Keysight Technologies B2961B Operating instructions

Keysight B2961B/B2962B 
Low Noise Power Source

Programming Guide

Notices
Copyright Notice
© Keysight Technologies 2020
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
any form or by any means (including elec-
tronic storage and retrieval or translation into
a foreign language) without prior agreement
and written consent from Keysight Technolo-
gies as governed by United States and inter-
national copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
B2961-90120
Edition
Edition 1, December 2020
Published by:
Keysight Technologies Japan K.K.
9-1, Takakura-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 
192-8550 Japan
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software described in
this document are furnished under a license
and may be used or copied only in accordance
with the terms of such license.
U.S. Government Rights
The Software is “commercial computer soft-
ware,” as defined by Federal Acquisition Reg-
ulation (“FAR”) 2.101. Pursuant to FAR 12.212
and 27.405-3 and Department of Defense FAR
Supplement (“DFARS”) 227.7202, the U.S.
government acquires commercial computer
software under the same terms by which the
software is customarily provided to the public.
Accordingly, Keysight provides the Software
to U.S. government customers under its stan-
dard commercial license, which is embodied
in its End User License Agreement (EULA), a
copy of which can be found at
http://www.keysight.com/find/sweula. The
license set forth in the EULA represents the
exclusive authority by which the U.S. govern-
ment may use, modify, distribute, or disclose
the Software. The EULA and the license set
forth therein, does not require or permit,
among other things, that Keysight: (1) Furnish
technical information related to commercial
computer software or commercial computer
software documentation that is not customar-
ily provided to the public; or (2) Relinquish to,
or otherwise provide, thegovernment rights
in excess of these rights customarily provided
to the public to use, modify, reproduce,
release, perform, display, or disclose com-
mercial computer software or commercial
computer software documentation. No addi-
tional government requirements beyond those
set forth in the EULA shall apply, except to the
extent that those terms, rights, or licenses are
explicitly required from all providers of com-
mercial computer software pursuant to the
FAR and the DFARS and are set forth specifi-
cally in writing elsewhere in the EULA. Key-
sight shall be under no obligation to update,
revise or otherwise modify the Software.With
respect to any technical data as defined by
FAR 2.101, pursuant to FAR 12.211 and
27.404.2 and DFARS 227.7102, the U.S. gov-
ernment acquires no greater than Limited
Rights as defined in FAR 27.401 or DFAR
227.7103-5 (c), as applicable in any technical
data.
Warranty
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS DOCU-
MENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND IS SUBJECT
TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN
FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE MAXI-
MUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, KEYSIGHT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRAN-
TIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH
REGARD TO THIS MANUAL AND ANY INFOR-
MATION CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WAR-
RANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FIT-
NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
KEYSIGHT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
ERRORS OR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSE-
QUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH
THE FURNISHING, USE, OR PERFORMANCE
OF THIS DOCUMENT OR OF ANY INFORMA-
TION CONTAINED HEREIN. SHOULD KEY-
SIGHT AND THE USER HAVE A SEPARATE
WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH WARRANTY
TERMS COVERING THE MATERIAL IN THIS
DOCUMENT THAT CONFLICT WITH THESE
TERMS, THE WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEP-
ARATE AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.
Open Software License
A portion of the software in this product is
licensed under terms of the General Public
License Version 2 (“GPLv2”). The text of the
license and source code can be found at:
www.keysight.com/find/GPLV2
Declaration of Conformity
Declarations of Conformity for this product
and for other Keysight products may be
downloaded from the Web. Go to http://
www.keysight.com/go/conformity. You can
then search by product number to find the lat-
est Declaration of Conformity.
Latest Information
To get the latest firmware/software/electronic
manuals/specifications/support information,
go to www.keysight.com and type in the prod-
uct number in the Search field at the top of the
page.

In This Manual
This manual provides the information for controlling the Keysight Technologies
B2961B/B2962B by using an external computer, and consists of the following chapters.
1. “Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B”
Describes how to control the B2961B/B2962B on a task basis.
2. “Programming Examples”
Introduces example programs for controlling the B2961B/B2962B.
See Keysight B2961B/B2962B User's Guide for information about the B2961B/B2962B itself.
Refer to Keysight B2961B/B2962B SCPI Command Reference for the SCPI messages and
conventions, data output format, error code, and the details on Keysight B2961B/B2962B SCPI
commands.

