Programming Overview; General Description; Cables For The Spectrum Master; Serial Communication Parameters - Anritsu Spectrum Master MS2711D Programming Manual

Programming Overview

Warning: This programming manual is written exclusively for Anritsu Spectrum
Master Model MS2711D. For information on firmware upgrades, contact your local
Anritsu Service Center. Commands listed in this manual are not all backward-
compatible with earlier Anritsu models.

General Description

The Spectrum Master must first be set into "remote" mode for communication with a computer. Remote mode
differs from normal repetitive sweep and single-sweep modes. During remote mode, the Spectrum Master suspends
normal operations and attends to the serial port. The front panel display indicates when the Spectrum Master is in
remote mode.
Once in remote mode, you send a series of control bytes and associated data to the Spectrum Master. These control
byte sequences command the Spectrum Master to perform various functions and activities. The serial port supports
virtually all features accessible from the keypad. The only exception is the printer, which requires connection to the
same 9 pin connector on the Spectrum Master rear panel.
To complete the communication session, send the control byte to exit remote mode. Spectrum Master resumes
normal operations. You may also exit the remote mode by using the ESCAPE/CLEAR key.

Cables for the Spectrum Master

Serial communications take place via the 9 pin connector on the back of the Spectrum Master. The Spectrum
Master is a DTE-type serial device and therefore requires a "null modem" cable for communication with a
computer, which is also a DTE device. We provide a suitable cable with your Spectrum Master. (Anritsu part
number 800-441)

Serial Communication Parameters

The Spectrum Master communicates at a baud rate of 9600. It uses no parity bits, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit (N-8-1).
No hardware handshaking is used. The Set Baud Rate serial command Control Byte #197 (C5h) can be used to
change the baud rate to other common baud rates.

Communications Error Checking

Since there is no hardware handshaking, byte level error handling must be done by the controlling program. The
expected number of response bytes for each control byte (listed in the control byte description section of this
manual) works well for responses coming from the Spectrum Master. For data streams going to the Spectrum
Master, the "watch dog timer" protects against interrupted transmissions by aborting a control byte sequence if the
inter-byte time limit is exceeded.

Parameter Validation

The Spectrum Master validates input parameters for each control byte sequence. If the input parameters are out of
range or invalid, the Spectrum Master notifies the computer by sending Parameter Error Byte #224 (E0h). The
Spectrum Master discards the received data and waits for the next control byte.
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