Programming Examples; Introduction; Bus Throughput And Timing Considerations - Ametek 2003RP User And Programming Manual

11 Programming Examples

11.1 Introduction

This chapter contains examples on how to program the AC source. Simple examples show
you how to program:
Output functions such as voltage and frequency
Measurement functions
The examples in this chapter use generic SCPI commands. See Section 9 for information
about encoding the commands as language strings. Where appropriate, optional commands
are shown for clarity in the examples.

11.2 Bus Throughput and Timing Considerations

The 2003RP has a limit on how fast it can process commands sent over the bus. When
developing an application program that controls the 2003RP AC source, this must be
considered. Specifically, if non-query commands (commands that don‟t wait for a response
such as output setup commands) are sent at too high a rate, the AC source may not be able
to process them. In that case, a –100 Command Error will be reported.
This condition may exist on both RS232 and GPIB interface modes and is more prone when
faster controllers are used to run the application software. To prevent this condition, it will be
necessary to space out successive commands using a 20 msec delay. Alternatively,
commands could be sent to other instruments in the same system to accomplish the same
result.
Example:
VOLT 100
delay(0.020)
FREQ 60
Alternatively, a query command can be inserted in which case no additional delays are
needed.
VOLT 100
SYST:ERR?
FREQ 60