Metrix GX 310P Owner's manual

Function
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GX 310P
GX 320E
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Re em mo ot te e P Pr ro og gr ra am mm mi in ng g M Ma an nu ua al l
CHAUVIN-ARNOUX
Parc des Glaisins
6, avenue du Pré de Challes
F - 74940 ANNECY-LE-VIEUX
Tél. [phone] - Fax [phone]
Copyright © X04126A02 - Ed. 01- 04/14

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2 Function Generators

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Contents page
Introduction......................................................................................................................................5
Presentation ......................................................................................................................5
Connection ........................................................................................................................5
Connection through « USB »...........................................................................................................5
Introduction (cont’d).......................................................................................................................6
"CP210x USB to UART Bridge Controller" driver installation .............................................6
Port COM Identification......................................................................................................6
Using TeraTerm to drive the instrument............................................................................6
Connecting several GX 3x0..............................................................................................8
Programming an IP address for the device....................................................................10
Use TeraTerm to program your GX 320E via Ethernet.................................................12
Rear panel.......................................................................................................................13
GX 310P..........................................................................................................................13
GX 320E..........................................................................................................................13
Drivers LabView and LabWindows ..................................................................................14
SCPI Protocol ................................................................................................................................14
Programming convention.................................................................................................14
Tree structure.................................................................................................................................14
Command syntax.............................................................................................................14
Common commands ......................................................................................................................14
Specific commands ......................................................................................................................14
Keywords........................................................................................................................................14
SCPI Protocol (cont’d)..................................................................................................................15
Parameter format............................................................................................................................15
Recall..............................................................................................................................................15
SCPI Protocol (cont’d)..................................................................................................................16
Terminator......................................................................................................................................16
Response .......................................................................................................................................16
Main Commands ...........................................................................................................................17
Instrument power off........................................................................................................17
Activation of the MAIN OUT output..................................................................................17
Generator function selection...........................................................................................17
Display contrast setting....................................................................................................18
List of used system files (GX 320)...................................................................................18
Configuration saving (GX 320).........................................................................................18
Configuration recall (GX 320) ..........................................................................................18
Cancellation of a config. file (GX 320) ................................................................................18
CONTinuous Function..................................................................................................................19
Selection of the signal wave shape ....................................................................................19
Setting the signal frequency ............................................................................................19
Amplitude unit selection...................................................................................................20
Setting the offset signal...................................................................................................20
Setting the high logic level...............................................................................................21
Setting the low logic level.................................................................................................21
SWEEP Function...........................................................................................................................22
SWEEP source selection.................................................................................................22
SWEEP mode selection...................................................................................................22
SWEEP type selection.....................................................................................................22
Setting the start/end frequencies.....................................................................................22
Setting the SWEEP time..................................................................................................23
MODUL Function (GX 320)...........................................................................................................24
Setting AM rate................................................................................................................24
Selection of AM source...................................................................................................24

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4 Function Generators
Selection of FM source...................................................................................................24
Setting start/end frequencies in FM.................................................................................24
SHIFT Key Function (GX 320)......................................................................................................25
Selection of the SHIFT KEYING source.............................................................................25
Setting start/end phases in PSK.........................................................................................25
Setting start/end frequencies in FSK ...............................................................................25
BURST Function (GX 320)............................................................................................................26
BURST source selection..................................................................................................26
Setting the pulse number to be generated.......................................................................26
Setting the delay between pulse trains ...............................................................................26
Manual launching of a pulse train ....................................................................................26
SYNChronization Function (GX 320)...........................................................................................27
Setting the dephasing......................................................................................................27
FREQ Frequencymeter.................................................................................................................28
Reading the frequency value...........................................................................................28
GATE mode management (GX 320).............................................................................................29
Activating GATE mode ....................................................................................................29
Help and Error ...............................................................................................................................30
Help.................................................................................................................................30
Error ................................................................................................................................30
* Command error: (-199 to -100)..................................................................................30
* Execution errors: (-299 to -200)...........................................................................................31
* Specific instrument errors: (-399 to -300) ........................................................31
* Query errors: (-499 to -400)..........................................................................................31
IEEE 488.2 common commands..................................................................................................32
Introduction......................................................................................................................32
Events and status management ......................................................................................32
The Registers..................................................................................................................32
Status registers...............................................................................................................................33
Service request mask register........................................................................................................33
Event register .................................................................................................................................33
Event mask register........................................................................................................................34
Event mask register........................................................................................................................35
Event register .................................................................................................................................35
Service demand mask register.......................................................................................................36
Status register ................................................................................................................................37
SCPI commands............................................................................................................................39

