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Aim-TTI TGA12100 Series Instruction Manual

100mhz arbitrary waveform generator
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TGA12100 Series
100MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generators
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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  • Page 1 TGA12100 Series 100MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generators INSTRUCTION MANUAL www.valuetronics.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Introduction Specifications Safety Installation Connections Front Panel Connections Rear Panel Connections General Initial Operation Principles of Editing Principles of Operation Standard Waveform Operation Setting Generator Parameters Warnings and Error Messages SYNC Output Sweep Operation General Setting Sweep Parameters Triggered Burst and Gate General Triggered Burst...
  • Page 3 Waveform Hold in Pulse and Pulse-Train Modes Modulation Introduction External Modulation Internal Modulation Inter-Channel Synchronisation Synchronising Two Generators Memory Card and Other System Operations from the Utility Menu Memory Card – General Information System Operations from the Utility Menu Calibration Equipment Required Calibration Procedure Calibration Routine...

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Introduction This range of synthesised programmable arbitrary waveform generators has the following features: • 1, 2 or 4 independent arb channels • Additional DC to 50MHz fixed amplitude sine and squarewave outputs on 2- and 4-channel instruments • Up to 100MHz sampling frequency •...
  • Page 5 All waveforms are available as a Triggered Burst whereby each active edge of the trigger signal will produce one burst of the carrier. The number of cycles in the burst can be set between 1 and 1048575. The Gated mode turns the output signal On when the gating signal is true and Off when it is false.

  • Page 6: Specifications

    Specifications Specifications apply at 18−28ºC after 30 minutes warm−up, at maximum output into 50Ω WAVEFORMS Standard Waveforms Sine, square, triangle, DC, positive ramp, negative ramp, sin(x)/x, pulse, pulse train, cosine, haversine and havercosine. Sine, Cosine, Haversine, Havercosine Range: 0·1mHz to 40MHz Resolution: 0·1mHz or 10 digits Accuracy:...
  • Page 7 Pulse and Pulse Train Output Level: 2.5mV to 10Vp−p into 50Ω Rise and Fall Times: <8ns Period: Range: 40ns to 100s Resolution: 8−digit Accuracy: 10ppm for 1 year Delay: −99·99s to + 99·99s Range: Resolution: 0·001% of period or 10ns, whichever is greater (8 digits) Width: Range: 10ns to 99·99s...
  • Page 8 OPERATING MODES Triggered Burst Each active edge of the trigger signal will produce one burst of the waveform. Carrier Waveforms: All standard and arbitrary Maximum Carrier Frequency: The smaller of 2.5MHz or the maximum for the selected waveform. 100Msamples/s for ARB or Sequence. Number of Cycles: 1 to 1,048,575 Trigger Repetition Rate:...
  • Page 9 Tone Switching Capability provided for both standard and arbitrary waveforms. Arbitrary waveforms are expanded or condensed to exactly 4096 points and DDS techniques are used to allow instantaneous frequency switching. Carrier Waveforms: All waveforms except pulse, pulse train and sequence. Frequency List: Up to 16 frequencies from 1mHz to 40MHz.
  • Page 10 Sync Out - One for each channel Multifunction output user definable or automatically selected to be any of the following: Waveform Sync: A square wave with 50% duty cycle at the main waveform frequency, or (all waveforms) a pulse coincident with the first few points of an arbitrary waveform. Position Markers: Any point(s) on the waveform may have associated marker bit(s) set (Arbitrary only)
  • Page 11 Hold Holds an arbitrary waveform at its current position. A TTL low level or switch closure causes the waveform to stop at the current position and wait until a TTL high level or switch opening which allows the waveform to continue. The front panel MAN HOLD key or remote command may also be used to control the Hold function.
  • Page 12 Inter-channel Analog Summing: Waveform Summing sums the waveform from any channel into the next channel. Alternatively any number of channels may be summed with the signal at the SUM input socket. Carrier frequency: Entire range for selected waveform. Carrier waveforms: All standard and arbitrary waveforms.
  • Page 13 GENERAL Display: 20 character x 4 row alphanumeric LCD. Data Entry: Keyboard selection of mode, waveform etc.; value entry direct by numeric keys or by rotary control. Memory Card: Removable memory card conforming to the Compact Flash memory card standard. Sizes from 32MB to 1GB can be used. Stored Settings: Up to 500 complete instrument set−ups may be stored and recalled from the memory card.

