External Test Set Control using SCPI

This program demonstrates the use of several External Test Set Control commands.

The SCPI commands in this example are sent over a COM interface using the SCPIStringParser object. You do NOT need a GPIB connection to run this example.

This VBScript (*.vbs) program can be run as a macro in the VNA. To do this, copy the following code into a text editor file such as Notepad and save it on the VNA hard drive as ExtTS.vbs. Learn how to setup and run the macro.

' Demonstrate some SCPI commands for external testsets.

Dim pna

Set pna = CreateObject("AgilentPNA835x.Application")

Set scpi = pna.ScpiStringParser

' The K64 testset is only usable on a 4-port VNA

If (pna.NumberOfPorts <> 4) Then

MsgBox("This program only runs on 4-port analyzers.")

Else

'If Help is active, show the measurement window and help

scpi.Execute("DISP:ARR TILE")

'Return the list of supported test sets

list=scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT:CATalog?")

MsgBox(list)

'************* K64 *****************

'The K64 is connected using the Testset I/O

'connector. There is no handshake information.

'Therefore, a testset need not be connected.

' Load a configuration file.

scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:TYPE 'Z5623AK64'")

scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:ADDR 0")

'return stuff about the test set

' Returns number of input ports

Inports=scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:INCount?")

MsgBox("Input Ports: " & CStr(Inports))

' Returns number of output ports

ports=scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:COUNt?")

MsgBox("Output Ports: " & CStr(ports))

' Returns valid output ports for each input port

For portNum = 1 To Inports

ports=scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:PORT" & CStr(portNum) & ":CAT?")

MsgBox("Port " & CStr(portNum) & " catalog: " & (ports))

'Set different port mapping

scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:ALLPorts '1 ext R,2 ext R,3 ext R,4 ext R'")

'Return port mapping

portMap=scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:ALLPorts?")

MsgBox("Ports will be mapped to " & CStr(portMap))

' Enable external testset control and execute port mapping. This automatically enables status bar display as well.

scpi.Execute("SENS:MULT1:STATe 1")

MsgBox("Z5623A K64 Enabled")

End If