Tektronix RSA6100A Series Operating and maintenance manual

Programmer Manual
RSA6100A Series
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers
071-1913-01 SMA--1 First Draft 01/22/07
This document applies to firmware version 1.1
and above.
www.tektronix.com

Copyright ©Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its subsidiaries or
suppliers, and are protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
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.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
HIn North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
HWorldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.

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Table of Contents
Preface vii...................................................
Related Documentation vii...........................................
Getting Started
Overview of the Manual 1--1...........................................
Connecting the Interface 1--3..........................................
Using the GPIB Port 1--4..............................................
Setting the GPIB Address 1--5..........................................
Using TekVISA 1--6..................................................
Syntax and Commands
Command Syntax 2--1.........................................
Backus-Naur Form Definition 2--1......................................
SCPI Commands and Queries 2--2......................................
IEEE 488.2 Common Commands 2--9...................................
Constructed Mnemonics 2--9...........................................
Command Groups 2--11.........................................
Measurement Views 2--11..............................................
Functional Groups 2--13...............................................
IEEE Common Commands 2--14........................................
ABORt Commands 2--14...............................................
CALibration Commands 2--14..........................................
CALCulate Commands 2--15...........................................
DISPlay Commands 2--20..............................................
FETCh Commands 2--25...............................................
INITiate Commands 2--29..............................................
INPut Commands 2--30................................................
:MMEMory Commands 2--30...........................................
OUTPut Commands 2--31..............................................
READ Commands 2--32...............................................
SENSe Commands 2--36...............................................
STATus Commands 2--42..............................................
SYSTem Commands 2--43..............................................
TRACe Commands 2--44...............................................
TRIGger Commands 2--46..............................................
Programming Hints 2--47...............................................
IEEE Common Commands 2--49.................................
ABORt Commands 2--59........................................
CALibration Commands 2--61...................................
CALCulate Commands 2--67.....................................
DISPlay Commands 2--177.......................................
FETCh Commands 2--269........................................
INITiate Commands 2--357.......................................

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INPut Commands 2--359.........................................
MMEMory Commands 2--363.....................................
OUTPut Commands 2--387.......................................
READ Commands 2--391.........................................
SENSe Commands 2--479.........................................
STATus Commands 2--597........................................
SYSTem Commands 2--631.......................................
TRACe Commands 2--639........................................
TRIGger Commands 2--683.......................................
Retrieving Response Message 2--697................................
Status and Events
Status and Event Reporting System 3--1..................................
Status Byte 3--4.....................................................
Standard Event Status Block 3--5.......................................
Operation Status Block 3--7............................................
Questionable Status Block 3--8.........................................
Queues 3--10........................................................
Status and Event Processing Sequence 3--11...............................
Synchronizing Execution 3--12..........................................
Error Messages and Codes 3--15..................................
Command Errors 3--15.................................................
Execution Errors 3--16.................................................
Device Specific Errors 3--18............................................
Query Errors 3--19....................................................
Device Errors 3--19...................................................
Appendices
Appendix A: Character Charts A--1..............................
Appendix B: GPIB Interface Specification B--1.....................
Interface Functions B--1...............................................
Interface Messages B--3...............................................
Appendix C: Factory Initialization Settings C--1....................
Appendix D: SCPI Conformance Information D--1..................
Glossary
Index

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List of Figures
Figure 1--1: Command parts 1--1.................................
Figure 1--2: Functional groupings and an alphabetical list of
commands 1--2............................................
Figure 1--3: Event-driven program 1--2...........................
Figure 1--4: GPIB connector (rear panel) 1--3......................
Figure 1--5: GPIB connection 1--4................................
Figure 1--6: Typical GPIB network configurations 1--4..............
Figure 2--1: Example of SCPI subsystem hierarchy tree 2--2..........
Figure 2--2: Example of abbreviating a command 2--5...............
Figure 2--3: Example of chaining commands and queries 2--6.........
Figure 2--4: Example of omitting root and lower-level nodes in a
chained message 2--6.......................................
Figure 2--5: Trigger mask setting example 2--684.....................
Figure 2--6: Retrieving response message 2--697......................
Figure 3--1: Status/Event reporting mechanism 3--2.................
Figure 3--1: Status/Event reporting mechanism (Cont.) 3--3..........
Figure 3--2: Status Byte Register (SBR) 3--4........................
Figure 3--3: Service Request Enable Register (SRER) 3--5............
Figure 3--4: Standard event status register 3--5.....................
Figure 3--5: Operation status register 3--7.........................
Figure 3--6: Questionable status register 3--8.......................
Figure 3--7: Questionable frequency status register 3--9..............
Figure 3--8: Questionable calibration status register 3--10.............
Figure 3--9: Status and event processing sequence 3--11...............

