Racal Instruments 3155 User manual

3155
100MS/s ARBITRARY
WAVEFORM GENERATOR
User Manual
PUBLICATION NO. 980866
RACAL INSTRUMENTS
Racal Instruments, Inc.
4 Goodyear St., Irvine, CA 92618-2002
Tel: (800) RACAL-ATE, [phone], [phone];
FAX: [phone]
Racal Instruments, Ltd.
480 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6BE, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Systems Electronique S.A.
18 Avenue Dutartre, 78150 LeChesnay, France
Tel: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Systems Elettronicas.r.l.
Strada 2-Palazzo C4, 20090 Milanofiori Assago, Milan, Italy
Tel: [phone]; FAX [phone]
Racal Elektronik System GmbH.
Technologiepark Bergisch Gladbach, Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse,
D-51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Tel.: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Instruments, Ltd.
Unit 5, 25F., Mega Trade Center, No 1, Mei Wan Road, Tsuen Wan,
Hong Kong, PRC Tel: [phone], FAX: [phone]
http://www.racalinstruments.com
PUBLICATION DATE: May 7, 2002
Copyright 2002 by Racal Instruments, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING THIS RACAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCT.
For this product, or any other Racal Instruments product that incorporates software drivers, you may access
our web site to verify and/or download the latest driver versions. The web address for driver downloads is:
http://www.racalinstruments.com/downloads
You will be asked to register one time only to gain access to the driver and product manual downloads
sections. At registration a cookie will be placed on your computer if you choose to accept it. This is done to
facilitate your use of these sections on future visits. You may refuse to accept the cookie and still have
complete access to the software driver database but will have to re-register every time you visit. This cookie
is for ease of use only and no information is gathered for, sold, or reported to, any third party organization.
If you have any questions about software driver downloads or our privacy policy, please contact us at
[email protected].
WARRANTY STATEMENT
All Racal Instruments, Inc. products are designed and manufactured to exacting standards and in full
conformance to Racal’s ISO 9001 procedures.
For the specific terms of your standard warranty, or optional extended warranty or service agreement, contact
your Racal customer service advisor. Please have the following information available to facilitate service.
1. Product serial number
2. Product model number
3. Your company and contact information
You may contact your customer service advisor by:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: [phone] (USA)
[phone] (UK)
[phone] (Hong Kong)
Fax: [phone] (USA)
[phone] (UK)
[phone] (Hong Kong)
RETURN of PRODUCT
Authorization is required from Racal Instruments before you send us your product for service or calibration.
Call your nearest Racal Instruments support facility. A list is located on the last page of this manual. If you are
unsure where to call, contact Racal Instruments, Inc. Customer Support Department in Irvine, California, USA
at 1-800-722-3262 or 1-949-859-8999 or via fax at 1-949-859-7139. We can be reached at:
[email protected].
PROPRIETARY NOTICE
This document and the technical data herein disclosed, are proprietary to Racal Instruments, and shall not,
without express written permission of Racal Instruments, be used, in whole or in part to solicit quotations from
a competitive source or used for manufacture by anyone other than Racal Instruments. The information
herein has been developed at private expense, and may only be used for operation and maintenance
reference purposes or for purposes of engineering evaluation and incorporation into technical specifications
and other documents which specify procurement of products from Racal Instruments.

FOR YOUR SAFETY
Before undertaking any troubleshooting, maintenance or exploratory procedure, read carefully the
WARNINGS and CAUTION notices.
This equipment contains voltage hazardous to
human life and safety, and is capable of inflict-
ing personal injury.
If this instrument is to be powered from the AC line (mains) through an autotrans-
former, ensure the common connector is connected to the neutral (earth pole) of the
power supply.
Before operating the unit, ensure the conductor (green wire) is connected to the
ground (earth) conductor of the power outlet. Do not use a two-conductor extension
cord or a three-prong/two-prong adapter. This will defeat the protective feature of the
third conductor in the power cord.
Maintenance and calibration procedures sometimes call for operation of the unit with
power applied and protective covers removed. Read the procedures and heed
warnings to avoid “live” circuit points.
Before operating this instrument:
1. Ensure the proper fuse is in place for the power source to operate.
2. Ensure all other devices connected to or in proximity to this instrument are properly grounded or
connected to the protective third-wire earth ground.
If the instrument:
-fails to operate satisfactorily
-shows visible damage
-has been stored under unfavorable conditions
-has sustained stress
Do not operate until, performance is checked by qualified personnel.

This page was left intentionally blank.