  • Page 14: Safety

    Safety This generator is a Safety Class I instrument according to IEC classification and has been designed to meet the requirements of EN61010−1 (Safety Requirements for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use). It is an Installation Category II instrument intended for operation from a normal single phase supply.

  • Page 15: Installation

    Installation Mains Operating Voltage – Single Channel Instrument Check that the instrument operating voltage marked on the rear panel is suitable for the local supply. Should it be necessary to change the operating voltage, proceed as follows: 1) Disconnect the instrument from all voltage sources. 2) Remove the screws which retain the top cover and lift off the cover.
  • Page 16 Mains Lead Connect the instrument to the AC supply using the mains lead provided. Should a mains plug be required for a different mains outlet socket, a suitably rated and approved mains lead set should be used which is fitted with the required wall plug and an IEC60320 C13 connector for the instrument end.

  • Page 17: Connections

    Connections Front Panel Connections MAIN OUT (1 per channel) This is the 50Ω output from the channel’s main generator. It will provide up to 20V peak−to−peak e.m.f. which will yield 10V peak−to−peak into a matched 50Ω load. It can tolerate a short circuit for 60 seconds.

  • Page 18: Rear Panel Connections

    MODULATION IN This is the input socket for external modulation. Any number of channels may be AM or SCM modulated with this signal; the target channels are selected on the MODULATION screen. Do not apply an external voltage exceeding ±10V. Rear Panel Connections REF CLOCK IN/OUT REF/SYS CLOCK...
  • Page 19 RS232 9−pin D−connector compatible with addressable RS232 use. The pin connections are shown below: Name Description − No internal Connection Transmitted data from instrument Received data to instrument − No internal connection Signal ground − No internal connection RXD2 Secondary received data TXD2 Secondary transmitted data Signal ground...

  • Page 20: General

    General Initial Operation This section is a general introduction to the organisation of the instrument and is intended to be read before using the generator for the first time. Detailed operation is covered in later sections starting with Standard Waveform Operation. In this manual front panel keys and sockets are shown in capitals, e.g.

  • Page 21: Principles Of Editing

    • MODULATION, SUM, TRIG IN and SYNC OUT call screens from which the parameters of those input/outputs can be set, including whether the port is on or off. • SWEEP and SEQUENCE similarly call screens from which all parameters can be set and the functions run.

  • Page 22: Principles Of Operation

    Some screen items are marked with a double−headed arrow (a split diamond) when selected to indicate that the item’s setting can be changed by further presses of the soft−key, by pressing either cursor key or by using the rotary control. For example, pressing FILTER brings up the screen shown below.
  • Page 23 Clock Synthesis Mode In Clock Synthesis mode the addresses are always sequential (an increment of one) and the clock rate is adjusted by the user in the range 100MHz to 0·1Hz. The frequency of the waveform is clock frequency ÷ waveform length, thus allowing short waveforms to be played out at higher repetition rates than long waveforms, e.g.

  • Page 24: Standard Waveform Operation

    Standard Waveform Operation This section deals with the use of the instrument as a standard function generator, i.e. generating sine, square, triangle, dc, ramp, haversine, cosine, havercosine and sinx/x waveforms. All but squarewave are generated by DDS which gives 10−digit frequency resolution; squarewave is generated by Clock Synthesis which results in only 8−digit frequency resolution.
  • Page 25 Amplitude AMPLITUDE: +20·0 ♦Vpp Vrms ◊ ◊dBm load:hiZ ◊ AMPLITUDE Pressing the AMPL key gives the screen. The waveform amplitude can be set in terms of peak−to−peak Volts (Vpp), r.m.s. Volts (Vrms) or dBm (referenced to a 50Ω or 600Ω load). For Vpp and Vrms the level can be set assuming that the output is open−circuit ( load:hiZ ) or terminated (...

  • Page 26: Warnings And Error Messages

    program = +5·00 mVdc program = −95·0 mVdc program = −195· mVdc The actual DC offset at the MAIN OUT socket is attenuated by the fixed−step output attenuator when this is in use. Since it is not obvious when the signal is being attenuated the actual offset is shown in brackets as a non−editable field below the programmed value.

