Tektronix TDS200 Series Operating and maintenance manual

Programmer Manual
TDS200-, TDS1000-, and
TDS2000-Series
Digital Oscilloscope
071-1075-00
This document supports TDS210 and TDS220
with FV:v1.09 and above when used with
TDS2CM version CMV:v1.04 and above, or
TDS2CMA and TDS2MM any version; TDS224,
TDS1000- and TDS2000-series, all versions
www.tektronix.com

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.
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077
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 IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS 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.

TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual i
Table of Contents
Preface v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related Documents v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conventions vi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contacting Tektronix vii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Started
Getting Started 1-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Syntax and Commands
Command Syntax 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Command and Query Structure 2-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Command Entry 2-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Constructed Mnemonics 2-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Argument Types 2-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Command Groups 2-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition Commands 2-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calibration and Diagnostic Commands 2-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cursor Commands 2-16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display Commands 2-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hard Copy Commands 2-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horizontal Commands 2-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Math Commands 2-19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurement Commands 2-20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Miscellaneous Commands 2-21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RS-232 Commands 2-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Save and Recall Commands 2-23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status and Error Commands 2-24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trigger Commands 2-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vertical Commands 2-26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Commands 2-27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table of Contents
ii TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual
Waveform Data Formats 2-29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Data Record 2-31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Data Locations and Memory Allocation 2-32. . . . . .
Waveform Preamble 2-32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scaling Waveform Data 2-32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transferring Waveform Data 2-32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Command Descriptions 2-35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status and Events
Status and Events 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Registers 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status Registers 3-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Enable Registers 3-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Enable Registers and the *PSC Command 3-6. . . . . . . . .
Queues 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Output Queue 3-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Event Queue 3-7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Event Handling Sequence 3-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Synchronization Methods 3-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the *WAI Command 3-11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the BUSY Query 3-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the *OPC Set Command 3-14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using the *OPC? Query 3-16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Messages 3-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Programming Example
Programming Example 4-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendices
Appendix A: ASCII Code Chart A-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B: Factory Setup B-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glossary and Index

Table of Contents
TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual iii
List of Figures
Figure 2-1: Command message elements 2-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2-2: Block argument example 2-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-1: The Standard Event Status Register (SESR) 3-2. .
Figure 3-2: The Status Byte Register (SBR) 3-3. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-3: The Device Event Status Enable Register
(DESER) 3-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-4: The Event Status Enable Register (ESER) 3-5. . . .
Figure 3-5: The Service Request Enable Register
(SRER) 3-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-6: Status and event handling process 3-9. . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-7: Command processing without using
synchronization 3-11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3-8: Processing sequence with synchronization 3-11. . . .
List of Tables
Table 2-1: BNF notation 2-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-2: Command message elements 2-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-3: Comparison of Header Off and Header On
responses 2-5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-4: Types of numeric arguments 2-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-5: Oscilloscope handling of incorrect numeric
arguments 2-11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-6: Parts of a block argument 2-12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-7: Acquisition commands 2-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-8: Calibration and Diagnostic commands 2-16. . . . . . .

Table of Contents
iv TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual
Table 2-9: Cursor commands 2-16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-10: Display commands 2-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-11: Hard Copy commands 2-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-12: Horizontal commands 2-18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-13: Math commands 2-19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-14: Measurement commands 2-20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-15: Miscellaneous commands 2-21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-16: RS-232 commands 2-23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-17: Save and Recall commands 2-23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-18: Status and Error commands 2-24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-19: Trigger commands 2-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-20: Vertical commands 2-26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-21: Waveform commands 2-27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-22: Binary data ranges 2-31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-23: Vertical position ranges using a 1X probe 2-54. . . .
Table 2-24: DATa and WFMPre parameter settings 2-70. . . . .
Table 2-25: Commands that generate an Operation
Complete message 2-121. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 2-26: Additional WFMPre commands 2-173. . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 3-1: SESR bit functions 3-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 3-2: SBR bit functions 3-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 3-3: No event messages 3-17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 3-4: Command error messages –CME bit 5 3-18. . . . . . .
Table 3-5: Execution error messages –EXE bit 4 3-18. . . . . . . .
Table 3-6: Device error messages –DDE bit 3 3-21. . . . . . . . . .
Table 3-7: System event messages 3-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 3-8: Execution warning messages –EXE bit 4 3-23. . . . .
Table 3-9: Internal warning messages 3-24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual v
Preface
This programmer manual provides information on how to operate
your TDS 200-, TDS1000- or TDS2000-series digital oscilloscope
with the RS-232 or General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) protocols.
Related Documents
The TDS1000- and TDS2000-series oscilloscopes offer the following
standard and optional documents:
HFor information on the general operation of the oscilloscopes and
how to use a TDS2CMA communications module with the
oscilloscope, refer to the TDS1000- and TDS2000-Series Digital
Storage Oscilloscope User Manual, a standard accessory
available in eleven languages as follows:
Language User manual part number
English 071−1064−XX
French 071−1065−XX*
Italian 071−1066−XX*
German 071−1067−XX*
Spanish 071−1068−XX*
Japanese 071−1069−XX*
Port g ese 071−1070−XX*
Simplified Chinese 071−1071−XX*
Traditional Chinese 071−1072−XX*
Korean 071−1073−XX*
R ssian 071−1074−XX
* Contains a language overlay for the front−panel controls.