Contents
1Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Before Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Connecting to the Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Starting the Instrument Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Controlling Various Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Setting the Power Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Resetting to the Initial Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Setting the Beeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Setting the Date and Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Performing the Self-Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Performing the Self-Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Setting the Operations at Power On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Reading an Error Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Clearing the Error Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Reading Timestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Clearing Timestamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Setting the Automatic Clear of Timestamp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Confirming the Firmware Revision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Setting the Remote Display Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Making a Screen Dump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Performing a File Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Controlling the Source Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Enabling the Source Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Setting the Source Output Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Applying the DC Voltage/Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Stopping the Source Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Setting the Limit/Compliance Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Setting the Output Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Setting the Pulse Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Setting the Arbitrary Waveform Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Setting the Sweep Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Setting the Sweep Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Setting the Ranging Mode of the Sweep Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Setting the List Sweep Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Setting the Source Output Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Setting the Source Wait Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Setting the Output Filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Setting the External Filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Setting the Connection Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Setting the Low Terminal State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Enabling or Disabling the High Capacitance Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Enabling or Disabling the Over Voltage/Current Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Specifying the Output-Off Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Enabling or Disabling the Automatic Output-On Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Enabling or Disabling the Automatic Output-Off Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Using the Programmable Output Resistance Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Controlling the Measurement Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Enabling the Measurement Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Setting the Measurement Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Enabling or Disabling the Resistance Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Performing Spot Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Setting the Measurement Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Setting the Measurement Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Setting the Measurement Wait Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Performing Sweep Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Stopping Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using the Math Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Defining a Math Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Deleting an User Defined Math Expression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Enabling or Disabling the Math Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Reading Math Result Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Using the Trace Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Setting the Trace Buffer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Reading the Trace Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Using Program Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Defining a Memory Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Deleting a Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Controlling the Program Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
2 Programming Examples
Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
To Create Your Project Template. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
To Create Control Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
DC Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Pulse Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Exponential Wave Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Ramp Wave Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Sinusoidal Wave Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Square Wave Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Trapezoidal Wave Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Triangle Wave Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
User Defined Waveform Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Staircase Sweep Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Pulsed Sweep Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
List Sweep Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Pulsed List Sweep Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Using Program Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Reading Binary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Keysight B2961B/B2962B Low Noise Power Source
Programming Guide
1 Controlling the Keysight
B2961B/B2962B
Before Starting 10
Controlling Various Functions 12
Controlling the Source Output 17
Controlling the Measurement Function 29
Using the Math Function 34
Using the Trace Buffer 36
Using Program Memory 38
This chapter describes basic information to control the Keysight B2961B/B2962B.
Table 1-1 Conventions Used in This Document for Expressing SCPI Commands
Convention Description
Angle brackets < > Items within angle brackets are parameter abbreviations. For example,
<NR1> indicates a specific form of numerical data.
Vertical bar | Vertical bars separate alternative parameters. For example, <VOLT|CURR>
indicates that either VOLT or CURR must be placed there.
Square brackets [ ] Items within square brackets are optional. The representation
[SOURce:]VOLTage means that SOURce: may be omitted.
Parentheses ( ) Items within parentheses are used in place of the usual parameter types to
specify a channel list. The notation (@1:3) specifies a channel list that
includes channels 1, 2, and 3. The notation (@1,3) specifies a channel list
that includes only channels 1 and 3.
Braces { } Braces indicate parameters that may be repeated zero or more times. It is
used especially for representing arrays. The notation <A>{,<B>} shows that
parameter “A” must be entered, while parameter “B” omitted or may be
entered one or more times.

10 Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Before Starting
Before Starting
This section describes the information needed before starting programming.
•“Software Requirements”
•“Connecting to the Interface”
•“Starting the Instrument Control”
Software Requirements
Programming examples described in this manual use the following software.
Install the software to your computer to execute the programming examples.
•Keysight IO Libraries Suite software
•Microsoft Visual Basic .NET software
Connecting to the Interface
Keysight B2961B/B2962B supports GPIB, LAN, and USB interfaces. All three
interfaces are live at power-on. Select the interface used for controlling the
B2961B/B2962B. Connect your interface cable to the appropriate interface
connector.
For the information on configuring the interfaces, see Keysight B2961B/B2962B
User’s Guide.

Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1 11
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Before Starting
Starting the Instrument Control
The following program code is one of the simple program template for starting and
ending the communication between the computer and the instrument. For using
the code, the instrument address must be set to the address variable correctly.
Sub Main()
Dim rm As Ivi.Visa.Interop.ResourceManager
Dim ioObj As Ivi.Visa.Interop.FormattedIO488
Dim address As String = "enter address of your instrument"
rm = New Ivi.Visa.Interop.ResourceManager
ioObj = New Ivi.Visa.Interop.FormattedIO488
ioObj.IO = rm.Open(address)
’ insert your code for instrument control
ioObj.IO.Close()
End Sub
The address value depends on the interface as shown below.
•For using the GPIB interface
The address value is the VISA GPIB Connect String displayed on the GPIB
Configuration dialog box opened by pressing the More > I/O > GPIB function
keys.
Example:
address = "GPIB0::23::INSTR"
•For using the USB interface
The address value is the VISA USB Connect String displayed on the USB
Status dialog box opened by pressing the More > I/O > USB function keys.
Example:
address = "USB0::10893::12345::XY00001234::0::INSTR"
•For using the LAN interface
The address value is as follows.
address = "TCPIP0::xxx.yyy.zzz.aaa::5025::SOCKET"
Where, xxx.yyy.zzz.aaa is the IP Address displayed on the LAN Configuration
dialog box opened by pressing the More > I/O > LAN > Config function keys.
Example:
address = "TCPIP0::192.168.0.1::5025::SOCKET"

12 Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling Various Functions
Controlling Various Functions
This section describes how to control various functions apart from the source
output and measurement functions.
•“Setting the Power Frequency”
•“Resetting to the Initial Settings”
•“Setting the Beeper”
•“Setting the Date and Time”
•“Performing the Self-Test”
•“Performing the Self-Calibration”
•“Setting the Operations at Power On”
•“Reading an Error Message”
•“Clearing the Error Buffer”
•“Reading Timestamp”
•“Clearing Timestamp”
•“Setting the Automatic Clear of Timestamp”
•“Confirming the Firmware Revision”
•“Setting the Remote Display Mode”
•“Making a Screen Dump”
•“Performing a File Operation”
Setting the Power Frequency
Power line frequency is set by the :SYST:LFR command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:LFR 50") ’50 Hz
ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:LFR 60") ’60 Hz

Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1 13
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling Various Functions
Resetting to the Initial Settings
The initial settings are applied by the *RST command
Example ioObj.WriteString("*RST")
For the initial settings, see SCPI Command Reference.
Setting the Beeper
Beeper is enabled/disabled by the :SYST:BEEP:STAT command. And a beep sound
of the specified frequency and duration is generated by the :SYST:BEEP
command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:BEEP:STAT ON") ’Enables beep
ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:BEEP 200,1") ’200 Hz, 1 s
Setting the Date and Time
Date is set by the :SYST:DATE command. And time is set by the :SYST:TIME
command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:DATE 2012,7,1") ’Y,M,D
ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:TIME 23,59,59") ’H,M,S
Performing the Self-Test
Self-test is performed by the *TST? command. The *TST? command also returns
the execution result. Before performing the self-test, disconnect test leads and
cables from the channel terminals.
Example ioObj.WriteString("*TST?")
Dim d As String = ioObj.ReadString()
If d = 0 Then
Console.WriteLine("PASS")
Else
Console.WriteLine("FAIL")
End If
This example performs the self-test, and displays the test result, pass or fail.

14 Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling Various Functions
Performing the Self-Calibration
Self-calibration is performed by the *CAL? command. The *CAL? command also
returns the execution result. Before performing the self-calibration, disconnect
test leads and cables from the channel terminals.
Example ioObj.WriteString("*CAL?")
Dim d As String = ioObj.ReadString()
If d = 0 Then
Console.WriteLine("PASS")
Else
Console.WriteLine("FAIL")
End If
This example performs the self-calibration, and displays the result, pass or fail.
Setting the Operations at Power On
Operations at power-on are decided by the memory program specified by the
:PROG:PON:COPY command. And the power-on program execution is enabled/
disabled by the :PROG:PON:RUN command. The specified program must be
previously defined in the program memory.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":PROG:PON:COPY ""program1""")
ioObj.WriteString(":PROG:PON:RUN ON")
This example sets program1 to the power-on program and enables the function.
Reading an Error Message
Error message is read one by one by using the :SYST:ERR? command. This
command reads and removes the top item in the error buffer, and returns the code
and message.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:ERR?")
Dim d As String = ioObj.ReadString()
Console.WriteLine(d)
If the error buffer is empty, the response is +0,“No error”.
Clearing the Error Buffer
Error buffer is cleared by the :SYST:ERR:ALL? command. This command reads and
returns all items in the error buffer, and clears the buffer.

Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1 15
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling Various Functions
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:ERR:ALL?")
Dim d As String = ioObj.ReadString()
Console.WriteLine(d)
If the error buffer is empty, the response is +0,“No error”.
Reading Timestamp
Timestamp is read by the :SYST:TIME:TIM:COUN? command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:TIME:TIM:COUN?")
Dim d As String = ioObj.ReadString()
Console.WriteLine(d)
Clearing Timestamp
Timestamp is cleared by the :SYST:TIME:TIM:COUN:RES command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:TIME:TIM:COUN:RES")
Setting the Automatic Clear of Timestamp
Automatic clear of timestamp is enabled/disabled by the
:SYST:TIME:TIM:COUN:RES:AUTO command. If this function is enabled, the
timestamp is cleared when the initiate action occurs.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SYST:TIME:TIM:COUN:RES:AUTO ON")
Confirming the Firmware Revision
Instrument’s (mainframe) identification and firmware revision are read by the
*IDN? command.
Example ioObj.WriteString("*IDN?")
Dim d As String = ioObj.ReadString()
Console.WriteLine(d)
The returned value will be as follows.
Keysight Technologies,model,serial,revision
model: mainframe model number
serial: mainframe serial number
revision: firmware revision number

16 Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling Various Functions
Setting the Remote Display Mode
Front panel display under remote operation is enabled or disabled by the
:DISP:ENAB command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":DISP:ENAB ON")
Making a Screen Dump
Screen dump of the front panel display is made by the :HCOP:SDUM commands.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":DISP:ENAB ON")
ioObj.WriteString(":DISP:VIEW GRAP")
ioObj.WriteString(":HCOP:SDUM:FORM JPG")
ioObj.WriteString("*OPC?") : s = ioObj.ReadString()
ioObj.WriteString(":HCOP:SDUM:DATA?")
Dim data As Object
data = ioObj.ReadIEEEBlock(Ivi.Visa.Interop.IEEEBinaryType.BinaryType_UI1,
False, True)
Dim dataSize As Integer = data.Length
Dim dumpname As String = "C:/temp/screendump1.jpg"
Using stream As New FileStream(dumpname, FileMode.Create, FileAccess.Write)
stream.Write(data, 0, dataSize)
End Using
Performing a File Operation
File operation is effective for the USB memory connected to the front panel USB
connector, and performed by the :MMEM commands. Error occurs if an USB
memory is not connected.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":MMEM:CAT?") ’Gets file catalog
s = ioObj.ReadString()
ioObj.WriteString(":MMEM:STOR:DATA ""test.dat""") ’Saves data
ioObj.WriteString("*OPC?") : s = ioObj.ReadString()
ioObj.WriteString(":MMEM:STOR:STAT ""test.sta""") ’Saves status
ioObj.WriteString("*OPC?") : s = ioObj.ReadString()
ioObj.WriteString(":MMEM:LOAD:STAT ""test.sta""") ’Loads status

Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1 17
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling the Source Output
Controlling the Source Output
This section describes how to control the source output of Keysight
B2961B/B2962B.
•“Enabling the Source Output”
•“Setting the Source Output Mode”
•“Applying the DC Voltage/Current”
•“Stopping the Source Output”
•“Setting the Limit/Compliance Value”
•“Setting the Output Range”
•“Setting the Pulse Output”
•“Setting the Arbitrary Waveform Output”
•“Setting the Sweep Operation”
•“Setting the Sweep Output”
•“Setting the Ranging Mode of the Sweep Source”
•“Setting the List Sweep Output”
•“Setting the Source Output Trigger”
•“Setting the Source Wait Time”
•“Setting the Output Filter”
•“Setting the External Filter”
•“Setting the Connection Type”
•“Setting the Low Terminal State”
•“Enabling or Disabling the High Capacitance Mode”
•“Enabling or Disabling the Over Voltage/Current Protection”
•“Specifying the Output-Off Status”
•“Enabling or Disabling the Automatic Output-On Function”