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Introduction
Presentation The programming instructions comply with standard IEEE488.2, and the
SCPI protocol (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments).
They provide the user with the possibility of checking the instrument
remotely from simple standard controls.
Communication between a controller and a generator enables users :
• to configure the instrument
• to measure frequencies
Connection
Connection
through « USB » The dialog between the instrument and the PC can be realized through an
USB link.
This dialog is only possible if the CP210x driver is correctly installed, the
USB peripherical is recognized and a new COM port appears in the system
parameters of the PC.
On the PC, configure this COM port with following parameters:
- 19 200 baud speed
- 8 data bits
- no parity
- 1 stop bit
- hardware flow control (RTS / CTS)
The CP210x driver must be installed before connecting the GX 310P
or GX 320E generator.
If the USB device is not recognized when connecting the cable :
- give up searching the Windows driver,
- disconnect the generator,
- install the driver as described hereafter.
USB connector
USB
connector
or
USB
interface
cable

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Introduction (cont’d)
"CP210x USB to
UART Bridge
Controller" driver
installation
•Do not connect the generator to the USB port of the PC before
installing the "CP210x USB to UART Bridge Controller" driver.
•
The driver is automatically installed when you set up the utility USBXpress.
This application allows among other things :
- to identify the COM port created for the instrument
- to change the identifier of the generator port in order to differentiate
both generators you wish to connect to a PC
(see section §. Connecting Multiple GX3x0).
•Insert the CD-ROM supplied. In the presentation page (readme.html),
select the subject 'Windows Installer' of the line USBXpress.
•Follow the install instructions.
•You now can connect your instrument.
Port COM
Identification
•Run the USBXpress utility, or, if needed, press the ‘Refresh’ key.
A new line appears with the COM port number and identifier of USB port
(here, the instrument is connected to the PC via the COMP3 port. His
identifier is ‘GX3x0’).
Using TeraTerm
to drive the
instrument
Once the driver CP210x is installed and the new COM port identified,
you may drive your instrument with TeraTerm or any terminal emulator
whatsoever.
TeraTerm is a free software available on the CD ROM.
•Insert the CD-ROM supplied.
•In the presentation page (readme.html), select ‘Windows Installer’ in the
line TeraTermPro V4.52, and follow the install .
•RunTeraTerm and create a new conection (File/New menu
connection…).
•Select the serial port identified above (here COM3).

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Introduction (cont’d)
•Set the serial link (Setup menu / Serial ports…) as below :
•Set the Terminal as follows (Setup menu / Terminal …) :
•TeraTerm is now set up.
This configuration can be saved in the Setup / Save Setup menu …
•You can now enter the commands in the window.
For instance : to the query *idn?’ the instrument must give its
identification and its software version :

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Introduction (cont’d)
Connecting
several GX 3x0
By default, all the instruments are set up with the same "GX3x0" identifier.
Thus, on one PC, GX 320E and GX 310P generators are always
associated with the same COM port.
However, connecting two GX with the same identifier on a PC leads to a
resource conflict.
If you wish to connect several GX on the same PC, you must differentiate
the instruments using the utility USBXpress.exe.
Be careful : the USB driver must be previously installed (refer to section
§. "CP210x USB to UART Bridge Controller" driver installation).
Connect only one GX on a PC's USB port. Run ‘USBXpress.exe’ :
The identifier to be modified is : ‘Serial Number’. Enter a different value by
pressing “Program” or double-clicking on the line :
For instance : enter ‘GX3x0_1’ and press ‘OK’ key to be programmed in the
instrument. You have 20 characters to identify the USB port on the
instrument.
Unplug the programmed generator and start the process again with
another instrument. Press ‘Refresh’ key to update. For each instrument,
enter a different value.
After programming, each instrument connected to a PC's USB port will be
assigned a different COM port.
used
COM p
ort
USB port
identification