Preface
vi TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual
HFor information on how to service the oscilloscope, refer to the
TDS1000- and TDS2000-Series Digital Storage Oscilloscopes
Service Manual (071-1076-XX), an optional accessory in English
only
The TDS200-series oscilloscopes offer the following standard and
optional documents:
HFor information on the general operation of the oscilloscopes,
refer to the TDS200-Series Digital Real-Time Oscilloscope User
Manual, a standard accessory available in eleven languages
HFor information on how to use a TDS2CMA communications
module, or a TDS2MM measurements module with the
oscilloscope, refer to the TDS200 Series Extension Modules
Instructions Manual (071-0409-XX), a standard accessory for
extension modules in English only
HFor information on how to service the oscilloscope, refer to the
TDS200-Series Digital Real-Time Oscilloscopes Service Manual
(071-0492-XX), an optional accessory in English only
Conventions
Refer to the Command Syntax section of the Syntax and Commands
chapter (page 2-1) for information about command conventions.
NOTE. References to the TDS2CMA Communications Extension
Module in this manual also apply to the TDS2CM extension module.

Preface
TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual vii
Contacting Tektronix
Phone [phone]*
Address Tektronix, Inc.
Department or name (if known)
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
Web site www.tektronix.com
Sales
support
1-800-833-9200, select option 1*
Service support 1-800-833-9200, select option 2*
Technical
support
Email: [email protected]
1-800-833-9200, select option 3*
6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pacific time
*This phone number is toll free in North America. After office
hours, please leave a voice mail message.
Outside North America, contact a Tektronix sales office or
distributor; see the Tektronix web site for a list of offices.

Preface
viii TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual

Getting Started

TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual 1−1
Getting Started
Before you use the commands in this programming manual to
remotely control your oscilloscope, you must have installed a
TDS2CMA Communications Extension Module onto your TDS1000
or TDS2000 oscilloscope. Follow the instructions in the TDS1000-
and TDS2000-Series Digital Storage Oscilloscope User Manual to
install, test, and configure your extension module. You can also refer
to this manual for general information on how to operate a TDS1000
or TDS2000 oscilloscope.
NOTE. References to the TDS2CMA Communications Extension
Module in this manual also apply to the TDS2CM extension module.
The TDS1000- and TDS2000-series oscilloscopes include all of the
Math and measurement functions of the TDS2MM extension module.
For a TDS200 oscilloscope, you must have installed a TDS2CMA
Communications Extension Module or TDS2MM Measurement
Extension Module. Follow the instructions in the TDS200 Series
Extension Module Instructions Manual to install, test, and configure
your extension module.
Refer to the TDS200-Series Digital Real-Time Oscilloscope User
Manual for general information on how to operate a TDS200
oscilloscope.

Getting Started
1−2 TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual

Syntax and Commands

TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual 2−1
Command Syntax
You can control the oscilloscope through the GPIB or RS-232
interface using a large group of commands and queries. This section
describes the syntax these commands and queries use and the
conventions the oscilloscope uses to process them. The commands
and queries themselves are listed in the Command Descriptions
section.
You transmit commands to the oscilloscope using the enhanced
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
character encoding. Appendix A contains a chart of the ASCII
character set.
The Backus-Naur Form (BNF) notation is used in this manual to
describe commands and queries. Table 2-1 lists the BNF notation.
Table 2−1: BNF notation
Symbol Meaning
< >Defined element
::= Is defined as
|Excl sive OR
{ }Gro p; one element is req ired
[ ]Optional; can be omitted
. . . Previo s element(s) may be
repeated
( )Comment

Command Syntax
2−2 TDS200/1000/2000 Series Oscilloscope Programmer Manual
Command and Query Structure
Commands consist of set commands and query commands (usually
simply called commands and queries). Commands change oscillo-
scope settings or perform a specific action. Queries cause the
oscilloscope to return data and information about its status.
Most commands have both a set form and a query form. The query
form of the command is the same as the set form except that it ends
with a question mark. For example, the set command ACQuire:MODe
has a query form ACQuire:MODe?. Not all commands have both a set
and a query form; some commands are set only and some are query
only.
A few commands do both a set and query action. For example, the
*CAL? command runs a self-calibration program on the oscilloscope,
then returns the result of the calibration.
A command message is a command or query name, followed by any
information the oscilloscope needs to execute the command or query.
Command messages consist of five different element types.
Table 2-2 lists and describes the five element types.
Table 2−2: Command message elements
Symbol Meaning
<Header> The basic command name. If the header ends with
a q estion mark, the command is a q ery. The
header may begin with a colon (:) character; if the
command is concatenated with other commands the
beginning colon is req ired. The beginning colon
can never be sed with command headers
beginning with a star (*).
<Mnemonic> A header s bf nction. Some command headers
have only one mnemonic. If a command header has
m ltiple mnemonics, they are always separated
from each other by a colon (:) character.