Using the Instrument Server

The Instrument Server provides a way to write and read data to and from an instrument.

Applications for using transferred data include:

• Reading measured instrument data into a dataset, and comparing measured data to simulation results in a data display.
• Reading data into a dataset for use with components, such as the VtDataset source, that can read data from a dataset.
• Writing S-parameters from a dataset to a specific file type. The S-parameter file can then be read by a component, such as a P2D amplifier.

These are just a few examples, there are many other applications for transferring data between Advanced Design System and outside systems.

This chapter describes how to transfer measured data between datasets and files, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and the Agilent 70820A Microwave Transition Analyzer.

The Instrument Server can transfer data between many instrument models and file formats. A list of supported instruments appears at the start of each section.

Note Currently, instrument connectivity for the Instrument Server is only supported on the following platforms: Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Installation Requirements

Note For details on the hardware and software installation, refer to For more information on instrument components, both CM and legacy, refer to "Instrument Components" in the Signal Processing Components manual.

To use the Instrument Server, you must first perform the following installation steps:

• Install a GPIB card and software in your computer.
• Run any installation procedures to set symbolic names, bus speed, et cetera.
• Set GPIB and Instrument Server configurations in Advanced Design System.

Note As part of the interface card installation, a symbolic name is assigned to the card. When you install the card, make a note of this name, you will need it when you use the Instrument Server. For details on specifying a symbolic name, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.

Starting and Exiting the Instrument Server

To start the Instrument Server, from a Schematic window, choose Tools > Instrument Server .

To exit the Instrument Server, choose File > Close Window from the Instrument Server menu bar.

The Instrument Server Dialog

The following illustration shows the default appearance of the Instrument Server user interface.

The layout of the interface and names of the various elements vary with the task being performed (read or write) and whether a network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, or microwave transition analyzer is selected.

The following are the more frequently used elements of the interface:

• The Menu bar displays the menus available from the dialog.
• READ and WRITE display lists of items that you can read from and write to. Depending on your selection, additional instrument options are displayed.
• Update Dataset List updates the list of available datasets.
• Display Status Log activates the transfer of information to the Status Server. Any errors that occur during the data transfer or messages that indicate the progress of the transfer will appear in this window.
• Display Comments Dialog enables you to add comments to a dataset.
• The Datasets field list the datasets in the current project. The selected dataset or the name of a new dataset is displayed in the Dataset Name field.
• The Blocks field lists the blocks (variables) in the selected dataset. The selected block is displayed in the field below the list.
• The Read Instrument and Write To Instrument buttons execute the configured measurement.

Connecting to Instruments

Several interface bus choices must be specified when you transfer data to or from an instrument (Windows based systems only).

Data is transferred via the GPIB interface. (References to HP-IB in this text also refer to GPIB).

To configure the interface bus, do the following:

1. Choose HP-IB > Timeout . The HPIB Timeout dialog box appears.
2. Enter the amount of time, in seconds, allowed to transfer data and click OK .
   When this time is exceeded, the communication between the instrument and computer is terminated. Do not specify an excessively long time because if the data transfer fails, it may be difficult to terminate the connection between the computer and the instrument until the time has expired. If you do not specify a time interval, a default value of 10 seconds is used.
3. Choose HP-IB > Symbolic Name . The HPIB Symbolic Name dialog box appears.
4. Enter the symbolic name of the interface card and click OK .
   This name is required to transfer data via GPIB. For details on specifying a symbolic name, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
5. The HP-IB Address field enables you to the identify the instrument that you want to connect to by GPIB address.

The steps to complete these settings begin with Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.

Data Transfer Considerations

To ensure successful data transfers, before initiating a transfer, be sure to:

• Specify a timeout duration which is sufficient to complete the data transfer from an instrument.
• Set the instrument to hold or single sweep mode. This is particularly important when retrieving averaged data from an instrument, or the data acquisition time for an instrument is relatively long.
• Do not change any settings on an instrument while a transfer is in progress.
• Not all instruments have the same memory or trace locations, so be sure to select a location that is valid for your instrument or an error will occur when you attempt to transfer data.
• You may need to use the Data File Tool to place data in a final format. For example, you may have S-parameters in a Touchstone file and want them in P2D format. Using the Data File Tool, you would read the S-parameters from the Touchstone file to a dataset, then write the data from the dataset and into a P2D file. For more information see, Working with Data Files in Using Circuit Simulators .

Reading and Writing Network Analyzer Data

Data can be transferred to and from the following network analyzers.

