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Tektronix TDS 420A Programmer's Manual

Tektronix TDS 420A Programmer's Manual

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Programmer Manual

TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes

(TDS 420A, 430A, 460A, 510A, 520C, 540C, 620B,

644B, 680B, 684B, 724C, 754C, & 784C)

070-9876-00

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Page 1 Programmer Manual TDS Family Digitizing Oscilloscopes (TDS 420A, 430A, 460A, 510A, 520C, 540C, 620B, 644B, 680B, 684B, 724C, 754C, & 784C) 070-9876-00...
Page 2 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.
Page 3 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.
Page 4: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Getting Started Overview of the Manual ..........1–1 Setting Up Remote Communications .
Page 5 Table of Contents Programming Examples Compiling the Example Programs ........4–2 Appendices Appendix A: Character Charts...
Page 6 Table of Contents List of Figures Figure 1–1: Common Message Elements ..... . . 1–1 Figure 1–2: Functional Groupings and an Alphabetical List of Commands .
Page 7 Table of Contents List of Tables Table 2–1: BNF Symbols and Meanings ......2–1 Table 2–2: Command Message Elements .
Page 8 Table of Contents Table 2–31: XY Format Pairs ....... . 2–123 Table 2–32: Record Length Values (<NR1>) .
Page 9: Related Manuals
This manual provides information on operating your oscilloscope using the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) interface. Related Manuals Table i lists other documentation for the TDS 420A, 430A, 460A, 510A, 520C, 540C, 620B, 644B, 680B, 684B, 724C, 754C, & 784C digitizing oscilloscopes. Table i: Other Documentation...
Page 10 The name “TDS 400A” is used when providing information common to the TDS 420A, 430A, and TDS 460A model oscilloscopes. The name “TDS 500C” is used when providing information common to the TDS 520C and TDS 540C model oscilloscopes.
Page 11: Figure 1-1: Common Message Elements
Getting Started You can write computer programs that remotely set the oscilloscope front panel controls or that take measurements and read those measurements for further analysis or storage. To help you get started with programmng the oscilloscope, this section includes the following sections: Overview of the Manual –...
Page 12: Figure 1-2: Functional Groupings And An Alphabetical List Of Commands
Getting Started ACQuire:NUMACq? (Query Only) Application Menu Commands Zoom Zoom ACQuire:MODe Alias Commands ACQuire? (Query Only) Acquisition Commands Syntax: . . . ACQuire:MODe ACQuire:NUMACq? Group: . . . ACQuire:NUMAVg ACQuire:NUMEnv Examples: . . . ACQuire:REPEt ACQuire:STATE ACQuire:STOPAfter Commands Grouped in Functional Areas Commands Listed Alphabetically Figure 1–2: Functional Groupings and an Alphabetical List of Commands Status and Events...
Page 13: Figure 1-4: The Disk That Accompanies This Manual
The digitizing oscilloscope has a 24-pin GPIB connector on its rear panel, as shown in Figure 1–5. This connector has a D-type shell and conforms to IEEE Std 488.1–1987. Attach an IEEE Std 488.1–1987 GPIB cable (available from Tektronix as part number 012–0991–00) to this connector. GPIB Connector Port Figure 1–5: GPIB Connector Location...
Page 14: Figure 1-6: How To Stack Gpib Connectors
Getting Started If needed, you can stack GPIB connectors as shown in Figure 1–6. Figure 1–6: How to Stack GPIB Connectors GPIB Requirements Observe these rules when you use your digitizing oscilloscope with a GPIB network: Assign a unique device address to each device on the bus. No two devices can share the same device address.
Page 15: Figure 1-7: Typical Gpib Network Configurations
Getting Started GPIB Device GPIB Device GPIB Device GPIB Device GPIB Device GPIB Device GPIB Device Figure 1–7: Typical GPIB Network Configurations Appendix C: Interface Specifications gives more information on the GPIB configuration of the digitizing oscilloscope. Setting the GPIB You need to set the GPIB parameters of the digitizing oscilloscope to match the Parameters configuration of the bus.
Page 16: Figure 1-9: Selecting The Gpib Address In The Gpib Configuration Side Menu
Getting Started 3. Press the Port button in the main menu until it highlights the GPIB selection in the pop-up menu. See Figure 1–9. 4. Press the Configure button in the main menu to display the GPIB Configu- ration side menu. See Figure 1–9. 5.
Page 17: Table 2-1: Bnf Symbols And Meanings
Command Syntax You can control the digitizing oscilloscope through the GPIB interface using commands and queries. This section describes the syntax these commands and queries use. It also describes the conventions the digitizing oscilloscope uses to process them. The next section, entitled Command Groups, lists the commands and queries themselves.
Page 18: Figure 2-1: Command Message Elements
Command Syntax A command message is a command or query name followed by any information the digitizing oscilloscope needs to execute the command or query. Command messages may contain five element types, defined in Table 2–2 and shown in the example in Figure 2–1.
Page 19: Table 2-3: Comparison Of Header Off And On Responses
Command Syntax A command header consists of one or more mnemonics arranged in a hierarchi- cal or tree structure. The first mnemonic is the base or root of the tree and each subsequent mnemonic is a level or branch off the previous one. Commands at a higher level in the tree may affect those at a lower level.
Page 20: Command Entry
Command Syntax Clearing the TDS Family Oscilloscope You can clear the Output Queue and reset the digitizing oscilloscope to accept a new command or query by using the Device Clear (DCL) GPIB command. Command Entry The following rules apply: You can enter commands in upper or lower case. You can precede any command with white space characters.
Page 21 Command Syntax 2. If concatenated commands have headers that differ by only the last mnemon- ic, you can abbreviate the second command and eliminate the beginning colon. For example, you can concatenate the commands into a single command: The longer version works equally well: 3.
Page 22: Constructed Mnemonics
Command Syntax (colon before a star ( ) command) (levels of the mnemonics are different — either remove the second use of or place in front of Message Terminators This manual uses (End of message) to represent a message terminator. Symbol Meaning Message terminator...
Page 23 Command Syntax Symbol Meaning A cursor selector; is either or . Measurement Specifier Commands can specify which measurement to set or query as a mnemonic in the Mnemonics header. Up to four automated measurements may be displayed with each displayed waveform. The displayed measurements are specified in this way: Symbol Meaning A measurement specifier;...
Page 24: Argument Types
Command Syntax Symbol Meaning Can be Argument Types The argument of a command may be in one of several forms. The individual descriptions of each command tell which argument types to use with that command. Numeric Arguments Many digitizing oscilloscope commands require numeric arguments. The syntax shows the format that the digitizing oscilloscope returns in response to a query.
Page 25 Command Syntax 3. You can mix quotation marks within a string as long as you follow the previous rule: 4. You can include a quote character within a string simply by repeating the quote. For example, 5. Strings can have upper or lower case characters. 6.
Page 26: Figure 2-2: Block Argument Example
Command Syntax Figure 2–2 provides a diagram of block argument use. Block Argument Specifies Data Length Block Header Specifies Number of Length Digits that Follow Figure 2–2: Block Argument Example Syntax Diagrams The syntax diagrams in this manual use the following symbols and notation: Circles and ovals contain literal elements.
Page 27: Figure 2-3: Typical Syntax Diagrams
Command Syntax Figure 2–3: Typical Syntax Diagrams 2–11 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 28: Table 2-4: Acquisition Commands
The alphabetical list provides more detail on each command and starts on page 2–47. The TDS Family Oscilloscope GPIB interface conforms to Tektronix standard codes and formats and IEEE Std 488.2–1987 except where noted. Acquisition Commands Acquisition commands affect waveform acquisition.
Page 29: Table 2-5: Alias Commands
Command Groups Alias Commands Alias commands let you define your own commands as a sequence of standard commands. This is useful when you use the same commands each time you perform a certain task, such as setting up measurements. Table 2–5 lists these commands.
Page 30: Table 2-7: Calibration And Diagnostic Commands
Command Groups Calibration and Diagnostic Commands Calibration and Diagnostic commands let you start the self-calibration and diagnostic routines that are built into the oscilloscope. The diagnostic test operation includes selecting the test sequence, executing the sequence, and viewing the results. Table 2–7 lists these commands. Table 2–7: Calibration and Diagnostic Commands Header Description...
Page 31: Table 2-9: Display Commands
Command Groups Table 2–8: Cursor Commands (Cont.) Header Description Positions paired cursors. Also, returns settings Return horizontal distance between 1 paired cursors Return horizontal position of 1 paired cursor Return horizontal position of 2 paired cursor Set or return vbar position of the1 or 2 paired cursor Position the horizontal paired cursor in units of...
Page 32 Command Groups Table 2–9: Display Commands (Cont.) Header Description Control collision contrast (TDS 6X4B & 700) Set color for math or ref waveform to the color of the waveform content (TDS 6X4B & 700C) Set color for math or ref waveform to specific (TDS 6X4B &...
Page 33: Table 2-10: File System Commands
Command Groups Table 2–9: Display Commands (Cont.) Header Description Set waveform dots, vector, infinite persistence, or variable persistence Control the display of the trigger bar/s on screen Control the display of the trigger indicator on screen Remove text from the message window Set size and location of message window Remove and display text in the message window...
Page 34: Table 2-11: Hardcopy Commands
Command Groups Table 2–10: File System Commands (Cont.) Header Description Delete named directory Copy from GPIB port to file (TDS 500C & 700C) Hardcopy Commands Hardcopy commands let you control the format of hardcopy output and the initiation and termination of hardcopies. Table 2–11 lists these commands. Table 2–11: Hardcopy Commands Header Description...
Page 35: Table 2-13: Horizontal Commands
(or time per point) of both the main and delay time bases. You can also set the record lengths. Table 2–13 lists these commands. You may substitute SECdiv for SCAle in the horizontal commands. This provides program compatibility with earlier models of Tektronix digitizing oscilloscopes. Table 2–13: Horizontal Commands...
Page 36 Command Groups Table 2–13: Horizontal Commands (Cont.) Header Description Delay time base mode Delay time base time per division Same as HORizontal:DELay:SCAle Delay time Return delay time parameters Time to wait in delay-runs-after-main mode Time to wait in delay-runs-after-trigger mode Enable or disable extended acquisition length (TDS 500C &...
Page 37: Table 2-14: Limit Test Commands
Command Groups Limit Test Commands The Limit Test commands let you automatically compare each incoming waveform against a template waveform. You set an envelope of limits around a waveform and let the digitizing oscilloscope find the waveforms that fall outside those limits.
Page 38: Table 2-15: Mask Commands
Command Groups Mask Commands Mask commands control standard masks, user-defined masks, and testing against masks. A mask is a polygonal region on the screen. Every vertical line on the screen intersects the polygon in zero, one, or two places, but never in more than two.
Page 39: Table 2-16: Measurement Commands
Command Groups Table 2–15: Mask Commands (Cont.) Header Description Define points in a mask, in percentage (TDS 500C & 700C) coordinates Select which trace will be compared against (TDS 500C & 700C) the mask(s), when counting is turned on Delete any currently existing mask/s and (TDS 500C &...
Page 40 Command Groups Table 2–16: Measurement Commands (Cont.) Header Description Search direction to use for delay measure- ments Which waveform edge to use for delay measurements Which waveform edge to use for delay measurements Channel to take measurement from Second channel to take measurement from (delay or “to”...
Page 41: Table 2-17: Miscellaneous Commands
Command Groups Table 2–16: Measurement Commands (Cont.) Header Description The measurement to be taken Return units to use for measurement Return measurement result Method for calculating reference levels Return reference levels The top level for risetime (90% level) The low level for risetime (10% level) Mid level for measurements Mid level for delay measurements Method to assign...
Page 42: Rs-232 Commands
Command Groups Table 2–17: Miscellaneous Commands (Cont.) Header Description Define group execute trigger (GET) Reset to factory default Same as HEADer Return command header with query Identification Learn device setting Lock front panel (local lockout) Change password for User Protected Data Access to change User Protected Data No action;...
Page 43: Table 2-19: Save And Recall Commands
Command Groups Save and Recall Commands Save and Recall commands allow you to store and retrieve internal waveforms and settings. When you “save a setup,” you save all the settings of the digitizing oscilloscope. When you then “recall a setup,” the digitizing oscilloscope restores itself to the state it was in when you originally saved that setting.
Page 44: Table 2-20: Status And Error Commands
Command Groups Table 2–20: Status and Error Commands Header Description Return all events Return scope status Clear status Device event status enable Event status enable Return standard event status register Return event code Return event code and message Return number of events in queue Identification Operation complete (Not in TDS 400A)
Page 45: Table 2-21: Trigger Commands
Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands Header Description Force trigger event; Return parameters Delay trigger level to 50% Delay by time or events Return delay trigger parameters Delay trigger coupling Delay trigger slope Delay trigger source Return delay trigger event parameters Delay by events count Delay trigger level Time for delay by time...
Page 46 Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands (Cont.) Header Description Return main trigger holdoff value in seconds (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Main trigger holdoff default (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Main trigger holdoff time (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Main trigger holdoff value (TDS 400A &...
Page 47 Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands (Cont.) Header Description Setup/Hold data level (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Setup/Hold data input data channel (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Setup/Hold trigger hold time (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Setup/Hold trigger set time (TDS 500C, 600B &...
Page 48 Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands (Cont.) Header Description Runt trigger positive, negative, or both (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C) Return runt trigger thresholds (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C) Trigger level switching thresholds (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C) Upper limit for runt pulse (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, &...
Page 49 Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands (Cont.) Header Description Pulse timeout trigger time (TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C) Return trigger pulse width parameters (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C) Pulse trigger maximum pulse width (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C) Pulse trigger minimum pulse width (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, &...
Page 50 Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands (Cont.) Header Description Set time from positive edge of tri-sync pulse for the last line in the selected field (t (TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05) trailing edge (positive) of the first negative vertical sync pulse Set time from t to the leading edge (positive)
Page 51 Command Groups Table 2–21: Trigger Commands (Cont.) Header Description Set video trigger delay time (TDS 400A Option 05) Return trigger system status 2–36 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 52: Table 2-22: Vertical Commands
Table 2–22 lists these commands. command also selects the waveform many commands in other command groups use. You may replace VOLts for SCAle in the vertical commands. This provides program compatibility with earlier models of Tektronix digitizing oscilloscopes. Table 2–22: Vertical Commands Header Description...
Page 53: Waveform Commands
Command Groups Waveform Commands Waveform commands let you transfer waveform data points to and from the digitizing oscilloscope. Waveform data points are a collection of values that define a waveform. One data value usually represents one data point in the waveform record.
Page 54 Command Groups values range from 0 to 255. When the byte width is two, the values range from –32768 to 32767. The defined binary formats also specify the order in which the bytes are transferred. The four binary formats are RIBinary, RPBinary, SRIbinary, and SRPbinary.
Page 55 Command Groups Waveform Preamble Each waveform that you transfer has an associated waveform preamble that contains information such as the horizontal scale, the vertical scale, and other settings in place when the waveform was created. Refer to the WFMPre commands starting on page 2–345 for more information about the waveform preamble.
Page 56 Command Groups Extended-Acquisition- Waveform commands also work with extended-acquisition-length mode. This Length Mode mode lets the oscilloscope acquire extended acquisition lengths of 2M, 4M, and 8M while maintaining waveform record lengths limited to 500K. (TDS 500C & 700C, Option 2M) In other words, the acquisition data for a channel may be bigger than a waveform you view.
Page 57: Table 2-23: Extended-Acquisition-Length Mode Channels And Record Lengths
Command Groups Table 2–23 below shows the correlation between the number of channels in use and the waveform record length. Table 2–23: Extended-Acquisition-Length Mode Channels and Record Lengths # of Channels in Use Extended Acquisition Length Waveform Record Length 1 of 4 8 M samples 500 K samples (not on the TDS 520C and 724C)
Page 58: Table 2-24: Waveform Commands
Command Groups Table 2–24: Waveform Commands Header Description Transfer waveform data The format and location of the waveform data that is transferred with the CURVe command Destination for waveforms sent to digitizing oscilloscope Waveform data encoding method Source of data Starting point in waveform transfer Ending point in waveform transfer Same as DATa:DESTination...
Page 59 Command Groups Table 2–24: Waveform Commands (Cont.) Header Description Z-axis scale factor Z-axis offset Z-axis units Z-axis origin offset Number of points in the curve Format of curve points Trigger position Curve identifier Horizontal sampling interval Horizontal units Horizontal units (TDS 500C, 600B, &...
Page 60: Table 2-25: Zoom Commands
Command Groups Zoom Commands Zoom commands let you expand and position the waveform display horizontally and vertically without changing the time base or vertical settings. Table 2–25 lists these commands. Table 2–25: Zoom Commands Header Description Reset zoom parameters to defaults (Not on TDS 510A) Turn dual zoom mode on and off Adjust the requested horizontal offset between...
Page 61 Command Descriptions You can use commands to either set instrument features or query instrument values. You can use some commands to do both, some to only set, and some to only query. This manual marks set only commands with the words “No Query Form”...