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List of Tables
Table 2--1: BNF symbols and meanings 2--1.......................
Table 2--2: Query response examples 2--3.........................
Table 2--3: Parameter types used in syntax descriptions 2--4.........
Table 2--4: Available units 2--7..................................
Table 2--5: Available SI prefixes 2--7.............................
Table 2--6: Constructed mnemonics 2--9..........................
Table 2--7: Measurement views 2--12..............................
Table 2--8: List of command groups 2--13..........................
Table 2--9: Status and error commands 2--14.......................
Table 2--10: ABORt commands 2--14..............................
Table 2--11: CALibration commands 2--14.........................
Table 2--12: CALCulate commands 2--15..........................
Table 2--13: DISPlay commands 2--20.............................
Table 2--14: FETCh commands 2--25..............................
Table 2--15: INITiate commands 2--29.............................
Table 2--16: INPut commands 2--30...............................
Table 2--17: :MMEMory commands 2--30..........................
Table 2--18: OUTPut commands 2--31.............................
Table 2--19: READ commands 2--32...............................
Table 2--20: SENSe commands 2--36..............................
Table 2--21: STATus commands 2--42.............................
Table 2--22: SYSTem commands 2--43.............................
Table 2--23: TRACe commands 2--44..............................
Table 2--24: TRIGger commands 2--46............................
Table 2--25: Instrument options 2--55..............................
Table 2--26: CALCulate command subgroups 2--67..................
Table 2--27: Marker mnemonics 2--68.............................
Table 2--28: Source data of the search operation 2--73................
Table 2--29: Search condition 2--78................................
Table 2--30: DISPlay command subgroups 2--177....................
Table 2--31: Measurement views 2--179.............................
Table 2--32: Modulation measurement views 2--198...................
Table 2--33: General signal viewing views 2--210.....................
Table 2--34: Pulse results 2--246...................................
Table 2--35: FETCh command subgroups 2--269.....................

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Table 2--36: MMEMory command subgroups 2--363..................
Table 2--37: Trace file extension and trace selection command 2--367....
Table 2--38: READ command subgroups 2--391......................
Table 2--39: SENSe command subgroups 2--479......................
Table 2--40: Dithering status 2--486................................
Table 2--41: Digital modulation measurement filter 2--518.............
Table 2--42: Modulation type 2--520................................
Table 2--43: Frequency tuning 2--528...............................
Table 2--44: Color palette for DPX spectrum 2--532...................
Table 2--45: Color palette for spectrogram 2--578.....................
Table 2--46: TRACe command subgroups 2--639.....................
Table 2--47: Trigger violations 2--689...............................
Table 2--48: Trigger event source 2--693.............................
Table 3--1: Register type 3--1....................................
Table 3--2: SBR bit functions 3--4................................
Table 3--3: Standard event status register bit definition 3--6..........
Table 3--4: Operation status register bit definition 3--7..............
Table 3--5: Questionable status register bit definition 3--8............
Table 3--6: Questionable frequency status register bit definition 3--9...
Table 3--7: Questionable calibration status register bit definition 3--10..
Table 3--8: Command errors 3--15................................
Table 3--9: Execution errors 3--16.................................
Table 3--10: Device specific errors 3--18............................
Table 3--11: Query errors 3--19...................................
Table 3--12: Device errors, global condition 3--19....................
Table 3--13: Device errors, measurement condition 3--20..............
Table 3--14: Device errors, source condition 3--20....................
Table A--1: ASCII & GPIB code chart A--2.........................
Table B--1: GPIB interface function implementation B--1............
Table B--2: Standard interface messages B--3......................
Table C--1: Factory initialization settings, IEEE common
commands C--1............................................
Table C--2: Factory initialization settings, CALibration commands C--1
Table C--3: Factory initialization settings, CALCulate commands C--1.
Table C--4: Factory initialization settings, DISPlay commands C--2....
Table C--5: Factory initialization settings, INITiate commands C--5...

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Table C--6: Factory initialization settings, INPut commands C--6......
Table C--7: Factory initialization settings, OUTPut commands C--6...
Table C--8: Factory initialization settings, SENSe commands C--6.....
Table C--9: Factory initialization settings, TRACe commands C--11....
Table C--10: Factory initialization settings, TRIGger commands C--13..
Table D--1: SCPI 1999.0-defined commands D--1...................

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RSA6100A Series Programmer Manual vii
Preface
This programmer manual covers the RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum
Analyzers. It provides information on operating your analyzer using the
General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB).
This manual is composed of the following sections:
HGetting Started outlines how to use the GPIB interface.
HSyntax and Commands defines the syntax used in command descriptions,
presents a list of all command subsystems, and presents detailed descriptions
of all programming commands.
HStatus and Events describes how the status and Events Reporting system
operates and presents a list of all system errors.
HAppendices provides additional information including character charts, GPIB
interface specification, and factory initialization settings.
Related Documentation
HRSA6100A Series Quick Start User Manual
(Tektronix part number 071-1909-XX)
This manual contains general information about how to put your instrument
into service, guides to user interface controls, and application examples.
HRSA6100A Series Online Help
The online help contains detailed information about how to operate the
instrument.
HTekVISA Programmer Manual
(Tektronix part number 071-1101-XX)
This manual is available as a printable PDF file on the Tektronix web site
(www.tektronix.com). The manual describes TekVISA, the Tektronix
implementation of the VISA Application Programming Interface (API).
TekVISA is industry-compliant software for writing interoperable instrument
drivers in a variety of Application Development Environments (ADEs).