  • Page 27: Sync Output

    With the output level set to 10V pk−pk, increasing the DC offset beyond ± 5V will cause the message Offset + Sum + level may cause clipping. The offset change will be accepted (producing a clipped waveform) and the user may then choose to change the output level or the offset to produce a signal which is not clipped.
  • Page 28 The setting up of the signals themselves is discussed in the relevant sections later in this manual, trigger position marker e.g. is described in the Triggered Burst/Gate section and under the Arbitrary Waveform Generation. Pressing the SYNC OUT key calls the SYNC OUT setup screen.

  • Page 29: Sweep Operation

    Sweep Operation General Principles of Sweep Operation All standard and arbitrary waveforms can be swept with the exception of pulse, pulse−train and sequence. During Sweep all waveforms are generated in DDS mode because this offers the significant advantage of phase−continuous sweeps over a very wide frequency range (up to ).
  • Page 30 In multi-channel instruments two or more channels can be swept at once. The channels to be swept are set on or off by selecting them in turn with the appropriate SETUP key and then using on/off soft-key of the SWEEP SETUP screen.
  • Page 31 The total sweep time is always that set on the SWEEP TIME screen, i.e. for up/down down/up operation the sweep time in each direction is half the total. Similarly the total number of steps is the same for all choices, i.e. there will be half the number of steps in each direction for up/down down/up operation.
  • Page 32 The marker pulse frequency is set from the SWEEP MARKER FREQ menu, called by pressing marker... SWEEP SETUP soft−key on the screen. SWEEP MARKER FREQ: progrm: 5·000 actual: 4·977 done ◊ A new marker frequency can be programmed directly from the keyboard or by using the rotary control and cursor keys.

  • Page 33: Triggered Burst And Gate

    Triggered Burst and Gate General Triggered Burst and Gated modes are selected from the MODE screen, called by the MODE key, as alternatives to the default continuous mode. MODE: ♦continuous ◊ gated setup…◊ ◊ triggered setup…◊ In Triggered Burst mode a defined number of cycles are generated following each trigger event. This mode is edge triggered.

  • Page 34: Triggered Burst

    When Triggered Burst or Gated modes are selected the SYNC OUT source automatically defaults to trigger which is always a positive−edged version of the external trigger or gate signal when external triggering or gating is specified. Adjacent Channel Trigger Output On multi−channel instruments the Trigger Out signal of an adjacent channel can be used as the control signal for a Triggered Burst.
  • Page 35 With chan x selected the Trigger Out signal from adjacent channel x is used to initiate a burst; the source of the Trigger Out signal on that channel x is set up as described in the previous section. With selected as the source only pressing the MAN TRIG key or a remote command can be used to initiate a burst.

  • Page 36: Gated Mode

    Square waves, pulse, pulse trains and sequences have no start phase adjustment; phase is fixed at 0°. A summary of start phase capabilities in Triggered Burst mode is shown in the table below: Waveform Max Wfm Freq Phase Control Range & Resolution Sine, cosine, haversine, havercosine 2·5MHz ±...

  • Page 37: Sync Out In Triggered Burst And Gated Mode

    Gate Polarity slope TRIGGER IN positive on the setup screen is set to the gate will open at the threshold on the rising edge and close on the threshold of the falling edge of an external gating signal, i.e. the gate signal is true when the TRIG IN signal is high. If the slope is set negative...

  • Page 38: Tone Mode

    Tone Mode General In Tone mode the output is stepped through a user−defined list of up to 16 frequencies under the control of the signal set by the source soft−key on the TRIGGER IN setup screen. This signal can be the Internal Trigger Generator, an external trigger input, the front panel MAN TRIG key or a remote command.
  • Page 39 The following diagram demonstrates the differences between trigger, gate and FSK tone switching for a list of 2 frequencies switched by a square wave (positive slope specified on TRIGGER IN setup). The maximum recommended tone frequencies and trigger/gate switching frequencies for the three modes are as follows: GATE: Maximum tone frequency 50kHz;...

  • Page 40: Arbitrary Waveform Generation

    Arbitrary Waveform Generation Introduction Arbitrary (Arb) waveforms are generated by sequentially addressing the RAM containing the waveform data with the arbitrary clock. The frequency of the arb waveform is determined both by the arb clock and the total number of data points in the cycle. In this instrument an arb waveform can have up to 1048576 horizontal points.

