Keithley 3930A User manual

Model 3930A
Multifunction Synthesizer
Operator’s Manual
Contains Operating and Servicing Information

WARRANTY
Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship for aperiod of 1year from date of
shipment.
Keithley Instruments, Inc. warrants the following items for 90 days from the date of shipment: probes, cables, rechargeable batteries,
diskettes. and documentation.
During the warranty period, we will, at our option, either repair or replace any product that proves to be defective.
To exercise this warranty, write or call your local Keithley representative, or contact Keithley headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. You will
he given prompt assistance and return instructions. Send the product, transportation prepaid, to the indicated service facility. Repairs
will be made and the product returned, transportation prepaid. Repaired or replaced products are warranted for the balance of the origi-
nal warranty period, or at least 90 days.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
This warranty does not apply to defects resulting from product modification without Keithley’s express written consent, or misuse of
any product or pti. This warranty also does not apply lo fuses, software, non-rechargeable batteries, damage from battery leakage, or
problems arising from normal wear OI failure to follow instructions,
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE
BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.
NEITHER KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC. NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDI-
RECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF ITS INSTRUMENTS AND
SOFTWARE EVEN IF KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC., HAS BEEN ADVISED IN ADVANCE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES. SUCH EXCLUDED DAMAGES SHALL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: COSTS OF REMOVAL
AND INSTALLATION, LOSSES SUSTAINED AS THE RESULT OF INJURY TO ANY PERSON, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

Model 3930A Multifunction Synthesizer
Operator’s Manual
0 1991, Kcithlcy Instruments, Inc.
Test Instrumentation Group
All rights reserved.
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
August 1991, First Printing
Document Number: 3930A-900-01 Rev. A

All Keithley product namesare trademarks or registered trademarks of Keithley Instruments, Inc.
Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Safetv Precautions
The following safety precautions should be observed before using the Model 3930A Multifunction Synthesizer and any
associated instruments.
This instrument is intended for use by qualified personnel who recognize shock hazards and are familiar with the safety
precautions required to avoid possible injury. Read over this manual carefully before using the instrument.
Exercise extreme caution when a shock hazard is present at the te.stcircuit. The American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) states that a shock hazard exists when voltage levels greater than 30V nns or 4.2.4V peak are present. A good
safety practice is to expect that hazardous voltage is present in any unknown circuit before measuring.
Inspect the connecting cables and test leads for possible wear, cracks, or breaks before each use.
For maximum safety, do not touch the test cables or any instruments while power is applied to the circuit under test.
Turn off the power and discharge any capacitors before connecting or disconnecting cables from the instrument.
Do not touch any object which could provide a current path to the commc~n side of the circuit under test or power line
(earth) ground. Always make measurements with dry hands while standing on adry, insulated surface capable of with-
standing the voltage being measured.
Instrumentation and accessories should not be connected to humans.

Table of Contents
SECTION 1 - General Information
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.6.1
1.6.2
1.6.3
1.6.4
1.7
1.8
INTRODUCTION .....................
FEATURES ..........................
WARRANTY INFORMATION ...........
MANUAL ADDENDA
SAFETY TERMS AND SYMBOLS .........
UNPACKING AND REPACKING ........
Unpacking ........................
shipment contents ..................
Operator’s Manual ..................
Repacking For Shipment ..............
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .............
SPECIFICATIONS ....................
SECTION 2 - Getting Started
2.1
2.2
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.3
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
2.4
2.5
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.3
INTRODUCTION ..................
INSTALLATION ..................
Installation Location ..............
Fan ...........................
LINE POWER SUPPLY ..............
LINE Voltage Selector Switch .......
Line Receptacle Connection .........
Line Fuse ......................
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS .........
BASIC OPERATION ................
Front Panel Summary .............
Typical Test Connections ..........
Operating Examples ..............
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1-l
1-l
l-2
l-2
l-2
l-2
1-2
1-2
l-2
l-3
l-3
l-3
2-l
2-l
2-1
2-l
2-2
2-2
2-2
2-2
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-3
2-5
SECTION 3 - Operation
3.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 3-l
3.2 FRONT PANEL AND REAR PANEL DESCRIPTION ................................... 3-l
3.2.1 Front Panel Description. ....................................................... 3-l
3.2.2 RearPanelDescription ........................................................ 3-12
3.3 Input and Output Connections .................................................... 3-13
3.3.1 InputConnections ........................................................... 3-13
3.3.2 outputConnections.. ........................................................ 3-14
3.4 STARTUP .................................................................... 3-15
3.5 OPERATINGPROCEDURES ..................................................... 3-16
3.5.1 Setting Parameters Using Numeric Keys ........................................... 3-16