18 Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling the Source Output
•“Enabling or Disabling the Automatic Output-Off Function”
•“Using the Programmable Output Resistance Function”
The string :SOUR in the command string described in this manual can be omitted.
For example, :SOUR:VOLT can be :VOLT.
Enabling the Source Output
Source output is enabled by the :OUTP ON command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":OUTP ON")
Setting the Source Output Mode
Source output mode is set by the :SOUR:FUNC:MODE command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:FUNC:MODE CURR") ’Current output
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:FUNC:MODE VOLT") ’Voltage output
Applying the DC Voltage/Current
DC current/voltage is immediately applied by the :SOUR:<CURR|VOLT> command
during the source output is enabled.
If you want to control the DC current/voltage output timing using a trigger, use
the :SOUR:<CURR|VOLT>:TRIG command. See Figure 1-4.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:FUNC:MODE CURR")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:CURR 1E-3") ’Outputs 1 mA immediately
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:FUNC:TRIG:CONT 1")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:FUNC:MODE VOLT")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:MODE FIX")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:TRIG 1") ’Outputs 1 V by a trigger
Stopping the Source Output
Source output is stopped and disabled by the :OUTP OFF command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":OUTP OFF")

Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1 19
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling the Source Output
Setting the Limit/Compliance Value
Limit/compliance is set by the :SENS:<CURR|VOLT>:PROT command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SENS:CURR:PROT 0.1") ’100 mA compliance
ioObj.WriteString(":SENS:VOLT:PROT 10") ’10 V compliance
To set the positive limit and the negative limit individually
Use the :SENS:<CURR|VOLT>:PROT:POS command to set the positive limit and
the :SENS:<CURR|VOLT>:PROT:NEG command to set the negative limit. Do not
use the :SENS:<CURR|VOLT>:PROT command.
Setting the Output Range
Output range is set by the :SOUR:<CURR|VOLT>:RANG command. And the auto
range operation is enabled/disabled by the :SOUR:<CURR|VOLT>:RANG:AUTO
command. The lower limit for the auto range operation is set by the
:SOUR:<CURR|VOLT>:RANG:AUTO:LLIM command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:RANG:AUTO OFF")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:RANG 20") ’20 V range fix
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:RANG:AUTO ON")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:RANG:AUTO:LLIM 2") ’2 V range limit
Setting the Pulse Output
Pulse output is set by the :SOUR:FUNC:SHAP PULS, :SOUR:PULS:DEL, and
:SOUR:PULS:WIDT commands. See Figure 1-4.
Pulse base and peak values are set by the :SOUR:<CURR|VOLT> command and the
:SOUR:<CURR|VOLT>:TRIG command respectively.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:FUNC:SHAP PULS")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:PULS:DEL 1E-3") ’Delay time 1 ms
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:PULS:WIDT 1E-3") ’Pulse width 1 ms
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT 0") ’Base 0 V
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:TRIG 1") ’Peak 1 V

20 Keysight B2961B/B2962B Programming Guide, Edition 1
Controlling the Keysight B2961B/B2962B
Controlling the Source Output
Outputting the pulse voltage/current
Execute the :OUTP ON command to start outputting the pulse base value.
Execute the :INIT to perform the specified pulse output and measurement.
Setting the Arbitrary Waveform Output
Arbitrary waveform output is enabled by the :<CURR|VOLT>:MODE ARB
command. And the output waveform is set by the :SOUR:ARB commands. See
Figures 1-1 and 1-2 for various waveforms and associated setup commands.
Waveform count is set by the :SOUR:ARB:COUN command.
Example ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:VOLT:MODE ARB")
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:ARB:FUNC SIN") ’Sinusoidal wave
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:ARB:VOLT:SIN:AMPL 1") ’Amplitude 1 V
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:ARB:VOLT:SIN:OFFS 0") ’Offset 0 V
ioObj.WriteString(":SOUR:ARB:VOLT:SIN:FREQ 1") ’Frequency 1 Hz
To define your desired waveform
Use the :SOUR:ARB:<CURR|VOLT>:UDEF commands.
The :SOUR:ARB:<CURR|VOLT>:UDEF[:LEV] commands set the output level.
The :SOUR:ARB:<CURR|VOLT>:UDEF:TIME command sets the step time between
adjacent points in a waveform.