Page 62: Command Descriptions
Command Descriptions When extended-acquisition-length mode is on, this command can still set and return values. However, this acquire:autosave feature will not actually work while extended-acquisition-length mode is on. Group Acquisition Syntax Arguments = 0 turns autosave off. 0 turns autosave on. Examples turns autosave mode on.
Page 63 Command Descriptions When extended-acquisition-length mode is on, this command can still set and return values. However, the oscilloscope will treat all modes, except Peak Detect, as the Sample mode. Group Acquisition Related Commands ACQuire:NUMAVg, ACQuire:NUMENv, CURVe?, DATa:WIDth Syntax For the TDS 400A, 510A, 500C & 700C: For the TDS 600B: For all TDS: For the TDS 400A, 510A, 500C, &...
Page 64 Command Descriptions CURVe? query, but the lower-order 8 bits of data will be zero. is the default mode. specifies the display of the high-low range of the samples taken from a single waveform acquisition. The high-low range is displayed as a vertical column that extends from the highest to the lowest value sampled during the acquisition interval.
Page 65 Command Descriptions Syntax Related Commands Examples might return , indicating that 350 acquisitions took place since an AC- QUIRE:STATE RUN command was executed. ACQuire:NUMAVg Sets the number of waveform acquisitions that make up an averaged waveform. This is equivalent to setting the Average count in the Acquisition Mode side menu.
Page 66 Command Descriptions ACQuire:NUMEnv Sets the number of waveform acquisitions that make up an envelope waveform. This is equivalent to setting the Envelope count in the Acquisition Mode side menu. Group Acquisition Related Commands ACQuire:MODe Syntax Arguments 0 is the number of waveform acquisitions, from 1 to 2000. The envelope will restart after the specified number of envelopes have been acquired or when the ACQuire:STATE RUN command is sent.
Page 67 Command Descriptions ACQuire:REPEt TDS 400A, 510A, 500C, & 700C Only Controls repetitive signal acquisition. This is equivalent to setting Repetitive Signal in the Acquire menu. When the digitizing oscilloscope is in real-time operation, this setting has no effect. The ACQuire:REPEt command specifies the behavior of the acquisition system during equivalent-time (ET) operation.
Page 68 Command Descriptions might return , indicating that repetitive signal acquisition mode is on. ACQuire:STATE Starts or stops acquisitions. This is the equivalent of pressing the front-panel RUN/STOP button. If ACQuire:STOPAfter is set to SEQuence, other signal events may also stop acquisition. Group Acquisition Related Commands...
Page 69 Command Descriptions ACQuire:STOPAfter Tells the digitizing oscilloscope when to stop taking acquisitions. This is equivalent to setting Stop After in the Acquire menu. When extended-acquisition-length mode is on, this command can still set and return values. However, this acquire:stopafter feature will not actually work while extended-acquisition-length mode is on.
Page 70 Command Descriptions NOTE. If you set the acquisition system to single sequence, envelope mode, and set the number of envelopes to infinity, the digitizing oscilloscope will envelope a maximum of 2001 acquisitions. Examples sets the oscilloscope to stop acquisition when the user presses the front-panel RUN/STOP button.
Page 71 Command Descriptions ALIas:CATalog? (Query Only) Returns a list of the currently defined alias labels, separated by commas. If no aliases are defined, the query returns the string Group Alias Syntax Returns Examples might return the string , showing there are 3 aliases named SETUP1, TESTMENU1, and DEFAULT.
Page 72 Command Descriptions Arguments The first is the alias label. This label cannot be a command name. Labels must start with a letter, and can contain only letters, numbers, and underscores; other characters are not allowed. The label must be 12 characters. The second is a complete sequence of program messages.
Page 73 Command Descriptions ALIas:DELEte:ALL (No Query Form) Deletes all existing aliases. Group Alias Syntax Examples deletes all aliases. ALIas:DELEte:NAMe (No Query Form) Removes a specified alias. This command is identical to ALIas:DELEte. Group Alias Syntax Arguments is the name of the alias to remove. Using ALIas:DELEte:NAMe without specifying an alias causes an execution error.
Page 74 Command Descriptions Arguments = 0 turns alias expansion off. If a defined alias is sent when ALIas:STATE is OFF, a command error (102) will be generated. 0 turns alias expansion on. When a defined alias is received, the specified command sequence is substituted for the alias and executed. Examples turns the command alias feature off.
Page 75 Command Descriptions is the command that caused the error and may be returned when a command error is detected by the digitizing oscilloscope. As much of the command will be returned as possible without exceeding the 60 character limit of the strings combined.
Page 76 Command Descriptions indicating that 500 data points are allocated to each of the first three reference memory locations. ALLOcate:WAVEform:FREE? (Query Only) Returns the approximate number of data points that have not been allocated. Group Save and Recall Syntax Returns is the approximate number of data points available. Examples might return indicating that there are approximately 500 data points...
Page 77: Table 2-26: Waveform Data Points Supported For Reference Locations
50000 points of data for the reference. No complete references are stored for 500000 data points in the TDS 500C and TDS 700C. Table 2–26: Waveform Data Points Supported for Reference Locations TDS 420A, TDS 510A, TDS 540C, TDS 430A,...
Page 78 Command Descriptions Arguments displays the Application menu. Use the CLEARMenu command to deactivate the Application menu. Once the Application menu is activated, whenever a front-panel menu button is pressed an event is generated that tells which button was pressed. See page 3–17 for event codes.
Page 79 Command Descriptions APPMenu:LABel:BOTTOM<x> Defines a label for the main menu button that is specified by <x>. Main menu buttons are located along the bottom of the display, and are numbered from 1 to 7 starting with the left-most button. Group Application Menu Syntax Arguments...
Page 80 Command Descriptions itself is not altered. The entire label can be returned as a query response regardless of what is displayed. Examples assigns the label “SETUP1” to the third main menu button. APPMenu:LABel:RIGHT<x> Defines a label for the side menu button that is specified by <x>. Side menu buttons are located on the right side of the display, and are numbered from 1 to 5 starting with the top-most button.
Page 81 Command Descriptions Group Application Menu Related Commands APPMenu, APPMenu:LABel Syntax Arguments is the side menu title and can include any of the characters shown in the TDS Character Chart in Appendix A. The maximum length of the title is 1000 characters. The APPMenu:LABel:BOTTOM<x> command on page 2–65 provides information on defining menu labels.
Page 82 Command Descriptions Arguments autosets the displayed waveform. BELl (No Query Form) Beeps the audio indicator of the digitizing oscilloscope. Group Miscellaneous Syntax Examples rings the bell. BUSY? (Query Only) Returns the status of the digitizing oscilloscope. This command allows you to synchronize the operation of the digitizing oscilloscope with your application program.
Page 83: Table 2-27: Commands That Affect Busy? Response
Command Descriptions Table 2–27: Commands that Affect BUSY? Response Operation Command Single sequence acquisition ACQuire:STATE ON or ACQuire:STATE RUN (when ACQuire:STOPAfter is set to SEQuence) Hardcopy output HARDCopy STARt Examples might return , indicating that the instrument is busy. *CAL? (Query Only) Instructs the digitizing oscilloscope to perform an internal self-calibration and return its calibration status.
Page 84 Command Descriptions Group Vertical Syntax Examples might return the string for chan- nel 1. CH<x>:BANdwidth Sets or queries the bandwidth setting of the specified channel. This is equivalent to setting Bandwidth in the Vertical menu. Group Vertical Syntax (TDS 400A, 510A) (TDS 500C, 600B &...
Page 85 Command Descriptions might return , which indicates that there is no bandwidth limiting on channel 1. CH<x>:COUPling Sets or queries the input attenuator coupling setting of the specified channel. This is equivalent to setting Coupling in the Vertical menu. Group Vertical Related Commands CH<x>:IMPedance...
Page 86 Command Descriptions CH<x>:DESKew TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the deskew time for this channel. This is equivalent to setting Deskew in the Vertical menu and entering a value with the keypad or general purpose knob. Deskew allows you to compensate for time delay differences caused by signals coming in from cables of different length.
Page 87 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments sets the specified channel to 50 impedance. sets the specified channel to 1 M impedance. Examples establishes 50 impedance on channel 1. might return , indicating that channel 3 is set to 1 M impedance. CH<x>:OFFSet Sets or queries the offset, in volts, that is subtracted from the specified input channel before it is acquired.
Page 88: Table 2-28: Offset Ranges For The Tds 400A, 510A, 540C, 600B, 754C
Command Descriptions Table 2–28: Offset Ranges for the TDS 400A, 510A, 540C, 600B, 754C, & 784C (All Channels) and the TDS 520C & 724C (Channel 1 & Channel 2) using a 1x Probe CH<x>:SCAle OFFSet Range 1 mV/div – 99.5 mV/div 100 mV/div –...
Page 89 Command Descriptions Arguments is the desired position, in divisions from the center graticule. The range is 5 divisions. Examples positions the channel 2 input signal 1.3 divisions above the center of the display. might return , indicating that the current position of channel 1 is at –1.3 divisions.
Page 90 Command Descriptions Outputs signifies that probe cal has failed for the selected channel. signifies the probe cal has not yet been run for the selected channel signifies that probe cal has passed for the selected channel. Examples might return indicating that probe cal has passed for channel 2. CH<x>:PROBEFunc:EXTAtten: TDS 500C &...
Page 91 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments is the attenuation value specified in the range –120.00 dB to 120.00 dB. The default is 0.00 dB. Examples sets the external attenuation to 2.5 dB. CH<x>:SCAle Sets or queries the vertical gain of the specified channel. This is equivalent to setting Fine Scale in the Vertical menu or adjusting the front-panel Vertical SCALE knob.
Page 92 Command Descriptions CH<x>:VOLts Sets or queries the vertical gain of the specified channel. This command is identical to the CH<x>:SCAle command and is included for compatibility purposes. Only CH<x>:SCAle is returned in response to a CH<x>? query. Group Vertical Related Commands CH1:SCAle Syntax Examples...
Page 93 Command Descriptions *CLS (No Query Form) Clears the digitizing oscilloscope status data structures. Group Status and Error Related Commands DESE, *ESE, *ESR?, EVENT?, EVMsg?, *SRE, *STB? Syntax The *CLS command clears the following: the Event Queue the Standard Event Status Register (SESR) the Status Byte Register (except the MAV bit;...
Page 94 Command Descriptions Examples might return as the current cursor settings. CURSor:FUNCtion Selects and displays the cursor type. Cursors are attached to the selected waveform. This command is equivalent to setting Function in the Cursor menu. Group Cursor Related Commands SELect:CONTROl Syntax Arguments specifies horizontal bar cursors that measure volts.
Page 95 Command Descriptions Group Cursor Syntax Examples might return CURSor:HBArs:DELTa? (Query Only) Returns the voltage difference between the two horizontal bar cursors. Group Cursor Syntax Returns Examples might return for the voltage difference between the two cursors. CURSor:HBArs:POSITION<x> Positions a horizontal bar cursor. Group Cursor Syntax...
Page 96 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the cursor position relative to ground, in volts. Examples positions one of the horizontal cursors at 25.0 mV. might return , indicating that one of the horizontal bar cursors is at –64.0 mV. CURSor:HBArs:POSITION<x>Pcnt TDS 400A Only Sets or queries the position of the horizontal bar cursors (x is either 1 or 2) in units of % of vertical range.
Page 97 Command Descriptions CURSor:HBArs:SELect Selects which horizontal bar cursor is active for front-panel control. The active cursor will be displayed as a solid horizontal line and can be moved using the front-panel general purpose knob when the cursor menu is active. The unselected cursor will be displayed as a dashed horizontal line.
Page 98 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies base as the unit of measure. specifies IRE as the unit of measure. These units are typically used with video signals. Examples sets the units for the horizontal bar cursors to base. returns when the horizontal bar cursor units are IRE. CURSor:MODe Selects whether the two cursors move together in unison or separately.
Page 99 Command Descriptions might return showing the two cursors move in unison. CURSor:PAIred Positions the paired cursors. Also, returns the current paired cursor settings. In extended-acquisition-length mode, the cursors are limited to the waveform record section of the acquisition data (see Figure 2–4 on page 2–41). Group Cursor Related Commands...
Page 100 Command Descriptions Syntax Examples might return for the voltage difference between the two cursors. CURSor:PAIred:HPOS1 (Query Only) Queries the horizontal bar (voltage) position of the first paired cursor. Group Cursor Related Commands CURSor:FUNCtion Syntax Examples might return , indicating that the first cursor is at –64.0 mV. CURSor:PAIred:HPOS2 (Query Only) Queries the horizontal bar (voltage) position of the second paired cursor.
Page 101 Command Descriptions CURSor:PAIred:POSITION<x> Sets or queries the vertical bar (time) position of the first or second paired cursor. x is either 1 or 2 and refers to the first or second cursor. The CURSor:VBArs:UNITS command specifies the units for these cursors. In extended-acquisition-length mode, the paired cursor position must be within the waveform record (as opposed to the entire extended acquisition length) for any change to happen.
Page 102 Command Descriptions Group Cursor Syntax Arguments has a range of 0 to 100 (%). It specifies the cursor position relative to the record length of the selected waveform. Examples might return , indicating cursor 1 is positioned at 45% of the record length of the selected waveform.
Page 103 Command Descriptions Examples selects the second paired cursor as the active cursor. returns when the first paired cursor is the active cursor. CURSor:PAIred:UNITS Sets or queries the units for the paired cursors. This is equivalent to setting Amplitude in the Cursor menu. Group Cursor Syntax...
Page 104 Command Descriptions Group Cursor Related Commands CURSor:FUNCtion Syntax Examples might return , indicating that the time between the paired cursors is 1.064 seconds. CURSor:VBArs Positions the vertical bar cursors and the CURSor:VBArs? query returns the current vertical bar cursor settings for horizontal position, delta, cursor selection, and units.
Page 105 Command Descriptions Examples specifies that the cursors positions are the same as the current DATA:START and DATA:STOP values. might return CURSor:VBArs:DELTa? (Query Only) Returns the time or frequency between the two vertical bar cursors. The units, seconds or Hertz, are specified by the CURSor:VBArs:UNIts command. The position can appear in units of seconds, 1/seconds (hertz), or video line numbers (with option 05).
Page 106 Command Descriptions In extended-acquisition-length mode, the cursors are limited to the waveform record section of the acquisition data (see Figure 2–4 on page 2–41). Group Cursor Related Commands CURSor:VBArs:UNIts Syntax Arguments specifies the cursor position in the units specified by the CUR- Sor:VBArs:UNIts command.
Page 107 Command Descriptions Arguments has a range of 0 to 100 (%). It specifies the cursor position relative to the record length of the selected waveform. Examples might return , indicating cursor 1 is positioned at 45% of the record length of the selected waveform. CURSor:VBArs:SELect Selects which vertical bar cursor is active.
Page 108 Command Descriptions CURSor:VBArs:UNITS Sets or queries the units for the vertical bar cursors. This command is equivalent to setting Time Units (Horiz Units in the TDS 400A) in the Cursor menu. Group Cursor Related Commands CURSor:VBArs:DELTa?, CURSor:VBArs:POSITION<x> Syntax (with option 05) | BASe For the TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, &...
Page 109 Command Descriptions ment, it will convert it to BASE or INVERT depending on the selected wave- form. The TDS 400A will not output this argument in response to a query. specifies a video line as the unit of measure. This is most useful if you have option 05 video trigger installed.
Page 110 Command Descriptions CURVe Transfers waveform data to and from the digitizing oscilloscope in binary or ASCII format. Each waveform that is transferred has an associated waveform preamble which contains information such as data format and scale. Refer to the WFMPre command starting on page 2–345 for information about the waveform preamble.
Page 111 Command Descriptions is the curve data. <newline> is a single byte newline character at the end of the data. See the examples in the accompanying disk for more specifics. is the waveform data in ASCII format. The format for ASCII data where each represents a data point.
Page 112 Command Descriptions channel, this is how to set up to get a waveform’s data over GPIB. It also works when extended acquisition length mode is off. Examples assigns the current position of the vertical bar cursors to DATA:START and DATA:STOP. might return the string 2–98 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 113 Command Descriptions DATa:DESTination Sets or queries the reference memory location for storing waveform data that is transferred into the digitizing oscilloscope by the CURVe command. This command is identical to the DATa:TARget command. Group Waveform Syntax Arguments ) is the reference memory location where the waveform will be stored.
Page 114 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the ASCII representation of signed integer ( ) data. If this is the value at power-on, the WFMPre values for BN_Fmt, BYT_Or, and ENCdg are set as RP, MSB, and ASC respectively. specifies signed integer data-point representation with the most significant byte transferred first.
Page 115: Table 2-30: Data And Wfmpre Parameter Settings
Command Descriptions Table 2–30: DATa and WFMPre Parameter Settings WFMPre Settings DATa:ENCdg Setting ATa N g e i g :ENCdg :BN_Fmt :BYT_Or Examples sets the data encoding format to be positive integer where the most significant byte is transferred first. might return for the format of the waveform data.
