HP 8921A Manual

1
HP 8921A Cell Site Test Set
HP-IB Programmer’s Guide
Firmware Versions: HP 8921A: A.15.00 and above
HP Part No. 08921-90031
Printed in U. S. A.
December 1998
Rev. A
DUPLETXRX PREV TESTS
CONFIHELPMSSG HOLD PRINT
SCREEN CONTROL
LOCAL
ADRS
RECAL
SAVE MEAS PRESE
INSTRUMENT STATE
DATA FUNCTIONS
INCR
REF INCR METER INCR AVG
LO HI
CURSOR CON-
PUSH TO
CANCE
SHIFT
k1
k1’
k2
k2’
k3
k3’
k4
ASSIG
k5
RELEA
USER DATA
789
456
123
0+_
ENTER
GHz
dB
MHz
%
kHz
s
Hz
ms
%
Ω
ppm
NO
ON/OFF
YES
MEMO
AUDIO IN LOHI
!MAX !MAX
AUDIOSQUELCVOL-
MIC/
MAX PO WER 200
!
ANT IN
DUPLEX OUTRF IN/OUT
!MAX POWER
POWE
OF O

2
Copyright © Hewlett-Packard Company 1997
Notice Information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws.
This material may be reproduced by or for the U.S. Government pursuant to
the Copyright License under the clause at DFARS 52.227-7013 (APR 1988).
Hewlett-Packard Company
Learning Products Department
24001 E. Mission
Liberty Lake, WA 99019-9599
U.S.A.

3
Manufacture’s
Declaration
This statement is provided to comply with the requirements of
the German Sound Emission Directive, from 18 January 1991.
This product has a sound pressure emission (at the operator
position) < 70 dB(A).
Sound Pressure Lp < 70 dB(A).
• At Operator Position.
• Normal Operation.
• According to ISO 7779:1988/EN 27779:1991 (Type Test).
Herstellerbescheinigu
ng
Diese Information steht im Zusammenhang mit den Anforderungen der
Maschinenlärminformationsverordnung vom 18 Januar 1991.
• Schalldruckpegel Lp < 70 dB(A).
• Am Arbeitsplatz.
• Normaler Betrieb.
• Nach ISO 7779:1988/EN 27779:1991 (Typprüfung).

4
Safety Considerations GENERAL
This product and related documentation must be reviewed for familiarization
with safety markings and instructions before operation.
This product is a Safety Class I instrument (provided with a protective earth
terminal).
SAFETY EARTH GROUND
A uninterruptible safety earth ground must be provided from the main power
source to the product input wiring terminals, power cord, or supplied power
cord set.
CHASSIS GROUND TERMINAL
To prevent a potential shock hazard, always connect the rear-panel chassis
ground terminal to earth ground when operating this instrument from a dc
power source.
SAFETY SYMBOLS
Indicates instrument damage can occur if indicated operating limits are
exceeded.
Indicates hazardous voltages.
Indicates earth (ground) terminal
WARNING A WARNING note denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice,
or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in per-
sonal injury. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING sign until the indicated con-
ditions are fully understood and met.
CAUTION A CAUTION note denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operation proce-
dure, practice, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to,
could result in damage to or destruction of part or all of the product. Do not
proceedbeyond an CAUTION note until the indicated conditions are fully un-
derstood and met.
!

