Agilent TechnologiesAgilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Frequency Counter/ TimerUser’s Guide

10 53220A/53230A User’s GuideContents

100 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsDuty CyclePositive and negative duty cycle measurements are the ratio of the positive or neg

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 10153220A/53230A Measurements 3MEASure:PDUTycycle? [{<reference>|MINimum|MAXimum| DEFault}] [,<channel>]CONFigu

102 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsPositive and Negative Duty Cycle Measurement Examples// using MEASure? - measure the positiv

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 10353220A/53230A Measurements 34. See Chapter 4 for information on configuring the input signal path and Chapter 5 for info

104 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsThe commands used to make phase measurements are:MEASure:PHASe? [<channel_pair>]CONFig

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 10553220A/53230A Measurements 3Notes1. If the phase format is CENTered, a typical phase measurement for signals 270° out of

106 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsMEASure:SPERiod? [<channel>]CONFigure:SPERiod [<channel>]- channel is counter ch

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 10753220A/53230A Measurements 3Totalizing MeasurementsThe 53220A/53230A measurements covered in this section include gated

108 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsFigure 3-12. Gated and Continuous Totalizing.The commands used to make gated (timed) totaliz

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 10953220A/53230A Measurements 3Gated Totalize Measurement Examples// using MEASure? - totalize inputs on channel 1 for 10 u

11Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies1Preparation for UseFront and Rear Panel Overview 13Front Panel

110 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsContinuousContinuous totalizing measurements count events (edges) that occur on the input ch

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 11153220A/53230A Measurements 3Sending the command:ABORtaborts the measurement. Continuous Totalize Measurement// set up co

112 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsBurst Pulse MeasurementsMicrowave (burst) pulse measurements are available on channel 3 Opti

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 11353220A/53230A Measurements 3Figure 3-13. 53230A Microwave Pulse Measurements.Carrier FrequencyThe commands used to measu

114 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsCarrier Frequency Measurement Examples// measure the carrier frequency using MEASure? and it

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 11553220A/53230A Measurements 3MEASure:FREQuency:PRI? [{<expected> | MINimum | MAXimum | DEFault} [,{<resolution&g

116 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsPRI and PRF Examples// measure an expected 1 ms pulse repetition interval with // 6-digit (µ

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 11753220A/53230A Measurements 3Positive and Negative WidthsThe commands used to measure the positive (on) width and negativ

118 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A Measurements// measure the negative (off) width of the burst signal*RST // reset to start from known st

119Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies453220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningChannel Characteristic

12 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseFigure 1-1. The 53220A/53230A Universal Frequency Counter/Timer.PresetDigitsHelpUtilityShiftGraph3

120 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningChannel CharacteristicsThere are two, plus an optional third input channel on t

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 12153220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Figure 4-1. 53220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning.Table 4-1 is a summary of p

122 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningInput ImpedanceThe input impedance of the 53220A/53230A counter can be set to e

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 12353220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Input ProtectionThe maximum input voltage (including any DC offset) allowed wit

124 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningInput RangeThe signal operating ranges (input ranges) of the 53220A/53230A coun

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 12553220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Setting the Probe FactorFor better access to test points on the device under te

126 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningInput CouplingThe input to the 53220A/53230A counter is either DC (direct) coup

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 12753220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Figure 4-2. Using AC Coupling to Reach Trigger Points.Settling Time Between DC

128 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioningbe enabled within the signal path to eliminate noise introduced by higher-fre-q

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 12953220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Threshold Level and SensitivityThe threshold level is the trigger (input) level

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 13Preparation for Use 1Front and Rear Panel OverviewFigure 1-1 shows the front and rear panels of the Agilent 53230A 350

130 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningSpecifying an Absolute Threshold LevelThe input threshold level can be specifie

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 13153220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Using Auto-LevelAutomatic setting of the input threshold level is based on the

132 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningINPut[{1|2}]:LEVel[{1|2}]:RELative {<percent>|MINimum|MAX-imum|DEFault}IN

