Keysight E1460A User manual

Keysight E1460A Relay
Multiplexer Module
User Manual
75000 Series C

Notices
© Keysight Technologies, Inc. 1990-2019
No part of this manual may be repro-
duced in any form or by any means
(including electronic storage and retrieval
or translation into a foreign language)
without prior agreement and written con-
sent from Keysight Technologies, Inc. as
governed by United States and interna-
tional copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
E1460-90006
Edition
Seventh Edition, October 2019
Published by
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
900 S. Taft Ave.
Loveland, CO 80537 USA
Sales and Technical Support
To contact Keysight for sales and techni-
cal support, refer to the support links on
the following Keysight websites:
www.keysight.com/find/E1460A
(product-specific information and sup-
port, software and documentation
updates)
www.keysight.com/find/assist (world-
wide contact information for repair and
service)
Declaration of Conformity
Declarations of Conformity for this prod-
uct and for other Keysight products may
be downloaded from the Web. Go to
http://keysight.com/go/conformity and
click on “Declarations of Conformity.” You
can then search by product number to
find the latest Declaration of Conformity.
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.
Warranty
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS
DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND
IS SUBJECT TO BEING CHANGED,
WITHOUT NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDI-
TIONS. FURTHER, TO THE MAXIMUM
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, KEYSIGHT DISCLAIMS ALL WAR-
RANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL AND
ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MER-
CHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEYSIGHT
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR
FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE
FURNISHING, USE, OR PERFORMANCE
OF THIS DOCUMENT OR OF ANY INFOR-
MATION CONTAINED HEREIN. SHOULD
KEYSIGHT AND THE USER HAVE A SEP-
ARATE WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH
WARRANTY TERMS COVERING THE
MATERIAL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT
CONFLICT WITH THESE TERMS, THE
WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEPARATE
AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.
Keysight Technologies does not warrant
third-party system-level (combination of
chassis, controllers, modules, etc.) per-
formance, safety, or regulatory compli-
ance unless specifically stated.
DFARS/Restricted Rights
Notices
If software is for use in the performance
of a U.S. Government prime contract or
subcontract, Software is delivered and
licensed as “Commercial computer soft-
ware” as defined in DFAR 252.227-7014
(June 1995), or as a “commercial item” as
defined in FAR 2.101(a) or as “Restricted
computer software” as defined in FAR
52.227-19 (June 1987) or any equivalent
agency regulation or contract clause.
Use, duplication or disclosure of Software
is subject to Keysight Technologies’ stan-
dard commercial license terms, and non-
DOD Departments and Agencies of the
U.S. Government will receive no greater
than Restricted Rights as defined in FAR
52.227-19(c)(1-2) (June 1987). U.S. Gov-
ernment users will receive no greater
than Limited Rights as defined in FAR
52.227-14 (June 1987) or DFAR 252.227-
7015 (b)(2) (November 1995), as applica-
ble in any technical data.