5
Safety Considerations for this Instrument
WARNING: This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a protective earthing
ground incorporated in the power cord) The mains plug shall only be inserted in a
socket outlet provided with a protective earth contact. Any interruption of the
protective conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the product
dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
Whenever it is likely that the protection has been impaired, the instrument must
be made inoperative and be secured against any unintended operation.
If this instrument is to be energized via an autotransformer (for voltage
reduction), make sure the common terminal is connected to the earth terminal of
the power source.
If this product is not used as specified, the protection provided by the equipment
could be impaired. This product must be used in a normal condition (in which all
means for protection are intact) only.
No operator serviceable parts in this product. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel. To prevent electrical shock, do not remove covers.
Servicing instructions are for use by qualified personnel only. To avoid electrical
shock, do not perform any servicing unless you are qualified to do so.
The opening of covers or removal of parts is likely to expose dangerous
voltages. Disconnect the product from all voltage sources while it is being
opened.
Adjustments described in the manual are performed with power supplied to the
instrument while protective covers are removed. Energy available at many points
may, if contacted, result in personal injury.
The power cord is connected to internal capacitors that my remain live for
5 seconds after disconnecting the plug from its power supply.
For continued protection against fire hazard, replace the line fuse(s) only
with 250 V fuse(s) or the same current rating and type (for example, normal
blow or time delay). Do not use repaired fuses or short circuited
fuseholders.

6
WARNING: Always use the three-prong ac power cord supplied with this product. Failure to
ensure adequate earth grounding by not using this cord may cause product damage.
This product is designed for use in Installation Category II and Pollution
Degree 2 per IEC 1010 and IEC 664 respectively. For indoor use only.
This product has autoranging line voltage input, be sure the supply voltage
is within the specified range.
To prevent electrical shock, disconnect instrument from mains (line) before
cleaning. Use a dry cloth or one slightly dampened with water to clean the
external case parts. Do not attempt to clean internally.
Ventilation Requirements: When installing the product in a cabinet, the
convection into and out of the product must not be restricted. The ambient
temperature (outside of the cabinet) must be less than the maximum
operating temperature of the product by 4° C for every 100 watts dissipated
in the cabinet. If the total power dissipated in the cabinet is greater than 800
watts, then forced convection must be used.
Product Markings CE - the CE mark is a registered trademark of the European Community. A
CE mark accompanied by a year indicated the year the design was proven.
CSA - the CSA mark is a registered trademark of the Canadian Standards
Association.

7
CERTIFICATION Hewlett-Packard Company certifies that this product met its published
specifications 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, to the extent allowed
by the Institute’s calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other
International Standards Organization members
Hewett-Packard Warranty Statement for Commercial Products
HP Product: HP 8921A
Duration of Warranty: 1 Year
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.
2HP warrants that HP software will not fail to execute its programming instruc-
tions, 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 pro-
gramming instructions due to such defects.
3. HP does not warrant that the operation of HP products will be uninterrupted 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.
4HP 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.
6Warranty does not apply to defects resulting from (a) improper or inadequate
maintenanceorcalibration,(b)software,interfacing,partsorsuppliesnotsupplied
by HP, (c) unauthorized modification or misuse, (d) operation outside of the pub-
lished environmental specifications for the product, or (e) improper site prepara-
tion or maintenance.

8
7TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW, THE ABOVE WARRAN-
TIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND NO OTHER WARRANTYOR CONDITION,
WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AND HP
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDI-
TIONS OR MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AND FIT-
NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
8HP 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 EXCLUSIVE
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 STATE-
MENT, 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.

9
European Contact: Your local Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office or Hewlett-Packard GmbH
Department ZQ/Standards Europe, Herrenberger Strasse 130, D-71034 B
ö blinger, Germany (FAX[phone])
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014
Manufacturer’s Name:
Manufacturer’s Address:
declares that the product
Product Name:
Model Number:
Product Options:
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Spokane Division
24001 E. Mission Avenue
Liberty Lake, Washington 99019-9599
USA
RF Communications Test Set / Cell Site Test Set
HP 8920A, HP 8920B, and HP 8921A
This declaration covers all options of the above
product.
conforms to the following Product specifications:
Safety: IEC 348:1978 / HD 401S1:19811)
EMC: CISPR 11:1990 / EN 55011:1991 Group 1, Class A
EN 50082-1 : 1992
IEC 801-2:1991 - 4 kV CD, 8 kV AD
IEC 801-3:1984 - 3V/m
IEC 801-4:1988 - 0.5 kV Sig. Lines, 1 kV Power Lines
Supplementary Information:
This product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive
73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and carries the CD-marking accordingly.
1) The product was introduced prior to 12/1993
Spokane, Washington USA Date October 17, 1996 Vince Roland/Quality Manager