Page 116 Command Descriptions Arguments is the location of the waveform data that will be transferred from the digitizing oscilloscope to the controller. Examples specifies that four waveforms will be transferred in the next CURVE? query. The order that the data will be transferred is CH1, CH2, MATH1, and then REF2. might return , indicating the source for the waveform data that is transferred using a CURVE? query.
Page 117 Command Descriptions In extended-acquisition-length mode, <NR1> ranges up to the extended acquisition length as opposed to the waveform record length. Examples specifies that the waveform transfer will begin with data point 10. might return as the first waveform data point that will be transferred. DATa:STOP Sets or queries the last data point that will be transferred when using the CURVe? query.
Page 118 DATa:TARget Sets or queries the location for storing waveform data transferred to the instrument using the CURVe command. This command is equivalent to the DATa:DESTINATION command and is included for compatibility with older Tektronix instruments. Group Waveform Related Commands CURVe...
Page 119 Command Descriptions Arguments = 1 specifies that there is 1 byte (8 bits) per point. This format is useful when the acquisition mode is set to SAMple, ENVelope, or PEAKdetect (one byte per point). If used for AVErage or HIRes (two bytes per point), the low order byte is not transmitted.
Page 120 Command Descriptions *DDT Allows the user to specify a command or a list of commands that are executed when the instrument receives a *TRG command or the GET GPIB interface message. *DDT is just a special alias that *TRG uses. Group Miscellaneous Related Commands...
Page 121 Command Descriptions Related Commands *RCL, RECAll:SETUp, *RST, *SAV, SAVe:SETUp, TEKSecure Syntax Arguments is a value in the range 1 to 10, and specifies a setup storage location. Using an out-of-range value causes an execution error. specifies all the stored setups. Examples removes all stored setups.
Page 122 Command Descriptions Examples removes all the waveforms stored in reference memory. removes the waveform stored at REF2. DESE Sets and queries the bits in the Device Event Status Enable Register (DESER). The DESER is the mask that determines whether events are reported to the Standard Event Status Register (SESR), and entered into the Event Queue.
Page 123 Command Descriptions might return the string , showing that the DESER contains the binary value 10111010. DIAg:RESUlt:FLAg? (Query Only) Returns the pass/fail status from the last diagnostic test sequence execution. The DIAg:RESUlt:LOG? query can be used to determine which test(s) has failed. Group Calibration and Diagnostic Related Commands...
Page 124 Command Descriptions Returns in the following format: Examples might return DIAg:SELect:ACQUISition (No Query Form) Selects the acquisition system test sequence that will be run when the DIAg:STATE EXECUte command is sent. This command is equivalent to setting Area in the Utility menu when System is set to Diag/Err. Group Calibration and Diagnostic Syntax...
Page 125 Command Descriptions DIAg:SELect:CPU (No Query Form) Selects the processor system test sequence that will be run when the DIAg:STATE EXECUte command is sent. This command is equivalent to setting Area in the Utility menu when System is set to Diag/Err. Group Calibration and Diagnostic Syntax...
Page 126 Command Descriptions Arguments selects self diagnostic tests. DIAg:STATE (No Query Form) Executes the diagnostic tests that have been specified with the DIAg:SELect commands. When the test sequence has completed, any of the modules or module interfaces that failed diagnostics are displayed on the screen and stored in an internal log file.
Page 127 Command Descriptions DESE 128 *ESE 128 *SRE 32 *PSC 0 Examples executes all the diagnostic tests that have been selected. DISplay? (Query Only) Returns the current display settings. Group Display Syntax Examples might return DISplay:CLOCk Controls the display of the date and time. This is equivalent to setting Display Date/Time in the Readout Options side menu.
Page 128 Command Descriptions Arguments = 0 removes the clock from the display. 0 displays the clock on the display. Examples sets the display to show time and date. might return indicating that the display shows time and date. DISplay:COLOr:CONTRast TDS 6X4B & 700C Only Turns on or off the collision contrast option.
Page 129 Command Descriptions DISplay:COLOr:MAP:<item name>: BYCONTents TDS 6X4B & 700C Only Determines if the color for a math or reference waveform is set to the color assigned to the waveform contents (the constituent waveform) or to a specific color index. This is equivalent to pressing Map Math Colors or Map Reference Colors on the Color main menu and Color Matches Contents (to select the on state) or Color (to select the off state) on the resulting side menu.
Page 130 Command Descriptions DISplay:COLOr:MAP:<item name>: TO TDS 6X4B & 700C Only Defines the color index to use if setting the color for a math or reference waveform to the color assigned to a specific index. This is similar, but not identical, to pressing Map Math Colors or Map Reference Colors on the Color main menu, pressing Color on the resulting side menu, and entering an index with the general purpose knob or the keypad.
Page 131 Command Descriptions DISplay:COLOr:PALEtte:PERSistence TDS 6X4B & 700C Only Sets the current persistence palette to one of the preset persistence palettes. This is equivalent to selecting Palette from the main Color menu, Persistence Palettes from the resulting side menu, and Temperature, Spectral, or Gray Scale from the next side menu.
Page 132 Command Descriptions Examples sets the current palette to the hardcopy palette. DISplay:COLOr:PALEtte:RESETALL (No Query Form) TDS 6X4B & 700C Only Restores all palettes to their factory default settings. This is equivalent to selecting Restore Colors from the main Color menu and Reset All Palettes to Factory from the resulting side menu.
Page 133 Command Descriptions Examples resets the hardcopy palette to its initial, factory-default settings. DISplay:COLOr:PALEtte:<palette name>:<item name> TDS 6X4B & 700C Only Sets the color of a selected item in a selected palette. Group Display Syntax 2–119 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 134 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the display background color. specifies the channel 1 waveform and associated text color. specifies the channel 2 waveform and associated text color. specifies the channel 3 waveform and associated text color. specifies the channel 4 waveform and associated text color. specifies the default math waveforms and associated text color.
Page 135 Command Descriptions specifies the color of the scrollbar. For example, you will find a scrollbar in various file system menus. (TDS 700C) specifies the color of the histogram’s box, the histogram itself, and masks, in the different palettes. specifies the desired colors in terms of hue, lightness and saturation values.
Page 136 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies linear interpolation where acquired points are connected with straight lines. specifies sin(x)/x interpolation where acquired points are fit to a curve. Examples sets the interpolation filter type to linear. returns either , indicating the type of interpolation filter. DISplay:FORMat Sets or queries the display format.
Page 137: Table 2–31: Xy Format Pairs
Command Descriptions Table 2–31: XY Format Pairs X-Axis Source Y-Axis Source Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 (or AUX 1) Ch 4 (or AUX 2) (All models except TDS 430A) (All models except TDS 430A) Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4 sets the display to a voltage versus time format and is the normal mode.
Page 138 Command Descriptions specifies a frame, a grid, and cross hairs. specifies a frame and a grid. specifies a special NTSC frame. specifies a special PAL frame. Examples sets the graticule type to display a frame and a grid. returns when all graticule elements (grid, frame, and cross hairs) are selected.
Page 139 Command Descriptions DISplay:INStavu:STYle TDS 500C & 700C Only Selects how the data is displayed with InstaVu. Group Display Syntax Arguments displays individual data points. connects adjacent data points. Old points are immediately replaced by new ones. Examples might return indicating that the display shows individual waveform data points.
Page 140 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the time, in seconds, that the waveform points are displayed on the screen. The range is 250 ms to 10 s. Examples specifies that the waveform points are displayed on the screen for 3 seconds before they disappear. DISplay:INTENSITy? (Query Only) Returns the current intensity settings for different parts of the display.
Page 141 Command Descriptions Arguments ranges from 100 to 250 percent. Examples sets the intensity of the intensified portion of a waveform. DISplay:INTENSITy:OVERAll TDS 4X0A, 510A, 5X0C, & 6X0B Only Sets the intensity of the entire display. This command is equivalent to setting Overall in the Display Intensity side menu.
Page 142 Command Descriptions DISplay:INTENSITy:TEXt Sets the intensity of the text and the graticule. This command is equivalent to setting Text/Grat in the Display Intensity side menu. Group Display Syntax Arguments ranges from 20 to 100 percent. Examples sets the intensity of the text to the brightest level. DISplay:INTENSITy:WAVEform Sets the intensity of the waveforms.
Page 143 Command Descriptions DISplay:MODe TDS 500C & 700C Only Selects whether or not to turn on InstaVu. Group Display Syntax Arguments turns on InstaVu. This mode can help you view infrequent deviations in a signal. It only uses a 500 point record length, no averaging, and no enveloping. When you turn on InstaVu, the TDS turns off any active zoom, autosave, limit test, waveform math, FastFrame, and XY display.
Page 144 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies the length, in seconds, that the waveform points are displayed on the screen. The range is 250 ms to 10 s. Examples specifies that the waveform points are displayed fading for 3 seconds before they completely disappear.
Page 145 Command Descriptions leaves acquired data points on the display for a period of time specified by DISplay:PERSistence. connects adjacent data points. New points immediately replace old ones. causes the display to show acquired (non-interpolated) samples with brighter or different colored dots than the rest of the waveform. Examples sets the display to indefinitely accumulate data points on the screen.
Page 146 Command Descriptions displays, as the indicator, a horizontal line in the center of the graticule for each displayed trigger signal. Examples sets the display to show a long trigger indicator bar (or bars). DISplay:TRIGT Controls the display of the trigger point indicator. This is equivalent to setting the Display ‘T’...
Page 147 Command Descriptions Group Status and Error Related Commands *CLS, DESE, *ESR?, EVENT?, EVMsg? *SRE, *STB? Syntax Arguments is a value in the range from 0 through 255. The binary bits of the ESER are set according to this value. The power-on default for ESER is 0 if is 1.
Page 148 Command Descriptions Syntax Examples might return the value , showing that the SESR contains binary 11010101. EVENT? (Query Only) Returns from the Event Queue an event code that provides information about the results of the last *ESR? read. EVENT? also removes the returned value from the Event Queue.
Page 149 Command Descriptions Returns The event code and message in the following format: where is the command that caused the error and may be returned when a command error is detected by the digitizing oscilloscope. As much of the command will be returned as possible without exceeding the 60 character limit of the strings combined.
Page 150 Command Descriptions FACtory (No Query Form) Resets the digitizing oscilloscope to its factory default settings. This command is equivalent to selecting Recall Factory Setup in the Waveform Save/Recall menu. Group Miscellaneous Related Commands *PSC, *RCL, RECAll:SETUp, *RST, *SAV, SAVe:SETUp Syntax Setting the digitizing oscilloscope to factory default includes: Clears the Event Status Enable Register.
Page 151 Command Descriptions FILESystem:COPy (No query form) File System Only Copies a named file or files to a new file. The new file may be in a totally separate directory than the old file. Also, you can use wild card characters (*.*) to copy multiple files with one command.
Page 152 Command Descriptions copies the file named on the drive and the directory to the directory on the same drive. copies the files in the directory in the current directory to the directory on the drive. copies the files in the directory in the current directory to the directory on the drive.
Page 153 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments is a quoted string that defines the file name and path. Input the file path using the form and one or more s are optional. If you do not specify them, the TDS will delete the file in the current directory.
Page 154 Command Descriptions Examples disables the front-panel delete warning. might return indicating the front-panel warning is disabled. FILESystem:DIR (Query only) File System Only Returns a list of quoted strings. Each string contains the name of a file or directory in the current directory. The current directory refers to the name of a directory as returned by the FILESystem:CWD query.
Page 155 Command Descriptions Examples formats the media on drive fd0:. FILESystem:FREESpace (Query only) File System Only Returns the amount of freespace (in bytes) on the current drive. Group File system Syntax Examples might return as the amount of freespace available if the drive was full. FILESystem:MKDir (No query form) File System Only Make a new directory.
Page 156 Command Descriptions Examples creates the directory named on the current drive. FILESystem:OVERWrite File System Only Turns on or off the file-overwrite protection. Turning on file-overwrite protection prevents writing over existing files. Group File system Syntax Arguments turns on the file-overwrite protection. turns off the file-overwrite protection.
Page 157 Command Descriptions Arguments is a quoted string that defines the file name and path. Input the file path using the form and one or more s are optional. If you do not specify them, the TDS will print the file in the current directory.
Page 158 Command Descriptions Example sends a hard–disk-based file named out the GPIB port. FILESystem:REName (No query form) File System Only Assigns a new name to a file. Group File system Syntax Arguments is a quoted string that defines the file to rename. Input the file path using the form and one or more s are optional.
Page 159 Command Descriptions Arguments is a quoted string that defines the directory. Input the directory using the form and one or more s are optional. If you do not specify them, the TDS will delete the directory in the current directory. stands for a directory name of up to 8 characters and can be followed by a period (“.”) and a 3-character extension.
Page 160 Command Descriptions Symbol Meaning A character with the hex equivalent of 00 through FF hexadecimal (0 through 255 decimal) A block of data bytes, defined as: specifies the number of elements that follow. Taken together, the elements form a decimal integer that specifies how many elements follow.
Page 161 Command Descriptions Arguments terminates the hardcopy output in process. NOTE. DCL does NOT clear the output queue once a hardcopy is in process. The only way to abort the hardcopy process is to send the HARDCopy ABOrt command. The output queue can then be cleared using DCL. clears the printer output spooler.
Page 162 Command Descriptions specifies that the hardcopy is sent to the named file. is a quoted string that defines the file name and path. Input the file path using the form and one or more s are optional. If you do not specify them, the TDS will write the file to the current directory.
Page 163 Command Descriptions Syntax 2–149 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 164 Command Descriptions On monochrome instruments, the following formats are mapped to a mono- chrome near equivalent: (The argument is not on the TDS 400A and 510A) For example: if are sent to the oscilloscope, is returned. Examples sets the hardcopy output format to HPGL. might return as the final hardcopy output format.
Page 165 Command Descriptions HARDCopy:LAYout Selects the printing orientation. This is equivalent to setting Layout in the Hardcopy menu. Group Hardcopy Syntax Arguments specifies that the bottom of the hardcopy is along the long side of the page. specifies that the bottom of the hardcopy is along the short side of the page.
Page 166 Command Descriptions Examples would print each copy made using the hardcopy palette. HARDCopy:PORT Selects where to send the hardcopy data on the next hardcopy command (i.e. HARDCOPY START command). This is equivalent to setting Port in the Hardcopy menu. Group Hardcopy Related Commands HARDCopy, LIMit:HARDCopy...
Page 167 Command Descriptions Examples might return as the selected hardcopy output port. This command is identical to the HEADer query and is included for compatibili- ty with older Tektronix instruments. Group Miscellaneous Syntax HEADer Sets and queries the Response Header Enable State that causes the digitizing oscilloscope to either include or omit headers on query responses.
Page 168 Command Descriptions Arguments 0 sets the Response Header Enable State to true. This causes the digitizing oscilloscope to include headers on applicable query responses. You can then use the query response as a command. = 0 sets the Response Header Enable State to false. This causes the digitizing oscilloscope to omit headers on query responses, so that only the argument is returned.
Page 169 Command Descriptions HIStogram:BOX TDS 500C & 700C Only Defines the left, top, right, and bottom positions of the histogram box, in source waveform coordinates. Group Histogram Syntax Arguments Examples would define the coordinates of the histogram box in source waveform coordi- nates.
Page 170 Command Descriptions HIStogram:BOXPcnt TDS 500C & 700C Only Defines the left, top, right, and bottom positions of the histogram box, in percentage coordinates. The upper left has the value 0,0 and the lower right has the value 100, 100 when the horizontal trigger position is 50%. Group Histogram Syntax...
Page 171 Command Descriptions HIStogram:COUNt TDS 500C & 700C Only Zeros the counts for histograms. If histograms are on then the counts start counting up again. Group Histogram Syntax Arguments indicates the need to zero the count. Examples would zero the count. HIStogram:DISplay TDS 500C &...
Page 172 Command Descriptions to turn off histogram displays. Histogram counting and measurements can continue. The histogram box is not turned off. Examples would display the count in each bin. HIStogram:MODe TDS 500C & 700C Only Selects the type of histogram to create or turns the histogram off. Group Histogram Syntax...
Page 173 Command Descriptions HIStogram:SIZe TDS 500C & 700C Only Controls the width or height of the histogram on the screen. Group Histogram Related Commands HIStogram:MODe Syntax Arguments varies from 0.1 to 10.0 in div units. It varies from 0.1 to 8.0 in HORI- ZONTAL mode and from 0.1 to 10.0 in VERTICAL mode.
Page 174 Command Descriptions Arguments indicates CH #. It may be 1, 2, 3, or 4. Examples would enable CH1 to be compared against the histogram box. HORizontal? (Query Only) Returns all settings for the horizontal commands. The commands HORizon- tal:MAIn:SCAle, HORizontal:MAIn:SECdiv, HORizontal:SCAle, and HORi- zontal:SECdiv are equivalent so HORizontal:MAIn:SCAle is the only value that is returned.
Page 175 Command Descriptions Returns In seconds, # points * (time/point). The default is 5 ms. HORizontal:ACQLENGTH? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the acquisition length, either the extended one when the extended acquisition length mode is on or the record length when this mode is off. Group Horizontal Related Commands...