  • Page 41: Selecting And Outputting Arbitrary Waveforms

    Selecting and Outputting Arbitrary Waveforms With a memory card plugged in, press the ARB key to see the list of all the arbitrary waveforms held on the card. ARBITRARY WAVEFORMS ◊ WFM1 4096 ◊ WFM2 11000 ◊ SPIKE100 100000 If no card is fitted the display will show the message Please insert a memory card.

  • Page 42: Modifying Arbitrary Waveforms

    Create Waveform Copy Pressing the create from copy... soft−key calls the following menu: ♦create: “WFM1 ” ◊ from: sine ◊ size: 0001024 ◊ cancel create ◊ The user−defined name and waveform size can be entered after pressing the create size soft−keys respectively, exactly as described in the previous section.
  • Page 43 Enter the size required by pressing the new size soft-key followed by direct entries from the resize keyboard or by using the rotary control. Resize is implemented by pressing the soft−key or aborted by pressing the cancel soft−key; both return the display to the MODIFY screen.
  • Page 44 From this menu can be selected functions which permit the waveform to be edited point−by−point (point edit), by drawing lines between two points (line draw) or by inserting all or part of an existing waveform into the waveform being edited (wave insert). In addition, sections of the waveform can be selected and their peak−to−peak level changed using wave amplitude, or baseline changed using wave offset.
  • Page 45 A section of an arbitrary waveform can be inserted, as defined by the left−hand strt (start) . 0000000 stop addresses, e.g 0000512 WFM1 on the screen above; these addresses default to the start and stop of the whole waveform but can be reset to define any section of the waveform.
  • Page 46 The waveform amplitude can be changed on a section of the waveform defined by the start and stop addresses. Set the addresses by pressing the appropriate soft−key and making entries directly from the keyboard or by rotary control. The data values over the specified section of the waveform can be multiplied by a factor of AMPLITUDE between 0·01 and 100·0 by making entries in the field.
  • Page 47 The waveform can be inverted on a section of the waveform defined by the start stop addresses. Set the addresses by pressing the appropriate soft−key and making entries directly from the keyboard or by rotary control. The data values over the specified section of the waveform are inverted about 0000 each time invert soft−key is pressed.

  • Page 48: Arbitrary Waveform Sequence

    Arbitrary Waveform Sequence Up to 1024 arbitrary waveforms may be linked in a sequence provided that the total number of points of all the waveforms in the sequence does not exceed 1048576. Each waveform can have a loop count of up to 32768 and the whole sequence can run continuously or be looped up to 1048575 times using the Triggered Burst mode.

  • Page 49: Frequency And Amplitude Control With Arbitrary Waveforms

    trig level is selected the sequence runs continuously through each segment in turn (1 cycle per segment) while the trigger level is true. When the trigger level goes false the waveform currently selected runs continuously until the level goes true again at which point the sequence runs continuously through each segment in turn again.

  • Page 50: Sync Out Settings With Arbitrary Waveforms

    Note that SEQUENCE and the ‘standard’ waveforms of Pulse & Pulse-train also operate in Clock Synthesis mode and consequently can also be set to external clock on the appropriate FREQUENCY menus, see relevant sections for further details. Having selected external clock the arbitrary waveform will continue to run from the internal clock until the instrument receives the first rising edge of the external clock;...

  • Page 51: Waveform Hold In Arbitrary Mode

    Waveform Hold in Arbitrary Mode Arbitrary waveforms can be paused and restarted on any channel by using the front panel MAN HOLD key or a signal applied to the rear panel HOLD IN socket. On multi−channel instruments the channels which are to be held by the MAN HOLD key or HOLD IN socket must first be enabled using the ARB HOLD INPUT screen, accessed by pressing the HOLD key.

  • Page 52: Pulse And Pulse-Trains

    Pulse and Pulse-trains Pulse and pulse−trains are both selected and set−up from independent menus on the STANDARD WAVEFORMS screen called by pressing the STD key. Pulse and pulse−trains have similar timing set−ups and considerations but pulses are only unipolar, with a maximum amplitude of 10Vpp, whereas pulse−trains can be bipolar, with a maximum peak−to−peak of 20Vpp.
  • Page 53 At short pulse periods, i.e. only a few points in the waveform, the period setting resolution is, however, much better than 10·000000ns because the time−per−point is adjusted as well as the number of points; since the pulse width and delay are also defined in terms of the same point time, varying the time−per−point affects their resolution.