Network Analyzer Data

Model Number	Description
Agilent 8510B/C/XF	High Performance uW VNA
Agilent 8712X	300kHz - 1.3 GHz Low Cost (Trans, Refl) RF VNA
Agilent 8714X	300kHz - 3 GHz Low Cost (Trans, Refl) RF VNA
Agilent 8719X	50 MHz - 13.5 GHz VNA
Agilent 8720X	50 MHz - 20 GHz VNA
Agilent 8722X	50 MHz - 40 GHz VNA
Agilent 8752X	300kHz - 6 GHz Reflection Transmission VNA
Agilent 8753X	30kHz-6 GHz High Performance RF VNA
Agilent 8702X	300 kHz - 6 GHz Mod Freq Lightwave Component Analyzer
Agilent 8703X	130 MHz - 20 Ghz Mod Freq Lightwave Component Analyzer
Wiltron 360	High Performance uW VNA
Agilent E880X	300 kHz - 9 GHz Performance Network Analyzer †
Agilent E835X	300 kHz - 9 GHz Performance Network Analyzer †
Agilent N338X	300 kHz - 9 GHz Performance Network Analyzer †,††
Agilent E836X	45 MHz - 50 GHz Performance Network Analyzer †

^†Instrument Server does not support writing data to the analyzer waveform memory.
††Instrument Server will only support reading S-parameters from ports 1 and 2.

Network Analyzer Data Formats

The network analyzer stores measurements as raw, corrected, or formatted data, depending on the settings of the network analyzer:

• Raw data are the values measured at the detector, with no correction or alteration.
• Corrected data are the values measured at the detector, plus correction data applied.
• Formatted data is corrected data plus any smoothing, or other processes that can be applied with network analyzer.

Most Agilent Analyzers have two channels, each having its own set of raw, corrected and formatted data arrays. For all analyzers except the 8712 and 8714 the Instrument Server accesses the data in channel 1 only.

Using the Agilent PNA Family Network Analyzers

Agilent PNA Family of Network Analyzers includes the E880X, E835X, E836X and N338X

Note For the PNA family of network analyzers, including the E835X, E880X, E836X, N388X families, the Instrument Server does not support writing to the analyzer waveform memory.

The Instrument Server has the ability to interface with the Agilent PNA Family of network analyzers. The Instrument Server reads from the Channel 1 data arrays. There
are two NWA data formats to choose from.

• Corrected Transfer the data in the analyzer's Corrected data array to the dataset.
• Raw Transfer the data in the analyzer's Raw data array to the dataset. Raw data for all four S parameters is available regardless of whether a full 2-port-calibration is in effect.

Corrected and Raw data is always stored in the dataset variable as complex real imaginary pairs of the requested S parameters.

The Instrument Server will expect the data in the dataset to be complex.

Using Agilent 87XX-Series Network Analyzers

The Instrument Server reads from and writes to the Channel 1 data arrays. The data of interest in channel 1 does not have to be currently displayed to be read. If averaging is ON, the Instrument Server will put the instrument in HOLD mode before reading the data. Therefore make sure that the instrument has sufficiently averaged the data before reading the array.

In Read Mode there are three NWA data formats to choose from.

• Formatted Transfer the data in the analyzer's Formatted data array to the dataset.
• Corrected Transfer the data in the analyzer's Corrected data array to the dataset.
• Raw Transfer the data in the analyzer's Raw data array to the dataset. Raw data for all four S parameters is available regardless of whether a full 2-port-calibration is in effect.

Data is always stored in the dataset variable as complex real imaginary pairs of the requested S parameters.

In Write Mode there are two NWA Data Locations to choose from.

• Memory Transfer complex data from the selected dataset variable to the Channel 1 Memory array.
• Raw Transfer complex data from the selected dataset variable to the Channel 1 Raw data array. If a full 2-port-calibration is in effect, any of the four S-parameters can be written to the 4 available raw data arrays. If a full 2-port-calibration is not in effect, S11 data must be selected in order to write to the single Raw data array available.

The Instrument Server will expects the data in the dataset to be complex.

Using Agilent 8752 Network Analyzers

Only S ₁₁ (reflection) and S ₂₁ (transmission) data can be read from or written to an Agilent 8752 network analyzer. This network analyzer only makes reflection and transmission measurements, and reading or writing data for other parameters produces unpredictable results.

Before data is written into a raw data array in the Agilent 8752 network analyzer, the error correction that is built into the instrument must be turned off. This is not necessary if data is written into memory in the instrument.