Page 176 Command Descriptions Arguments enables the internal clock mode. enables the external clock mode. Examples enables the internal clocks. HORizontal:CLOCk:MAXRate TDS 400A Only Sets the maximum external clock rate. It does not enable the external clock. The maximum external clock rate affects the decimation rate in Hi-Res mode. If set to less than or equal to 1000, this command enables roll mode when external clock is on and roll mode is set to auto.
Page 177 Command Descriptions HORizontal:DELay? (Query Only) Returns all horizontal delayed time base parameters. The commands HORizon- tal:DELay:SECdiv and HORizontal:DELay:SCAle are identical so only HORizontal:DELay:SCAle will be returned. Group Horizontal Related Commands HORizontal?, HORizontal:DELay:MODe?, HORizontal:DELay:SCAle?, HORizontal:DELay:SECdiv?, HORizontal:DELay:TIMe? Syntax Examples might return the delay parameters HORizontal:DELay:MODe Selects the mode for the delayed time base.
Page 178 Command Descriptions specifies that the delayed time base is triggerable after the main time base triggers. Examples returns either , indicating the delayed time base mode. HORizontal:DELay:SCAle Sets the time per division for the delayed time base. This is equivalent to setting Delayed Scale in the Horizontal Scale side menu.
Page 179 , indicating that the delay time is 1 ms per division. HORizontal:DELay:SECdiv This command is identical to the HORizontal:DELay:SCAle command. It is provided to maintain program compatibility with some older models of Tektronix digitizing oscilloscopes. Group Horizontal Syntax HORizontal:DELay:TIMe Sets or queries the delay time to wait after the main trigger before the delayed time base begins.
Page 180 Command Descriptions Examples sets the delay time between the main and delayed time base to 2 ms. HORizontal:DELay:TIMe? (Query Only) Returns the delay time parameters. Group Horizontal Related Commands HORizontal:DELay:TIMe:RUNSAfter?, HORizontal:DELay:TIMe:TRIGAfter? Syntax Examples might return for the delay time. HORizontal:DELay:TIMe:RUNSAfter Sets or queries the delay time to wait after the main trigger before the delayed time base begins.
Page 181 Command Descriptions Arguments is the time, in seconds, between the main trigger and the delayed trigger. The range is from 16 ns (10 ns on the TDS 400A) to 250 seconds (20 s on the TDS 400A) with a resolution of 4 ns. Examples sets the delay time between the main and delayed time base to 2 ms.
Page 182 Command Descriptions HORizontal:EXTDACQ TDS 500C & 700C Only Enable or disable extended-acquisition-length mode. The InstaVu display mode must be off in order to turn the extended-acquisition-length mode on. Group Horizontal Syntax Arguments indicates OFF if it’s a 0 or ON if it’s a 1 (or any other nonzero value). means turn on.
Page 183 Command Descriptions Arguments indicates the number of frames to acquire. Examples Sets up FastFrame mode to acquire two frames (segments) of data. HORizontal:FASTframe:LENgth TDS 500C & 700A Only Setup length of each FastFrame frame. This is equivalent to setting FastFrame Setup in the Horizontal menu and the Frame Length menu item in the side menu.
Page 184 Command Descriptions known as memory segmentation, lets users capture a series of triggered acquisitions with minimal, intervening, time between them. Group Horizontal Syntax Arguments indicates the selected frame to display. Examples Selects the 25th FastFrame frame to display. HORizontal:FASTframe:STATE TDS 500C & 700A Only Setup FastFrame acquisition.
Page 185 Command Descriptions Arguments indicates OFF if it’s a 0 or ON if it’s a 1 (or any other nonzero value). means turn on FastFrame. means turn off FastFrame. The query form only returns 0 or 1. Examples turns on FastFrame. HORizontal:FITtoscreen Setup horizontal waveform compress operation.
Page 186 Command Descriptions means turn on waveform compress. means turn off waveform compress. Examples turns on waveform compress. HORizontal:MAIn? (Query Only) Returns the time per division of the main time base. The commands HORizon- tal:MAIn:SECdiv and HORizontal:MAIn:SCAle are identical so only HORizon- tal:MAIn:SCAle will be returned.
Page 187 2 s per division. HORizontal:MAIn:SECdiv Sets the time per division for the main time base. This command is identical to the HORizontal:MAIn:SCAle command. It is provided to maintain program compatibility with some older models of Tektronix digitizing oscilloscopes. Group Horizontal Related Commands...
Page 188 Command Descriptions Group Horizontal Related Commands DISplay:INTENSITy:CONTRast Syntax Arguments means that the selected waveform is horizontally scaled relative to the delayed time base. uses both the main and delay scales to display the waveform. The portion of the waveform that would be displayed in DELAYEd mode is intensified.
Page 189 Command Descriptions Arguments is from 0 to 100, and is the percent of the waveform that is displayed left of the center graticule. In extended-acquisition-length mode, it is the percent of the acquisition that is displayed left of the center graticule. Examples sets the horizontal position of the waveform such that 10% of the waveform is to the left of screen center.
Page 190 Command Descriptions Table 2–32: Record Length Values (<NR1>) TDS 420A, TDS 510A, TDS 540C, TDS 430A, TDS 520C, TDS 754C, Configuration TDS 460A TDS 724C TDS 600B TDS 784C Standard 500, 500, 500, 500, 1000, 1000, 1000, 1000, 2500, 2500,...
Page 191 Command Descriptions Arguments is the units of percent. It ranges from 0% to 93.75% (for 4M and 8M) or 95% (for 2M). If fit-to-screen is on or extreme zoom factors are on, then the recordstart is automatically set to 0. Returns The query form returns a value from 0 to 93.75 (%) for 4M and 8M or 95 (%) for 2M.
Page 192 Command Descriptions HORizontal:SCAle Sets the time per division for the main time base and is identical to the HORi- zontal:MAIn:SCAle command. It is included here for compatibility purposes. Group Horizontal Syntax HORizontal:SECdiv Sets the time per division for the main time base and is identical to the HORi- zontal:MAIn:SCAle command.
Page 193 Command Descriptions Examples might return HORizontal:TRIGger:POSition Sets or queries the position of the trigger. This is equivalent to setting Trigger Position in the Horizontal menu. Group Horizontal Syntax Arguments is from 0 to 100 % and is the amount of pretrigger information in the waveform (or extended acquisition length, if used).
Page 194 Command Descriptions ID? (Query Only) Returns identifying information about the instrument and its firmware. Group Status and Error Related Commands *IDN? Syntax Returns The instrument id in the following format: Examples might return *IDN? (Query Only) Returns the digitizing oscilloscope identification code. Group Miscellaneous Related Commands...
Page 195 Command Descriptions LIMit:BELl Rings the bell when the waveform data exceeds the limits set in the limit test, if the limit state is on. Group Limit Test Related Commands LIMit:COMPARE:CH<x>, LIMit:STATE Syntax Arguments = 0 turns off ringing the bell when any waveform data exceeds the limits set by the limit test.
Page 196 Command Descriptions Related Commands CURve, LIMit:COMPARE:MATH<x>, LIMit:TEMPLate, LIMit:TEM- PLate:DESTination, LIMit:TEMPLate:SOUrce, WFMPre Syntax Arguments is a reference waveform. specifies that no template testing is to be done for the specified channel. Examples specifies REF1 as the template waveform against which to compare waveforms acquired using CH1.
Page 197 Command Descriptions Arguments is a reference waveform. specifies that no template testing is to be done for the specified channel. is a math waveform. Examples specifies REF1 as the template waveform against which to compare waveforms acquired using MATH1. might return , indicating that waveforms acquired using MATH2 will be compared to the template waveform stored in REF4.
Page 198 Command Descriptions Arguments 0 turns on the hardcopy operation for the waveform when any waveform data exceeds the limits set by the limit test. = 0 turns off the hardcopy operation. Examples specifies that the hardcopy operation occurs for the waveform when any waveform data exceeds the limits specified in the limit test.
Page 199 Command Descriptions Examples specifies that limit testing of waveforms is in effect. returns either or , indicating whether limit testing of waveforms is in effect. LIMit:TEMPLate (No Query Form) Creates a template which you can use for limit testing. You can compare the waveform acquired through the specified channel against this template.
Page 200 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the reference waveform destination in which the template waveform is to be stored. Examples specifies that the template waveform referred to with the LIMit:TEMPLate STORe command is stored as the REF2 waveform. LIMit:TEMPLate:SOUrce Sets or queries the channel, math waveform, or reference waveform that the LIMit:TEMPLate STORe will use.
Page 201 Command Descriptions Examples specifies that the template waveform for limit tests is the waveform currently acquired using channel 2. might return , specifying that the template waveform for limit tests is the waveform currently stored as the MATH3 waveform. LIMit:TEMPLate:TOLerance:HORizontal Sets or queries the amount, in units of horizontal divisions, by which the source waveform is varied horizontally when creating the destination waveform.
Page 202 Command Descriptions LIMit:TEMPLate:TOLerance:VERTical Sets or queries the amount, in units of vertical divisions, by which the source waveform is varied vertically when creating the destination waveform. Group Limit Test Related Commands LIMit:COMPARE:CH<x> Syntax Arguments is the amount, in vertical divisions, by which the current waveform is allowed to deviate from the template waveform without exceeding the limits set in the limit test.
Page 203 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments disables all front panel controls. enables all front panel controls. This is equivalent to the UNLock ALL command. NOTE. If the digitizing oscilloscope is in the Remote With Lockout State (RWLS), the LOCk NONe command has no effect. For more information see the ANSI- IEEE Std.
Page 204 Command Descriptions NOTE. The *LRN? query always returns a string including command headers, regardless of the setting of the HEADer command. This is because the returned string is intended to be sent back to the digitizing oscilloscope as a command string.
Page 205 Command Descriptions MASK:AUTOSet:MODe TDS 500C & 700C Only Controls whether or not an autoset will automatically be done after a standard mask is selected. Group Mask Syntax Arguments makes autoset run automatically when a standard mask is selected from the front panel.
Page 206 Command Descriptions following standards, offset will not be adjusted if this feature is OFF: T1.102, DS–0, E2, E2, and E3. For all other standards, offset will be adjusted regardless of how this feature is set. Group Mask Syntax Arguments = 0 takes away a standard mask autoset’s freedom to adjust vertical offset for standard masks.
Page 207 Command Descriptions Examples clears the mask counts. MASK:COUNt:STATE TDS 500C & 700C Only Controls whether or not mask counting is being done. Group Mask Syntax Arguments = 0 turns off mask counting. This is the default state. 0 turns on mask counting. Examples turns on mask counting.
Page 208 Command Descriptions Returns <NR1> MASK:COUNt:WAVEFORMS? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the number of waveforms that have contributed to mask counting. This can be much smaller than the ACQUIRE:NUMACQ number since the acquire number just counts how many triggers have been processed. The time per div may be fast enough that 100 or more triggers are required to be processed to fill one waveform.
Page 209 Command Descriptions Arguments = 0 removes the masks from the display. 0 displays the masks on the display. This is the default value. Examples sets the display to show the defined masks. might return indicating that the display shows masks. MASK:FILTer TDS 500C &...
Page 210 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments enables the digital filter. This is the default value. disables the digital filter. Examples enables the digital filter. MASK:MASK<n>? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the state of all settable parameters of the specified mask. Group Mask Syntax...
Page 211 Command Descriptions Group Mask Syntax Arguments is 1 to 8. Examples deletes the points in mask 3. MASK:MASK<n>:COUNt? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the number of hits in the specified mask. This will be zero unless the MASK:COUNT:STATE is ON (or was ON).
Page 212 Command Descriptions Returns <NR1> is 1 to 8. The default is 0. Examples might return: MASK:MASK<n>:POINTS TDS 500C & 700C Only Defines points in the specified mask, in user coordinates. Any currently existing points in the mask are deleted. Group Mask Syntax Arguments...
Page 213 Command Descriptions pair is input then they are ignored and the mask is marked as undefined. The default is no points in the mask. Examples defines the points in mask 7. MASK:MASK<n>:POINTSPcnt TDS 500C & 700C Only Defines points in the specified mask, in percentage coordinates. The upper left is 0,0 and the lower right is 100,100.
Page 214 Command Descriptions Examples defines the points in mask 7. MASK:SOUrce TDS 500C & 700C Only Selects which trace will be compared against the mask(s) when counting is turned on. Group Mask Syntax Arguments indicates CH #. It may be 1, 2, 3, or 4. 1 is the default. Examples would enable CH1 to be compared against the mask.
Page 215 Command Descriptions Arguments means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 3 as specified by OC1/STM0 standard (51.84 Mb/s). means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 3 as specfied by OC3/STM1 standard (155.52 Mb/s). means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 ..
Page 216 Command Descriptions means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 2 as specified by the DS–0 Double Pulse standard (64 kb/s). means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 2 as specified by the DS–0 Data Pulse, Contradirectional standard (64 kb/s). means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 ..
Page 217 Command Descriptions means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 2 as specified by the DS3 standard (44.736 Mb/s). means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 4 as specified by the DS4NA eye standard (139.26 Mb/s). means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 ..
Page 218 Command Descriptions means delete any user defined masks and then create masks 1 .. 2 as implied by the FDDI standard (125 Mb/s). causes all masks to be deleted. This even includes user masks. is a no-op when received by the SET form of this command. It is allowed because a SET? can get it.
Page 219: Side Menu
Command Descriptions MATH<x>:DEFINE Allows the user to define new waveforms using mathematical expressions. This is equivalent to selecting Change Math waveform definition in the Math<x> side menu. Group Vertical Syntax Arguments contains the mathematical expression. The expression can include any amount of white space. Expressions can be either single or dual waveform expressions.
Page 220 Command Descriptions <source> refers to a signal channel. Valid choices are: , or (The TDS 410A does not include <window> refers to an FFT window. Valid choices are: , or <scaling> provides vertical scaling. Valid choices are: , or <Phase suppression> is of the range: –100 dB to 100 dB. (available on instruments with the Option 2F Advanced DSP Math only): takes the integral of the selected waveform.
Page 221 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies the number of times to successively average the math waveform before completing an acquisition. Examples Successively averages math waveform 2 by 10 times. might return 10 indicating 10 math 2 waveforms are successively averaged before a single acquisition occurs. MATH<x>:PROCessing TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, &...
Page 222 Command Descriptions Arguments turns off waveform averaging. turns on waveform averaging. Examples ensures that waveform averaging is not in use on math waveform 1. turns on waveform averaging on math waveform 1. MEASUrement? (Query Only) Returns all measurement parameters. Group Measurement Syntax Example...
Page 223 Command Descriptions Group Measurement Syntax Examples MEASUrement:GATing Sets or queries measurement gating. Group Measurement Related Commands CURSor:VBArs Syntax Arguments (or ) turns on measurement gating. (or ) turns off measurement gating. Examples might return showing gating is turned on. It might also return showing gating is turned off.
Page 224 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:IMMed? (Query Only) Returns all immediate measurement setup parameters. Group Measurement Syntax Examples might return MEASUrement:IMMed:DELay? (Query Only) Returns information about the immediate delay measurement. Group Measurement Syntax Examples might return MEASUrement:IMMed:DELay:DIREction Sets or queries the starting point and direction that determines the delay “to” edge when taking an immediate delay measurement.
Page 225 Command Descriptions Arguments means that the search starts at the end of the waveform and looks for the last rising or falling edge in the waveform. The slope of the edge is specified by MEASUrement:IMMed:DELay:EDGE2. means that the search starts at the beginning of the waveform and looks for the first rising or falling edge in the waveform.
Page 226 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the falling edge. specifies the rising edge. Examples specifies that the rising edge be used for the immediate delay measurement. returns either MEASUrement:IMMed:DELay:EDGE2 Sets or queries the slope of the edge that is used for the delay “to” waveform when taking an immediate delay measurement.
Page 227 Command Descriptions specifies the rising edge. Examples specifies that the rising edge be used for the immediate delay measurement. returns showing that the falling or negative edge of the waveform is used for the immediate delay measurement. MEASUrement:IMMed:SOURCE[1] Sets or queries the source for all single channel immediate measurements and specifies the source to measure “from”...
Page 228 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:IMMed:SOURCE2 Specifies the source to measure “to” when taking an immediate delay measure- ment or phase measurement. Group Measurement Syntax Arguments is an input channel. is a math waveform. is a reference waveform. is a histogram (TDS 500C and 700C only). Examples sets the waveform in reference memory location 3 as the delay “to”...
Page 229 Command Descriptions Arguments For more information on how measurements are derived, see Appendix B: Algorithms, in the related TDS Family User Manual. is the high value minus the low value. 2–215 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 230 Command Descriptions is the area between the curve and ground over the entire waveform. is the time from the first MidRef crossing to the last MidRef crossing. (cycle area) is the area between the curve and ground over one cycle. is the arithmetic mean over one cycle.
Page 231 Command Descriptions is the distance (time) between MidRef (usually 50%) amplitude points of a negative pulse. is the ratio of the positive pulse width to the signal period expressed as a percentage. (TDS 500C and 700C) is the time, in seconds, it takes for one complete signal cycle to happen. is the amount of shift, expressed in degrees, from the selected waveform to the designated waveform.