  • Page 54: Pulse-Train Setup

    on a multi-channel instrument. It is then possible to select the source to be either an external signal on the ARB CLOCK IN/OUT socket or the Internal System Clock; see the Reference Clock IN/OUT and System Clock Setting sections of System Operations on the Utility Menu, for how to use and set the frequency of the System Clock.
  • Page 55 Pressing next calls the baseline voltage screen, the last of the general setup screens: Enter the baseline voltage: +0·000 V ◊ done next◊ The baseline is the signal level between the end of one pulse and the start of the next, i.e. it is the level all pulses start and finish at.
  • Page 56 The pulse delay is entered in the same way as pulse width and, again, the actual delay is program shown below the delay for the same reasons. The delay value that can be entered must be in the range ± (pulse−train period −1 point); positive values delay the pulse with respect to waveform sync from SYNC OUT;...

  • Page 57: Waveform Hold In Pulse And Pulse-Train Modes

    on a multi-channel instrument. It is then possible to select the source to be either an external signal on the ARB CLOCK IN/OUT socket or the Internal System Clock; see the Reference Clock IN/OUT and System Clock Setting sections of System Operations on the Utility Menu, for how to use and set the frequency of the System Clock.

  • Page 58: Modulation

    Modulation Introduction Both internal and external modulation can be selected. External modulation can be applied to any or all channels. Internal modulation uses the previous channel as the modulation source, e.g. channel 2 can be used to modulate channel 3; internal modulation is not available on channel 1 or on a single channel instrument.

  • Page 59: Internal Modulation

    Within each “range” the maximum output setting of the channel at which clipping is avoided is reduced from range maximum to half this value as modulation is increased from 0% to 100%; 100% modulation will be achieved at this mid−range setting with an external VCA signal of approximately 1Vpp.

  • Page 60: Sum

    Introduction Both internal and external Sum can be selected; summing can be used to add ‘noise’ to a waveform, for example, or to add two signals for DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency) testing. External Sum can be applied to any or all channels. Internal sum uses the previous channel as the modulation source, e.g.
  • Page 61 Internal Sum Pressing the SUM key calls the SUM set−up screen. source: CH1 ◊ratio: 1.00000 ◊CH2: 2.00 ◊CH1: 2.00 Pressing the source soft−key steps the Sum source between off, external and CHx where x is the number of the previous channel; CHx is the source of the internal Sum signal.

  • Page 62: Inter-Channel Synchronisation

    Inter-Channel Synchronisation Two or more channels can be synchronised together and precise phase differences can be set between the channels. Two generators can also be synchronised (see Synchronising Two Generators chapter) giving a maximum of 8 channels that can be operated in synchronisation. Restrictions apply to certain waveform and frequency combinations;...
  • Page 63 At any time, pressing the view soft−key gives a graphical view of the master−slave set−up, see below for an example. CH→ 1 2 3 4 - - - Υ indep Υ- - - master - ΥΥ- exit◊ slave Channel synchronisation is turned on or off with the status soft−key. Any illegal setting combinations will result in an error message when an attempt is made to turn status on.
  • Page 64 The table below summarises the phase control and frequency range for different waveforms. Waveform Max Wfm Freq Phase Control Range & Resolution Sine, cosine, haversine, havercosine 40MHz ± 360°, 0.1° Square 50MHz ± 360°, 180° Triangle 500kHz ± 360°, 0.1° Ramp 500kHz ±...

  • Page 65: Synchronising Two Generators

    Synchronising Two Generators Two generators can be synchronised together following the procedure outlined below. It is possible to link more than two generators in this way but results are not guaranteed. Synchronising Principles Frequency synchronisation is achieved by using the clock output from the ‘master’ generator to drive the clock input of a slave.
  • Page 66 mode: indep ◊ phase: +000.0° (actual: +000.0° ◊ view ◊ status: off The phase of the slave generator is set by adjusting the phase of the master channel on the slave generator’s inter−channel set−up screen exactly as described in the Phase−setting between Channels section of the inter−channel Synchronisation chapter.

  • Page 67: Memory Card And Other System Operations From The Utility Menu

    Memory Card and Other System Operations from the Utility Menu Pressing the UTILITY key calls a list of menus which give access to various system operations including storing/recalling set−ups from a memory card, error messages, power on settings and calibration. Memory Card –...
  • Page 68 Saving Files to a Memory Card When creating files the instrument uses the 8.3 file naming format where the 8 is the 8 character filename and 3 is the file extension. The user chooses the filename and the instrument adds the extension.