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 13353220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4For frequencies in this range, use the CONFigure command and turn off auto-leve

134 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningIf a 30% relative threshold is specified for the DC-coupled signal described ab

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 13553220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4The frequency parameter values are:A frequency setting of 10 kHz decreases the

136 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningBurst Measurement Detector ThresholdAll 53230A burst measurements are relative

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 13753220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4The detector threshold and, therefore, the ‘on’ portion of the pulse width must

138 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningThreshold sensitivity (Figure 4-4) to the input signal is a function of the amo

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 13953220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4Threshold SlopeThe slope (edge) of the input signal on which the threshold leve

14 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseStandby power (when enabled) is provided by the line voltage or Battery Option 300 and is used to

140 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal ConditioningInput Slope Example//set the threshold slopeCONF:FREQ 1E6, 0.1, (@1) // measur

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 14153220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning 4The relative signal strength on channel 3 Option 106 or 115 (6 GHz or 15 GHz mi

142 53220A/53230A User’s Guide4 53220A/53230A Input Signal Conditioning

143Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies5Triggering and GatingSettings Summary 144Trigger and Gate Tim

144 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingSettings SummaryTable 5-1 is a summary of power-on/reset settings for the trigger and gating para

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 145Triggering and Gating 5Trigger and Gate Time LineTriggering and gating are part of every counter measurement. The relati

146 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingFigure 5-2. Trigger and Gate Cycle - Triggering.System Triggertriggers received=TRIGger:COUNt?# r

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 147Triggering and Gating 5Figure 5-2 (cont’d). Trigger and Gate Cycle - Gating. Gate DelayGate Start SourceGate SourceGate

148 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingSystem TriggerThe counter operates in one of three states depending on the status of the sys-tem

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 149Triggering and Gating 5Figure 5-3. System Trigger Sequence.System Trigger Sourcereturn to idle state when(# readings = T

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 15Preparation for Use 1DisplayThe layout of the 53220A/53230A display is shown in Figure 1-2.Figure 1-2. The 53220A/5323

150 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingThe system trigger is configured using the commands within the TRIGger and SAMPle subsystems. Fig

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 151Triggering and Gating 5TRIGger:SLOPe {POSitive|NEGative}TRIGger:SLOPe? (query form)- trigger slope POSitive selects the

152 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingTrigger Delay Example//configure for frequency, set system trigger parametersCONF:FREQ 5E6,0.1,(@

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 153Triggering and Gating 5Sample CountThe trigger count multiplied by the sample count (TRIG:COUN x SAMP:COUN) determines t

154 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingWait-For-Trigger and Triggered StatesIn order for the counter to accept triggers which start the

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 155Triggering and Gating 5INITiate[:IMMediate] - places the counter in the wait-for-trigger state. In this state, trigger s

156 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and Gatingmoves the counter to the triggered state and the beginning of the gate cycle. The counter remains

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 157Triggering and Gating 5(Figures 5-2 and 5-5), programmatically it should occur after all other gate parameters have been

158 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and Gatingnal gate signals are applied to the counter’s rear panel ‘Gate In/Out’ BNC or to the channel 1 or

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 159Triggering and Gating 553220A/53230A data sheet, extends the resolution beyond what is achieved with the basic reciproca

16 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for Use1 Power cord2 USB cable 3 Agilent I/O Libraries Suite CD-ROM4 Agilent 53210A/53220A/53230A Product

160 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingSetting the Gate TimeA measurement gate time can be specified directly with the command: [SENSe:]

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 161Triggering and Gating 5With the counter display registering:4.999 984 583 3MHz (11 digits - resolution enhanced)Querying

162 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingAgain using Table 5-2, if a resolution of 6-digits is required the corresponding gate time can be

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 163Triggering and Gating 5[SENSe:]FREQuency:GATE:POLarity {POSitive|NEGative}[SENSe:]FREQuency:GATE:POLarity? (query form)