Page 232 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:IMMed:UNITS? (Query Only) Returns the units for the immediate measurement. Group Measurement Related Commands MEASUrement:IMMed:TYPe Syntax Returns returns for volts, for seconds, for hertz, volts for percent. On the TDS 400A, also returns for clocks, for volt-clocks, for 1/clks. Examples might return , indicating that the units for the immediate measurement are...
Page 233 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:MEAS<x>? (Query Only) Returns all measurement parameters for the displayed measurement specified by <x>. Group Measurement Syntax Examples might return: MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:COUNt? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the number of values accumulated for this measurement since the last statistical reset.
Page 234 Command Descriptions Group Measurement Syntax Examples might return MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:DELay:DIREction Sets or queries the starting point and direction that determines the delay “to” edge when taking a delay measurement. The waveform is specified by MEASUrement:MEAS<X>:SOURCE2. This command is equivalent to setting the direction in the Delay Edges &...
Page 235 Command Descriptions might return for the search direction. MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:DELay:EDGE1 Sets or queries the slope of the edge that is used for the delay “from” waveform when taking a delay measurement. The waveform is specified by MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:SOURCE1. This command is equivalent to selecting the edges in the Delay Edges &...
Page 236 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies the falling edge. specifies the rising edge. Examples specifies that the rising edge be used for the second delay measurement. might return showing that the falling or negative edge of the waveform is used for the second measurement. MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:MAXimum? (Query Only) TDS 500C &...
Page 237 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:MEAN? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the mean value accumulated for this measurement since the last statistical reset. Group Measurement Syntax Returns <NR3> Examples might return: MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:MINImum? (Query Only) TDS 500C & 700C Only Returns the minimum value found for this measurement since the last statistical reset.
Page 238 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:SOURCE[1] Sets or queries the source for all single channel measurements and specifies the source to measure “from” when taking a delay measurement or phase measure- ment. Group Measurement Syntax Arguments is an input channel. is a math waveform. is a reference waveform.
Page 239 Command Descriptions Arguments is an input channel. is a math waveform. is a reference waveform. is a histogram (TDS 500C and 700C only). Examples sets channel 1 as the delay “to” source when making delay measurements. might return MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:STATE Controls the measurement system. The source specified by MEASUre- ment:MEAS<x>:SOURCE1 must be selected for the measurement to be displayed.
Page 240 Command Descriptions Arguments = 0 turns measurements off. You can also turn the state off by deselecting the source. 0 turns measurements on. Examples turns measurement defined as MEAS1 on. returns either or , indicating the state of MEAS4. MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:STDdev? (Query Only) TDS 500C &...
Page 241 Command Descriptions Arguments For more information on how measurements are derived, see Appendix B: Algorithms, in the related TDS Family User Manual. is the high value minus the low value or – is the area between the curve and ground over the entire waveform. 2–227 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 242 Command Descriptions is the time from the first MidRef crossing to the last MidRef crossing. (cycle area) is the area between the curve and ground over one cycle. is the arithmetic mean over one cycle. is the true Root Mean Square voltage over one cycle. is the time between the MidRef crossings of two different waveforms.
Page 243 Command Descriptions is the ratio of the positive pulse width to the signal period expressed as a percentage. (TDS 500C and 700C) is the time, in seconds, it takes for one complete signal cycle to happen. is the amount of shift, expressed in degrees, from the selected waveform to the designated waveform.
Page 244 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:MEAS<x>:UNITS? (Query Only) Returns the units for the measurement specified by MEASUre- ment:MEAS<x>:TYPe. Group Measurement Syntax Returns returns for volts, for seconds, for hertz, volts , or for percent. On the TDS 400A, also returns for clocks, for volt-clocks, for 1/clks.
Page 245 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:METHod Sets or queries the method used to calculate the 0% and 100% reference level. This is equivalent to setting the High-Low Setup in the Measure menu. Group Measurement Syntax Arguments sets the high and low waveform levels statistically using a histogram algorithm.
Page 246 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:REFLevel:ABSolute:HIGH Sets or queries the high reference level, and is the 100% reference level when MEASUrement:REFLevel:METHod is set to ABSolute. This command is equivalent to setting the Reference Levels in the Measure menu. Group Measurement Syntax Arguments is the high reference level, in volts. The default is 0.0 V. Examples sets the high reference level to 1.71 V.
Page 247 Command Descriptions Arguments is the low reference level, in volts. The default is 0.0 V. Examples might return as the low reference level. MEASUrement:REFLevel:ABSolute:MID Sets or queries the mid reference level, and is the 50% reference level when MEASUrement:REFLevel:METHod is set to ABSolute. This command is equivalent to setting the Reference Levels in the Measure menu.
Page 248 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:REFLevel:ABSolute:MID2 Sets or queries the mid reference level for the “to” waveform when taking a delay measurement, and is the 50% reference level when MEASUrement:RE- FLevel:METHod is set to ABSolute. This command is equivalent to setting the Reference Levels in the Measure menu. Group Measurement Syntax...
Page 249 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies that the reference levels are set explicitly using the MEASUrement:REFLevel:ABSolute commands. This method is useful when precise values are required. For instance, when designing to published interface specifications such as RS-232-C. specifies that the reference levels are calculated as a percent relative to HIGH and LOW.
Page 250 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:REFLevel:PERCent:LOW Sets or queries the percent, where 100% is equal to HIGH, that is used to calculate the low reference level when MEASUrement:REFLevel:METHod is set to PERCent. This command is equivalent to setting the Reference Levels in the Measure menu.
Page 251 Command Descriptions Arguments ranges from 0 to 100 percent, and is the mid reference level. The default is 50%. Examples specifies that the mid reference level is set to 60% of HIGH. MEASUrement:REFLevel:PERCent:MID2 Sets or queries the percent, where 100% is equal to HIGH, that is used to calculate the mid reference level for the second waveform specified when taking a delay measurement.
Page 252 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:SNAPShot Displays the measurement snapshot. Group Measurement Syntax Examples MEASUrement:STATIstics:MODE TDS 500C & 700C Only Controls the operation and display of measurement statistics. Group Measurement Syntax Arguments turns measurements off. This is the default value. turns on statistics and displays the min and max statistics. turns on statistics and displays the mean and standard deviation statistics.
Page 253 Command Descriptions MEASUrement:STATIstics:WEIghting TDS 500C & 700C Only Controls the responsiveness of mean and standard deviation to waveform changes. Group Measurement Syntax Arguments is the time constant for the mean and standard deviation statistical accumulations. Examples sets the weighting to 4. MESSage Clears the message window and the MESSage? query returns the current message parameters.
Page 254 Command Descriptions Examples clears the message from the window. MESSage:BOX Defines the size and position of the message window. This command does not display the window unless MESSage:STATE is ON. Group Display Syntax Arguments = 0 to 640, and are pixel positions along the horizontal axis. defines the left and defines the right side of the window.
Page 255: Figure 2-5: Message Window Coordinates
Command Descriptions Figure 2–5: Message Window Coordinates MESSage:SHOW Clears the contents of the message window and displays the new message in the window. Group Display Syntax Arguments is the message and can include any of the characters shown in the TDS Character Chart in Appendix A.
Page 256 Command Descriptions The message is left-justified, and is displayed on a single line starting with the top most line in the window. A line feed character can be embedded in the string to position the message on multiple lines. You can also use white space and tab characters to position the message within a line.
Page 257 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments = 0 removes the message window from the screen. 0 displays the message window and its contents on the screen. The size of the window is defined by MESSage:BOX. NEWpass (No Query Form) Changes the password that enables access to password protected data. The PASSWord command must be successfully executed before using this command or an execution error will be generated.
Page 258 Command Descriptions complete discussion of the use of these registers and the output queue, see page 3–1. Group Status and Error Related Commands BUSY?, *WAI Syntax The *OPC command allows you to synchronize the operation of the digitizing oscilloscope with your application program. Synchronization methods are described starting on page 3–7.
Page 259 Command Descriptions Examples Might return: PASSWord (No Query Form) Enables the *PUD and NEWpass set commands. Sending PASSWord without any arguments disables these same commands. Once the password is successful- ly entered, the *PUD and NEWpass commands are enabled until the digitizing oscilloscope is powered off, or until the FACtory command, the PASSWord command with no arguments, or the *RST command is issued.
Page 260 Command Descriptions *PSC Sets and queries the power-on status flag that controls the automatic power-on handling of the DESER, SRER, and ESER registers. When *PSC is true, the DESER register is set to 255 and the SRER and ESER registers are set to 0 at power-on.
Page 261 Command Descriptions Group Miscellaneous Related Commands PASSWord Syntax Arguments is a string containing up to 100 characters. Examples stores the string “This instrument belongs to me” in the user protected data area. might return *RCL (No Query Form) Restores the state of the digitizing oscilloscope from a copy of its settings stored in memory.
Page 262 Command Descriptions Examples restores the digitizing oscilloscope from a copy of the settings stored in memory location 3. RECAll:ACQDATA (No Query Form) TDS 500C & 700C Only Replaces the indicated channel’s live acquisition data with that saved in the indicated file. Group Save and Recall Syntax...
Page 263 Command Descriptions Related Commands DELEte:SETUp, FACtory, *RCL, *RST, *SAV, SAVe:SETUp Syntax Arguments selects the factory setup. is a value in the range from 1 to 10 and specifies a setup storage location. Using an out-of-range value causes an execution error (222, “Data out of range”). is the location in mass storage memory where the setup will be recalled from.
Page 264 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments is the location in internal reference memory where the waveform is recalled from. is a quoted string that defines the file name and path. Input the file path using the form and one or more s are optional. If you do not specify them, the TDS will recall the waveform from the default directory.
Page 265 Command Descriptions Group Status and Error Related Commands FACtory, *PSC, *RCL, RECAll:SETUp, *SAV, SAVe:SETUp Syntax *RST returns the instrument settings to the factory defaults (see Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings). The *RST command does not alter the following: The state of the IEEE Std 488.1–1987 interface. The selected IEEE Std 488.1–1987 address of the digitizing oscilloscope.
Page 266 Command Descriptions Arguments where can be 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 or 19200. Examples sets the transmission rate to 9600 baud. RS232:HARDFlagging RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface Only Sets or queries the input and output hard flagging over the RS-232 port. It uses the RFR (Ready For Receive) and CTS (Clear To Send) lines to control data transmission.
Page 267 Command Descriptions RS232:PARity RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface Only Sets or queries the parity used for all RS-232-C data transfers. Parity adds a bit to the character sequence. When parity is odd or even, the digitizing oscilloscope generates the selected parity on output and checks all input against the selected parity.
Page 268 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments turn on softflagging. turn off softflagging. Examples turns on soft flagging. RS232:STOPBits RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface Only Sets or queries the number of transmission stop bits sent with each character to identify the end of data for that character. Group RS232 Syntax...
Page 269 Command Descriptions RS232? (Query Only) RS-232/Centronics Hardcopy Interface Only Queries the RS232 settings. Group RS232 Syntax Arguments None Examples queries for RS232 settings. It might return: *SAV (No Query Form) (Save) stores the state of the digitizing oscilloscope into a specified memory location.
Page 270 Command Descriptions Examples saves the current settings in memory location 2. SAVe:ACQDATA (No Query Form) TDS 500C & 700C Only Writes out the acquisition data and its characteristics to the indicated file. When extended-acquisition-length mode is on, this command will only write in the internal data format.
Page 271 Command Descriptions Group Save and Recall Related Commands DELEte:SETUp, RECAll:SETUp, *RCL, *SAV Syntax Arguments is a value in the range from 1 to 10 and specifies a location. Using an out-of-range value causes an execution error. Any settings that have been stored previously at this location will be overwritten.
Page 272 Command Descriptions Related Commands DELEte:WAVEform, SAVE:WAVEform:FILEFormat Syntax Arguments is CH<x>, MATH<x>, or REF<x>, and is the waveform that will be saved. is the location where the waveform will be stored. (on instruments with the Options 1F or HD File System) is a quoted string that defines the file name and path.
Page 273 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies the internal format. Internal format files usually have a .wfm extension. When Extended-Acquisition-Length mode is on, the convention is to use a .wf1 extension. Also, the oscilloscope will only use this internal format with this mode.
Page 274 Command Descriptions SELect? (Query Only) Returns the selected waveform and the display status of all waveforms. Group Vertical Syntax Examples might return SELect:<wfm> Controls the display and selection of waveforms. There can be up to eleven waveforms displayed at one time, but only one waveform can be selected at a time.
Page 275 Command Descriptions Examples turns the channel 2 display on and selects channel 2. returns either or , indicating whether the REF1 waveform is selected. SELect:CONTROl Sets or queries the waveform that is currently affected by the cursor and vertical commands. <wfm>...
Page 276 Command Descriptions NOTE. The SET? query always returns a string with command headers, regardless of the setting of the HEADer command. This is because the returned string is intended to be able to be sent back to the digitizing oscilloscope as a command string.
Page 277 Command Descriptions The power-on default for SRER is 0 if is 1. If is 0, the SRER maintains its value through a power cycle. Examples sets the bits in the SRER to 00110000 binary. might return a value of , showing that the bits in the SRER have the binary value 00100000.
Page 278 Command Descriptions Group Miscellaneous Syntax TIMe Sets or queries the time that the digitizing oscilloscope can display. Group Miscellaneous Related Commands DATE, DISplay: CLOCk Syntax Arguments is a date in the form refers to the hour number from 01 to 24. refers to the minute number in the hour from 00 to 59.
Page 279 Command Descriptions Group Trigger Syntax Arguments creates a trigger event. If TRIGger:STATE is REAdy, the acquisition will complete, otherwise this command will be ignored. This is equivalent to pressing the front-panel FORCE TRIGGER button. Examples forces a trigger event to occur. might return TRIGger:DELay Sets the delayed trigger level and returns the current delayed trigger parameters.
Page 280 Command Descriptions Arguments sets the delayed trigger level to half way between the MIN and MAX amplitudes of the trigger source input. This is equivalent to selecting Set to 50% in the Delayed Edge Level side menu. Examples sets the delayed trigger level to 50% of MAX and MIN. might return TRIGger:DELay:BY Selects whether the delayed trigger occurs after a specified number of events or a...
Page 281 Command Descriptions Arguments sets the delayed trigger to occur after a set number of trigger events after the main trigger. The number of events is specified by TRIGger:DELay:EVENTS:COUNt. sets the delayed trigger to be ready to occur a set time after the main trigger event.
Page 282 Command Descriptions Syntax (TDS 400A, 510A) (TDS 400A, 510A) (TDS 400A, 510A) (TDS 500C, 600B & 700C only) Arguments selects AC trigger coupling (TDS 400A, 510A). selects DC trigger coupling. coupling removes the high frequency components of the DC signal (TDS 400A, 510A).
Page 283 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies to trigger on the falling or negative edge of a signal. specifies to trigger on the rising or positive edge of a signal. Examples might return , indicating that the delayed trigger occurs on the rising edge. TRIGger:DELay:EDGE:SOUrce Selects the source for the delayed trigger.
Page 284 Command Descriptions specifies one of the input channels. Examples selects channel 1 as the input source for the delayed trigger. TRIGger:DELay:EVENTS? (Query Only) Returns the current delayed trigger event parameter. Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return TRIGger:DELay:EVENTS:COUNt Sets or queries the number of events that must occur before the delayed trigger occurs when TRIGger:DELay:BY is set to EVENTS.
Page 285 Command Descriptions Examples specifies that the delayed trigger will occur four trigger events after the main trigger. might return , indicating that two events must occur after the main trigger before the delayed trigger can occur. TRIGger:DELay:LEVel Selects the level of the delayed trigger. This command is equivalent to setting LEVel in the Delayed Trig menu.
Page 286 Command Descriptions Group Trigger Related Commands HORizontal:DELay:MODe, HORizontal:DELay:TIME:RUNSAfter, HORizontal:DELay:TIME:TRIGAfter Syntax Arguments is the delay time, in seconds. Examples sets the delay time to 4 s. TRIGger:DELay:TYPe Sets or queries the type of delayed trigger. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments is a normal trigger. A trigger event occurs when a signal passes through a specified voltage level in a specified direction.
Page 287 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn Sets the main trigger level and returns the current main trigger parameters. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments sets the main trigger level to half way between the MIN and MAX amplitudes of the trigger source input. This is equivalent to pressing the front-panel SET LEVel TO 50% button.
Page 288 Command Descriptions Arguments corresponds to the Isolated +1 on the front panel menu. This is the default value. corresponds to the Isolated –1. corresponds to Eye Diagram. Examples selects the AMI pulseform to the Isolated +1. TRIGger:MAIn:COMMunication:AMI:THReshold:HIGH TDS 500C & 700C Only Sets or queries the AMI communication trigger’s high threshold value in volts.
Page 289 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:COMMunication:AMI:THReshold:LOW TDS 500C & 700C Only Sets or queries the AMI communication trigger’s low threshold value in volts. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments is the low value of the threshold. The unit of measure is volts. The default is –0.5 volts. Examples 2.8 E–2 sets the low threshold to 28 milliVolts.
