Tektronix VX4101 User manual

User Manual
VX4101
DMM/Counter
070-9678-01
This document supports firmware version 1.0
Warning
The servicing instructions are for use by qualified
personnel only. To avoid personal injury, do not
perform any servicing unless you are qualified to
do so. Refer to the Safety Summary prior to
performing service.

Copyright Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its suppliers and
are protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the
Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the
Commercial Computer Software – Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19, as applicable.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication supercedes
that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, OR 97070–1000
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.

WARRANTY
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years
from the date of shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either
will repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the
defective product.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the
warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for
packaging and shipping the defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid.
Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the
Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any
other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate
maintenance and care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting
from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair
damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; or c) to service a product that has been
modified or integrated with other products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or
difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
TEKTRONIX’ RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX
AND ITS VENDORS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS
ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

VX4101 DMM/Counter User Manual i
Table of Contents
General Safety Summary v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service Safety Summary vii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Started
Product Description 1–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Descriptions 1–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Physical Description 1–4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls and Indicators 1–5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 1–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BIT (Built-in Test) 1–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessories 1–8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VXIplug&play Software 1–9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation 1–11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tools Required 1–11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Requirements and Cautions 1–11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Module Installation Procedure 1–12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Software Installation 1–13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation Checklist 1–17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Functional Check 1–18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operational Check 1–19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SYSFAIL* Operation 1–20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the Instrument Drivers 1–21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Basics
Instrument Functions 2–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Functional Overview 2–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power-on 2–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument I/O 2–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VXIbus Basics 2–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Configuration Registers 2–4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VMEbus Interrupt Level Selection 2–5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theory of Operation 2–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Instrument Subsystem 2–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Asynchronous Protocol 2–8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asynchronous Protocol Command Suite Description 2–10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Response Formats 2–11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trigger Commands 2–16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Syntax and Commands
Command Syntax 3–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IEEE-488.2 Common Commands 3–5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General VX4101 Commands 3–17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCPI Commands for the Digital Multimeter 3–39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table of Contents
ii VX4101 DMM/Counter User Manual
Trigger Commands for the DMM 3–81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCPI Commands for the Counter 3–91. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trigger Commands for the Counter 3–165. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCPI Commands for the SurePatht Modules 3–185. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trigger Commands for the SurePath Modules 3–219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status and Events
Status and Event Reporting System 4–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendices
Appendix A: Specifications A–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VX4101 General Characteristics A–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Over Voltage Indication A–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital Multimeter (DMM) Specifications A–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Universal Counter Specifications A–19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SurePathtSpecifications A–29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certfications and Compliances A–29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B: Input/Output Connections B–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix C: Examples C–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the DMM Subsystem C–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using VXIplug&play Driver Function Calls C–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix D: Calibration D–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calibration for the DMM D–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DC Mode Calibration Procedure D–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TRMS AC (DC Coupled) Mode Calibrations D–6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resistance Mode Calibration Procedure D–8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current Mode Calibration Procedure D–12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calibration for the Counter D–13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix E: Counter Performance Verification Procedure E–1. . . . . . . .
General Information and Conventions E–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment Required E–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Considerations for Automated Procedures E–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prerequisites E–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the Test Records E–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Test Records E–5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Test Procedures E–9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix F: DMM Performance Verification Procedure F–1. . . . . . . . .
General Information and Conventions F–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equipment Required F–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Considerations for Automated Procedures F–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prerequisites F–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the Test Records F–3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before You Begin F–5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24-Hour Test Records F–6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
90-Day Verification Test Records F–11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
One Year Verification Test Record F–16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Test Procedures F–21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table of Contents
VX4101 DMM/Counter User Manual iii
Appendix G: User Service G–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix H: Replaceable Parts H–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts Ordering Information H–1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the Replaceable Parts List H–2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dressing the Delay Line Cable H–7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glossary and Index

Table of Contents
iv VX4101 DMM/Counter User Manual

VX4101 DMM/Counter User Manual v
General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to
this product or any products connected to it. To avoid potential hazards, use this
product only as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
While using this product, you may need to access other parts of the system. Read
the General Safety Summary in other system manuals for warnings and cautions
related to operating the system.
Connect and Disconnect Properly. Do not connect or disconnect probes or test
leads while they are connected to a voltage source.
Ground the Product. This product is indirectly grounded through the grounding
conductor of the mainframe power cord. To avoid electric shock, the grounding
conductor must be connected to earth ground. Before making connections to the
input or output terminals of the product, ensure that the product is properly
grounded.
Observe All Terminal Ratings. To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings
and marking on the product. Consult the product manual for further ratings
information before making connections to the product.
Do not apply a potential to any terminal, including the common terminal, that
exceeds the maximum rating of that terminal.
Do Not Operate Without Covers. Do not operate this product with covers or panels
removed.
Use Proper Fuse. Use only the fuse type and rating specified for this product.
Avoid Exposed Circuitry. Do not touch exposed connections and components
when power is present.
Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures. If you suspect there is damage to this
product, have it inspected by qualified service personnel.
Do Not Operate in Wet/DampConditions.
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere.
Keep Product Surfaces Clean and Dry.
Provide Proper Ventilation. Refer to the manual’s installation instructions for
details on installing the product so it has proper ventilation.
To Avoid Fire or
Personal Injury

General Safety Summary
vi VX4101 DMM/Counter User Manual
Terms in this Manual. These terms may appear in this manual:
WARNING. Warning statements identify conditions or practices that could result
in injury or loss of life.
CAUTION. Caution statements identify conditions or practices that could result in
damage to this product or other property.
Terms on the Product. These terms may appear on the product:
DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you read the
marking.
WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the
marking.
CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product.
Symbols on the Product. The following symbols may appear on the product:
ProtectiveGround
(Earth)Terminal CAUTION Refer to Manual Double Insulated
WARNING
High Voltage
Symbols and Terms