164 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingINPut[{1|2}]:LEVel[{1|2}][:ABSolute]{<volts>|MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}INPut[{1|2}]:LEVel[{1|

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 165Triggering and Gating 5TotalizingSetting the Gate SourceFor gated counts of events (edges) on the input channels configu

166 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingINFinity|DEFault}[SENSe:]TOTalize:GATE:TIME? {MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}(query form)CONFigure and M

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 167Triggering and Gating 5fore, the duration of the gate, is set or changed with the command:[SENSe:]TOTalize:GATE:POLarity

168 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingFor external sources INPut[1] and INPut2 (Chan 1 and Chan 2 softkeys), a fixed input threshold vo

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 169Triggering and Gating 5Continuous TotalizingContinuous totalizing as configured by the command:CONFigure:TOTalize:CONTin

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 17Preparation for Use 153220A/53230A Option 0B0 (delete printed manuals) is the default product documentation option. If

170 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingTime Interval MeasurementsFor time interval measurements, the command used to set/change the gate

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 171Triggering and Gating 5External Gate Signal PolarityWhen using an external gate source, the polarity of the gate signal

172 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingCONF:TINT (@1),(@2) // time int between ch1/ch2INP1:LEV1 2 // set start level (event)INP1:SLOP1

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 173Triggering and Gating 5Burst Carrier Frequency Measurements The 53230A counter with channel 3 Option 106 or 115 (6 GHz o

174 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingSetting Narrow Pulse ModeFor carrier frequency measurements with ‘on durations’ (Figure 5-6) less

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 175Triggering and Gating 5Gate control for measuring the carrier frequency can occur automatically dur-ing the measurement

176 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and Gating[SENSe:]FREQuency:BURSt:GATE:TIME {<time>|MINimum| MAXimum|DEFault}[SENSe:]FREQuency:BURSt:

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 177Triggering and Gating 5// appropriate delay and gate timesCONF:PWID:BURS (@3)INP3:BURS:LEV -6READ?..// measure the burst

178 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingFigure 5-8. Gate Start Sequence.Gate Start SourceThe specific command which sets the gate start (

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 179Triggering and Gating 5[SENSe:]GATE:STARt:SOURce {IMMediate|EXTernal}[SENSe:]GATE:STARt:SOURce? (query form)- gate sour

18 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseElectrical RequirementsThe electrical (power) requirements of the 53220A/53230A are summarized bel

180 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and Gating[SENSe:]GATE:STARt:SLOPe {POSitive|NEGative}[SENSe:]:GATE:START:SLOPe? (query form)POSitive start

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 181Triggering and Gating 5The specified edge (slope) of the gate signal crossing the threshold starts the gate. (More infor

182 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and Gating[SENSe:]GATE:STARt:DELay:SOURce {IMMediate|EVENts|TIME}[SENSe:]GATE:STARt:DELay:SOURce? (query f

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 183Triggering and Gating 5Figure 5-9. Gate Stop Hold Off and Gate Stop Sequence.Gate Stop Hold OffThe gate stop hold off de

184 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingGate Stop Hold Off SourceThe gate stop holdoff source and its parameters are set with the command

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 185Triggering and Gating 5- holdoff source TIME holds off the gate stop (close) for a period set by the command:[SENSe:]GAT

186 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingThe specific command which sets the gate stop source is:[SENSe:]GATE:STOP:SOURce {IMMediate|EXTer

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 187Triggering and Gating 5External Gate Stop Signal PolarityWhen using the external gate sources listed above, the polarity

188 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and GatingExternal Gate Stop Signal ThresholdFor external sources INPut[1] and INPut2 (Chan 1 and Chan 2 so

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 189Triggering and Gating 5Gate Hold Off and Stop Configuration ExampleThe following example shows the sequence commonly use

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 19Preparation for Use 1Power-On LED StatusThe led located under the on/standby button is an indication of the on/off/sta

190 53220A/53230A User’s Guide5 Triggering and Gating

191Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies653220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingMath Functions

