to-BNC adapter cables provided
•For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 172.
These modules offer wideband switching capabilities for high frequency
and pulsed signals. Each module is organized in two independent banks
of 4-to-1 multiplexers. Both modules offer low crosstalk and excellent
insertion loss performance. To create larger RF multiplexers, you can
cascade multiple banks together. Only one channel in each bank may be
closed at a time.
8

HP 34907A Multifunction Module
•Two 8-bit Digital Input/Output ports, 400 mA sink, 42 V open collector
•100 kHz Totalize input with 1 Vpp sensitivity
•Two ±12 V Calibrated Analog Outputs
•For detailed information and module block diagrams, see page 174.
Use this module to sense status and control external devices such as
solenoids, power relays, and microwave switches. For greater flexibility,
you can read digital inputs and the count on the totalizer during a scan.
HP 34908A 40-Channel Single-Ended Multiplexer
•40 channels of 300 V single-ended (common LO) switching
•Built-in thermocouple reference junction
•Switching speed of up to 60 channels per second
•Connects to the internal multimeter
•For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 176.
Use this module for high-density switching applications which require
single-wire inputs with a common LO. All relays are break-before-make
to ensure that only one relay is connected at any time.
9