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Introduction (cont’d)
through
“ETHERNET”
crossed cable
 Warning ! To use the ETHERNET link, the USB cable must be
disconnected.
The dialogue between the generator and the PC is realized via a serial
Ethernet adapter. This is a Lantronix XPort module.
- Connect the crossed ETHERNET interface cable directly to the PC.
- Set the connection with a terminal (Port TELNET : 23) to the IP
address which has been defined in the generator.
straight cable - Connect the generator to the PC network through a Hub with the
straight ETHERNET interface cable.
- Connect a terminal (TELNET Port : 23) to the IP address defined on
the generator.
Crossed
ETHERNET
interface
cable
RJ45
plug
ETHERNET connector
ETHERNET network
Straight
ETHERNET
interface
cable
ETHERNET connector

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Introduction (cont’d)
Programming
an IP address
for the device
• Insert the supplied CD-ROM and, in the readme.html page
presentation, select the item "Windows Installer" of the GX320E-
Admin line.
• Follow the installation instructions.
Connect the generator to the power supply ( red button lit).
Launch the “GX320E-Admin.exe” utility, the next window opens:
• Check ‘GX320E only’ to let GX320E appear only.
The ‘Refresh (F5)’ button lets re-examine the network to find the
devices.
• Select an item from the line of the instrument to be programmed
(the identification of the instrument is done with the MAC address
whose value is displayed at the back of the instrument) and click
'Modify'
The following window opens:

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Function Generators 11
Introduction (cont’d)
Here the address is automatically provided via DHCP or AutoIP.
Note: Clicking the Default setup 'window allows to reprogram
the default configuration in the generator.
If you want to enter an address, uncheck the 'DHCP' and type your
new address.
Note: Make sure that address is not already used on the
network, as it might disrupt the latter.
• Press OK to validate your entry.
After programming, the window closes and you return to the main
window (note the change of address).

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Introduction (cont’d)
Use TeraTerm to
program your
GX 320E
via Ethernet
Once your IP address is correctly programmed on the instrument, you
can start Tera Term and create a new connection (see above ...).
Select TCP / IP, enter the IP address of your instrument (14.3.250.10
here), and select Telnet port 23 :

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Function Generators 13
Introduction (cont’d)
Rear panel
GX 310P
GX 320E
Network connection
USB Interface
USB to RS232
co
nnection
Working voltage indicator
B type USB connection
Network connection
Working voltage indicator
ETHERNET

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Drivers LabView
and LabWindows
These drivers are on the CD ROM, they provide an SCPI commands
interface to enable the realization of software with both development
environments.
SCPI Protocol
Programming
convention
Tree structure
The command tree diagram includes all the commands specific to the
instrument.
Common commands (standard IEEE 488.2) are listed separately, since
they do not affect the position of the syntax analyzer in the tree.
When the terminator <NL> is sent to the instrument, the analyzer is
positioned at root level.
When the analyzer is in a directory, both separators ' ;: ' are necessary to
return to the root.
Command syntax
Common
commands
Specific
commands
Keywords

The brackets ([ ]) frame a keyword which is optional during programming;
i.e. the instrument will execute the command whether the keyword is
optional or not. Uppercase and lowercase are used to differentiate the
short form of the keyword (uppercase letters) and the long form (whole
word).
The instrument accepts the uppercase or lowercase letters without
distinction.
SWE:SOUR INT is equivalent to SOURce:SWEep:SOURce INTernal
Parameters The parameters, if any, are separated from the keyword by a space (' '). A
command can accept parameters of a defined type, a literal expression or a
combination of both.
< > The defined-type parameters are marked by the characters.
([ ]) The brackets mean that the parameters are optional.
({ }) The accolades define the list of parameters allowed.
Terminato
r
Short
Digital
suffix
Parameter
Long
;
:
:
' '
?
;
*
Mnemonic
cod
e
?
Terminator