192 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingMath FunctionsThe 53220A/53230A counter math functions include smoothi

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 19353220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Figure 6-1. Enabling the Math Operations.Enabling the CALCulate1 Subsyst

194 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingA reset (*RST), instrument preset (SYSTem:PRESet), or changing the mea

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 19553220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6The number of readings to average is specified as:SLOW - 100 readings: w

196 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingFigure 6-2. 53220A/53230A Display with Scaling Functions Enabled.Enabl

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 19753220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Using the Scale FunctionsThe counter scaling functions include null, per

198 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingScaling function results must be in the range of -1.0E+24 to -1.0E-24,

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 19953220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Following a reset (*RST) or instrument preset (SYSTem:PRESet), a referen

2 53220A/53230A User’s GuideNotices© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2011No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form or by any means (including el

20 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseCycling Power and Counter AccuracyWith standby power enabled, repeated power cycling (line or batt

200 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingThe offset value (B) is set with the command:CALCulate[1]:SCALe:OFFSet

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 20153220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Assigning Reading UnitsFor ease in identifying readings from the front p

202 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Loggingunits are one to four characters. Double quotes enclosing the string a

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 20353220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6StatisticsStatistical calculations are performed continually on readings

204 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingCALCulate[1]:AVERage:STATe {OFF|ON}CALCulate[1]:AVERage[:STATe]? (quer

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 20553220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Example: Enabling and Computing StatisticsThe following example returns

206 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingCALCulate[1]:AVERage:MAXimum? - returns the maximum value of all readi

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 20753220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6not support continuous (gap free) measurements.Example: Setting up an Al

208 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingLimit CheckingLimit checking enables counter measurements to be compar

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 20953220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Enabling Limit CheckingLimit checking is enabled with the command:CALCul

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 21Preparation for Use 1Enabling and Disabling the BatteryWhen using the instrument with the Battery Option 300 for the f

210 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging• setting both limits on the same line programmatically • enabling lim

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 21153220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6• enabling limit checking - CALCulate[1]:LIMit[:STATe] ON• a new measure

212 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingNote that histograms and math functions (e.g. statistics, scaling, lim

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 21353220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Figure 6-6. Histogram Display Format.Histogram ConfigurationHistograms a

214 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingFigure 6-7. 15-Bin (Point) Histogram.Histogram computation is enabled

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 21553220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6The number of readings represented by a histogram (Figure 6-7) can be qu

216 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingDisplaying the Outer BinsTwo additional bins independent of the number

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 21753220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6|MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault} CALCulate2:TRANsform:HISTogram:RANGe:UPPer? [{

218 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging• When ‘Statistics’ (under the Math key) are enabled, the minimum and

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 21953220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6CALCulate2:TRANsform:HISTogram:RANGe:AUTO:COUNt {<value>|MINimum|M

22 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseThe following table summarizes battery operation:Battery CareWhen the battery is enabled and the i

220 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingResetting the HistogramThe data from which the current histogram is cr

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 22153220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Saving ReadingsThe readings used to create the histogram can be saved to

222 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingThe ‘Marker’ softkeys allow you to position markers on individual bins

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 22353220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Returns the following comma-separated sequence describing the current hi

224 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingTrend ChartsReading trends for a given number of counter measurements

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 22553220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Viewing Trend ChartsAt power-on or following a reset (*RST) or instrumen

226 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingFigure 6-9. Trend Chart Configuration and Control.Trend Chart Boundari

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 22753220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Clearing the Trend Chart Clearing the trend chart clears reading memory

228 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingZoom & Markers WindowThe ‘Marker’ softkeys allow you to position m

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 22953220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Show All updates the trend window to represent the current reading count

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 23Preparation for Use 1Using Built-In HelpInstrument help is available by pressing and holding any front panel key or so

230 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingThere are 1,000 readings in each decimation group in Figure 6-10 (100,

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 23153220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Figure 6-11 shows the keys and and windows associated with the data logg