Page 290 Command Descriptions Arguments is the bit rate in bits per second. The default is 1.544e+6. Examples sets the bit rate to 105.3 Mb/s. TRIGger:MAIn:COMMunication:CMI:PULSEForm TDS 500C & 700C Only Sets or queries the communication trigger CMI pulse form to one of three possibilities.
Page 291 Command Descriptions Examples selects a trigger on a positive mark. TRIGger:MAIn:COMMunication:CODe TDS 500C & 700C Only Sets or queries the communication trigger signal code. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments refers to the Alternate Mark Inversion encoding scheme. This is the default. refers to the Coded Mark Inversion encoding scheme.
Page 292 Command Descriptions Arguments selects an Eye Diagram image. This is the default value. selects a positive edge trigger. selects a negative edge trigger. causes a trigger on Pattern0. Intersymbol interference can be identified with the Pattern Violations Trigger. The leading symbol (0, 1, x) and trailing symbol (0, 1, x) are bit values that precede or follow the three symbols of interest (in the middle).
Page 293 Command Descriptions causes a trigger on Pattern4 x 100 1. causes a trigger on Pattern5 x 101 x. causes a trigger on Pattern6 0 110 x. causes a trigger on Pattern7 0 111 0. is a synonym for PATTERN0. is a synonym for PATTERN1. is a synonym for PATTERN2.
Page 294 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies one of the input channels. Examples selects Channel 2 as the source for the main communication trigger. TRIGger:MAIn:COMMunication:STANdard TDS 500C & 700C Only Sets or queries the communication trigger standard which identifies the code and bit rate. Group Trigger Syntax...
Page 295 Command Descriptions Arguments refers to DS1 (1.544 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to DS1A (2.048 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to DS1C (3.152 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to DS2 (6.312 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to DS3 (44.736 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to DS4NA (139.26 Mb/s) CMI standard. 2–281 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 296 Command Descriptions refers to E1 (2.048 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to E2 (8.44 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to E3 (34.368 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to E4 (139.26 Mb/s) CMI standard. refers to E5 or CEPT (565 Mb/s) NRZ standard. refers to STS–1 (51.84 Mb/s) AMI standard. refers to STS–3 (155.52 Mb/s) CMI standard.
Page 297 Command Descriptions Examples might return TRIGger:MAIn:EDGE:COUPling Sets or queries the type of coupling for the main edge trigger. This is equivalent to setting Coupling in the Trigger menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments selects AC trigger coupling. selects DC trigger coupling. coupling removes the high frequency components of the DC signal.
Page 298 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:EDGE:SLOpe Selects a rising or falling slope for the main edge trigger. This is equivalent to setting Slope in the Trigger menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments specifies to trigger on the falling or negative edge of a signal. specifies to trigger on the rising or positive edge of a signal.
Page 299 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies an external trigger using the Auxiliary Trigger Input connector located on the rear panel of the oscilloscope. The TDS 520C and 724C do not have an Auxiliary Trigger input and so do not support this argument. specifies one of the input channels.
Page 300 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:HOLDOff:ACTUal? (Query Only) TDS 500C, 600B and 700C Only Returns the main trigger holdoff value in seconds. This is equivalent to selecting Mode & Holdoff from the main Trigger menu and viewing the value in the side menu Holdoff Default or Holdoff Time items (whichever is highlighted). Group Trigger Syntax...
Page 301 Command Descriptions 1 msec/division then the default holdoff will be 1 msec/division 25 divs = 25 msec. Examples sets the holdoff to the by time setting. This enables the user to set the holdoff time. TRIGger:MAIn:HOLDOff:TIMe TDS 500C, 600B & 700C Only Sets or queries the main trigger holdoff time.
Page 302 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments is from 0 to 100, and is a percent of the holdoff range. Examples set the holdoff value to be 10% of the holdoff range. TRIGger:MAIn:LEVel Sets the main trigger level. This command is equivalent to adjusting the front-panel TRIGGER MAIN LEVEL knob.
Page 303 Command Descriptions sets the main trigger level to 0.5 V. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc? (Query Only) Not on TDS 400A Returns all main logic trigger parameters. Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:CLAss Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the type of main logic trigger. This command is equivalent to selecting Class in the Trigger menu when the Type is set to Logic.
Page 304 Command Descriptions Arguments means that the instrument triggers when the specified logical combina- tions of channels 1, 2, 3, and 4 are met. means that the instrument triggers when the specified conditions of channels 1, 2, and 3 are met after the channel 4 condition is met. means the oscilloscope will trigger on the setup and hold violations between a data source and a clock source (TDS 500C, 600B &...
Page 305 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies that the instrument will trigger if all the conditions are true. specifies that the instrument will trigger if any of the conditions are false. specifies that the instrument will trigger if all of the conditions are false. specifies that the instrument will trigger if any of the conditions are true.
Page 306 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:INPut:CH<x> Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the main logic trigger input for the specified channel. The channel is specified by <x> and is 1, 2, or 3. This is equivalent to setting the inputs in the Logic Pattern Inputs side menu. Group Trigger Related Commands...
Page 307 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies logic high. specifies logic low. specifies a do not care state. Examples sets the main logic trigger input to logic low for channel 4 when the logic class is set to might return , indicating that the logic input for channel 4 is do not care. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:PATtern:WHEn Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries a condition for generating a main logic pattern trigger.
Page 308: Figure 2-6: Lessthan And Morethan Arguments
Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the trigger to occur when the pattern becomes true. specifies the trigger to occur when the pattern becomes false. specifies trigger to occur if the specific pattern is true less than the LESSLimit. (see Figure 2–6 and ) Trigger is evaluated at the true-false transition.
Page 309 Command Descriptions Arguments time to hold pattern true. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:PATtern:WHEn:MORELimit Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the minimum time the selected pattern may be true and still generate a main logic pattern trigger. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments time to hold pattern true. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:SETHold:CLOCk:EDGE TDS 500C, 600B &...
Page 310 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies falling edge. specifies rising edge. Examples specifies the polarity as the rising edge. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:SETHold:CLOCk:LEVel TDS 500C, 600B & 700C only Sets or queries the main logic setup/hold clock voltage trigger level. This is equivalent to selecting Levels from the main Trigger menu and Clock Level in the resulting side menu.
Page 311 Command Descriptions Examples sets the main logic trigger setup/hold clock level to 1.4 volts. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:SETHold:CLOCk:SOUrce TDS 500C, 600B & 700C Only Sets or queries the source for the clock for the main logic trigger setup/hold input. The channel is specified by <x> and is 1, 2, 3, or 4. This is equivalent to selecting Define Clock from the main Trigger menu and CH1, CH2, CH3, or CH4 in the resulting side menu.
Page 312 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies a preset ECL level of –1.3 V. specifies a preset TTL level of 1.4 V. is the main trigger level, in volts. Examples sets the main logic setup/hold data level to 1.4 volts. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:SETHold:DATa:SOUrce TDS 500C, 600B & 700C Only Sets or queries the data channel for the main logic trigger set/hold input.
Page 313 Command Descriptions Examples selects Channel 2 as the source for the main logic trigger set/hold. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:SETHold:HOLDTime TDS 500C, 600B & 700C only Sets or queries the main logic trigger hold time. This is equivalent to selecting Setup/Hold Times from the main Trigger menu and Hold Time in the resulting side menu.
Page 314 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies the setup time setting in seconds. Positive values occur before the clock edge. Negative values occur after the clock edge. Examples sets the main logic trigger sethold time to 600 nanoseconds. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:STATE:INPut:CH4 Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the main logic trigger input for channel 4.
Page 315 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:STATE:WHEn Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the main logic state trigger. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments specifies the trigger to occur when the condition is met on the fourth channel and the pattern of the first three channels are at the desired states. TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:THReshold? (Query Only) Not on TDS 400A Returns the main logic trigger threshold voltage for all channels.
Page 316 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:LOGIc:THReshold:CH<x> Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the main logic trigger threshold voltage for the channel specified by <x>. This is equivalent to setting the thresholds in the Logic State Threshold and Logic Pattern Threshold side menus. Group Trigger Syntax...
Page 317 Command Descriptions Examples specifies that the main logic trigger when the logic pattern is true. TRIGger:MAIn:MODe Sets or queries the main trigger mode. This command is equivalent to selecting Mode & Holdoff in the Trigger menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments generates a trigger if a trigger is not detected within a specific time period.
Page 318 Command Descriptions Syntax Examples might return as the current main pulse trigger parameters. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:CLAss Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the type of pulse to trigger on. This command is equivalent to selecting Class in the Trigger menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments...
Page 319 Command Descriptions ger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:THReshold:HIGH commands. The crossing can be either positive or negative as specified by TRIGger:MAIn:PULse: RUNT:PO- Larity. triggers when a pulse is found that has the specified polarity and is either inside or outside the limits as specified by TRIGger:MAIn:PULse: WIDth:LOW- Limit and TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:WIDth:HIGHLimit.
Page 320 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies that the digitizing oscilloscope will trigger only on pulses that are narrower than the specified width when the main trigger type is set to pulse glitch. The width is specified using TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:GLItch:WIDth command. specifies that the digitizing oscilloscope will trigger only on pulses that are wider than the specified width when the main trigger type is set to pulse glitch.
Page 321 Command Descriptions Examples specifies that the polarity of the glitch can be either positive or negative. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:GLItch:WIDth Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the width for the main pulse glitch trigger. This command is equivalent to selecting Polarity & Width in the Trigger menu. Group Trigger Syntax...
Page 322 Command Descriptions Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:POLarity Not on TDS 400A Sets or queries the polarity for the main pulse runt trigger. This command is equivalent to selecting Polarity in the Trigger menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments indicates that the falling edge crosses the high threshold and the rising edge recrosses the high threshold without either edge ever crossing the low threshold.
Page 323 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:THReshold? (Query Only) Not on TDS 400A Returns the upper and lower thresholds for the main pulse runt trigger. Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:THReshold:BOTh TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the trigger level switching thresholds for the main pulse runt trigger.
Page 324 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:THReshold:HIGH TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the upper limit for the main pulse runt trigger. This command is equivalent to setting the threshold in the Pulse Runt Threshold side menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments is the threshold, in volts.
Page 325 Command Descriptions Arguments is the threshold, in volts. Examples sets the lower limit of the pulse runt trigger to 50 mV. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:WHEn TDS 500C, 600B & 700C Only Sets or queries the type of pulse width the trigger checks for when it uncovers a runt.
Page 326 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:RUNT:WIDth TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the minimum width for a valid main pulse runt trigger. This command is equivalent to entering a value in the Trigger menu’s Wider Than side menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments is the minimum width in seconds.
Page 327 Command Descriptions Arguments is the delta time in seconds. Examples sets the slew rate trigger’s delta time to 15 s. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:SLEWRate:POLarity TDS 500C, 600B & 700C Only Sets or queries the polarity for the main pulse slew rate trigger. This command is equivalent to selecting Polarity in the Trigger menu with Type set to SlewRate.
Page 328 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:SLEWRate:SLEWRate? (Query Only) TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Returns the slew rate value. This is the ((Upper Threshold – Lower Threshold) / Delta Time) The value is limited to the three most significant digits. Group Trigger Syntax Examples returns the slew rate.
Page 329 Command Descriptions Examples sets the trigger threshold to TTL. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:SLEWRate:THReshold:HIGH TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the upper (most positive) limit of the two threshold levels that a pulse edge must traverse for the slew rate trigger to occur. This command is equivalent to setting the higher threshold in the Pulse Slew Rate Trigger’s Thresholds side menu item.
Page 330 Command Descriptions Arguments is the threshold, in volts. Examples sets the lower limit of the pulse slew rate trigger to 50 mV. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:SLEWRate:WHEn TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries whether to check for a slewing signal that is faster or slower than the specified delta time.
Page 331 Command Descriptions Examples sets the slew rate trigger to work when the slew is faster than the set volts/second rate. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:SOUrce TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the source for the main pulse trigger. This is equivalent to selecting the source in the Pulse Runt Source side menu.
Page 332 Command Descriptions Arguments ) indicates that a pulse edge must stay low the required time period for timeout triggering to occur. ) indicates that a pulse edge must stay high the required time period for timeout triggering to occur. indicates either STAYSHigh or STAYSLow polarity. Examples specifies that the polarity of the timeout trigger can be either positive or negative.
Page 333 Command Descriptions Examples sets the timeout time to 3.134 s. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:WIDth? (Query Only) TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Returns the width parameters for the main pulse width trigger. Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return as the current main pulse trigger parameters.
Page 334 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:WIDth:LOWLimit TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the lower limit for the main pulse width trigger. This is equiva- lent to setting Lower Limit in the Pulse Width Trig When side menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments is the lower limit, in seconds.
Page 335 Command Descriptions specifies a positive pulse. TRIGger:MAIn:PULse:WIDth:WHEn TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Selects the condition when the trigger occurs. This is equivalent to selecting the condition in the Pulse Width Trig When side menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments specifies a trigger when the duration of the pulse is greater than the high limit or less than the low limit specified.
Page 336 Command Descriptions Syntax (Only the TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C use the LOGIc and PULse argu- ments. Only the TDS 500C and 700C use the COMMunication argument. Only digitizing oscilloscopes with option 05 use the VIDeo argument.) Syntax (Only the TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C use the LOGIc and PULse argu- ments.
Page 337 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo? (Query Only) Option 05 Only Returns the main video trigger parameters. Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return: as the current main video trigger parameters. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:BY TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger delay mode. This is equivalent to using the Video TV Delay Mode side menu.
Page 338 Command Descriptions this argument, it will convert it to LINE. The TDS 400A will not output this argument in response to a query. LINE specifies a delay by a number of video lines. Examples TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:BY TIME specifies a delay by time. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FIELD TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the field the video trigger acts on.
Page 339 Command Descriptions argument, it will convert it to EVEN. The TDS 400A will not output this argument in response to a query. FIELDEither specifies alternating both video field 1 and video field 2. For the TDS 400A, this argument is available only for backward compatibility. If the TDS 400A receives this argument, it will convert it to ALL.
Page 340 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FIELDType TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the field the video trigger acts on. This is equivalent to pressing Field in the video main menu and then Field, Odd, Even or All in the side menu.
Page 341 Command Descriptions Examples might return: as the flexible-format video trigger parameters. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FLEXformat:FIELDRATE TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the flexible-format video frames per second (e.g. 59.94 frames per second for 1050 and 50 for 1250). This is equivalent to selecting Setup from the video main menu (with FlexFmt as the Standard), Field Rate from the side menu, and entering a value with the keypad or the general purpose knob.
Page 342 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments the number of fields in the standard. Examples returns the number of fields in the format. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FLEXformat:LINES TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the flexible-format video lines in a frame. This is equivalent to pressing Setup from the video main menu (with FlexFmt as the Standard), Lines from the side menu, and entering the value with the keypad or the general purpose knob.
Page 343 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FLEXformat:NEGSyncwidth TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the flexible-format negative sync width. The HDTV horizontal sync is a tri-level sync. The first of the two consecutive sync pulses used is negative and the second is positive. The positive sync pulse starts on the rising edge of the negative sync.
Page 344 Command Descriptions Arguments the v1 starttime. Examples returns the specified HDTV v1 starttime. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FLEXformat:V1STOptime TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 5 Only Sets or queries the time from t to the trailing edge (positive) of the first negative vertical sync pulse. This is equivalent selecting Setup from the video main menu (with FlexFmt as the Standard), pressing V1 Stop Time in the side menu, and entering a value with the keypad or the general purpose knob.
Page 345 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:FLEXformat:V2STArttime TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the time from the positive edge of the tri-sync pulse for the last line in the selected field (t ) to the leading edge (positive) of the second vertical sync pulse.
Page 346 Command Descriptions Arguments the v2 stoptime. Examples returns the specified v2 stoptime. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:HDTv TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the high definition TV frame rate. This is equivalent to toggling HDTV from the Video main-menu Standard pop-up, pressing Format, and then selecting a frame rate from the side menu.
Page 347 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:HOLdoff? (Query Only) TDS 400A Option 05 Only Returns the video trigger holdoff value. Group Trigger Syntax Examples might return TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:HOLdoff:VALue TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger holdoff value. This is equivalent to setting Holdoff in the Mode &...
Page 348 Command Descriptions TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:INTERLAce TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger interlace format. This is equivalent to setting Interlace in the Scan Rate and Interlace main menu of the video trigger menu when Class is set to Custom. Group Trigger Syntax...
Page 349 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies a number of lines to delay by. Examples selects 5 lines for the desired delay period. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:LINES TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger delay in terms of a number of lines. This is equivalent to entering data in the Line item in the Video TV Delay Mode side menu.
Page 350 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments MONo specifies mode for noncolor signals. COLOr specifies mode for color field triggering and enables numeric triggering. Examples specifies numeric fields are invalid. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:PAL TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Option 05 Only Sets or queries the PAL video trigger mode selection. This is equivalent to toggling 625/PAL in the video main-menu pop-up, Mode in the main menu, and a side menu item (PAL, Mono, or SECAM).