To turn off error correction in the Agilent 8752, follow these steps:

1. Press the menu key SYSTEM .
2. Press the function key SERVICE .
3. Press the function key SERVICE MODES .
4. Press the function key MORE .
5. Press the function key FREQ RESP to turn off the calibration.

When this has been complete, you can write data into the raw data array in an Agilent 8752 network analyzer.

Note Be sure to turn on error correction before making additional measurements with the network analyzer.

Using Agilent 8510 Network Analyzers

The Instrument Server reads from and writes to the Channel 1 data arrays. The data of interest in channel 1 does not have to be currently displayed to be read. If averaging is ON, the Instrument Server will put the instrument in HOLD mode before reading the data. Therefore make sure that the instrument has sufficiently averaged the data before reading the array.

In Read mode there are three NWA data formats to choose from.

• Formatted Transfer the data in the analyzer's Formatted data array to the dataset.
• Corrected Transfer the data in the analyzer's Corrected data array to the dataset.
• Raw Transfer the data in the analyzer's Raw data array to the dataset. Raw data for all four S parameters is available regardless of whether a full 2-port-calibration is in effect.

Data is always stored in the dataset variable as complex real imaginary pairs of the requested S parameters.

In Write mode there are two NWA data locations to choose from.

• Memory Transfer complex data from the selected dataset variable to the Channel 1 Corrected data array.
• Raw Transfer complex data from the selected dataset variable to the Channel 1 Raw data array. If a full 2-port-calibration is in effect, any of the four S-parameters may be written to the 4 available raw data arrays. If a full 2-port-calibration is not in effect, S11 data must be selected in order to write to the single Raw data array available.

The Instrument Server will expects the data in the dataset to be complex.

Reading Instrument Data from a Network Analyzer

To read measured data from a network analyzer:

1. Configure the network analyzer by setting the stimulus, calibration, and other parameters.
2. From an open Instrument Server window, click READ .
3. Under Read From, click Network Analyzer .
4. Under NWA Data Format, select one of the following formats:
   • Formatted
   • Corrected
   • Raw
5. Under Read Network Analyzer Data, select the S-parameters that you want to use as the data source. You can select one set of the S-parameters or create an S-matrix of all S parameters.

   Note For PNA's that have more than two ports, the Instrument Server will only support reading S parameters from ports 1 and 2. Specifically, the Instrument Server will read: S11, S12, S21, and S22 (selecting "All S parameters" will read S11, S12, S21, and S22).

6. Type the network analyzer address in the HP-IB Address field.
7. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
8. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information, refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
9. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
10. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
11. Enter a name in the Dataset Name field, or select an existing dataset from the Datasets list.
12. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field. The instrument data will be stored in this block name.

    Note You can select an existing block from the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field so that it is unique.

13. Click Read Instrument to send the measured instrument data to the dataset.

Writing Data to a Network Analyzer

Data in a dataset can be written to the network analyzer raw data array or memory array. The memory array can only hold one parameter.

If data is to be written to the Channel 1 Raw data array, and a full 2-port-calibration is in effect, any of the four S parameters may be written to the 4 available raw data arrays. If a full 2-port-calibration is not in effect, S11 data must be selected in order to write to the single Raw data array available.

To write to a network analyzer:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click WRITE .
2. Under Write To, click Network Analyzer .
3. Under NWA Data Location, select the network analyzer data locations to identify where you want to send the data.
4. Under Write Network Analyzer Data , select the type of S-parameters that you intend to send to the analyzer.
5. Type the network analyzer address in the HP-IB Address field.
6. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
7. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
8. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
9. The source of the data can be any block in a project dataset. The data in the dataset block must be complex data. Select from the list of existing datasets and blocks.
10. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Name from Block List field.
11. Click Write To Instrument to send the data to the specified network analyzer location.

Reading and Writing Spectrum Analyzer Data

Data can be read from and written to a wide range of spectrum analyzers. Supported spectrum analyzers are listed below.

Spectrum Analyzer Data

Model Number	Features
Agilent 70000	Modular Analyzers (MMS)
Agilent 8566B	100 Hz-22 GHz
Agilent 8567A	10 kHz-1500 MHz
Agilent 8568B	100 Hz-1500 MHz
Agilent 859XX	Portable Economy Analyzer Series
Agilent 856XX	Portable Mil Spec Analyzer Series

Reading Instrument Data from a Spectrum Analyzer

When data is read into a dataset, the location specified as the source of the data (trace A, B, or C) is read immediately without the selected trace being put into view mode.

