Newtons4th PSM1700 User manual

PSM1700 -PsimetriQ
Software Version 1.65
08th June 2017
USER MANUAL

“Do not be hasty when making measurements.”
PsimetriQisaprecisioninstrumentthatprovidesyou
withthetoolstomakeawidevarietyofmeasurements
accurately, reliably, and efficiently - but good metrology
practice must be observed.Taketimetoreadthismanual
andfamiliariseyourselfwiththefeaturesofthe
instrument in order to use it most effectively.

DANGER OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
Only qualified personnel should install this
equipment, after reading and understanding this
user manual. If in doubt, consult your supplier.
RISQUE D'ELECTROCUTION
L'installation de cet équipement ne doit être confiée
qu'à un personnel qualifié ayant lu et compris le
présent manuel d'utilisation. Dans le doute,
s'adresser au fournisseur.
GEFAHR VON ELEKTRISCHEM SCHOCK
Nur entsprechend ausgebildetes Personal ist
berechtigt, diese Ausrüstung nach dem Lesen und
Verständnis dieses Anwendungshandbuches zu
installieren. Falls Sie Zweifel haben sollten, wenden
Sie sich bitte an Ihren Lieferanten.
RISCHIO DI SCARICHE ELETTRICHE
Solo personale qualificato può installare questo
strumento, dopo la lettura e la comprensione di
questo manuale. Se esistono dubbiconsultate il
vostro rivenditore.
PELIGRO DE DESCARGA ELÉCTRICA
Solo personal cualificado debe instalar este
instrumento, después de la lectura y comprensión
de este manual de usuario. En caso de duda,
consultar con su suministrador.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
i
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
This equipment is designed to comply with BSEN 61010-1
(Safety requirements for electrical equipment for
measurement, control, and laboratory use) –observe the
following precautions:
Ensure that the supply voltage agrees with the rating of
the instrument printed on the back panel before
connecting the mains cord to the supply.
This appliance must be earthed. Ensure that the
instrument is powered from a properly grounded supply.
The inputs must not be connected to signals greater
than 50V rms or 100V pk.
Keep the ventilation holes on the underneath and sides
free from obstruction.
Do not operate or store under conditions where
condensation may occur or where conducting debris
may enter the case.
There are no user serviceable parts inside the
instrument –do not attempt to open the instrument,
refer service to the manufacturer or his appointed
agent.
Note: Newtons4th Ltd. shall not be liable for any
consequential damages, losses, costs or expenses
arising from the use or misuse of this product
however caused.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
ii
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Manufacturer: Newtons4th Ltd.
Address: 1 Bede Island Road
Leicester
LE2 7EA
We declare that the product:
Description: Phase Sensitive Multimeter
Product name: PsimetriQ
Model: PSM1700
Conforms to the EEC Directives:
2014/30/EU relating to electromagnetic compatibility:
EN 61326-1:2013
2014/35/EU relating to Low Voltage Directive:
EN 61010-2-030:2010:
January 2017
Eur Ing Allan Winsor BSc CEng MIEE
(Director Newtons4th Ltd.)

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
iii
WARRANTY
This product is guaranteed to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for a period of 36 months from
the date of purchase.
In the unlikely event of any problem within this guarantee
period, first contact Newtons4th Ltd. or your local
representative, to give a description of the problem. Please
have as much relevant information to hand as possible –
particularly the serial number and release numbers (press
SYSTEM then LEFT).
If the problem cannot be resolved directly then you will be
given an RMA number and asked to return the unit. The
unit will be repaired or replaced at the sole discretion of
Newtons4th Ltd.
This guarantee is limited to the cost of the PsimetriQ itself
and does not extend to any consequential damage or
losses whatsoever including, but not limited to, any loss of
earnings arising from a failure of the product or software.
In the event of any problem with the instrument outside of
the guarantee period, Newtons4th Ltd. offers a full repair
and re-calibration service –contact your local
representative. It is recommended that PsimetriQ be re-
calibrated annually.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
iv
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
PsimetriQ has of number of separate measurement
functions that share common resources such as the
keyboard and display.
Accordingly, this manual first describes the general
features and specification of the instrument as a whole;
and then describes the individual functions in detail.
Each function is described in turn, in its own chapter, with
details of the principles on which it is based, how to use it,
the options available, display options, specifications etc.
Detailed descriptions of the RS232 command set is given
in the separate manual “PSM17xx communications
manual”.
Software Version 1.65
This manual is copyright © 2004-2017 Newtons4th Ltd.
and all rights are reserved. No part may be copied or
reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
08th June 2017