Safety Information
The following general safety precau-
tions must be observed during all
phases of operation of this instrument.
Failure to comply with these precau-
tions or with specific warnings or oper-
ating instructions in the product
manuals violates safety standards of
design, manufacture, and intended use
of the instrument. Keysight Technolo-
gies assumes no liability for the cus-
tomer's failure to comply with these
requirements.
General
Do not use this product in any manner not
specified by the manufacturer. The protec-
tive features of this product must not be
impaired if it is used in a manner specified in
the operation instructions.
Before Applying Power
Verify that all safety precautions are taken.
Make all connections to the unit before
applying power. Note the external markings
described under “Safety Symbols”.
Ground the Instrument
Keysight chassis’ are provided with a
grounding-type power plug. The
instrument chassis and cover must be
connected to an electrical ground to
minimize shock hazard. The ground pin
must be firmly connected to an electri-
cal ground (safety ground) terminal at
the power outlet. Any interruption of
the protective (grounding) conductor
or disconnection of the protective
earth terminal will cause a potential
shock hazard that could result in per-
sonal injury.
Do Not Operate in an Explosive
Atmosphere
Do not operate the module/chassis in
the presence of flammable gases or
fumes.
Do Not Operate Near Flammable
Liquids
Do not operate the module/chassis in
the presence of flammable liquids or
near containers of such liquids.
Cleaning
Clean the outside of the Keysight mod-
ule/chassis with a soft, lint-free,
slightly dampened cloth. Do not use
detergent or chemical solvents.
Do Not Remove Instrument Cover
Only qualified, service-trained person-
nel who are aware of the hazards
involved should remove instrument
covers. Always disconnect the power
cable and any external circuits before
removing the instrument cover.
Keep away from live circuits
Operating personnel must not remove
equipment covers or shields. Proce-
dures involving the removal of covers
and shields are for use by service-
trained personnel only. Under certain
conditions, dangerous voltages may
exist even with the equipment
switched off. To avoid dangerous elec-
trical shock, DO NOT perform proce-
dures involving cover or shield removal
unless you are qualified to do so.
DO NOT operate damaged
equipment
Whenever it is possible that the safety
protection features built into this prod-
uct have been impaired, either through
physical damage, excessive moisture,
or any other reason, REMOVE POWER
and do not use the product until safe
operation can be verified by service-
trained personnel. If necessary, return
the product to a Keysight Technologies
Sales and Service Office for service and
repair to ensure the safety features are
maintained.
DO NOT block the primary
disconnect
The primary disconnect device is the
appliance connector/power cord when
a chassis used by itself, but when
installed into a rack or system the dis-
connect may be impaired and must be
considered part of the installation.
Do Not Modify the Instrument
Do not install substitute parts or per-
form any unauthorized modification to
the product. Return the product to a
Keysight Sales and Service Office to
ensure that safety features are main-
tained.
In Case of Damage
Instruments that appear damaged or
defective should be made inoperative
and secured against unintended oper-
ation until they can be repaired by
qualified service personnel
Do NOT block vents and fan exhaust:
To ensure adequate cooling and venti-
lation, leave a gap of at least 50mm
(2") around vent holes on both sides of
the chassis.
Do NOT operate with empty slots: To
ensure proper cooling and avoid dam-
aging equipment, fill each empty slot
with an AXIe filler panel module.
Do NOT stack free-standing chassis:
Stacked chassis should be rack-
mounted.
All modules are grounded through the
chassis: During installation, tighten
each module's retaining screws to
secure the module to the chassis and
to make the ground connection.
Operator is responsible to maintain
safe operating conditions. To ensure
safe operating conditions, modules
should not be operated beyond the full
temperature range specified in the
Environmental and physical specifica-
tion. Exceeding safe operating condi-
tions can result in shorter lifespan,
improper module performance and
user safety issues. When the modules
are in use and operation within the
specified full temperature range is not
maintained, module surface tempera-
tures may exceed safe handling condi-
tions which can cause discomfort or
burns if touched. In the event of a
module exceeding the full temperature
range, always allow the module to cool
before touching or removing modules
from the chassis.
iv

Safety Symbols
A CAUTION denotes a hazard. It
calls attention to an operating pro-
cedure or practice, that, if not cor-
rectly performed or adhered to
could result in damage to the
product or loss of important data.
Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and met.
A WARNING denotes a hazard. It
calls attention to an operating pro-
cedure or practice, that, if not cor-
rectly performed or adhered to,
could result in personal injury or
death. Do not proceed beyond a
WARNING notice until the indi-
cated conditions are fully under-
stood and met.
Products display the following sym-
bols:
Warning, risk of electric
shock
Refer to manual for addi-
tional safety information.
Earth Ground.
Chassis Ground.
Alternating Current (AC).
Direct Current (DC)
v