  • Page 69: System Operations From The Utility Menu

    System Operations from the Utility Menu Each of the following operations are accessed by pressing the appropriate soft-key on the UTILITY MENU . Press UTILITY again at any time to return to the main Utility menu. Storing and Recalling Set-ups Complete set-ups can be stored to or recalled from the memory card using the screens called by store recall...
  • Page 70 This screen shows the number of arbitrary waveforms currently resident in the instrument’s high speed memory and the number of free points for further waveforms. This is useful when constructing a large sequence of many waveforms as a guide to the spare memory remaining. Warnings and Error messages The default setup is for all warning and error messages to be displayed and for a beep to sound with each message.
  • Page 71 Memory Card Format and Directory Sorting memory card... MEMORY CARD Pressing the soft-key calls the screen: MEMORY CARD 61·0MB label: TESTARB3 free: 59·6MB ◊ format... sort dir... ◊ The screen displays the memory card size, its name and the unused capacity. If either the WAVES or SETUP directories are full the screen will show In addition, cards free:...
  • Page 72 Copying Channel Set−ups An easy way of copying complete channel set−ups (waveform, frequency, amplitude, etc.) is accessed by pressing the COPY CHannel key. copy channel: 1 to channel: 2 ◊ execute The top line of the screen shows which channel is currently selected with the channel SETUP keys.

  • Page 73: Calibration

    Calibration All parameters can be calibrated without opening the case, i.e. the generator offers ‘closed−box’ calibration. All adjustments are made digitally with calibration constants stored in EEPROM. The calibration routine requires only a DVM and a frequency counter and takes no more than a few minutes.

  • Page 74: Calibration Routine

    When the correct password has been entered from the keyboard the display changes to the opening screen of the calibration routine and calibration can proceed as described in the Calibration Routine section. If an incorrect password is entered the message INCORRECT PASSWORD! is shown for two seconds before the display reverts to the UTILITY menu.
  • Page 75 CAL 23 CH1. Level 15MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 24 CH1. Level 20MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 25 CH1. Level 25MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 26 CH1. Level 30MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 27 CH1. Level 32·5MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 28 CH1.
  • Page 76 CAL 67 CH3. 40dB attenuator Adjust for 0·1V ± ·1mV CAL 68 CH3. 10dB attenuator Adjust for 2·236V AC ± 10mV CAL 69 CH3. Sum Offset Adjust for 0V ± 5mV CAL 70 CH3. SCM level at full-scale Adjust for 5V ± 5mV CAL 71 CH3.

  • Page 77: Remote Calibration

    CAL 110 CH4. Level 30MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 111 CH4. Level 32·5MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 112 CH4. Level 35MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 113 CH4. Level 37·5MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 114 CH4. Level 40MHz Adjust for same reading CAL 115 Clock calibrate...

  • Page 78: Remote Operation

    Remote Operation The instrument can be remotely controlled via its RS232, USB or GPIB interfaces. When using RS232 it can either be the only instrument connected to the controller or it can be part of an addressable RS232 system which permits up to 32 instruments to be addressed from one RS232 port.
  • Page 79 RS232 Interface RS232 Interface Connector The 9−way D−type serial interface connector is located on the instrument rear panel. The pin connections are as shown below: Name Description − No internal connection Transmitted data from instrument Received data to instrument − No internal connection Signal ground −...
  • Page 80 All instruments on the interface must be set to the same baud rate and all must be powered on, otherwise instruments further down the daisy chain will not receive any data or commands. The other parameters are fixed as follows: Start Bits: 1 Parity: None Data Bits: 8...
  • Page 81 Because of the asynchronous nature of the interface it is necessary for the controller to be informed that an instrument has accepted the listen address sequence and is ready to receive commands. The controller will therefore wait for Acknowledge code, 06H, before sending any commands, The addressed instrument will provide this Acknowledge.

  • Page 82: Usb Interface

    USB Interface The USB interface allows the instrument to be controlled via a PC’s USB port. The instrument is supplied with a CD containing drivers for various versions of Windows, including Win98 and 2000. Any driver updates are available via the TTi website, http://www.aimtti.com/support. The CD also contains a .pdf file with information and details of the software installation procedure.