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
v
CONTENTS
1Introduction –general principles of operation ........ 1-1
1.1 Generator output .................................................... 1-3
1.2 Voltage inputs ........................................................ 1-4
2Getting started .................................................. 2-1
2.1 Unpacking.............................................................. 2-1
2.2 Keyboard and controls ............................................. 2-3
2.3 Basic operation ....................................................... 2-4
2.4 Measurement Selectivity .......................................... 2-5
3Using the menus ................................................ 3-1
3.1 Selection from a list ................................................ 3-3
3.2 Numeric data entry ................................................. 3-4
3.3 Text entry .............................................................. 3-5
4Special functions ................................................ 4-1
4.1 Display zoom.......................................................... 4-1
4.2 Program store and recall .......................................... 4-2
4.3 Zero compensation.................................................. 4-3
4.4 Alarm function ........................................................ 4-4
4.5 Analogue output ..................................................... 4-6
4.6 Data hold............................................................... 4-7
4.7 Parallel port............................................................ 4-8
4.8 Sweep results store and recall .................................. 4-9
5Using remote control .......................................... 5-1
5.1 Standard event status register.................................. 5-3
5.2 Serial Poll status byte .............................................. 5-4
5.3 RS232 connections.................................................. 5-5
5.4 Data streaming....................................................... 5-6
6System options .................................................. 6-1
6.1 User data ............................................................... 6-3
7Measurement options ......................................... 7-1
7.1 ACQU - Acquisition options ....................................... 7-1
7.2 Datalog.................................................................. 7-4
7.3 SWEEP - Frequency sweep options ............................ 7-6
7.4 TRIM - Trim function ............................................... 7-8

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
vi
8Output control ................................................... 8-1
8.1 Generator specifications........................................... 8-2
9Input channels................................................... 9-1
9.1 Trimming x10 oscilloscope probes ............................. 9-4
10 True RMS Voltmeter ......................................... 10-1
10.1 RMS voltmeter specification.................................... 10-4
11 Frequency response analyser............................. 11-1
11.1 Frequency response analyser specification ............... 11-5
12 Phase angle voltmeter (vector voltmeter)............ 12-1
12.1 Phase angle voltmeter specification ......................... 12-4
13 Power meter.................................................... 13-1
13.1 Power meter specification ...................................... 13-4
14 LCR meter....................................................... 14-1
14.1 LCR meter specification.......................................... 14-7
15 Harmonic analyser ........................................... 15-1
15.1 Harmonic analyser specification .............................. 15-4
16 Transformer analyser........................................ 16-1
16.1 Turns ratio ........................................................... 16-3
16.2 Inductance & leakage inductance ............................ 16-4
16.3 AC resistance and Q factor ..................................... 16-5
16.4 DC resistance ....................................................... 16-5
16.5 Interwinding capacitance ....................................... 16-6
16.6 Magnetising current............................................... 16-7
16.7 Return loss........................................................... 16-8
16.8 Insertion loss........................................................ 16-9
16.9 Harmonics and distortion ..................................... 16-11
16.10 Longitudinal balance............................................ 16-12

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
vii
APPENDICES
Appendix A Accessories
Appendix B Serial command summary
Appendix C Available character set
Appendix D Configurable parameters
Appendix E Contact details

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
1-1
1Introduction –general principles of operation
PsimetriQ is a self-contained test instrument, with one
output and two inputs, which incorporates a suite of test
functions.
PsimetriQ has a versatile generator output that can be
used as signal generator for the following waveforms:
sine,
triangle
square
sawtooth
A dc offset may be added to the signal generator output.
PsimetriQ has two differential, wide range, high
bandwidth, voltage inputs.
The PsimetriQ has two processors:
a DSP (digital signal processor) for data analysis
a CPU (central processing unit) for control and display
At the heart of the system is an FPGA (field programmable
gate array) that interfaces the various elements.
FPGA
CPU
DSP
OUT
CH1
CH2