Page 351 Command Descriptions specifies mode for SECAM signals. Examples specifies non-color PAL signals. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:SCAN TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger scan parameters. This is equivalent to using the Video Scan Parameters side menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments RATE1 specifies a 15 to 20 kHz video line rate.
Page 352 Command Descriptions Group Trigger Syntax TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:SOUrce Option 05 Only Sets or queries the source for the main video trigger. This is equivalent to selecting the Source in the video main menu and a desired channel from the side menu. Group Trigger Syntax Arguments...
Page 353 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments specifies the NTSC 525/59.94/2:1 standard. specifies the PAL 625/59.94/2:1 standard. allows selection of the following HDTV formats: 787/59.94/1:1, 1050/59.94/2:1, 1050/59.94/2:1, 1125/60/2:1, 1250/50/2:1. allows the user to specify the video parameters. The default table is 1050/59.94/2:1. Examples selects the NTSC video format.
Page 354 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies a positive going voltage. specifies a negative going voltage. Examples selects a positive going voltage for the desired synchronization pulse. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:SYStem TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger class. This is equivalent to selecting the class in the Video Class side menu of the Video menu.
Page 355 Command Descriptions CUSTom selects a condition that adheres to the frequency range of the video signal as you have defined them from the available ranges. Examples selects triggering to occur on an NTSC compatible signal. TRIGger:MAIn:VIDeo:TIMe TDS 400A Option 05 Only Sets or queries the video trigger delay time.
Page 356 Command Descriptions Returns indicates that the instrument is acquiring pretrigger information. All triggers are ignored when TRIGger:STATE is ARMING. indicates that the digitizing oscilloscope is in auto mode and acquires data even in the absence of a trigger. (TDS 500C and 700C only) indicates that the instrument is in FastFrame mode.
Page 357 Command Descriptions Examples immediately executes all commands that have been defined by *DDT. *TST? (Query Only) (Self-Test) Tests the GPIB interface and returns a 0. Group Miscellaneous Syntax Returns and is always 0. UNLock (No Query Form) Unlocks the front panel. This command is equivalent to LOCk NONe. NOTE.
Page 358 Command Descriptions VERBose Sets and queries the Verbose State that controls the length of keywords on query responses. Keywords can be both headers and arguments. This command does not affect IEEE Std 488.2-1987 Common Commands (those starting with an asterisk). Group Miscellaneous Related Commands...
Page 359 Command Descriptions Related Commands BUSY?, *OPC Syntax WAVFrm? (Query Only) Returns WFMPre? and CURVe? data for the waveform or waveforms as specified by the DATa:SOUrce command. This command is equivalent to sending WFMPre?; CURVe? TDS 400A: when the TDS 400A is in external clock mode, the time-per-div field will contain Group Waveform...
Page 360 Command Descriptions Returns The format of the response is: Example might return WFMPre:BIT_Nr Returns the number of bits per binary waveform point for the first ordered waveform as specified by the DATa:SOUrce command. The WFMPre:BIT_Nr command is ignored on input. Group Waveform Related Commands...
Page 361 Command Descriptions Examples might return , indicating that there are 8 bits per waveform point. WFMPre:BN_Fmt Sets or queries the format of binary data for the first ordered waveform as specified by the DATa:SOUrce command. Group Waveform Related Commands DATa:ENCdg, WFMPre:BYT_Or, WFMPre:ENCdg Syntax Arguments specifies signed integer data-point representation.
Page 362 Command Descriptions Syntax Arguments is the number of bytes per point and can be 1 or 2. Examples specifies that there are 2 bytes per waveform data point. WFMPre:BYT_Or Selects which byte of binary waveform data is transmitted first during a waveform data transfer when DATa:WIDth (or WFMPre:BYT_Nr) is set to 2.
Page 363 Command Descriptions WFMPre:ENCdg Sets or queries the type of encoding for waveform data transferred with the CURVe command. Group Waveform Related Commands DATa:ENCdg, WFMPre:BYT_Or, WFMPre:BN_Fmt Syntax Arguments specifies ASCII curve data. specifies binary curve data. Examples specifies that the waveform data is in ASCII format. might return , indicating that the waveform data is in binary format.
Page 364 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies that the waveform is transmitted as maximum and minimum point pairs. Only y values are explicitly transmitted. Absolute coordinates are given XZEro XINcr (n–PT_Off) YZEro YMUlt (y YOFf) n max n max YZEro YMUlt (y YOFf) n min n min specifies a normal waveform where one ASCII or binary data point is...
Page 365 Command Descriptions WFMPre:XINcr (No Query Form) Specifies the horizontal sampling interval for the reference waveform specified by the DATa:DESTination command. Group Waveform Syntax Arguments is the sampling interval in seconds per point. WFMPre:YMUlt (No Query Form) Specifies the vertical scale factor for the reference waveform specified by the DATa:DESTination command.
Page 366 Command Descriptions Arguments is the vertical offset in digitizing levels. WFMPre:YZEro (No Query Form) Specifies the offset voltage for the reference waveform specified by the DATa:DESTination command. Group Waveform Syntax Arguments is of the offset in YUNits (usually volts). Table 2–34 lists additional WFMPre commands that are included for compatibil- ity purposes.
Page 367 Command Descriptions NOTE. When returning WFMPRE:<wfm> information from the oscilloscope, <wfm> specifies the waveform source (CH<x>, MATH<x>, or REF<x>). The source must also be set using the DAta:SOUrce command. When sending WFMPRE:<wfm> information to the scope, the <wfm> specification is ignored and the reference location specified by DATa:DESTination is used instead.
Page 368 Command Descriptions WFMPre:<wfm>:NR_Pt Sets or queries the number of points that are in the transmitted waveform record. This value is ignored on input. In extended-acquisition-length mode, it will set or query the number of points that are in the transmitted the acquisition record. Related Commands DATa:DESTination Group...
Page 369 Command Descriptions Arguments specifies that the waveform is transmitted as minimum and maximum point pairs. Only y values are explicitly transmitted. Absolute coordinates are given XZEro XINcr (n–PT_Off) YZEro YMUlt (y YOFf) n min n min YZEro YMUlt (y YOFf) n max n max specifies a normal waveform where one ASCII or binary data point is...
Page 370 Command Descriptions Arguments is the position of the trigger point relative to DATa:STARt when queried. In extended-acquisition-length mode, <NR1> refers to the acquistion length. Examples returns indicating the trigger position within the waveform record. WFMPre:<wfm>:WFId Returns information about the waveform such as input coupling, volts per division, time per division, acquisition mode, and record length.
Page 371 Command Descriptions Group Waveform Syntax Arguments is the sampling interval. WFMPre:<wfm>:XUNit Returns the horizontal (X-axis) units of the waveform data at the time of creation. The WFMPre:<wfm>:XUNit command is ignored on input. TDS 400A: when the TDS 400A is in external clock mode, the time-per-div field will contain “50 clks/div”.
Page 372 Command Descriptions WFMPre:<wfm>:XZEro TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Sets or queries the horizontal (X-axis) origin offset. On input <wfm> always defaults to the reference location specified by DATa:DESTination regardless of what is sent. Group Waveform Syntax Arguments is the offset in XUNits (usually time). WFMPre:<wfm>:YMUlt Sets or queries the vertical scale factor, in YUNit per unscaled data point value.
Page 373 Command Descriptions WFMPre:<wfm>:YOFf Sets or queries the vertical position of the waveform. On input <wfm> always defaults to the reference location specified by DATa:DESTination regardless of what is sent. Group Waveform Syntax Arguments is the position in digitizing levels. WFMPre:<wfm>:YUNit Returns the vertical (Y-axis) units of the waveform data at the time of creation.
Page 374 Command Descriptions WFMPre:<wfm>:YZEro Sets or queries the vertical (Y-axis) offset voltage. On input <wfm> always defaults to the reference location specified by DATa:DESTination regardless of what is sent. Group Waveform Syntax Arguments is the offset in YUNits (usually volts). ZOOm Resets the zoom transforms to default values for all traces or live traces.
Page 375 Command Descriptions Examples might return ZOOm:DUAl TDS 400A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Turns Dual Zoom mode on and off. Group Zoom Syntax Arguments = 0 turns Dual Zoom mode off. 0 turns Dual Zoom mode on. Examples enables the Dual Zoom feature. returns either or depending on the state of Dual Zoom mode.
Page 376 Command Descriptions Arguments is the offset time in seconds. Examples adjusts the offset time in seconds between the centers of the main and second zoom boxes. ZOOm:GRAticule TDS 400A, 500C, 600B, & 700C Only Selects between the upper and lower graticule for use by the zoom preview state. If you select the lower graticule, horizontal and vertical knob changes will affect the underlying acquisition system.
Page 377 Command Descriptions ZOOm:HORizontal:LOCk Specifies the waveforms that the horizontal zoom parameters affect. This is equivalent to setting Horizontal Lock in the Zoom side menu. Group Zoom Syntax Arguments specifies that all live (CH<x>) waveforms will be horizontally positioned and scaled together. In extended-acquisition-length mode, LIVe is the only valid argument.
Page 378 Command Descriptions Group Zoom Syntax Arguments is from 0 to 100, and is the percent of the waveform or extended acquisition that is to the left of graticule. Examples centers the waveform on the display. ZOOm:HORizontal:SCAle Sets or queries the horizontal expansion factor. This command is equivalent to using the front-panel Horizontal Scale knob when Zoom is on.
Page 379 Command Descriptions ZOOm:STATE Turns Zoom mode on and off. When Zoom mode is on, the horizontal and vertical position and scale commands affect the waveform display, not the acquisition. This is the only way to position and scale math and reference waveforms.
Page 380 Command Descriptions ZOOm:VERTical:POSition Sets or queries the vertical position of waveforms. Group Zoom Syntax Arguments is the vertical position in divisions. Examples might return ZOOm:VERTical:SCAle Sets or queries the vertical expansion and compression factor. Group Zoom Related Commands ACQuire:MODe Syntax Arguments is the amount of vertical expansion or compression.
Page 381: Registers
Status and Events The digitizing oscilloscope provides a status and event reporting system for the GPIB interface. This system informs you of certain significant events that occur within the digitizing oscilloscope. The digitizing oscilloscope status handling system consists of five 8-bit registers and two queues.
Page 382: Figure 3-1: The Standard Event Status Register (Sesr)
Status and Events PON URQ CME EXE DDE QYE RQC OPC Figure 3–1: The Standard Event Status Register (SESR) Table 3–1: SESR Bit Functions Function 7 (MSB) PON (Power On). Shows that the digitizing oscilloscope was powered on. The completion of the diagnostic tests also sets this bit. URQ (User Request).
Page 383: Figure 3-3: The Device Event Status Enable Register (Deser)
Status and Events Table 3–2: SBR Bit Functions Function 7 (MSB) Not used. RQS (Request Service), obtained from a serial poll. Shows that the digitizing oscilloscope requests service from the GPIB controller. MSS (Master Status Summary), obtained from *STB? query. Summarizes the ESB and MAV bits in the SBR.
Page 384: Figure 3-4: The Event Status Enable Register (Eser)
Status and Events PON URQ CME EXE DDE QYE RQC OPC Figure 3–4: The Event Status Enable Register (ESER) The Service Request Enable Register (SRER) — is shown in Figure 3–5. It controls which bits in the SBR generate a Service Request and are summarized by the Master Status Summary (MSS) bit.
Page 385: Queues
Status and Events Queues The digitizing oscilloscope status and event reporting system contains two queues: the Output Queue and the Event Queue. The Output Queue The digitizing oscilloscope stores query responses in the Output Queue. It empties this queue each time it receives a new command or query message after an <EOM>.
Page 386: Figure 3-6: Status And Event Handling Process
Status and Events Event Handling Sequence Figure 3–6, on page 3–6, shows how to use the status and event handling system. In the explanation that follows, numbers in parentheses refer to numbers in Figure 3–6. Device Event Status Enable Register (DESER) PON URQ CME EXE DDE QYE RQC OPC Read using DESE?
Page 387: Synchronization Methods
Status and Events When output is sent to the Output Queue, the MAV bit in the SBR is set to one (5). When a bit in the SBR is set to one and the corresponding bit in the SRER is enabled (6), the MSS bit in the SBR is set to one and a service request is generated (7).
Page 388: Figure 3-7: Command Processing Without Using Synchronization
Status and Events Acquiring Waveform Data Processing Time Figure 3–7: Command Processing Without Using Synchronization To ensure the digitizing oscilloscope completes waveform acquisition before taking the measurement on the acquired data, you can synchronize the program. Figure 3–8 shows the desired processing sequence. Acquiring Waveform Data Processing Time Figure 3–8: Processing Sequence With Synchronization...
Page 389 Status and Events /* Take amplitude measurement on acquired data */ Though *WAI is one of the easiest ways to achieve synchronization, it is also the most costly. The processing time of the digitizing oscilloscope is slowed since it is processing a single command at a time. This time could be spent doing other tasks.
Page 390 Status and Events Serial Poll Method. Enable the OPC bit in the Device Event Status Enable Register (DESER) and the Event Status Enable Register (ESER) using the DESE and *ESE commands. When the operation is complete, the OPC bit in the Standard Event Status Register (SESR) will be enabled and the Event Status Bit (ESB) in the Status Byte Register will be enabled.
Page 391 Status and Events /* Acquire waveform data */ /* Set up the measurement parameters */ /* Wait until the acquisition is complete before taking the measurement */ /* Take amplitude measurement on acquired data */ This technique is more efficient but requires more sophisticated programming. Using the *OPC? Query The *OPC? query places a 1 in the Output Queue once an operation is complete.
Page 392: Messages
Status and Events Messages Tables 3–3 through 3–9 list all the programming interface messages the digitizing oscilloscope generates in response to commands and queries. For most messages, a secondary message from the digitizing oscilloscope gives more detail about the cause of the error or the meaning of the message. This message is part of the message string, and is separated from the main message by a semicolon.
Page 393 Status and Events Table 3–4: Command Error Messages – CME Bit 5 (Cont.) Code Message Header separator error Program mnemonic too long Undefined header Query not allowed Numeric data error Invalid character in number Exponent too large Too many digits Numeric data not allowed Suffix error Invalid suffix...
Page 394: Table 3–5: Execution Error Messages – Exe Bit 4
Status and Events Table 3–5 lists the execution errors that are detected during execution of a command. In these error messages, you should read “macro” as “alias.” Table 3–5: Execution Error Messages – EXE Bit 4 Code Message Execution error Invalid while in local Settings lost due to rtl Trigger error...
Page 395 Status and Events Table 3–5: Execution Error Messages – EXE Bit 4 (Cont.) Code Message 2203 Measurement error, No period, second waveform 2204 Measurement error, Low signal amplitude 2205 Measurement error, Low amplitude, second waveform 2206 Measurement error, Invalid gate 2207 Measurement error, Measurement overflow 2208...
Page 396 Status and Events Table 3–5: Execution Error Messages – EXE Bit 4 (Cont.) Code Message 2239 EAL turned off (EAL = extended-acquisition-length mode) 2240 Invalid password 2241 Waveform requested is invalid 2242 Data start and stop > record length 2243 Waveform requested is not a data source 2244 Waveform requested is not turned on...
Page 397: Table 3–6: Device Error Messages – Dde Bit 3
Status and Events Table 3–5: Execution Error Messages – EXE Bit 4 (Cont.) Code Message 2301 Cursor error, Off-screen 2302 Cursor error, cursors in different frames 2311 Group requested has not been selected or has been deleted Table 3–6 lists the device errors that can occur during digitizing oscilloscope operation.
Page 398: Table 3–8: Execution Warning Messages – Exe Bit 4
Status and Events Table 3–7: System Event Messages (Cont.) Code Message Query UNTERMINATED after indefinite response (QYE bit 2 set) Right menu button #1 pushed (URQ bit 6 set) Right menu button #2 pushed (URQ bit 6 set) Right menu button #3 pushed (URQ bit 6 set) Right menu button #4 pushed (URQ bit 6 set) Right menu button #5 pushed (URQ bit 6 set) Bottom menu button #1 pushed (URQ bit 6 set)
Page 399: Table 3–9: Internal Warning Messages
Status and Events Table 3–8: Execution Warning Messages – EXE Bit 4 (Cont.) Code Message Measurement warning, Uncertain edge Measurement warning, Invalid in minmax Measurement warning, Need 3 edges Measurement warning, Clipping positive/negative Measurement warning, Clipping positive Measurement warning, Clipping negative InstaVu active –...
Page 400: Figure 4-1: Equipment Needed To Run The Example Programs
Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.5 and Microsoft QuickC 2.5. The programs run on a PC-compatible system equipped with a Tektronix (National Instruments) GPIB board and associated drivers. For example, the programs will work with a Tektronix S3FG210 (National Instruments GPIB- PCII/IIA) GPIB package (See Figure 4–1).
Page 401: Compiling The Example Programs
NOTE. The programs you compile in the Sources directory work with the Tektronix S3FG210 (National Instruments GPIB-PCII-IIA) GPIB system. It may take extra steps or changes to get them to work with older Tektronix GURU and other GPIB systems. Compiling and Linking...