vi

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer Service Guide vii
1 Getting Started
Using This Chapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Multiplexer Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Multiplexer Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Channel Relay Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Control Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Basic Operating Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Configuring the Multiplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Warnings and Cautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting the Logical Address Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Setting the Status Register Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Setting the Interrupt Priority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Configuring the Switch Card Wire Jumpers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installing the Multiplexer in a Mainframe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Connecting the Analog Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Configuring Terminal Modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Standard Terminal Module Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Terminal Module Option A3E Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Connecting User Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Wiring Terminal Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Attaching Terminal Modules to the Multiplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Programming the Multiplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Checking SCPI Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
What are SCPI Device Drivers?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Checking the SCPI Driver Revision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Downloading a New Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Multiplexer Addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Multiplexer Card Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Initial Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2 Using the Relay Multiplexer
Using This Chapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Multiplexer Commands/States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Switching Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Switching Channels Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Switching Channels Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Example: Switching Channels (One-Wire) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Example: Switching Channels (Two-Wire) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Contents

viii Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer Service Guide
Example: Switching Channels (Three-Wire). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Example: Switching Channels (Four-Wire) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Scanning Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Scanning Channels Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Scanning Channels Examples. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Example: Scanning Channels Using E1406A Command Module . . . . . . . . 52
Example: Scanning Channels Using E1412A Multimeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Example: Scanning Channels Using 3457A Multimeter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Example: Scanning Multimeter DCV Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Example: Scanning Multimeter Resistance Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Miscellaneous Multiplexer Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Using the Scan Complete Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Example: Using the Scan Complete Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Using the Analog Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Example: Connecting the Analog Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Saving and Recalling States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Detecting Error Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Example: Error Checking Using Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Synchronizing the Multiplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
3 Relay Multiplexer Command Reference
About This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Command Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Common Commands Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
SCPI Commands Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Command Separator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Abbreviated Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Implied Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Variable Commands Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Parameter Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Linking Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
SCPI Commands Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
ABORt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Example. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
ARM:COUNt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
ARM:COUNt?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
INITiate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
INITiate:CONTinous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
INITiate:CONTinuous?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer Service Guide ix
INITiate[:IMMediate] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
OUTPut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Subsystem Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
OUTPut:ECLTrgn[:STATe] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
OUTPut:ECLTrgn[:STATe]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
OUTPut[:EXTernal][:STATe] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
OUTPut[:EXTernal][:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
OUTPut:TTLTrgn[:STATe]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
OUTPut:TTLTrgn[:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
[ROUTe:]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Subsystem Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
[ROUTe:]CLOSe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
[ROUTe:]CLOSe?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
[ROUTe:]FUNCtion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
[ROUTe:]FUNCtion? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
[ROUTe:]OPEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
[ROUTe:]OPEN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
[ROUTe:]SCAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
[ROUTe:]SCAN:MODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
[ROUTe:]SCAN:MODE?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
[ROUTe:]SCAN:PORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
[ROUTe:]SCAN:PORT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
STATus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Subsystem Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
STATus:OPERation:CONDition? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
STATus:OPERation:ENABle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
STATus:OPERation:ENABle? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
STATus:OPERation[:EVENt]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
STATus:PRESet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
SYSTem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Subsystem Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
SYSTem:CDEScription? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
SYSTem:CPON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
SYSTem:CTYPe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
SYSTem:ERRor? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
TRIGger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Subsystem Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
TRIGger[:IMMediate] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
TRIGger:SLOPe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
TRIGger:SLOPe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
TRIGger:SOURce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

x Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer Service Guide
TRIGger:SOURce?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
IEEE 488.2 Common Commands Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
SCPI Commands Quick Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
A Relay Multiplexer Specifications
B Register-Based Programming
About This Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Register Addressing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
The Base Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
A16 Address Space Outside the Command Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
A16 Address Space Inside the Command Module or Mainframe . . . . . . . 113
Register Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
The WRITE Registers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
The READ Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Status/Control Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Writing to the Status/Control Register. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Reading the Status/Control Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
ID and Device Type Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Relay Control Registers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Programming Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Example: Opening/Closing Multiplexer Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Example: Using a Multimeter with a Multiplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Example: Reading ID,
Device Type,
and Status Registers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Example: Scanning Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Example: Scanning Channels (HP-UX). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
C Relay Multiplexer Error Messages