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
1-2
This general purpose structure provides a versatile
hardware platform that can be configured by firmware to
provide a variety of test functions, including:
signal generator
two channel true rms voltmeter
phase angle voltmeter (vector voltmeter)
frequency response analyser (gain/phase analyser)
harmonic analyser
With additional external interface boxes, such as current
shunts, other functions are possible:
true rms current meter
LCR meter
power meter
PsimetriQ is configured to perform the required test
function by simple user menus, or can be controlled
remotely via a serial interface (RS232), or optionally LAN
interface or GPIB interface.
The programmable nature of the instrument means that
new functions can be added as they become available, or
existing functions can be enhanced, by simple firmware
download.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
1-3
1.1 Generator output
The generator consists of a DAC whose input is derived
from a table held in RAM. The appropriate pattern is
loaded into the RAM (sinewave, sawtooth etc.) by the DSP,
and then the RAM address is stepped at a rate given by
the selected frequency. The output of the DAC is
attenuated, has any offset added, is filtered and is
buffered by a high speed, high current buffer.
The DAC is clocked at 11.52 MHz.
The DAC resolution is 14 bit.
The RAM depth is 16k words x 16 bit.
The maximum output level is 10V peak.
The maximum output current is 200mA peak.
The 0V of the output is earthed.
There is a 50output impedance.
attenuate
offset
filter
50
DAC
RAM
output
buffer

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
1-4
1.2 Voltage inputs
Each input consists of a high impedance buffer followed by
switch to select ac or ac+dc coupling, then a series of gain
stages leading to an A/D converter. Selection of the input
gain and the sampling of the A/D converter are under the
control of the DSP. There is an autozero switch at the front
end for dc accuracy.
Both input channels are fully differential with very good
CMRR. This allows measurements to be made directly
across points in a circuit without shorting to earth. It also
prevents problems with ground loops in sensitive circuits.
The maximum input is 100V peak (50V rms).
The full scale of the lowest range is 10mV peak.
The input frequency range is dc to 1 MHz.
The A/D converter resolution is 12 bit.
The A/D sample rate is variable to 500k samples/s.
ac
A/D
DSP
variable
gain
dc coupled
input buffer

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
2-1
2Getting started
The PsimetriQ is supplied ready to use –it comes complete
with an appropriate power lead and a set of test leads. It
is supplied calibrated and does not require anything to be
done by the user before it can be put into service.
2.1 Unpacking
Inside the carton there should be the following items:
one PsimetriQ unit
one appropriate mains lead
two voltage probes
one BNC output lead with clips
one null modem cable to connect to a computer
this manual
Having verified that the entire above list of contents is
present, it would be wise to verify that your PsimetriQ
operates correctly and has not been damaged in transit.
First verify that the voltage rating on the rear of the
PsimetriQ is appropriate for the supply, then connect the
mains cord to the inlet on the rear panel of the PsimetriQ
and the supply outlet.
Switch on the PsimetriQ. The display should illuminate with
the model name and the firmware version for a few
seconds while it performs some initial tests. It should then
default to the RMS voltmeter display. Note that the switch
on message can be personalised –see the User Data
section under System Options.
Note that if there are no leads connected, the rms display
should read zero. If any test leads are connected then

