Table of Contents
Advertisement
2.4.2 Display and indicators
The operation of the 4 ½ digit display and various indicators
is described below. The display updates at about three read-
ings per second in the continuous trigger mode.
6 Display
The Model 6512 has a display made up of a 4 ½ digit signed
mantissa as well as a two-digit signed exponent. The expo-
nent can be represented either in scientific notation, or with
an alphanumeric subscript such as nA. The exponent display
mode can be changed with a front panel program, as de-
scribed in paragraph 2.5. When scientific notation is used,
the decimal point remains fixed as in 1.9999, and the range
is indicated by the exponent. In addition, the display has a
number of front panel error messages that may occur during
operation; see Table 2-2.
Table 2-2
Display error messages
Message
Description
OL
Over-range input applied (- for nega-
tive value).
b Err
Bus Error: Instrument programmed
while not in remote, or illegal com-
mand or option sent.
n Err
Number Error: Calibration value out of
limits.
t Err
Trigger Error: Instrument triggered
while processing reading from previ-
ous trigger.
7 METER and DATA indicators
The METER indicator identifies when the display is showing
a normal reading. The DATA LED indicates when the instru-
ment is displaying DATA STORE information; a data store
reading is displayed when the DATA LED is turned on. Usu-
ally, the display will show normal readings (METER on), but
the RECALL button will switch the display to the data store
mode.
8 STATUS indicators
These three indicators apply to operation of the Model 6512
over the IEEE-488 bus. The REMOTE indicator shows when
the instrument is in the IEEE-488 remote state, while the
TALK and LISTEN indicators show when the instrument is
in the talk and listen states respectively. See Section 3 for
more information on using the Model 6512 over the IEEE-
488 bus.
2.4.3 Tilt bail
The tilt bail, which is located on the bottom of the instru-
ment, allows the front panel to be elevated to a convenient
viewing height. To extend the bail, rotate it out 90° from the
bottom cover and latch it into place. To retract the bail, pull
out until it unlatches, and rotate it against the bottom cover.
2.5
Front panel programs
The Model 6512 has three front panel programs that can be
used to set the primary address, set the display exponent
mode (alpha or numeric), or calibrate the instrument from
the front panel. To select a program, press PROGRAM SE-
LECT button repeatedly while observing the display. The in-
strument will scroll through the available programs with
identifying messages, as shown in Table 2-3. When in the
program mode, the DATA STORE RECALL button is inop-
erative; the data store mode may be turned off, but not on.
The operation of the various programs is described in the fol-
lowing paragraphs. To exit a program, press SHIFT EXIT. If
a change was made, pressing SELECT alone will exit the
program.
Table 2-3
Front panel program messages
Message
Program description
IEEE
Displays/sets IEEE-488 primary
address.
dISP
Sets numeric or alpha exponent.
CAL*
Allows instrument calibration.
* Not normally accessible unless enabled. See paragraph 7.4.9.
Operation
2-5
Advertisement
Table of Contents
