Counter; Totalizer Mode - Keysight Technologies 34950A User Manual

Counter

The 34950A has two 10 MHz frequency counter/totalizer measurement input
channels. The counters can operate in two general modes: Totalizer mode, and
Initiated Measurement mode. In the totalizer mode, the counter acts as a basic
totalizer. In the initiated measurement mode, the counter can make frequency,
period, duty cycle, and pulse width measurements.

Totalizer Mode

Totalizer mode is the default operating mode for the counters. When the counter
is configured for TOTalizer mode, it automatically starts running. The totalized
count can be read, reset, scanned, and monitored.
The simplest way to take a totalizer measurement is to use the MEASure form of
the command. For example, the following command configures the totalizer on
the first bank, initiates the measurement, and returns the result. The data is
returned in a floating point format.
MEAS:COUN:TOT? READ, (@1301)
You can also reset the totalizer count by setting the parameter to RRESet. For
example, the following command configures the totalizer on the first bank,
initiates the measurement, and returns the result. The totalize count is reset when
the data is read.
MEAS:COUN:TOT? RRES, (@1301)
Totalizer counts begin as soon as the channel is configured for the totalize
measurement. You can stop a count by sending SENSe:COUNter:ABORt
command and restart the count using the SENSe:COUNter:INITiate command.
The slope of the edges being counted can be configured using the
SENSe:COUNter:SLOPe command. By default, when started, the totalizer counts
rising edges.
Additionally, you can control when the edges are counted by setting the gate
source to external and providing a gate signal on the gate input. In external gate
mode the counter totalizes when the gate is asserted. The gate time setting
controls how long the counter totalizes. Once the external gate has been
de-asserted a new measurement must be armed via the
SENSe:COUNter:INITiate command. The figure below shows an externally
34 Keysight 34950A User's Guide