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer
User Guide
11
1Getting Started
Using This Chapter
This chapter describes the E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer module, shows
how to connect external wiring, and shows how to get started programming the
module using Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI). This
chapter includes:
Multiplexer Description page 11
Configuring the Multiplexer page 17
Configuring Terminal Modules page 26
Programming the Multiplexer page 33
Multiplexer Description
The E1460A is a VXIbus C-Size register-based product that provides switching
(multiplexing) of up to 64 two-wire channels. Switching consists
of connecting a channel’s HI and/or LO line to COM in that bank. The multiplexer
can operate in a C-Size VXIbus mainframe using a command module (such as an
E1406A Command Module).
Multiplexer Components
The E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer module consists of a relay switch card
and a standard screw-type terminal module. The E1460A is also available with
Option A3E that provides a crimp-and-insert terminal housing and connectors.
Various configurations can be set by programming (closing) certain switch card
relays, and/or selection of wire jumpers on the relay switch card and terminal
module.
The E1460A is used when high switch densities such as wire harness/cable
testing, semiconductor testing, and/or printed-circuit board testing is required.
Although it is primarily a dual 32-channel two-wire multiplexer,
the module can be configured to perform one-wire, two-wire, three-wire, and
four-wire functions.
By using switch card wire jumpers, the banks can be changed from 1x32
to groups of 1x16 or 1x8. See "Configuring the Switch Card Wire Jumpers" for
more information.

12 Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide
Getting Started Multiplexer Description
For a SCPI environment, one or more multiplexer modules can be defined as a
switchbox or as a scanning multimeter. For a switchbox configuration, all
multiplexer channels within the instrument can be addressed using a single
interface address. For a scanning multimeter configuration, both the multimeter
and all multiplexer modules within the instrument can be addressed using a
single interface address.

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide 13
Multiplexer Description Getting Started
Channel Relay Switches
The channel relay switches are separated into eight banks. Each bank has eight
switchable channels and a COM channel. Each channel has a separate HI (H)
and LO (L) line. See Figure 1-1 for a block diagram.
Figure 2-1 E1460A Multiplexer Block Diagram

14 Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide
Getting Started Multiplexer Description
Banks are arranged as follows:
Bank 0 includes channels 00 through 07 and COM
Bank 1 includes channels 10 through 17 and COM
Bank 2 includes channels 20 through 27 and COM
Bank 3 includes channels 30 through 37 and COM
Bank 4 includes channels 40 through 47 and COM
Bank 5 includes channels 50 through 57 and COM
Bank 6 includes channels 60 through 67 and COM
Bank 7 includes channels 70 through 77 and COM
Each channel is switched (connected to its common) by closing the appropriate
(latching) relays. Channels 0 through 7 can be switched to
COM for all banks. Any number of channels in each bank can be connected to
common at a time (except for one-wire mode).
User inputs/outputs to each channel are via wire terminals. When a channel is
closed, it is internally connected to the COM terminal. When a channel is
opened, it is internally disconnected. Open channels are not terminated.
At power-on or reset, all channels are switched open (non-terminated) for all
banks only when using the SCPI or C-SCPI driver. At power-off, all relays remain
in their present state.
Control Relays
In addition to the channel switching relays, the switch card contains seven
control relays (numbered 0990 to 0996). These relays switch the COM lines of
banks dependent on the mode selected. All relays are automatically selected
when the module is configured for the desired mode, when using the
[ROUTe:]FUNCtion <
card_number> , < function> command.
For the stand-alone switchbox configuration, this command must be used in
conjunction with the following commands. If you only use [ROUTe:]OPEN and
[ROUTe:]CLOSe commands, the appropriate control relays must also
be closed with the CLOSe command.
[ROUTe:]SCAN:MODE mode
[ROUTe:]SCAN:PORT
[ROUTe:]SCAN channel_list
For the scanning multimeter configuration, [ROUTe:]FUNCtion
<
card_number >, < function > in conjunction with the CONFigure and INITiate or
MEASure multimeter commands closes the appropriate control relays. See