232 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingConfiguring the Data LoggerAll logged readings are saved in the counte

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 23353220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Setting the DurationIn terms of Time, the data logging duration is speci

234 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingThe maximum delay setting is 99:00:00.Starting the Data LoggerPressing

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 23553220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging 6Pressing View Results after logging Time Stamp measurements will display

236 53220A/53230A User’s Guide6 53220A/53230A Math, Graphing, and Data LoggingGraphics Functions and Reading MemoryFigure 6-13 summarizes the effect

237Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies7Formats and Data FlowReading Formats and Data Flow 238Specify

238 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowReading Formats and Data FlowA (counter) data format is specified when a particular format (ASC

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 239Formats and Data Flow 7Format ASCII is set following an instrument reset (*RST) or front panel pre-set (PRESet). A line

24 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseWith AutoDigits On, the number of digits displayed is automatically set based on gate time, measur

240 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowReading Transfer SizeEach reading read from the output buffer in ASCII format is 23 bytes. Each

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 241Formats and Data Flow 7Table 7-2. Commands Affecting Data FlowFront Panel DisplayCounter measurements taken from the fro

242 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data Flow2 all readings are stored in an internal counter format - the programmed format (FORMat subsyst

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 243Formats and Data Flow 7FETCh? - is used following INITiate:IMMediate. After all measurements specified by TRIGger:COUNt

244 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data Flow// frequency meas of 500 kHz signal with uHz resolutionCONF:FREQ 500E3, 1E-6, (@1) // configur

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 245Formats and Data Flow 7DATA:REMove? Example// frequency meas of 500 kHz signal with uHz resolutionCONF:FREQ 500E3, 1E-6,

246 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowDATA:POINts?The reading count can be read before the total reading count is reached (TRIGger:CO

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 247Formats and Data Flow 7*RST;*CLS // reset, start from known stateSYST:TIM .001 // set a 1 ms measurement timeoutCONF:F

248 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowFigure 7-2. Folders and Files within Internal Memory and USB Storage.root directorysub-folderfo

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 249Formats and Data Flow 7Creating Folders and Files in Flash Memory and on the USB DriveFolders and files are created in i

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 25Preparation for Use 1The format also applies to numeric readings within trend charts, histograms, limit testing, etc.R

250 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowFolders and sub-folders are created using the command:MMEMory:MDIRectory “<folder>” - fol

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 251Formats and Data Flow 7Specifying a Default FolderDesignating a folder as the default (current) folder eliminates the ne

252 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowThe command used to transfer data from reading memory to a file in internal flash memory or on

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 253Formats and Data Flow 7Creating State FilesInstrument states can be stored in the instrument’s internal flash memory or

254 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data Flowmemory) or USB (external memory device). path is an absolute path and folder name. If a folder

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 255Formats and Data Flow 7Press the ‘Select’ soft key to select the directory or folder.3 Enter the file name. The knob scr

256 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowUser preferences include settings such as:• display brightness, radix, separator, and screen sa

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 257Formats and Data Flow 7An example of the command is:*SAV 1 //save the current state in state location 1State locations

258 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data Flow//verify a valid state is stored in location 3; 0 = no state //saved, 1 = valid state in locati

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 259Formats and Data Flow 7// configure counter*SAV 2 // save state in location 2MEM:STAT:REC:AUTO ON // enable state recal

26 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseNote that pressing any key with the display turned off, turns the display back on.Screen CaptureFo

260 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowSpecifying Power-On States from the Front PanelA specific power-on state can be selected from t

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 261Formats and Data Flow 7Managing Folders and FilesFolders, data files, and state files created in internal flash memory a

262 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data Flowin the specified current directory, path is an absolute folder path beginning with ‘\’ and star

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 263Formats and Data Flow 7Folders and Files are deleted using the front panel as follows:1 After pressing the ‘Manage Files

264 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data FlowCopying and Moving FilesFiles can be copied or moved within the drive or between drives. MMEMor

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 265Formats and Data Flow 7The destination folder in the copy or move command must currently exist. The folder is not create

266 53220A/53230A User’s Guide7 Formats and Data Flowmemory used and the total amount of memory available (free) on the specified drive.MMEMory:CATa

267Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies8Instrument StatusAgilent 53220A/53230A Status System 269Quest

268 53220A/53230A User’s Guide8 Instrument StatusFigure 8-1. The 53220A/53230A Status System.