User Manual 3155
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................................................1-1
What’s In This Chapter...................................................................................................................1-1
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................1-1
3155 Series Feature Highlights....................................................................................................1-1
WaveCAD Feature Highlights......................................................................................................1-3
Functional Description...................................................................................................................1-5
Output Functions.....................................................................................................................1-5
Frequency...............................................................................................................................1-5
Amplitude.................................................................................................................................1-5
Trigger Modes.........................................................................................................................1-5
Arbitrary Waveforms...............................................................................................................1-5
Memory Segmentation............................................................................................................1-6
Remote Control.......................................................................................................................1-6
Frequency Agility.....................................................................................................................1-6
Multi-Instrument Synchronization...........................................................................................1-6
Options...........................................................................................................................................1-7
Safety Considerations...................................................................................................................1-7
Supplied Accessories....................................................................................................................1-7
Specifications.................................................................................................................................1-7
Functional Description...................................................................................................................1-7
Front Panel Connectors.............................................................................................................1-8
Output..................................................................................................................................1-8
SYNC Output.......................................................................................................................1-8
TRIG/FSK IN........................................................................................................................1-8
SINE OUT............................................................................................................................1-8
REF IN.................................................................................................................................1-9
Operating Modes ........................................................................................................................1-9
Continuous Mode................................................................................................................1-9
Triggered Mode...................................................................................................................1-9
Gated Mode.........................................................................................................................1-9
Burst Mode........................................................................................................................1-10
Frequency Agility......................................................................................................................1-10
Sweep................................................................................................................................1-10
FSK....................................................................................................................................1-10
Ramped FSK.....................................................................................................................1-10

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FM......................................................................................................................................1-11
Output Type..............................................................................................................................1-11
Standard (FIXED) Waveforms..........................................................................................1-11
Arbitrary (User) Waveforms..............................................................................................1-12
Sequenced Waveforms....................................................................................................1-12
Output State.................................................................................................................................1-14
Filters............................................................................................................................................1-14
Programming The 3155............................................................................................................1-14
Chapter 2
INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................2-1
Installation Overview......................................................................................................................2-1
Unpacking and Initial Inspection.................................................................................................2-1
Safety Precautions......................................................................................................................2-1
Power Requirements..................................................................................................................2-2
Grounding Requirements ...........................................................................................................2-2
Long Term Storage or Repackaging For Shipment...................................................................2-3
Preparation For Use...................................................................................................................2-3
Removing the Instrument from the Bag.........................................................................................2-4
Installation.......................................................................................................................................2-4
Copying Instrument Drivers...........................................................................................................2-5
Minimum System Requirements ............................................................................................2-5
Windows Software Installation................................................................................................2-5
Windows 95/98/ME Device Driver Installation........................................................................2-5
Windows 2000/XP Device Driver Installation.......................................................................2-11
Windows NT Device Driver Installation................................................................................2-16
Installing ArbConnection and ArbDetector..................................................................................2-16
The ArbDetector...........................................................................................................................2-22
Using the ArbDetector..................................................................................................................2-23
Configuring Actual Slot Location..................................................................................................2-24
Testing Communications With your Instrument...........................................................................2-25
Chapter 3
WaveCAD.........................................................................................................................................3-1
What’s In This Chapter...................................................................................................................3-1
Introduction To WaveCAD..........................................................................................................3-1
Installing WaveCAD....................................................................................................................3-2
For the New and Advanced Users.....................................................................................3-2
Conventions Used in This Manual......................................................................................3-3

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The Opening Screen...................................................................................................................3-3
WaveCAD Features....................................................................................................................3-6
The Control Panels....................................................................................................................3-6
The Main Panel...................................................................................................................3-7
Waveforms..............................................................................................................................3-8
Operating Modes.....................................................................................................................3-9
SYNC Output...........................................................................................................................3-9
TTLTrig Output........................................................................................................................3-9
Output......................................................................................................................................3-9
The Standard Waveforms Panel......................................................................................3-10
Parameters...........................................................................................................................3-10
Frequency.............................................................................................................................3-10
10 MHz Ref...........................................................................................................................3-11
Waveforms............................................................................................................................3-12
The Arbitrary & Sequence Panel.....................................................................................3-12
Parameters...........................................................................................................................3-13
Sample Clock........................................................................................................................3-14
10 MHz Ref...........................................................................................................................3-14
Sequence Advance...............................................................................................................3-14
Using the Segment Table..................................................................................................3-15
Using the Sequence Table................................................................................................3-17
The Trigger Panel..............................................................................................................3-19
Trigger Parameters...............................................................................................................3-19
Slope.....................................................................................................................................3-20
Source...................................................................................................................................3-20
Arm........................................................................................................................................3-20
The Modulation Panel.......................................................................................................3-21
Frequency Modulation...........................................................................................................3-21
FSK.......................................................................................................................................3-23
Sweep...................................................................................................................................3-24
The Utility Panel................................................................................................................3-25
Multi-Instrument Synchronization Control.............................................................................3-25
Filter.......................................................................................................................................3-26
System Commands ..............................................................................................................3-26
The System and Command Editor...........................................................................................3-27
Communication.....................................................................................................................3-27
System Commands ..............................................................................................................3-28
Command Editor...................................................................................................................3-28
The Waveform Composer........................................................................................................3-29