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide 15
Multiplexer Description Getting Started
Chapter 3 in this manual and Chapter 5 in the E1326B/E1411B User’s Manual for
more information about these commands. Table 1-1 shows the control relay
functions.
Basic Operating Modes
The E1460A uses the channel and control relays on the switch card to perform
four basic operating modes: one-wire, two-wire, three-wire, or four-wire as
shown. Connections to the analog bus (for multimeter connection) are provided
on both the relay switch card and terminal module.
One-wire Mode
Switches either the HI or LO terminal of a channel in banks 0 through 7 to the
one-wire HI COM terminal. One-wire LO COM is switched to the one-wire LO REF
terminal. Only one channel can be switched (closed) at
a time. A maximum of 128 one-wire channels can be switched. SCAN goes
through all channel relay lows. Then, control relay 0990 switches and SCAN goes
through all channel relay highs.
Two-wire Mode
Switches both the HI and LO terminals of a channel in banks 0 through 7
to the HI COM and LO COM terminals. A maximum of 64 two-wire channels can
be switched.
Table 1-1. Control Relay Functions
Control
Relay
Function
0990 Selects HI or LO terminal for one-wire switching.
0991 Connects Cable Test or one-wire LO REF terminal to the one-wire LO
COM terminal.
0992 Connects lower 32 channels (banks 0 - 3) to analog bus.
0993 Connects upper 32 channels (banks 4 - 7) to analog bus.
0994 Connects lower and upper analog buses together.
0995 Connects lower and upper common buses together (64-channel,
two-wire operation).
0996 Connects analog bus Guard to the LO line, on the upper
32 channels (banks 4 to 7).

16 Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide
Getting Started Multiplexer Description
Three-wire Mode
Switches both the HI and LO terminals of a channel in banks 0 through 3
to the HI COM and LO COM terminals. This mode also switches the LO terminal
of the pair channel in banks 4 through 7 to the LO COM terminal.
In addition, the low terminal of the pair channel in banks 4 through 7 can be
connected to the analog bus Guard terminal. Banks are paired 0/4, 1/5, 2/6, and
3/7. A maximum of 32 three-wire channels can be switched.
Four-wire Mode
Switches both the HI and LO terminals of a channel in banks 0 through 3
to the HI COM and LO COM terminals. Also switches the HI and LO terminals of
the pair channel in banks 4 through 7 to the HI COM and LO COM terminals.
Banks are paired 0/4, 1/5, 2/6, and 3/7. A maximum of 32 four-wire channels can
be switched.

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide 17
Configuring the Multiplexer Getting Started
Configuring the Multiplexer
This section gives guidelines to configure the relay switch card. See "Configuring
Terminal Modules" for guidelines to configure the terminal modules. This section
includes:
–Warnings and Cautions
–Setting the Logical Address Switch
–Setting the Status Register Switch
–Setting the Interrupt Priority
–Configuring the Switch Card Wire Jumpers
–Installing the Multiplexer in a Mainframe
–Connecting the Analog Bus
Warnings and Cautions
SHOCK HAZARD. Only service-trained personnel who are
aware of the hazards involved should install, remove, or
configure the multiplexer. Before you remove any installed
module, disconnect AC power from the mainframe and
from other modules that may be connected to the
multiplexer.
CHANNEL WIRING INSULATION. All channels that have a
common connection must be insulated so that the user is
protected from electrical shock in the event that two or
more channels are connected together. This means wiring
for all channels must be insulated as though each channel
carries the voltage of the highest voltage channel.
MAXIMUM INPUTS. The maximum voltage that can be applied to any
terminal is 220 Vdc/250 Vrms. The maximum current that can be applied
to any terminal is 1A at 30 Vdc/Vrms, or 0.3 A at 250 Vdc/Vrms. The
maximum power that can be applied to any terminal is 40 VA.
STATIC ELECTRICITY. Static electricity is a major cause of component
failure. To prevent damage to the electrical components in the
multiplexer, observe anti-static techniques whenever removing a
module from the mainframe or whenever working on a module.