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 269Instrument Status 8Agilent 53220A/53230A Status SystemThis chapter provides an overview of the 53220A/53230A Status S

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 27Preparation for Use 1The content captured is the display state at the time the [Utility] key is pressed. The file form

270 53220A/53230A User’s Guide8 Instrument StatusThe Event Register is read with the command:STATus:QUEStionable[:EVENt]?Unlike the Condition Regist

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 271Instrument Status 8Condition Register The Condition Register within the Standard Operation Register Group moni-tors c

272 53220A/53230A User’s Guide8 Instrument StatusStandard Event RegisterThe Standard Event Register monitors programming conditions including:• oper

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 273Instrument Status 8Status Byte RegisterThe Status Byte register contains the summary bits of the Questionable Data Re

274 53220A/53230A User’s Guide8 Instrument Status

275Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent TechnologiesAppendix A53220A/53230A Error MessagesAppendix A contains a de

276 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error MessagesTable A-1. 53220A/53230A Error Message Descriptions.Code MessageDescriptionCommand Error

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 27753220A/53230A Error Messages A-123 Exponent too large The magnitude of the exponent is greater than 32,000.-124 Too m

278 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error Messages-168 Block data not allowedA block data element was encountered at an instance where it

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 27953220A/53230A Error Messages A-250Mass storage error:file read/write errorAn error occurred reading from, or writing

28 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseBeeper SettingThe counter’s Beeper is an indication of a programming error generated from the fron

280 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error Messages-257File name error;file too largeThe file uploaded to the counter is greater than 1 GBy

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 28153220A/53230A Error Messages A-313Calibration memory lost;due to firmware revision changeThe instrument’s calibration

282 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error Messages+263Not able to execute while instrument is measuringA command was received while a meas

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 28353220A/53230A Error Messages A+313Channel 3 burst frequency could not be measuredThe carrier frequency could not be m

284 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error Messages+540Cannot use overload as math referenceAn overload value (9.91E+37) cannot be used as

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 28553220A/53230A Error Messages A+820Model and Serial Numbers not restoredFollowing replacement of the P500 processor (c

286 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error Messages+711Calibration error;calibration string too longThe message to be stored in calibration

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 28753220A/53230A Error Messages A+903Self-Test failed: real-time clock setting lostReset the instrument clock using the

288 53220A/53230A User’s GuideA 53220A/53230A Error Messages

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 289IndexNumerics53220A/53230A programming 3653230A burst measurements 173Aabsolute threshold level 130ac coupling 126addres

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 29Preparation for Use 1The date and time settings for the counter’s real-time clock are set using the commands:SYSTem:DA

290 53220A/53230A User’s GuideIndexDdata flow 240data formatsASCII 239REAL 239data scaling 195data smoothing 194example 195date and timesetting 28dc c

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 291IndexGate Out BNC 172gate signal polarityfrequency measurements 162time interval measurements 171totalizing 166gate sign

292 53220A/53230A User’s GuideIndexIO software installation 41IP address and host nameobtaining 38IP addresses and host names 47IVI driversinstallatio

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 293IndexRradix 25range 124range example 124reading countquery 245statistical functions 204reading decimation 229reading for

294 53220A/53230A User’s GuideIndexsystem trigger 148count 152delay 151sample count 153slope 150source 149Tthresholdreading memory 246threshold level

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 3Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/ECThis product complies with the WEEE Direc-tive (2002/

30 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseRefer to “Reference Oscillator Configuration” in Chapter 3 for detailed infor-mation on selecting

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 31Preparation for Use 1Agilent 53100 Series Counter Emulation ModeThe 53220A/53230A’s emulation mode enables the Agilent

32 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for UseSecuring the InstrumentThe 53220A/53230A counter can be secured to the National Industrial Securit

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 33Preparation for Use 1The description of operation which follows typically applies to both front panel and remote usage

34 53220A/53230A User’s Guide1 Preparation for Use

35Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies253220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configurati

36 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationSoftware RequirementsThe environments available to pro

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 3753220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Using the Counter Web-Enabled InterfaceOperating the 532

38 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationEnter the IP address in the browser’s address window.