Preface
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Getting Started

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RSA6100A Series Programmer Manual 1-1
Getting Started
You can write computer programs that remotely set the analyzer front panel
controls or that take measurements and read those measurements for further
analysis or storage. To help you get started with programming the analyzer,
this section includes the following subsections:
HOverview of the Manual
Summarizes each major section of this manual.
HConnecting the Interface
Describes how to physically connect the analyzer to a controller.
HUsing GPIB Ports
Describes how to use the GPIB port.
HSetting the GPIB Address
Describes how to set the GPIB parameters from the front panel.
HUsing TekVISA
Describes how to use the TekVISA communication protocol.
Overview of the Manual
The information contained in each major section of this manual is described
below.
Section 2, Syntax and Commands, describes the structure and content of the
messages your program sends to the analyzer. Figure 1--1 shows command parts
as described in the Command Syntax subsection.
:CALCulate:MARKer:MODE ABSolute
Header
Mnemonics Argument
SpaceCommand parts
Figure 1- 1: Command parts
Syntax and Commands

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Section 2 also describes the effect of each command and provides examples of
how you might use it. The Command Groups subsection provides lists by
functional areas. The IEEE Common Commands and the subsequent subsections
arrange commands alphabetically (Figure 1--2).
:TRIGger
:CALCulate:ACPower
:CALCulate:CONStellation
:CALCulate:DPSA
IEEE Common Commands
*CAL?
*CLS
*ESE
*ESR
*IDN?
*OPC
:ABORt Commands
:CALCulate Commands
Syntax:...
Examples:...
S
E
S
E
Commands grouped in functional areas Commands listed alphabetically
Arguments:
A
A
Figure 1- 2: Functional groupings and an alphabetical list of commands
The program may request information from the instrument. The instrument
provides information in the form of status and error messages. Figure 1--3
illustrates the basic operation of this system. Section 3, Status and Events,
describes how to get status or event information from the program and details the
event and error messages.
Your program requests
status and event reports.
The analyzer sends
status and event reports.
GPIB cable
Controller
RSA6106A/RSA6114A
Figure 1- 3: Event-driven program
Status and Events

Getting Started
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RSA6100A Series Programmer Manual 1-3
Connecting the Interface
The instrument has a 24-pin GPIB connector on its rear panel, as shown in
Figure 1--4. This connector has a D-type shell and conforms to IEEE Std
488.1-1987. Attach an IEEE Std 488.1-1987 GPIB cable (Tektronix part number
012-0991-00) to this connector.
GPIB connector
AC line connector
LAN connector
Figure 1- 4: GPIB connector (rear panel)
Appendix B: GPIB Interface Specifications gives more information on the
GPIB configuration of the analyzer. For the other interfaces, refer to the
RSA6100A Series Quick Start User Manual.

Getting Started
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Using the GPIB Port
The analyzer has Talker/Listener functions through which it can communicate
with other devices, as well as the external controller, located on the bus.
GPIB
Controller Using the analyzer as a talker or listener
Figure 1- 5: GPIB connection
Observe the following rules when you use your analyzer with a GPIB network:
HAssign a unique device address to each device on the bus. No two devices
can share the same device address.
HDo not connect more than 15 devices to any one bus.
HConnect one device for every 2 m (6 ft) of cable used.
HDo not use more than 20 m (65 ft) of cable to connect devices to a bus.
HTurn on at least 2/3 of the devices on the network while using the network.
HConnect the devices on the network in a star or linear configuration, as
shown in Figure 1--6. Do not use loop or parallel configurations.
GPIB Device
GPIB Device
GPIB Device
GPIB Device
GPIB Device
GPIB Device
GPIB Device
Figure 1- 6: Typical GPIB network configurations
GPIB Requirements

Getting Started
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RSA6100A Series Programmer Manual 1-5
Setting the GPIB Address
When you use the GPIB port to communicate with an external controller, follow
these steps to set the address of the analyzer.
1. From the Tools menu, select Options to open the Options control panel.
2. Click the GPIB tab and set the primary address. Range: 0 to 30 (default: 1)
NOTE. The GPIB address cannot be initialized by the *RST command.

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Using TekVISA
TekVISA is Tektronix implementation of VISA (Virtual Instrument Software
Architecture), an industry-standard communication protocol. VISA provides a
common standard for software developers so that software from multiple
vendors, such as instrument drivers, can run on the same platform. TekVISA is
industry-compliant software, available with selected Tektronix instruments. You
can use this software to write (or draw) interoperable instrument drivers in a
variety of Application Development Environments (ADEs). It implements a
subset of Version 2.2 of the VISA specification for controlling GPIB and
serial (RS-232) instrument interfaces locally or remotely via an Ethernet LAN
connection.
Use an internet browser to access the Tektronix web site (www.tektronix.com)
and download the current TekVISA to your PC. Unzip the downloaded file in a
temporary directory of your choice and run Setup.exe.
NOTE. The details on TekVISA concepts and operations are explained in the
TekVISA Programmer Manual that can be also found on the Tektronix web site.
Installation

Syntax and Commands