18 Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide
Getting Started Configuring the Multiplexer
Setting the Logical Address Switch
Plug-in modules installed in an mainframe or used with a command module are
treated as independent instruments each having a unique secondary GPIB
address. Each instrument is also assigned a dedicated error queue, input and
output buffers, status registers and, if applicable, dedicated
mainframe/command module memory space for readings or data. An instrument
may be composed of a single plug-in module (such as a counter) or multiple
plug-in modules (for a switchbox or scanning multimeter instrument).
The instrument logical address (LADDR) is set with the logical address switch
located on the instrument. The logical address switch (LADDR) factory setting for
the E1460A is 112. Valid address values are from 1
to 255. See Figure 1-2 to set the logical address. From Figure 1-2, note that the
value of the logical address set is the sum of the values of the switches set to the
CLOSED position.
The address switch selected value must be a multiple of 8 if the
module is the first module in a switchbox used with a VXIbus
command module and being instructed by SCPI commands.
Figure 2-2 Setting the Logical Address Switch
OPEN = Switch Set To 0 (OFF)
CLOSED = Switch Set To 1 (ON)
Logical Address = 112
16+32+64=112
1=CLOSED
0=OPEN
4
1
2
16
8
32
Logical Address
Switch Location
128
64

Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide 19
Configuring the Multiplexer Getting Started
Setting the Status Register Switch
Four bits of the Status Register (bits 10-13) define whether the multiplexer
module is set for one-wire, two-wire, three-wire, or four-wire switching. To
ensure proper operation, set the status register switch as shown in Figure 1-3.
Setting the Interrupt Priority
The multiplexer module generates an interrupt after a channel has been closed.
These interrupts are sent to, and acknowledgments are received from, the
command module (such as an E1406A) via the VXIbus backplane interrupt lines.
For most applications where the multiplexer module is installed in a C-Size
mainframe, the interrupt priority jumper does not have to be moved. This is
because the VXIbus interrupt lines have the same priority, and interrupt priority
is established by installing modules in slots numerically closest to
the command module. Thus, slot 1 has a higher priority than slot 2, slot 2 has a
higher priority than slot 3, etc.
See Figure 1-4 to change the interrupt priority. You can select eight different
interrupt priority levels. Level 1 is the lowest priority and Level 7 is the highest
priority. Level X disables the interrupt. The module’s factory setting is Level 1. To
Figure 2-3 Setting the Status Register Switch
2-wire, Dual 32-channel
4-wire, 32-channel
3-wire, 32-channel
2-wire, 64-channel
1-wire, 128-channel
Example shows
switch set
to 4-wire
13
0
10
010
0
0
1
0
0
010
1
1
0
10
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Status Register
Switch Location

20 Keysight E1460A 64-Channel Relay Multiplexer User Guide
Getting Started Configuring the Multiplexer
change, remove the 4-pin jumper from the old priority location and reinstall in
the new priority location. If the 4-pin jumper is not used, the two jumper
locations must have the same interrupt priority level selected.
Configuring the Switch Card Wire Jumpers
The relay switch card has thirteen factory-installed wire jumpers (see Figures 1-1
and 1-5) that connect COM lines of banks together to form dual 1x32 channel
configurations. These wire jumpers can be changed to reconfigure the switch
card to various 8-channel or 16-channel configurations.
The interrupt priority jumper MUST be installed in position 1 when
using the E1406 command module. Level X interrupt priority
should not be used under normal operating conditions. Changing
the priority level jumper is not recommended. Do not change
unless specifically instructed to do so.
Figure 2-4 Setting the Interrupt Priority
X
X
IRQ
3
6
7
4
5
2
1
IRQ
Using 2-Pin
Jumper
4
Jumper
Using 4-Pin
6
7
5
2
3
1
Priority
Location
Interrupt