10
Table 1 Regional Sales and Service Offices
Eastern USA
Sales Office
Hewlett-Packard Company
2101 Gather Rd.
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: [phone]
Eastern USA
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
150 Green Pond Road
Rockaway, NJ 07866
Tel: [phone]
Midwestern USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
5201 Tollview Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Tel: [phone]
Southern USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
1995 North Park Place
Atlanta, GA 30339
Sales
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Southern USA
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
930 E. Campbell Road
Richardson, TX 75081
Tel: [phone]
Western USA
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
301 E. Evelyn Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94041
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Western USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
24 Inverness Place East
Englewood, CO 80112
Sales
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Western USA
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Company
1421 South Manhattan Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92631
Sales
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Service
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
United States of America
Customer Information Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
Tel: [phone]
6:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time
Parts Direct: 1-800-227-8164
South Eastern Europe
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Ges. m.b.h.
Liebigasse 1
P.O. Box 72
A-1222 Vienna, Austria
Telephone: [phone]
Telex: 13 4425
European Multicountry Region
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard S.A.
P.O. Box 95
150, Route dv Nant_dl_AVRIL
CH-1217 Meyrin 2
Geneva, Switzerland
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Northern Europe
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Nederland B.V.
Startbaan 16
1187 XR
Amstelveen, The Netherlands
P.O. Box 667
Telephone: [phone] X 6631
Fax: [phone]NL

11
Asia
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Asia Ltd.
22-30/F Peregrine Tower
Lippo Center
89 Queensway, Central
Hong Kong
G.P.O. Box 863 Hong Kong
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Japan
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Japan, Ltd.
3-29-21, Takaido-Higashi
Suginami-Ku, Tokyo 168
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
International Sales Branch Headquarters
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard S.A.
39 Rue Veyrot
P.O. Box 365
1217 Meyrin 1
Geneva, Switzerland
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Australia, New Zealand
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Ltd.
P.O. Box 221
31-41 Joseph Street
Blackburn, Victoria 3130
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Canada
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd.
5150 Spectrum Way
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5G1
Canada
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Canada
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Company
17500 Transcanada Highway
S. Serv Road
Kirkland, Quebec H9J 2X8
Canada
Telephone: [phone]
Canada
Service Center
Hewlett-Packard Ltd.
11120 178 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1P2
Canada
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Latin America
Hewlett-Packard Company
LAHQ Mexico City
Col. Lomas de Virreyes
11000 Mexico D.F.
Mexico
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
United Kingdom
Sales and Service
Hewlett-Packard Ltd.
Cain Road
Amen Corner
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 1HN
United Kingdom
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Table 1 Regional Sales and Service Offices

12
Trademark
Acknowledgements
Microsoft ®, Microsoft® Windows, and MS-DOS® are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
ProComm® is a registered trademark of DATASTORM TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Conventions Used In This
Manual
The generic abbreviation "PC" is used to represent computers compatible
with the IBM personal computer (PC) running the MS-DOS operating
system.
The term "workstation" is used to represent HP 9000 Series 200/300 System
Controllers.
The acronym IBASIC is used throughout this manual to refer to Instrument
BASIC, a subset of the Hewlett-Packard Rocky Mountain BASIC
programming language. The term IBASIC Controller refers to the Test Set’s
built-in IBASIC Controller.
A field on the Test Set’s display is represented in the following manner:
AF Anl In.
When keys are pressed one-at-a-time, they are separated by commas. For
example,[SHIFT],[TESTS]meanstopressandrelease the[SHIFT]key,then
press and release the [TESTS] key.
A front-panel keycap is represented in the following manner: [TESTS].
When keys are pressed simultaneously, they are connected by a plus sign, +.
For example, [Alt]+[ P ] means to hold down the [Alt] key and press [ P ].
Definition of Test Set The generic term "Test Set" is used interchangeably in the manual for the
HP 8921A.