3.5.2 Setting Parameters using MODIFY .............................
3.5.3 ErrorCodes ..............................................
3.5.4 UnitsConversion ..........................................
3.5.5 Frequency Programming .....................................
3.5.6 Output Amplitude and Amplitude Modulation ....................
3.5.7 DC Offset Programming .....................................
3.5.8 Waveform Selection, Square-Wave Duty Cycle, and Synchronous Output
3.5.9 OscillationMode ...........................................
3.5.10 Trigger Parameters (Source, Rate, Burst Cycle, and Phase) ............
3.5.11 Frequency Sweep Operation ..................................
3.5.12 OutputRangeMode ........................................
SECTION 4 - GPIB Interface
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3
4.1.4
4.1.5
4.1.6
4.1.7
4.1.8
4.1.9
4.2
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.4
4.4.1
4.4.2
4.5
4.6
4.7
INTRODUCTION ..............................
GPIB Overview ..............................
Major GPIB Specifications ......................
Bus Line Signals and Operation ..................
GPIB Handshaking ...........................
Data Transfer Example ........................
Basic Talker Functions .........................
Basic Listener Functions .......................
Basic Controller Functions ......................
Multi-Line Interface Messages ...................
OVERVIEW OF MODEL 3930A GPIB INTERFACE .....
Introduction ................................
Specifications __._ ._ __ ._ ._ _______ _._ __
MODEL 3930A PROGRAM CODES ................
Model 3930A Parameter-Setting Messages ..........
Model 3930A Inquiry Messages ..................
MODEL 3933A PHASE SHIFIIZR PROGRAM CODES. ..
Model 3933A Phase Shifter Parameter Setting Messages
Model 3933A Phase Shifter Inquiry Messages .......
TYPICAL EXECUTION TIMES ....................
PROGRAM CODE SUMMARY TABLES .............
SAMPLEPROGRAMS ..........................
4-l
4-l
4-l
4-2
4-2
43
4-3
4-3
4-4
44
4-6
4-6
4-6
4-10
4-10
4-21
4-26
4-26
4-32
4-35
4-38
4-43

List of Illustrations
SECTION 2 - Getting Started
Figure 2-l Front Panel Summary
Figure 2-2 TypicalConnections ..___.___...._._..._.._...___.........
SECTION 3 - Operation
Figure 3-1
Figure 3-2
Figure 3-3
Figure 34
Figure 3-5
Figure 3-6
Figure 3-7
Figure 3-8
Figure 3-9
Figure 3-10
Figure 3-11
Figure 3-12
Figure 3-13
Figure 3-14
Figure 3-15
Figure 3-16
Model 3930A Front Panel ...................................
Model 3930A Rear Panel ....................................
LogicInputCircuit ........................................
Amplitude Modulation Input Circuit .........................
Internal Trigger Output ...................................
SynchronousOutput ......................................
Sweep Marker and Sweep Synchronous Outputs .................
Relational Range for Allowed AC Amplitude Voltage and DC .......
Phase Relationship between Waveform and Synchronous Output ....
Burst Oscillation Mode Example .............................
Gate Oscillation Example Using Square Wave ...................
Gate Oscillation Example Showing Completion of Oscillation Cycle
Waveforms and Phase Definitions ............................
Relationship Between Sweep Frequency and Sweep Output ........
Output Resolution and Number of Digits for AC Only ............
Setting Resolution and Number of Digits for DC Only .............
SECTION 4 - GPIB Interface
Figure 4-l Interface Connector
Figure 4-2 Handshake Timing Diagram
Figure 4-3 Data Transfer Example
Figure 44 Program Code Syntax
Figure 4-5 Response Output Format
Appendix A - Typical Data
Figure A-l Sine Wave Amplitude vs. Frequency Characteristics A-2
Figure A-2 Total Harmonic Distortion vs. Frequency Characteristics A-2
24
2-5
3-2
3-11
3-13
3-14
3-14
3-14
3-14
3-22
3-23
3-26
3-26
3-26
3-25
3-31
3.36
3-37
4-2
4-3
44
4-7
4-9

List of Tables
SECTION 2 - Getting Started
Table 2-l FuseReplacement......................................................... 2-3
SECTION 4 - GPIB Interface
Table 4-l Multi-lie Interface Messages ............................
Table 4-2 Interface Functions ....................................
Table 4-3 Bus Driver Specifications ...............................
Table 4-4 Response to Interface Messages ...........................
Table 4-5 StatusByte ..........................................
Table 4-6 Model 3930A Main Parameter Setting Messages ..............
Table 4-7 Model 3930A Trigger Parameter Setting Messages .............
Table 4-8 Model 3930A Sweep Parameter Setting Messages .............
Table 4-9 Model 3930A Miscellaneous Parameter Messages .............
Table 4-10 Parameter Messages Specific to Model 3930A GPIB ............
Table 4-11 Main Parameter Inquiry Messages ................................
Table 4-12 Model 3930A Trigger Parameter Inquiry Messages ....................
Table 4-13 Model 3930A Sweep Parameter Inquiry Messages .....................
Table 4-14 Model 3930A Miscellaneous Pammeter Inquiry Messages ...............
Table 4-15 Inquiry Messages for Parameters Specific to Model 3930A GPIB ..........
Table 4-16 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Main Parameter Setting Range ..............
Table 4-17 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Sweep Parameter Setting Messages ...........
Table 4-18 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Miscekmeous Parameter Setting Messages .....
Table 4-19 Parameter Setting Messages Specific to Model 3933A Phase Shifter Gl’IB ....
Table 4-20 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Main Parameter Inquiry Messages ............
Table 4-21 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Sweep Parameter Inquiry Messages ...........
Table 4-22 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Miscellaneous Parameter Inquiry Messages .....
Table 4-23 Inquiry Messages for Parameters Specific to Model 3933A Phase Shifter GPIB
Table 4-24 TypicalExecutionTimes ........................................
Table 4-25 Model 3930A Program Code Summary .............................
Table 4-26 Model 3933A Phase Shifter Program Code Summary ...................
4-5
4-6
4-6
4-7
4-11
4-12
4-14
4-16
4-19
4-20
4-21
4-22
4-23
4-24
4-25
4-26
4-28
4-30
4-31
4-32
4-33
4-33
4-34
4-35
4-38
441