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( | ) The vertical bar may be read as an "or", it is used to separate the various
possible parameters.
SCPI Protocol (cont’d)
Separators
' : ' descends in the next directory or returns under the root, if preceded by a ' ; '.
' ; ' separates 2 commands in the same directory or marks the end of a directory
command, enabling a return to the root level by adding the separator ' : '.
' ' (space) separates the keyword from the following parameter.
',' separates one parameter from the other.
Parameter format
The parameters can be key words, numeric values, character chains or
numeric expressions.
Key words
These parameters have two forms of call, as for the instructions : the
shortened form (in capital letter) and the whole form (shortened form plus
complement into small letter).
Thus, for certain commands, the parameters are the following :
•ON, OFF corresponding to the bolean values (1,0)
•CONTinuous, FSK, PSK, SWEep, AM, FM, FREQuencymeter,
SYNCMaster, SYNCSlave and BURST for the generator function
Numeric values
They have several possible formats :
NRf
(flexible Numeric
Representation)
In the case of physical quantity, these numbers can be followed of a sub-
multiple or a multiple of its unit.
Recall Interpretor does not make any difference between capital and small letters.
 Example : 1 milli second can be written either 1ms, 0.001, 1e-6s, 1e-3s
This parameter can also be replaced by the following key words :
•MAXimum, MINimum to get extreme values of the parameter
•UP, DOWN to get the value following or preceding the current status
of the parameter
Units V
S
PCT
Hz
volt (Voltage)
second (Time)
percent (Percentage)
hertz (Frequency)
Multiples and
sub-multiples
MA
K
M
U
N
P
mega: 10
+6
kilo: 10
+3
milli: 10
-3
micro: 10
-6
nano: 10
-9
pico: 10
-12

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NR1 The parameter is a signed integer number.
 Example : 10
NR2 The parameter is a signed real without exponent.
 Example : 10.1
NR3 The parameter is a signed real expressed with a mantissa and a signed
exponent.
 Example : 10.1e-3
SCPI Protocol (cont’d)
Chains of
Characters
They are continuations of letters and figures framed by quotation marks " ".
Terminator
<NL> <NL> is a general term for a terminator.
NL is the character CR (code ASCII 13 or 0x0D).
A line of command should not exceed 80 characters ; it ends with a
terminator.
Response
The response can be made up of several elements separated between
them by a comma ', '. The last element is followed by the terminator
<NL>.
The data are of several natures :
Key words
They are the same ones as those used in parameter, but here, only the
shortened form is returned.
Numeric values
They have three possible formats : NR1, NR2 and NR3.
Chains of
characters
There is no difference compared to the parameters. If the chain contains a
key word, it is returned in shortened form.

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Detailed description of commands
Main Commands
Instrument power off
SYSTem:POWer: (command/query)
The command SYST:POW {1|0|ON|OFF} switches the instrument from ON
mode to STANDBY mode, and reciprocally.
To the question SYST:POW? the instrument returns its operating mode
(1 if ON, 0 if STANDBY).
Activation of the
MAIN OUT output
OUTPut[:STATe] (command/query)
The command OUTPut {0|1|ON|OFF} activates or not the MAIN OUT
output.
•ON|1 : the output is activated, the signals come from the MAIN OUT
BNC.
•OFF|0 : the ouput is locked.
To the question OUTPut? the apparatus returns the current state of the
MAIN OUT output (1 if activated, 0 if not).
Generator function
selection
DEVice:MODe
(command/query)
The command
DEV:MOD{CONTinuous|FSK|PSK|SWEep|AM|FM|FREQuencymeter|
SYNCMaster|SYNCSlave|BURST} selects the generator function to be
used.
To the query DEV:MOD? the apparatus returns the current generator
function.
 Only the CONT, SWEEP and FREQ functions are available on the
GX 310.