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 3953220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Web Interface OverviewThe following information is an in

4 53220A/53230A User’s GuideSafety NoticesCAUTIONA CAUTION notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating proce-dure, practice, or the li

40 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationFigure 2-2. The Web UI SCPI Command Interface.Any comm

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 4153220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Changing LAN Settings and Using Password ProtectionThe N

42 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationTable 2-2. Agilent IO Libraries Suite System Requireme

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 4353220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2After the IO libraries have been installed, close the in

44 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationRemote Interface ConfigurationThe following sections c

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 4553220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Figure 2-3. Starting Agilent Connection Expert.Locating

46 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationFigure 2-4. Agilent Connection Expert Interface Window

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 4753220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Figure 2-5. Adding a Sockets Connection.About IP Address

48 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationHost NamesThe 53220A/53230A has a default host name. T

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 4953220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Disabling the LAN InterfaceThe LAN interface can be disa

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 5Contents1 Preparation for Use 11Front and Rear Panel Overview 13Front Panel 13Rear Panel 14Display 15About the Instrument

50 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationThe USB Address StringWhen programming the 53220A/5323

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 5153220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Figure 2-6. Setting a VISA Alias for the USB Address Str

52 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationConfiguring the GPIB InterfaceProgramming access to th

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 5353220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Figure 2-7. Selecting the GPIB Address.The counter’s GPI

54 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationThe GPIB Address StringWhen programming the counter ov

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 5553220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Using Interactive IOThe Connection Expert ‘Interactive I

56 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationFirmware and Driver UpdatesFirmware and driver updates

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 5753220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2SCPI Language Emulation ModeIf the 53220A/53230A is some

58 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationDownloading the Firmware UpdateReturn to the Web page

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 5953220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 22. Press Next and using the Browse button, specify the p

6 53220A/53230A User’s GuideContents2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 35Software Requirements 36Using the Counter Web-

60 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface ConfigurationFigure 2-11. Specifying the Address or Host Name.The f

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 6153220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration 2Downloading IVI-COM Driver UpdatesIVI-COM and LabVIEW dr

62 53220A/53230A User’s Guide2 53220A/53230A Software Installation and Interface Configuration

63Agilent 53220A/53230A 350 MHz Universal Counter/TimerUser’s GuideAgilent Technologies353220A/53230A MeasurementsCounter Measurement Summary 64Refere

64 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsCounter Measurement SummaryThe Agilent 53220A and 53230A counter measurements are summarized

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 6553220A/53230A Measurements 3Table 3-1. Agilent 53220A/53230A Measurement Summary (Cont’d)Measurement Key CommandInstrumen

66 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsReference Oscillator Configuration53220A and 53230A measurements are based on a reference osc

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 6753220A/53230A Measurements 3[SENSe:]ROSCillator:SOURce:AUTO {OFF|ON}[SENSe:]ROSCillator:SOURce:AUTO? (query form)- INTern

68 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsSpecifying the External Reference FrequencyWhen the reference oscillator source is EXTernal a

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 6953220A/53230A Measurements 3The presence of a valid external reference can be determined programmati-cally with the comma

Contents53220A/53230A User’s Guide 7Using CONFigure 79Frequency and Period Measurements 81Frequency 81Frequency Ratio 83Period 85Time Stamp 87Time Int

70 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsSTATus:QUEStionable:EVENt?A value of +1024 (bit 10) indicates an invalid frequency (time base