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In this Book Chapter 1, Using HP-IB, describes the general guidelines for using HP-IB and how to
prepare the Test Set for HP-IB usage. This chapter includes example programs for
controlling the basic functions of the Test Set.
Chapter 2, Methods For Reading Measurement Results, contains guidelines for
programming the test set for returning measurement results. Topics discussed include
how to recover from a "hung" state when a measurement fails to complete. Sample
code is included.
Chapter 3, HP-IB Command Guidelines, contains information about sequential
and overlapped commands, command syntax, units of measure, and measurement
states. A short example program is also presented to familiarize the user with remote
operation of the Test Set.
Chapter 4, HP-IB Commands, contains command syntax diagrams, equivalent
front-panel key commands, IEEE 488.2 Common Commands and triggering
commands.
Chapter 5, Advanced Operations, includes information about increasing
measurement throughput, status reporting, error reporting, service requests,
instrument initialization, and passing control.
Chapter 6, Memory Cards/Mass Storage, describes the types of mass storage
(RAM disk, ROM disk, external disk drives, SRAM cards, and ROM cards) and the
file system formats (DOS, LIF) available in the Test Set.
Chapter 7, IBASIC Controller, describes how to develop Instrument BASIC
(IBASIC) programs for use on the Test Set’s built-in IBASIC Controller. Topics
discussed are: interfacing to the IBASIC Controller using the serial ports, overview
of the three program development methods, entering and editing IBASIC programs,
program control using the PROGram Subsystem, and an introduction to writing
programs for the TESTS subsystem.
Chapter 8, Programming the Call Processing Subsystem, describes how to
control the Test Set’s Call Processing Subsystem using the Call Processing
Subsystem’s remote user interface. Topics discussed are: accessing the Call
Processing Subsystem screens, handling error messages, controlling program flow
using the Call Processing Status Register Group, and how to query data messages
received from the mobile station. Example programs are provided showing how to
control the Call Processing Subsystem using service requests and register polling.
Error Messages describes the Text Only HP-IB Errors and the Numbered HP-IB
Errors. This section also describes other types of error messages that the Test Set
displays and where to find more information about those types of error messages.

14

Contents
15
1 UsingHP-IB
Overview of the Test Set 28
Getting Started 36
Remote Operation 49
Addressing 51
IEEE 488.1 Remote Interface Message Capabilities 52
Remote/Local Modes 55

Contents
16
2 Methods For Reading Measurement Results
Background 60
HP BASIC ‘ON TIMEOUT’ Example Program 62
HP BASIC ‘MAV’ Example Program 66

Contents
17
3 HP-IB Command Guidelines
Sequential and Overlapped Commands 72
Guidelines for Operation 73

Contents
18
4 HP-IB Commands
HP-IB Syntax Diagrams 96
Adjacent Channel Power (ACP) 99
AF Analyzer 101
AF Generator 1 104
AF Generator 2 Pre-Modulation Filters 105
AF Generator 2/Encoder 106
Configure, I/O Configure 121
Call Processing 126
Decoder 145
Display 149
Measure 151
Oscilloscope 158
Program 163
Save/Recall Registers 164
RF Analyzer 165
RF Generator 167
Radio Interface 168
Spectrum Analyzer 169
HP-IB Only Commands 171

Contents
19
Status 172
System 173
Tests 174
Trigger 177
Integer Number Setting Syntax 178
Real Number Setting Syntax 179
Multiple Real Number Setting Syntax 180
Number Measurement Syntax 181
Multiple Number Measurement Syntax 183
Equivalent Front-Panel Key Commands 184
IEEE 488.2 Common Commands 212
Common Command Descriptions 213
Triggering Measurements 228

Contents
20
5 Advanced Operations
Increasing Measurement Throughput 238
Status Reporting 244
HP-IB Service Requests 295
Instrument Initialization 305
Passing Control 318