When reading data from a spectrum analyzer, keep in mind the following:

• The 856X series of analyzers do not have a Trace C.
• The Instrument Server doesn't wait for the trace to complete before the data is read.
• For traces with long sweep times, make sure the instrument has completed one sweep of the desired spectrum before reading the data.
• No peak search is performed before the data is transferred.
• Data is read in exactly as it appears on the screen.
• The data written to the dataset variable has the amplitude units of the analyzer at the time the data was read.

To read data from a spectrum analyzer:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click READ .
2. Under Read From, click Spectrum Analyzer .
3. Under Read Spectrum Analyzer Trace, select the trace you want to use as the data source.
4. Type the spectrum analyzer address in the HP-IB Address field.
5. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
6. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
7. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
8. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
9. Enter a name in the Dataset Name field, or select an existing dataset from the Datasets list.
10. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field.

    Note You can select from the list of existing blocks in the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field so that it is unique. The instrument data will be stored in this block.

11. Click Read Instrument to send the measured instrument data to the dataset.

Writing to a Spectrum Analyzer

Existing data in the instrument memory to which data is being written is overwritten, and the dataset data is displayed as if it were measured data. Since dataset data is deleted from the instrument when another measurement is made, the Instrument Server places the instrument in single sweep mode to prevent the dataset data from being overwritten. Dataset data is deleted from the instrument when another measurement is made.

When data is written into the spectrum analyzer, the frequency range, number of points, and other stimulus values in the instrument are not changed. Interpolation is used (if necessary) to display the dataset data at the frequency points given by the current spectrum analyzer settings. There must be some overlap between the frequency range of the dataset and the analyzer's current frequency range. The spectrum analyzer does not extrapolate. Data values for all frequencies above or below the frequencies in the dataset appear as zero.

The Instrument Server searches the selected dataset variable for an attribute labeled "Amplitude Units. If it is not found, the Instrument Server prompts the user for the unit value of the dataset variable data. The dataset variable data must be real data, complex data will result in an error.

To write to a spectrum analyzer:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click WRITE .
2. Under Write To, click Spectrum Analyzer .
3. Under Write to Spectrum Analyzer Trace, select the trace where you intend to send the data.
4. Type the spectrum analyzer address in the HP-IB Address field.
5. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
6. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information, refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
7. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
8. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
9. The source of the data can be any block in a project dataset. Enter a name in the Dataset Name field, or select a dataset from the Dataset list.
10. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Name from Block List field. The instrument data will be stored in this block.

    Note You can select an existing block from the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected block name in the Enter Name from Block List field so that it is unique.

11. Click Write To Instrument to send the dataset or block to the spectrum analyzer trace.

Reading and Writing Oscilloscope Data

Data can be read from and written to a wide range of Agilent oscilloscopes. Supported oscilloscopes are listed below.

Oscilloscope Data

Model Number	Features
Agilent 54100A	1 GHz rep BW, 2-channel.
Agilent 54100D	Agilent 54100A with dual trigger.
Agilent 54110D	Agilent 54100D with color CRT and PaintJet output.
Agilent 54111D	500 MHz Rep BW, 250 MHz 1-shot, 2-channel dual trigger.
Agilent 54120T	20 GHz rep BW, 4-channel.
Agilent 54123T	34 GHz rep BW, 4-channel.
Agilent 54124T	50 GHz, 4-channel.
Agilent 54720D	2 GHz, 8 GSample/sec Modular Oscilloscope (using Agilent 5471X and 5472X plug-ins)
Agilent 54750A	20 GHz Sampling Modular Oscilloscope (using Agilent 5475X plug-ins)
Agilent 86100A	50 GHz DCA (digital communications analyzer)
Agilent 86100B	50 GHz high speed DCA (digital communications analyzer)

Reading Instrument Data from an Oscilloscope

Not all channels or memory locations exist on all supported oscilloscopes. Requesting data from a nonexistent channel results in an error message and no data is transferred.

Oscilloscope Memory Locations summarizes the memory locations from which data can be read in various Agilent oscilloscopes.

It may take a long time to read some extreme cases of averaged data. It is not uncommon for it to take 10 to 15 minutes to accumulate 500 points of data averaged 2048 times. If such a trace is desired, store the trace in memory first, then read the data directly from memory.

Also note that the Agilent 54111D oscilloscope stores 8192 points of data in waveform memories 1 through 4 even though only 512 of these points are displayed at any one time. The result is that even if only two periods appear on the display, reading the memory will take as long as is needed to read points for 16 periods.