  • Page 83: Status Reporting

    The IEEE 488.2 error is handled as follows. If the response formatter is waiting to INTERRUPTED send a response message and a has been read by the parser <PROGRAM MESSAGE TERMINATOR> or the input queue contains more than one END message then the instrument has been and an error is generated.
  • Page 84 Standard Event Status and Standard Event Status Enable Registers These two registers are implemented as required by the IEEE std. 488.2. Any bits set in the Standard Event Status Register which correspond to bits set in the Standard Event Status Enable Register will cause the ESB bit to be set in the Status Byte Register. The Standard Event Status Register is read and cleared by the *ESR? command.

  • Page 85: Power On Settings

    Status Model Power on Settings The following instrument status values are set at power on: Status Byte Register † Service Request Enable Register  Standard Event Status Register = 128 (pon bit set) † Standard Event Status Enable Register  Execution Error Register Query Error Register †...

  • Page 86: Gpib Remote Command Formats

    Remote Commands RS232 Remote Command Formats Serial input to the instrument is buffered in a 256 byte input queue which is filled, under interrupt, in a manner transparent to all other instrument operations. The instrument will send XOFF when approximately 200 characters are in the queue. XON will be sent when approximately 100 free spaces become available in the queue after XOFF was sent.

  • Page 87: Channel Selection

    Each query produces a specific which is listed along with the command in <RESPONSE MESSAGE> the remote commands list. is ignored except in command identifiers. e.g. '*C LS' is not equivalent to '*CLS'. <WHITE SPACE> is defined as character codes 00H to 20H inclusive with the exception of the NL <WHITE SPACE>...

  • Page 88: Waveform Selection

    Waveform Selection WAVE <cpd> Select the output waveform as <SINE>, <SQUARE>, <TRIANG>, <DC>, <POSRMP>, <NEGRMP>, <COSINE>, <HAVSIN>, <HAVCOS>, <SINC>, <PULSE>, <PULSTRN>, <NOISE> or <SEQ>. PULSPER <nrf> Set the pulse period to <nrf> sec. PULSWID <nrf> Set the pulse width to <nrf> sec. PULSDLY <nrf>...

  • Page 89: Arbitrary Waveform Editing

    ARBDEF Define a new or existing arbitrary waveform with name <cpd> and <cpd>,<nrf>,<bin data block> length <nrf> and load with the data in <bin data block>. If the arbitrary waveform does not exist it will be created. If it does exist the length will be checked against that specified and a warning will be issued if they are different.
  • Page 90 ARBDATACSV? <cpd> Returns the data from an existing arbitrary waveform. <cpd> must be the name of an existing arbitrary waveform. The data consists of ascii coded values as specified for the ARBDATACSV command. The data is sent from the arbitrary waveform between the points specified by the ARBEDLMTS command.

  • Page 91: Waveform Sequence Control

    Waveform Sequence Control SEQWFM <nrf>,<cpd> Set the 'waveform' parameter for sequence segment <nrf> to <cpd>. <cpd> must be the name of an existing arbitrary waveform. SEQSTEP <nrf>,<cpd> Set the 'step on' parameter for sequence segment <nrf> to <COUNT>, <TRGEDGE> or <TRGLEV>. SEQCNT <nrf1>,<nrf2>...

  • Page 92: Modulation Commands

    Modulation Commands MOD <cpd> Set the modulation source to <OFF>, <EXT> or <PREV>. MODTYPE <cpd> Set the modulation type to <AM> or <SCM>. AMDEPTH <nrf> Set the depth for amplitude modulation to <nrf> %. SCMLEVEL <nrf> Set the level for SCM to <nrf> Volts. SUM <cpd>...

  • Page 93: Miscellaneous Commands

    ∗ Returns the value of the Service Request Enable Register in SRE? <nr1> numeric format. The Syntax of the response is <nr1><rmt>. ∗ Returns the value of the Status Byte Register in <nr1> numeric STB? format. The syntax of the response is <nr1><rmt>. ∗...

