Agilent Technologies 4288A User Manual

Chapter 8 95
Avoiding Mistakes Related to Work and Daily Checks
Avoiding Mistakes Related To Work
8. Avoiding Mistakes Related
to Work and Daily Checks
Detecting the occurrence of an error
Using error queue
The error queue contains the error number and error message of an error that has occurred.
By reading out the contents of the error queue, you can find out which error has occurred.
To read out the contents of the error queue, use the following command.
• :SYST:ERR? on page 192
You can use the error queue in the following ways.
1. You can use it to make a branch for error handling in your program. When you read out
the contents of the error queue, 0 and “No error” are read out as the error number and
error message if no error has occurred. This result helps you to determine whether an
error has occurred and to make the branch of your program’s flow. You can also use it
to restrict error handling to the occurrence of a specific error. However, it is difficult to
use this method to perform processing during the occurrence of an error.
2. You can use it to investigate the kind of error that has occurred when an error is
detected by using SRQ and other means. Refer to the sample program in Example 8-1.
Using status report system
You can detect the status of the 4288A by using the status register. This section describes
how to detect the occurrence of an error by using the status register. For information on the
entire status report system (for example, information on each bit of the status register),
refer to Appendix C, “Status Reporting System,” on page 247.
The occurrence of an error is indicated by the standard event status register. An SRQ
(service request), which is useful for detecting the occurrence of an error in your program,
uses the information indicated by this register.
To detect the end of sweep with an SRQ, use the following commands.
• *SRE on page 127
• *ESE on page 124
The procedure is given below.
Step 1. Set the 4288A to generate an SRQ if one of the error occurrence bits of the standard event
status register is set to 1.
Step 2. Perform interrupt handling in the program when SRQ occurs.

Agilent Technologies 4288A Specifications

General

Frequency Range	20 Hz to 1 MHz
Basic Accuracy	0.1%
Display	LCD
Frequency	20 Hz to 1 MHz
Maximum AC signal level	2 Vrms
Interface	GPIB, RS-232
Measurement Parameters	C, L, R, D, Q
Input Impedance	1 MΩ
Power Requirements	100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz to 60 Hz
Measurement Type	Capacitance (C), Inductance (L), Resistance (R), Dissipation Factor (D), Quality Factor (Q)
Bias Current	0 to +100 mA (programmable)

Summary

2 Overview of Remote Control

Setting Up a GPIB Remote Control System

Explains how to set up a GPIB remote control system for the Agilent 4288A.

3 Setting Up Measurement Conditions and Display

Setting Up Measurement Conditions

Details how to configure measurement parameters like frequency, range, time, averaging, and trigger delay.

4 Preparation for Accurate Measurement (Executing Compensation)

Executing OPEN/SHORT/LOAD Compensation

Details the process of performing OPEN, SHORT, and LOAD compensation for accurate measurements.

Using the Multi-compensation Function

Enables and configures multi-compensation for multiple channels or parameters.

5 Starting (Triggering) Measurement and Waiting for Completion of Measurement

Starting (triggering) Measurement

Describes the trigger system states and methods for starting measurements automatically or on demand.

Waiting For Completion Of Measurement (detecting completion of measurement)

Explains detecting measurement completion using SRQ and status registers for program flow.

6 Reading Out Measured Result

Reading out measured result using *TRG command

Describes using *TRG to trigger measurement and immediately read results.

Reading out measured result using :FETC? command

Explains using :FETC? for triggering and reading results, suitable for external controllers.

Reading out measured result using :READ? command

7 Sorting Based on Measured Result (Comparator Function)

Setting Up Comparator Function

Explains enabling the comparator and configuring limit ranges for sorting measurements.

Rejecting Excessively Low Measured Results (Low C reject function)

8 Avoiding Mistakes Related to Work and Daily Checks

Avoiding Improper input from the front panel (key lock function)

Detecting the occurrence of an error

Explains methods for detecting errors using the error queue and status report system.

Daily Checks (executing the self-test)

9 Measurement Applications (Sample Programs)

Measurement with Auto-sorting System

Measurement with changing channels (scanning)

B Information for Replacing 4278A with 4288A

Functional Comparison and GPIB Command Correspondence

Compensation

Compares compensation functions (ON/OFF, parameter format, standard setup, alarm messages).

Multi-compensation

Comparator

Compares sorting parameters, limit modes, BIN sorting, AUX BIN, and Low C reject functions.

C Status Reporting System

General Status Register Model

D Initial Settings

Initial Settings, Settings that can be Saved/Recalled, Settings that can be Backed Up

Provides initial, save/recall, and backup settings for instrument configuration.

E At-a-glance Table of Operations When Overload or Low C is Detected

Operations when overload/Low C is detected

Describes display, GPIB, and handler interface outputs for overload or Low C conditions.

F Error Messages

Error Messages

Lists error messages and their remedies, ordered by error number.

Warning Messages (WARNING)

G 4268A vs. 4288A GPIB Command Correspondence Table