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
2-2
because of the high impedance of the inputs, the rms
display may read some random values due to noise pick
up. If the unit does display any values with no leads
connected, give the unit thirty minutes to warm up then
press ZERO.
Connect the output lead to the output connector of the
PsimetriQ and the input probes to the two input
connectors. Connect the output to both of the inputs by
connecting the black clip on the output lead to the 0V clip
on each of the input probes, and the red clip of the output
lead to the input probes. Note that this is easiest to do by
connecting across a resistor (any value above 1k).
Press the OUT key to invoke the output menu, then press
the UP key to select the output on/off control then the
RIGHT key to turn on the output.
Exit the menu by pressing the ENTER button or the HOME
button twice.
The display should now indicate an rms value of ~1.4V on
both channels, each of which should indicate the 3V range.
Press the FRA key to select the frequency response (gain
phase) analyser function and check that the gain reads
0dB 0.02dB, and that the phase reads 0.01.
In the event of any problem with this procedure, please
contact customer services at Newtons4th Ltd. or your local
authorised representative: contact addresses and
telephone numbers are given in the appendix at the back
of this manual.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
2-3
2.2 Keyboard and controls
The keyboard is divided into 5 blocks of keys:
display control (5 keys top left)
function keys (6 keys top right)
setup keys (middle 12 keys)
menu control keys (7 centre keys)
action keys (4 keys lower right)
In normal operation, the cursor keys give one-touch
adjustment of various parameters, such as generator
amplitude and frequency, without having to access the
menu system.
The setup keys provide access to the menus and are used
for numeric data entry.
The function keys (FRA, PAV, LCR, RMS, POWER and
HARM) are also used for entering the multipliers (G, M, k,
m, u, n) for date entry and letters for text entry.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
2-4
2.3 Basic operation
Once the unit has powered on and is displaying the default
RMS voltmeter screen, the required function can be
selected by pressing the function key, FRA, PAV, LCR,
RMS, POWER, HARM. Pressing the same function key again
brings up the menu options specific to that function. For
example, after the unit has powered on in RMS mode,
press PAV to select phase angle voltmeter mode; press
PAV again to gain access to the PAV specific menu options.
Alternatively, press MODE to bring up the function specific
menus.
There are a number of menus available to configure the
instrument. All of these menus are directly accessible with
one press of the appropriate menu key. The cursor keys
allow navigation around the menus and also control the
generator when not accessing a menu.
For example, to turn on the output, press OUT to bring up
the generator control menu, press UP to select the output
on/off option, press RIGHT to turn on the output. Press
ENTER, or HOME twice, to exit the menu. Press FRA to
select frequency response analyser mode and the
instrument will now display the gain and phase of the
transfer function of the circuit under test at the spot
frequency specified by the output control menu.
Press LEFT or RIGHT to adjust the frequency, Press UP or
DOWN to adjust the amplitude (use the OUT menu to
change the size of the steps).
Press START and PsimetriQ will start a frequency sweep
over the specified range (set in the SWEEP menu); press
TABLE to see the table of results, GRAPH to see a graph of
the results and REAL TIME to return to the real time data.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
2-5
2.4 Measurement Selectivity
In many applications that require frequency response
analysis, it is common for the frequency of interest
(sometimes referred to as the injected frequency) to be
immersed in noise. It is therefore important that the FRA
instrument being used is able to reject frequencies other
than that of the signal of interest. This feature is usually
described as the measurement selectivity of the
instrument and in most cases; selectivity is increased as
the measurement speed is slowed down.
N4L frequency response analysers incorporate analogue
circuits with high common mode rejection and unique ‘real
time’ DFT (discrete fourier transform) analysis to provide
exceptional wideband frequency response measurements
even when the signal of interest is immersed in noise. As a
result of this design technique, users are not required to
concern themselves with the careful choice of selectivity
criteria to achieve stable measurements.
In most applications, the signal of interest is generated by
the FRA itself. When using this normal mode of operation,
PSM units from N4L will automatically analyse the
measurement signal with a DFT algorithm running at
exactly the same frequency as the injected signal. This
process eliminates the problem of signal frequency
detection.
Where an external signal source is used for signal
injection, the PSM units will detect the injected frequency
with a greater level of selectivity as the measurement
speed is slowed down. The user need only select the
measurement speed to achieve the optimum balance of
speed and measurement stability.

PSM1700 PsimetriQ user manual
2-6
While it is not required for the user to define the
selectivity, nominal values used by the PSM units are
defined in the following table:
NOTE:
Some FRA instrument manufacturers use the term ‘IF
Bandwidth’. While this term is usually used in general
electronics to refer to the intermediate frequency of
analogue RF circuits, in FRA applications the term actually
relates to measurement selectivity.
speed
update rate
normal time
constant
slow time
constant
Measurement
Selectivity
fast
1/20s
0.2s
0.8s
24Hz
medium
1/3s
1.5s
6s
3Hz
slow
2.5s
12s
48s
0.4Hz
very slow
10s
48s
192s
0.1Hz