User Manual 3155
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The Waveform Composer Menu Bar................................................................................3-29
File Menu...............................................................................................................................3-30
Edit Menu..............................................................................................................................3-31
View Menu.............................................................................................................................3-34
Wave Menu...........................................................................................................................3-35
System Menu........................................................................................................................3-37
The WaveCAD Toolbar.....................................................................................................3-37
The Waveform Graph........................................................................................................3-40
The FM Composer....................................................................................................................3-41
The FM Wave Composer Menu Bar.................................................................................3-42
File Menu...............................................................................................................................3-42
Edit Menu..............................................................................................................................3-44
Filter...............................................................................................................................3-44
Wave Menu...........................................................................................................................3-45
FM Settings...........................................................................................................................3-46
Wavelength....................................................................................................................3-46
Deviation........................................................................................................................3-46
Marker Position..............................................................................................................3-46
Generating Waveforms Using the Equation Editor..................................................................3-48
Writing Equations..............................................................................................................3-49
Equation Conventions......................................................................................................3-50
Typing Equations...............................................................................................................3-51
Equation Samples.............................................................................................................3-52
Combining Waveforms......................................................................................................3-56
Chapter 4
PROGRAMMING REFERENCE......................................................................................................4-1
What’s In This Chapter...................................................................................................................4-1
What’s Required.............................................................................................................................4-1
The RIComm.dll Functions .................................................................................................4-2
The 3155drv.dll Functions...................................................................................................4-9
Introduction To SCPI.................................................................................................................4-13
Command Format.............................................................................................................4-13
Command Separator.........................................................................................................4-14
The MIN and MAX Parameters......................................................................................... 4-14
Querying Parameter Setting..............................................................................................4-15
Query Response Format...................................................................................................4-15
SCPI Command Terminator..............................................................................................4-15
IEEE-STD-488.2 Common Commands............................................................................4-15

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SCPI Parameter Type.......................................................................................................4-15
Numeric Parameters.........................................................................................................4-16
Discrete Parameters.........................................................................................................4-16
Boolean Parameters.........................................................................................................4-16
SCPI Syntax and Styles...............................................................................................................4-16
SOURce Subsystem ................................................................................................................4-23
OUTPut Subsystem..................................................................................................................4-45
INSTrument Subsystem...........................................................................................................4-48
Synchronizing Multiple Instruments.............................................................................................4-50
TRIGger Subsystem.................................................................................................................4-52
TRACe Subsystem...................................................................................................................4-57
Arbitrary Waveforms....................................................................................................................4-58
Arbitrary Memory Management...................................................................................................4-58
Downloading Arbitrary Waveforms..............................................................................................4-59
Sequenced Waveforms...............................................................................................................4-61
SYSTem Subsystem ................................................................................................................4-64
IEEE-STD-488.2 Common Commands and Queries..............................................................4-65
The SCPI Status Registers...............................................................................................4-66
The Status Byte Register (STB).......................................................................................4-67
Reading the Status Byte Register ....................................................................................4-69
Clearing the Status Byte Register ....................................................................................4-69
Service Request Enable Register (SRE) .........................................................................4-69
Standard Event Status Register (ESR)............................................................................4-70
Standard Event Status Enable Register (ESE)................................................................4-71
Error Messages.................................................................................................................4-71
Chapter 5
PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION...................................................................................................5-1
What’s in This Chapter...................................................................................................................5-1
Performance Checks .....................................................................................................................5-1
Environmental Conditions...........................................................................................................5-1
Warm-Up Period.........................................................................................................................5-2
Initial Instrument Setting.............................................................................................................5-2
Recommended Test Equipment.................................................................................................5-2
Performance Check Procedures ...................................................................................................5-2
Frequency Accuracy...................................................................................................................5-3
Amplitude Accuracy....................................................................................................................5-3
DC Offset Characteristics...........................................................................................................5-4
Squarewave Characteristics......................................................................................................5-5

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Sine Characteristics....................................................................................................................5-5
Sine Flatness (Using Sine Output).............................................................................................5-6
Trig, Gate and Burst Characteristics..........................................................................................5-7
Chapter 6
PRODUCT SUPPORT.....................................................................................................................6-1
Product Support.............................................................................................................................6-1
Reshipment Instructions ................................................................................................................6-1
Support Offices ..............................................................................................................................6-2