  • Page 94: Remote Command Summary

    Remote Command Summary ∗ Clear status. ∗ Set the Standard Event Status Enable Register to the value of ESE <nrf> <nrf>. ∗ Returns the value in the Standard Event Status Enable Register in ESE? <nr1> numeric format. ∗ Returns the value in the Standard Event Status Register in <nr1> ESR? numeric format.
  • Page 95 ARBDATACSV Load data to an existing arbitrary waveform. <cpd>,<csv ascii data> ARBDATACSV? <cpd> Returns the data from an existing arbitrary waveform. ARBDEF Define a new or existing arbitrary waveform with name <cpd> and <cpd>,<nrf>,<bin data block> length <nrf> and load with the data in <bin data block>. ARBDEFCSV Define a new or existing arbitrary waveform with name <cpd>...
  • Page 96 LOCKSTAT <cpd> Set the channel synchronisation status to <ON> or <OFF>. LOCAL Returns the instrument to local operation and unlocks the keyboard. Will not function if LLO is in force. ∗ LRN <character data> Install data for a previous LRN? command. MOD <cpd>...
  • Page 97 SWPSTOPFRQ <nrf> Set the sweep stop frequency to <nrf> Hz. SWPSYNC <cpd> Set the sweep sync <ON> or <OFF>. SWPTIME <nrf> Set the sweep time to <nrf> sec. SWPTYPE <cpd> Set the sweep type to <CONT>, <TRIG> or <THLDRST> . SYNCOUT <cpd>...

  • Page 98: Maintenance

    Maintenance The Manufacturers or their agents overseas will provide a repair service for any unit developing a fault. Where owners wish to undertake their own maintenance work, this should only be done by skilled personnel in conjunction with the service manual which may be purchased directly from the Manufacturers or their agents overseas.

  • Page 99: Appendix 1. Warning And Error Messages

    Appendix 1. Warning and Error Messages Warning messages are given when a setting may not give the expected result, e.g. DC Offset attenuated by the output attenuator when a small amplitude is set; the setting is, however, implemented. Error messages are given when an illegal setting is attempted; the previous setting is retained. The last two warning/error messages can be reviewed by selecting LAST ERROR from the UTILITY screen, the latest is reported first.
  • Page 100 File has no legal set-up for this instrument System ram error battery fault or firmware updated Point value error: must be in the range −2048 <= n <= +2047 Wave offset error: must be in the range −4096 <= n <= +4095 Wave amplitude error must be in the range 0 <= n <= 100 Block dest error: must be in the range 0 <= n <= wfm len Sequence count value exceeds the maximum of 32768...
  • Page 101 5. A synchronised channel is not set to continuous mode. 6. An attempt is made to turn on synchronisation with a frequency set too high. 7. An attempt is made to set the frequency too high during synchronisation. This error does not set synchronisation to off;...
  • Page 102 Critical Stop Errors These errors have no obvious recovery path and require user intervention. Some can be bypassed by a key press, some offer a choice of action. Possible hardware failures may be firmware induced and recover by cycling the power. Firmware errors all require a power cycle to recover.

  • Page 103: Appendix 2. Sync Out Automatic Settings

    Appendix 2. SYNC OUT Automatic Settings The following automatic source (src) settings are made when auto mode is selected on the SYNC OUT screen. Waveform Position Burst Sequence Sweep Phase MODE WAVEFORM Sync Marker Done Sync Trigger Trigger Lock  Standard ...

  • Page 104: Appendix 3. Factory System Defaults

    Appendix 3. Factory System Defaults The factory system defaults are listed in full below. They can be recalled by pressing RECALL or by the remote command ∗RST. All channels will be receive the followed by set defaults same setup. All channels default to the same settings. Main Parameters Std.

  • Page 105: Appendix 4. Waveform Manager Plus Arbitrary Waveform Creation And Management Software

    Appendix 4. Waveform Manager Plus Arbitrary Waveform Creation and Management Software The Thurlby Thandar Waveform Manager Plus program allows construction, editing, exchange, translation and storage of many types of waveform data. It is compatible with many popular DSOs and all TTi waveform generation products. Waveforms may be generated by equation entry, freehand drawing, combining existing waveforms or any combinations of these methods.

  • Page 106: Block Diagrams

    Block Diagrams www.valuetronics.com...
  • Page 107 www.valuetronics.com...
  • Page 108 Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd. Glebe Road • Huntingdon • Cambridgeshire • PE29 7DR • England (United Kingdom) Telephone: +44 (0)1480 412451 • Fax: +44 (0)1480 450409 International web site: www.aimtti.com • UK web site: www.aimtti.co.uk Email: info@aimtti.com   Aim Instruments and Thurlby Thandar Instruments www.valuetronics.com...

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