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 7153220A/53230A Measurements 3Note that disabling standby power with Battery Option 300 installed and the line voltage remo

72 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsCONTinuous - configures the counter for continuous, resolution-enhanced, gap-free measurement

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 7353220A/53230A Measurements 3Gate Time/Edge Count The specified (or default) gate time and the input sig-nal frequency de

74 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsSetting the Measurement Time OutThe measurement time-out is the time allowed for each measure

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 7553220A/53230A Measurements 3When shipped from the factory the measurement time out is set to 1 second. Specifying a time

76 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsMultiple Subsystems To send multiple SCPI commands in a single string, commands within differ

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 7753220A/53230A Measurements 3The MEASure and CONFigure CommandsEach time the counter takes a measurement it does so from a

78 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsParameter CONFigure/MEASure SettingLow-Level Command/SubsystemGATE SourceBased on measurement

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 7953220A/53230A Measurements 3Using MEASureMeasurements using commands from the MEASure subsystem are made as the command i

8 53220A/53230A User’s GuideContentsThreshold Slope 139Measuring Input Signal Levels and Signal Strength 1405 Triggering and Gating 143Settings Summar

80 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsUsing CONFigure and the appropriate low-level commands, the configuration can be changed befo

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 8153220A/53230A Measurements 3Frequency and Period MeasurementsThe 53220A/53230A measurements covered in this section inclu

82 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsThe commands used to make frequency measurements are:MEASure:FREQuency? [{<expected>|MI

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 8353220A/53230A Measurements 3Frequency RatioA frequency ratio measurement is the measurement of two signals in which one s

84 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A Measurementsexpected (Ch3/Ch1, Ch3/Ch2 - Option 106): 0.28 to 6.0E10expected (Ch3/Ch1, Ch3/Ch2 - Option 1

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 8553220A/53230A Measurements 3PeriodA standard period measurement is shown in Figure 3-4. Figure 3-4. Standard Period Measu

86 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A Measurementsresolution (all channels): 1.0E-15 * expected to 1.0E-5* expected (default resolution corresp

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 8753220A/53230A Measurements 3Time StampTime stamp measurements record events (edges) as they occur on the counter input ch

88 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsThe commands used to make time stamp measurements are:MEASure:ARRay:TSTamp? [(<count>)

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 8953220A/53230A Measurements 3Notes1. In the example, 200 time stamp readings are taken at a 1 MHz rate and stored in the c

Contents53220A/53230A User’s Guide 9Trend Charts 224Viewing Trend Charts 225Data Logging 230Graphics Functions and Reading Memory 2367 Formats and Da

90 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsTime Interval MeasurementsThe 53220A/53230A time interval measurements covered in this sectio

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 9153220A/53230A Measurements 3A time interval measurement is the difference between two events, or edges, on different wave

92 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsINPut{1|2}:LEVel{1|2} or INPut{1|2}:LEVel{1|2}:RELative INPut{1|2}:SLOPe{1|2}SENSe:GATE:STOP:

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 9353220A/53230A Measurements 33. See Chapter 4 for information on input threshold levels and slope, and Chapter 5 for advan

94 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsRise Time and Fall TimeAn example of rise and fall times on an input signal are shown in Figu

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 9553220A/53230A Measurements 3MEASure:FTIMe? [{<lower_ref>|MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault} [,{<upper_ref>|MINimum|MAXi

96 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A Measurements// using CONFigure - measure rise time on the wave segment // from -1.75V to +750 mV *RST //

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 9753220A/53230A Measurements 3Pulse WidthAn example of positive and negative pulse widths are shown in Figure 3-9. Figure 3

98 53220A/53230A User’s Guide3 53220A/53230A MeasurementsMEASure:NWIDth? [{<reference>|MINimum|MAXimum|DEFault}] [,<channel>]CONFigure:NWI

53220A/53230A User’s Guide 9953220A/53230A Measurements 3// using CONFigure - measure positive width at a 1.0V// reference*RST // reset to start from