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Display contrast
setting
DISPlay:CONTrast
(command/query)
The command DISP:CONT <level> sets the contrast value of the LCD
screen.
<level> is the contrast value. It is a decimal value without exponent,
between 0 and 1 (1 being the max. contrast).
To the query DISP:CONT? the apparatus returns the current contrast value
in NR2 format.
List of used system
files (GX 320)
MMEMory:CATalog
(query)
To the query MMEM:CAT? the instrument returns the list of the
configurations which are used in memory.
Response format : <number of used files>,0,<list of used files>
<list of used files> is the list of the system file numbers - not virgin - which
are memorized, separated by commas.
Configuration saving
(GX 320)
MMEMory:STORe
:STATe <num config>
(command)
The command MMEM:STOR:STAT <num config> memorizes the current
configuration in the file of configuration number <num config>.
The preceding file <num config> is erased without notice by the current
configuration data.
<num config> is a number between 1 and 15.
Configuration recall
(GX 320)
MMEMory:LOAD
:STATe
(command)
The command MMEM:LOAD:STAT <num config> replaces the current
configuration of the apparatus by that contained in the file of
configuration number. If the file is virgin, the command is without effect.
<num config> is a number between 0 et 15, the file 0 corresponds to the
default configuration of the instrument.
 MMEM:LOAD:STAT 0 is equivalent to *RST.
Cancellation of a
config. file (GX 320)
MMEMory:DELete
(command)
The command MMEM:DEL <num file> erases the configuration
<num file> memorized and resets the file in question to the virgin state.

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Function Generators 19
CONTinuous Function
Selection of the signal
wave shape
[SOURce:]FUNCtion
[:SHAPe]
(command/query)
The command FUNC {SINusoid|SQUare|LOGICal|TRIangle|DC} selects
the shape of the signal wave.
To the question FUNC? the apparatus returns the current wave shape of the
instrument.
Setting the signal
frequency
[SOURce:]FREQuency
[:STARt]
(command/query)
The command FREQ {<frequency>|MIN|MAX} enters the signal main
frequency or the frequency Freq
START
in the modes SWEEP, FSK and
MODUL FM.
<frequency> is a value in the format <NRf>, it can be followed or not by a
sub-multiple of the unit (Hz). By default, its value is expressed in Hz.
•MIN : sets the min. value at frequency.
•MAX : sets the max. value allowed by the instrument
To the question FREQ? the apparatus returns the signal frequency or
Freq
START
for the functions SWEEP, FSK and MODUL FM. The value is
expressed in format <NR3> in Hz.
Setting the signal
duty cycle
[SOURce:]PULSe
:DCYCle (command/query)
The command PULS:DCYC <duty cycle> sets the duty cycle of the square
and triangular signals.
<duty cycle > is an integer number from 10 to 90 which expresses the duty
cycle in %.
To the question PULS:DCYC? the apparatus returns the current value of the
duty cycle. The default value is 50, it is the returned value if the chosen
wave signal is sinusoidal.

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20 Function Generators
Setting the signal
amplitude
[SOURce:]VOLTage
[:LEVel][:IMMediate]
[:AMPLitude]
(command/query)
The command VOLT <amplitude> sets the signal amplitude to be
generated (except LOGIC signal).
<amplitude> is a value in format <NRf>, it can be followed or not by a sub-
multiple and by the unit (V). By default, the value is expressed in volt, it is
the amplitude peak-to-peak value.
To the quesion VOLT? the apparatus returns the value of the Vpp
programmed amplitude. It is a value in format <NR3> expressed in volt.
Amplitude unit
selection
UNIT:VOLTage
:AMPLitude (command/query)
The command UNIT:VOLT:AMPL <PTPeak|RMSquare> selects the unit of
the amplitude value.
•PTPeak : displays the amplitude in Vpp.
•RMSsquare : displays the amplitude in Vrms.
To the question UNIT:VOLT:AMPL? the apparatus returns the current
display mode of the amplitude.
Setting the offset
signal
[SOURce:]VOLTage
[:LEVel][:IMMediate]
:OFFSet
(command/query)
The command VOLT:OFFS <offset> sets the offset of the signal to be
generated (except signal LOGIC).
<offset> is a value in format <NRf>, it can be followed or not by a sub-
multiple and by the unit (V). By default, the value is expressed in volt.
To the question VOLT:OFFS? the apparatus returns the value of the
programmed offset. It is a value in format <NR3> expressed in volt.