Using Agilent 541XXX-series Oscilloscopes

When reading data from an active channel, all Agilent 541XXX-series and Agilent 547XX-series oscilloscopes first digitize the data into a waveform memory.

Oscilloscope Data Flow traces the flow of the data in each oscilloscope.

To read data from an oscilloscope:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click READ .
2. Under Read From, click Oscilloscope .
3. Under Read Oscilloscope Data, select the channel or memory location that you want to use as the data source.
4. Type the oscilloscope address in the HP-IB Address field.
5. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
6. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information, refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
7. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
8. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
9. Enter a name in the Dataset Name field, or select an existing dataset from the Datasets list.
10. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field. The instrument data will be stored in this block.

    Note You can select an existing block from the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field so that it is unique.

11. Click Read Instrument to send the measured instrument data to the dataset.

Writing Advanced Design System Data to an Oscilloscope

Not all memory locations are on all supported oscilloscopes. Writing data to a nonexistent channel aborts the process with an error message and no data changes.
Oscilloscope Memory Locations summarizes the memory locations that are available for writing data in various Agilent oscilloscopes.

Oscilloscope	Memory1 Memory2	Memory3 Memory4	Memory5 through Memory8
ALL	•
Agilent 54120T	•	•
Agilent 54123T	•	•
Agilent 54110D	•	•
Agilent 54111D	•	•	•
Agilent 547XX	•	•

When data is written into the oscilloscope, the time range, number of points, and other stimulus values in the waveform memory are not changed. Interpolation is used (if necessary) to display the dataset data at the time points given by the current oscilloscope settings. This means that the desired time/div, volts/div, delay, and other settings must be adjusted on an active channel and then stored in memory.

The oscilloscope does not extrapolate. Data values for all times above or below the frequencies in the dataset appear as zero.

To write to an oscilloscope:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click WRITE .
2. Under Write To, click Oscilloscope .
3. Under Write To Oscilloscope Memory , select the memory location where you intend to send the data.
4. Type the oscilloscope address in the HP-IB Address field.
5. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
6. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information, refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
7. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
8. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
9. The source of the data can be any block in a project dataset. Enter a name in the Dataset field, or select a dataset from the Datasets list.
10. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Name from Block List field. The instrument data will be stored in this block.

    Note You can select an existing block from the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected block name in the Enter Name from Block List field so that it is unique.

11. Click Write To Instrument to send the dataset or block to the specified oscilloscope memory location.

Reading and Writing Microwave Transition Analyzer Data

Data can be read from and written to the Agilent 70820A Microwave Transition Analyzer (MTA).

Reading Instrument Data from an MTA

You can read MTA data from a trace, memory, or a table. Data can be in the following format. The data read from a trace or memory location is formatted by the following Read MTA data selections.

• Formatted The format of the data depends on the instrument's current Domain setting, which dictates how the trace data is to be displayed. Basically, this is a What You See Is What you Get mode. The dependent data returned may be in Complex (real, imaginary), Real, Imag, Magnitude, Phase, or Complex (magnitude, phase) formats. The independent data can be either frequency or time.
• Complex versus time The dependent data returned will be complex data, and the independent data will be time. It doesn't matter what is currently being displayed on the screen. The measured data will be transformed as necessary to output complex data vs. time. For instance, if the instrument is currently displaying magnitude data vs. frequency, an inverse FFT is performed so the independent data is time, and the dependent data will be complex (real, imaginary).
• Complex versus frequency The dependent data returned will be complex data, and the independent data will be frequency. It doesn't matter what is currently being displayed on the screen. The measured data will be transformed as necessary to output complex data vs. frequency. For instance, if the instrument is currently displaying real data vs. time, a FFT is performed so the independent data is frequency, and the dependent data will be complex (real, imaginary).

If data is to be read from the MTA table, the Instrument Server checks to see if there is more than 1 signal in the signal list. If there is more than 1 signal in the list, the Instrument Server will prompt the user for the signal of interest. The magnitude data is changed to absolute amplitude values if it is originally relative. When the transfer is started, the transition analyzer is put into hold mode if it is not in this mode already. Then the data is read. This makes it possible to set up a trace, put the instrument in hold mode, and then read the data. After the data has been read, the transition analyzer is returned to its original sweep mode.

Details on transition analyzer domains appear under the description of the waveform subsystem in the Agilent 70820A Transition Analyzer Remote Programming Manual .

