Array-Data Formats - HP 8753E Programming And Command Reference Manual

Array-Data Formats

The analyzer can transmit and receive arrays in the analyzer's internal
binary format as well as four different numeric formats. The current
format is set with the FORMl, FORMS, FORMS, FORM4, and FORM5
commands. These commands do not affect learn-string transfers,
calibration-kit string transfers, or non-array transfers, such as command
query, or output marker values.
A transmitted array will be output in the current format, and the
analyzer will attempt to read incoming arrays according to the current
format. Each data point in an array is a pair of numbers, usually a
real/imaginary pair. The number of data points in each array is the same
as the number of points in the current sweep.
The five formats are described below:
The analyzer's internal binary format, 6
bytes-per-data point. The array is preceded by a
four-byte header. The first two bytes represent the
string " #H ", the standard block header. The second
two bytes are an integer representing the number of
bytes in the block to follow. FORM1 is best applied
when rapid data transfers, not to be modified by the
computer nor interpreted by the user, are required.
IEEE 32-bit floating-point format, 8 bytes-per-data
point. The data is preceded by the same header as
in FORMl. Each number consists of a l-bit sign, an
is the format of choice if your computer supports
single-precision floating-point numbers.
IEEE 64-bit floating-point format, 16 bytes-per-data
point. The data is preceded by the same header as
in FORMl. Each number consists of a l-bit sign,
an 1 l-bit biased exponent, and a 52-bit mantissa.
This format may be used with double-precision
floating-point numbers. No additional precision is
available in the analyzer data, but FORM3 may be
a convenient form for transferring data to your
computer.
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