Page 402 Your Example 1. Install QuickBASIC. QuickBASIC Programs 2. Install the Tektronix S3FG210 (National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA) GPIB board and drivers. Remember to reboot your PC to initialize the GPIB drivers. 3. Copy the files from the examples diskette to your hard disk. You might also create a special directory to store them.
Page 403 B, you might type: 4. For this installation, you will also want to copy from your Tektronix S3FG210 (National Instruments GPIB-PCII/IIA) GPIB drivers directory to the directory your example programs are in. For example, if the GPIB drivers are in the...
Page 404 Programming Examples is a collection of input/output routines used by the other programs and is included for proper file compilation. 6. Run the program by simply typing the program name. To run , type: To run , type: To run , type: To run , type:...
Page 405: Table A–1: The Tds Character Set
Appendix A: Character Charts The characters in Table A–1 are available for the digitizing oscilloscope. Numbers in the lower left corners are character widths in pixels. Table A–1: The TDS Character Set space ‘ ” Ç & ‘ ’ < —...
Page 406: Table A–2: Ascii & Gpib Code Chart
1 1 1 1 (DEL) ADDRESSED UNIVERSAL LISTEN TALK SECONDARY ADDRESSES COMMANDS COMMANDS ADDRESSES ADDRESSES OR COMMANDS Tektronix octal GPIB code (with ATN asserted) REF: ANSI STD X3.4-1977 ASCII character IEEE STD 488.1-1987 decimal ISO STD 646-2973 A–2 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 407: Appendix B: Reserved Words
Appendix B: Reserved Words The following is a list of the reserved words of the digitizing oscilloscope. Do not use these words for aliases. Capital letters identify the required minimum spelling. Hint: Use the full spelling for the most robost code as the minimum spelling rules may change over time and from model to model.
Page 408 Appendix B: Reserved Words FALL HOLDOff MEAS1 PARTial FALSe HOLDTime MEAS2 PASSWord FASTERthan HORizontal MEAS3 PATtern FASTframe HPGl MEAS4 HPOS1 MEASUrement PCXCOLOR FIELD HPOS2 MEDian PDUty FIELD1 HUNdred PEAKDetect FIELD2 MESSage PEAKHits FIELDEither IMMed METHod PERCent FIELDRATE IMPedance PERIod FIELDS INDependent MID2 PERSistence...
Page 409 Appendix B: Reserved Words SEQuence TBposition VOLts REName TEKSecure V1STArttime REPEt RESET SETHold TEMPErature V1STOptime RESETAll SETLevel TEMPLate V2STArttime RESUltRI SETTime TEXt V2STOptime RIBinary SETUp THInkjet WAVEform RIGHT1 SHORt THReshold WAVEFORMS RIGHT2 SHOW TIFf WAVFrm RIGHT3 SINX TIMe WFId RIGHT4 SLEWRate TIMEOut WFMPre...
Page 410: Appendix C: Interface Specifications
Appendix C: Interface Specifications This appendix describes details of the GPIB remote interface of the digitizing oscilloscope. Normally, you will not need this information to use the digitizing oscilloscope, but the information is useful when connecting to controllers of unusual configuration. GPIB Function Subsets The digitizing oscilloscope supports many GPIB function subsets, as listed below.
Page 411: Table C–1: Tds Family Oscilloscope Standard Interface Message
Appendix C: Interface Specifications DT1 (Device Trigger). When acting as a listener, the digitizing oscilloscope responds to the GET (Group Execute Trigger) interface message. C0 (Controller). The digitizing oscilloscope cannot control other devices. E2 (Electrical). The digitizing oscilloscope uses tristate buffers to provide optimal high-speed data transfer.
Page 412: Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings
Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings The factory initialization settings provide you a known state for the digitizing oscilloscope. Factory initialization sets values as shown in Table D–1. Table D–1: Factory Initialization Settings Control Changed by Factory Init to Acquire mode Sample Acquire repetitive signal TDS 400A, 510A, 500C, &...
Page 413 Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings Table D–1: Factory Initialization Settings (Cont.) Control Changed by Factory Init to Delayed edge trigger coupling (TDS 400A only) Main Trigger Delayed edge trigger level Delayed edge trigger slope Rising Delayed edge trigger source Channel 1 Delayed, time base mode Delayed Runs After Main Deskew, Channel/Probe...
Page 414 Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings Table D–1: Factory Initialization Settings (Cont.) Control Changed by Factory Init to Display trigger bar style Short Display trigger “T” Display variable persistence 500 ms Edge trigger coupling Edge trigger level 0.0 V Edge trigger slope Rising Edge trigger source Channel 1...
Page 415 Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings Table D–1: Factory Initialization Settings (Cont.) Control Changed by Factory Init to Logic trigger class TDS 500C, 600B, & 700C: Pattern Logic trigger input TDS 510A, 500C, 600B, & 700C: (pattern and state) Channel 1 = H (high), Channels 2 &...
Page 416 Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings Table D–1: Factory Initialization Settings (Cont.) Control Changed by Factory Init to Measure gating Measure high ref 90% and 0 V (units) Measure high-low setup Histogram Measure low ref 10% and 0 V (units) Measure mid ref 50% and 0 V (units) Measure mid2 ref 50% and 0 V (units)
Page 417 Appendix D: Factory Initialization Settings Table D–1: Factory Initialization Settings (Cont.) Control Changed by Factory Init to Saved waveforms No change Stop after R/S button Vertical bandwidth (all channels) Full Vertical coupling (all channels) Vertical impedance (termination) (all channels) Vertical offset (all channels) Vertical position (all channels) 0 divs.
Page 418 Glossary ASCII Acronym for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Controllers transmit commands to the digitizing oscilloscope using ASCII character encoding. Address A 7-bit code that identifies an instrument on the communication bus. The digitizing oscilloscope must have a unique address for the controller to recognize and transmit commands to it.
Page 419 Beginner’s All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. QuickC A computer language (distributed by Microsoft) that is based on C. TEKSecure A Tektronix custom command that initializes both waveform and setup memories. This overwrites any previously stored data. Glossary–2 TDS Family Oscilloscope Programmer Manual...
Page 420 Index Numbers Application menu commands APPMENU, 2–63 2 + 2 channel operation, viii APPMENU:LABEL, 2–64 APPMENU:LABEL:BOTTOM, 2–65 APPMENU:LABEL:RIGHT, 2–66 APPMENU:LABEL:TITLE, 2–66 APPMENU, 2–63 Abbreviating, command, 2–4 APPMENU:LABEL, 2–64 ACQUIRE?, 2–47 APPMENU:LABEL:BOTTOM, 2–65 ACQUIRE:AUTOSAVE, 2–47 APPMENU:LABEL:RIGHT, 2–66 ACQUIRE:MODE, 2–48 APPMENU:LABEL:TITLE, 2–66 ACQUIRE:NUMACQ?, 2–50 Argument, command, 2–2 ACQUIRE:NUMAVG, 2–51...
Page 421 Index CH<x>:PROBE?, 2–75 Cursor position, 2–6 CH<x>:PROBECAL?, 2–75 Math waveform, 2–7 CH<x>:PROBEFUNC:EXTATTEN, 2–76 MATH<x>, 2–7 CH<x>:PROBEFUNC:EXTDBATTEN, 2–76 Measurement specifier, 2–7 CH<x>:SCALE, 2–77 MEAS<x>, 2–7 CH<x>:VOLTS, 2–78 POSITION<x>, 2–6 Channel, command mnemonic, 2–7 Reference waveform, 2–7 CH<x>, command mnemonic, 2–7 REF<x>, 2–7 Clear Status, 2–79 Waveform, 2–7 CLEARMENU, 2–78...
Page 422 Index CURSOR:FUNCTION, 2–80 DIAG:SELECT:DISPLAY, 2–111 CURSOR:HBARS?, 2–80 DIAG:SELECT:FPANEL, 2–111 CURSOR:HBARS:DELTA?, 2–81 DIAG:STATE, 2–112 CURSOR:HBARS:POSITION<x>, 2–81 Diagram, syntax, 2–10 CURSOR:HBARS:POSITION<x>PCNT, 2–82 Disks included with this manual, 1–2 CURSOR:HBARS:SELECT, 2–83 Display command group, 2–16 CURSOR:HBARS:UNITS, 2–83 Display commands CURSOR:MODE, 2–84 CLEARMENU, 2–78 CURSOR:PAIRED, 2–85 DISPLAY?, 2–113 CURSOR:PAIRED:HDELTA, 2–85...
Page 423 Index DISPLAY:COLOR:PALETTE:PERSISTENCE, 2–117 FILESYSTEM:COPY, 2–137 DISPLAY:COLOR:PALETTE:REGULAR, 2–117 FILESYSTEM:CWD, 2–138 DISPLAY:COLOR:PALETTE:RESETALL, 2–118 FILESYSTEM:DELETE, 2–138 DISPLAY:DATE/TIME. See DISPLAY:CLOCK FILESYSTEM:DELWARN, 2–139 DISPLAY:FILTER, 2–121 FILESYSTEM:DIR, 2–140 DISPLAY:FORMAT, 2–122 FILESYSTEM:FORMAT, 2–140 DISPLAY:GRATICULE, 2–123 FILESYSTEM:FREESPACE, 2–141 DISPLAY:INSTAVU:PERSISTENCE, 2–124 FILESYSTEM:MKDIR, 2–141 DISPLAY:INSTAVU:STYLE, 2–125 FILESYSTEM:OVERWRITE, 2–142 DISPLAY:INSTAVU:VARPERSIST, 2–125 FILESYSTEM:PRINT, 2–142 DISPLAY:INTENSITY?, 2–126 FILESYSTEM:READFILE, 2–143...
Page 424 Index HARDCOPY:PALETTE, 2–151 HORIZONTAL:MAIN:SCALE, 2–172 HARDCOPY:PORT, 2–152 HORIZONTAL:MAIN:SECDIV, 2–173 HARDCOPY:FILENAME, 2–147 HORIZONTAL:MODE, 2–173 HARDCOPY:FORMAT, 2–148 HORIZONTAL:POSITION, 2–174 HARDCOPY:LAYOUT, 2–151 HORIZONTAL:RECORDLENGTH, 2–175 HARDCOPY:PALETTE, 2–151 HORIZONTAL:RECORDSTART, 2–176 HARDCOPY:PORT, 2–152 HORIZONTAL:ROLL, 2–177 HDR, 2–153 HORIZONTAL:SCALE, 2–178 HEADER, 2–153 HORIZONTAL:SECDIV, 2–178 Header HORIZONTAL:TRIGGER?, 2–178 Command, 2–2, 2–153 HORIZONTAL:TRIGGER:POSITION, 2–179 Included in query response, 2–153, 2–344...
Page 425 Index MASK:MASK<n>:POINTS, 2–198 MASK:MASK<n>COUNt?, 2–197 Limit test command group, 2–22 MASK:MASK<n>NR_PT?, 2–197 Limit Test commands MASK:SOURCE, 2–200 LIMIT:BELL, 2–181 MASK:STANDARD, 2–200 LIMIT:COMPARE:CH<x>, 2–181 MASK:TBPOSITION, 2–204 LIMIT:COMPARE:MATH<x>, 2–182 MASK?, 2–190 LIMIT:HARDCOPY, 2–183 MASK:AUTOSET:MODE, 2–191 LIMIT:STATE, 2–184 MASK:AUTOSET:OFFSETADJ, 2–191 LIMIT:TEMPLATE, 2–185 MASK:COUNT, 2–192 LIMIT:TEMPLATE:DESTINATION, 2–185 MASK:COUNT:STATE, 2–193 LIMIT:TEMPLATE:SOURCE, 2–186...
Page 426 Index MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:EDGE2, MEASUREMENT:IMMED:VALUE?, 2–218 2–221 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>?, 2–219 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY?, 2–219 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:SOURCE1, MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:DIRECTION?, 2–224 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:SOURCE2, 2–220 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:EDGE1, 2–221 2–224 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:EDGE2, 2–221 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: STATE, 2–225 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:SOURCE1, MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: TYPE, 2–226 2–224 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: UNITS?, 2–230 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: VALUES?, 2–230 MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>: DELAY:SOURCE2, MEASUREMENT:MEAS<x>:COUNT?, 2–219 2–224...
Page 427 Index Messages, Status and error, 1–2 PPU, C–2 Miscellaneous, LOCK, 2–188 Programming Examples, 1–2, 4–1 Miscellaneous command group, 2–26 *PSC, 2–246 Miscellaneous commands *PSC command, 3–4 AUTOSET, 2–67 *PUD, 2–246 BELL, 2–68 Pulse trigger, 2–303, 2–304, 2–305, 2–306, 2–307, DATE, 2–105 2–308, 2–309, 2–310, 2–311, 2–312, 2–313, 2–314, *DDT, 2–106 2–315, 2–316, 2–317, 2–318, 2–319, 2–320,...
Page 428 Index RS232:HARDFLAGGING, 2–252 Setting RS232:PARITY, 2–253 Command query, 2–189 RS232:SOFTFLAGGING, 2–253 Query, 2–189 RS232:STOPBITS, 2–254 Recall command, 2–247 *RST, 2–250 Save command, 2–255 Rules, command forming, 2–1 Setup, Instrument preparation, 1–3 Runt trigger, 2–304, 2–307, 2–308, 2–309, 2–310, Slewrate trigger, 2–304, 2–312, 2–313, 2–314, 2–315, 2–311, 2–312 2–316 SPD, C–2...
Page 429 Index Terminator, command message, 2–6 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:DATA:LEVEL, 2–297 TIME, 2–264 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:FUNCTION, 2–290 Time base, Manual trigger simulation, 2–342 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:INPUT?, 2–291 Timeout trigger, 2–317, 2–318 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:INPUT: CH<x>?, 2–292 *TRG, 2–342 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN: INPUT:CH4?, TRIGGER, 2–264 2–292 Trigger command group, 2–29 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN: WHEN, Trigger commands 2–293 TRIGGER, 2–264 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN:...
Page 430 Index TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE: THRESH- TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:LINE, 2–334 OLD:HIGH, 2–315 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:LINES, 2–335 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:NTSC, 2–335 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:DELTA- TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:PAL, 2–336 TIME, 2–312 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SCAN, 2–337 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:POLARITY, TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SCANPERIOD, 2–337 2–313 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SOURCE, 2–338 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:SLEW- TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:STANDARD, 2–338 RATE, 2–314 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SYNC, 2–339 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:THRESH- TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SYSTEM, 2–340 OLD:BOTH, 2–314 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:TIME, 2–341 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:THRESH- TRIGGER:STATE?, 2–341 OLD:LOW, 2–315 TRIGGER:DELAY, 2–265 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:WHEN,...
Page 431 Index TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:CLASS, 2–289 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:DELTATIME, TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:FUNCTION, 2–290 2–312 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:INPUT?, 2–291 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:POLARITY, TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:INPUT: CH<x>?, 2–292 2–313 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN: INPUT:CH4?, TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:SLEWRATE?, 2–292 2–314 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN: WHEN, 2–293 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:THRESH- TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN: WHEN:LESSLI- OLD:BOTH, 2–314 MIT, 2–294 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:THRESH- TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:PATTERN: WHEN:MORE- OLD:HIGH, 2–315 LIMIT, 2–295 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:THRESH- TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:SETHOLD:CLOCK:EDGE, OLD:LOW, 2–315 2–295 TRIGGER:MAIN:PULSE:SLEWRATE:WHEN, 2–316 TRIGGER:MAIN:LOGIC:SETHOLD:CLOCK:LEV-...
Page 432 Index TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:NTSC, 2–335 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:PAL, 2–336 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SCAN, 2–337 *WAI, 2–344 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SCANPERIOD, 2–337 Wait for operation complete, 2–344 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SOURCE, 2–338 Warranted Characteristics, Listed, 2–42 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:STANDARD, 2–338 Waveform, command mnemonic, 2–7 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SYNC, 2–339 Waveform command group, 2–38 TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:SYSTEM, 2–340 Waveform commands TRIGGER:MAIN:VIDEO:TIME, 2–341 CURVE, 2–96 TRIGGER:STATE?, 2–341 DATA, 2–97...
Page 433 Index WFMPRE:ZZERO, 2–352 WFMPRE:YUNIT, 2–352 WAVFRM?, 2–345 WFMPRE:YZERO, 2–352 <wfm>, command mnemonic, 2–7 WFMPRE:ZMULT, 2–352 WFMPRE?, 2–345 WFMPRE:ZOFF, 2–352 WFMPRE:<wfm>?, 2–353 WFMPRE:ZUNIT, 2–352 WFMPRE:<wfm>:NR_PT, 2–354 WFMPRE:ZZERO, 2–352 WFMPRE:<wfm>:PT_FMT, 2–354 Width trigger, 2–304, 2–319, 2–320, 2–321 WFMPRE:<wfm>:PT_OFF, 2–355 WFMPRE:<wfm>:WFID, 2–356 WFMPRE:<wfm>:XINCR, 2–356 WFMPRE:<wfm>:XUNIT, 2–357 ZOOM, 2–360 WFMPRE:<wfm>:XZERO, 2–358...

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