To read data from an MTA:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click READ .
2. Under Read From, click Microwave Transition Analyzer .
3. Under Read MTA Trace, select one of the MTA Trace Formats:
   • Trace 1-4: a displayed MTA trace
   • Memory 1-4: an MTA memory location
   • Table: If there is more than one signal in the signal list, the Instrument Server will prompt the user for the signal of interest. The structure of the table is retained. For example, a table may contain the magnitude and phase values of a fundamental frequency and each of its harmonics. The data is transferred to the dataset in the same order.
4. Under Read MTA Data, select one of the MTA Data Formats:
   • Formatted
   • Complex vs. Time
   • Complex vs. Frequency
5. Type the microwave transition analyzer address in the HP-IB Address field.
6. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
7. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information, refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
8. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
9. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
10. Enter a name in the Dataset Name field, or select an existing dataset from the Datasets list.
11. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Unique Block Name field. The instrument data will be stored in this block.

    Note You can select an existing block from the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected name in the Enter Unique Block Name field so that it is unique.

12. Click Read Instrument to send the measured instrument data to the dataset.
    

    Writing Data to an MTA

    
    
    Any data that in the instrument memory location that you select to write to will be overwritten with the dataset data. The frequency range, number of points, and other stimulus values in the instrument are reset to fit the trace being written.

To write to an MTA:

1. From an open Instrument Server window, click WRITE .
2. Under Write To, click Microwave Transition Analyzer .
3. Under Write to MTA Memory, select the memory location where you intend to send the data.
4. Under Write MTA Data, select one of the MTA data types:
   • Frequency Domain Data as a function of frequency
   • Time Domain Complex data as a function of time
5. Type the microwave transition analyzer address in the HP-IB Address field.
6. Select HP-IB > Symbolic Name and enter a symbolic interface name. For more information, refer to Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name.
7. If you want the data transfer to include a timeout, select HP-IB > Timeout . For more information, refer to Specifying a Transfer Timeout.
8. Click Display Status Log to view any messages and errors that may occur during the transfer.
9. Click Display Comments Dialog to add comments to a dataset. For instructions, refer to Entering Comments into a Dataset.
10. The source of the data can be any block in a project dataset. Enter a name in the Dataset Name field, or select a dataset from the Datasets list.
11. Enter a unique block name in the Enter Name from Block List field. The instrument data will be stored in this block.

    Note You can select an existing block from the Blocks list, but you must edit the selected block name in the Enter Name from Block List field so that it is unique.

12. Click Write To Instrument to send the dataset or block to the specified MTA memory location.

Specifying a Symbolic Interface Name

The symbolic interface name is the name assigned to the interface card when the card is installed. This name can be redefined at any time and is required by the Instrument Server to transfer data to or from an instrument. For the E2050 Lan/GPIB gateway box, the symbolic name is of the form:
lan[IP_address]:hp-ib_name

To enter the symbolic name:

1. From the menu bar choose HP-IB > Symbolic Name .
2. The HP-IB Symbolic Name dialog box appears. Type the name into the field in the dialog box.
3. Click OK .

Example:

If an E2050 Lan/GPIB gateway box with an IP address of 18.9.134.213 is to be addressed, the symbolic name is:
lan[18.9.134.213]:hpib that is, lan[IP_address] : hp-ib_name
Refer to the documentation for the E2050 for details on changing the hp-ib_name.

Note Interface cards for the PC are often bundled with a diagnostics program. If the diagnostics software is installed, you can run it to identify the card name. UNIX platforms are not supported.

Specifying a Transfer Timeout

A transfer timeout specifies the length of time allowed to transfer data. When the time is exceeded, the instrument and computer are disconnected. You should always set the timeout option before a data transfer to ensure the connection between the instrument and Advanced Design System can be terminated.

To set a timeout:

1. From the menu bar choose HP-IB > Timeout .
2. The HP-IB Timeout dialog box appears. Type the amount of time you want to allow to elapse, in seconds, before the timeout occurs.
3. Click OK .

   Note The optimum transfer time depends on the hardware speed and the amount of data to be transferred. If you transferring data from an instrument and are averaging data, transferring a large amount of data, or have a long sweep time, put the instrument in hold or single sweep mode or change the timeout setting to an appropriate value before attempting to transfer data.

Entering Comments into a Dataset

You can enter comments into a dataset. Comments such as the origin of the data can be useful to identify the contents of the dataset.

To enter comments:

1. Click Display Comments Dialog .
2. Type in comments that you want to add to the dataset. The comments are entered into a comments field of the dataset.
3. Click OK to add the comments to the dataset.