Sense:Pulse Commands

Beginning with A.09.50, these commands can also be used to control an external Pulse Generator. Learn more.

SENSe:PULSe

| CATalog?

| DELay

| DINCrement

| HDELay

    | ADC?

    | MODulator

    | [:STATe]

| INVert

| MTIMing

    | DEVice

| PULSe4:

    | MODE

    | OPTion

| PERiod

| STATe

| SUBPointtrig

| TPOLarity

| TTYPe

| WIDTh

Click on a keyword to view the command details.

To make other Pulse settings, such as enabling the internal pulse modulators, use this command:

  • SENSe<ch>:PATH:CONFig:ELEMent[:STATe] <elem>, <setting>

  • At that command help topic, click the IF Configuration elements and values link to see the Pulse element and setting (in the middle box ) to configure.

See Also

 

Pulse Definitions

  • D = Delay; the time before each pulse begins

  • W = Width; the time the pulse is ON

  • P = Period; one complete pulse cycle

  • Duty Cycle = W/P

Important: If D + W is greater than P, then undefined VNA behavior results. There is NO error message or warning.

SENSe:PULSe:CATalog?

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-only) Returns the string names of internal and configured external pulse generators.

Parameters

None

Examples

SENS:PULS:CAT?

Default

Not Applicable

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:DELay <value>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Sets the pulse delay. The amount of time before a new pulse begins.

See Pulse Definition diagram.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Internal pulse generator number. Choose from 0 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Delay value in seconds. Choose a value from about 33ns to about 70 seconds.

<name>

Optional. String name of the pulse generator.

Required for use with external pulse generators.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

If specified, <n> is ignored.

If unspecified, <n> is required for internal pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS1:DEL .5

SENS:PULS:DEL .5, "My81110"

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:DELay? [<name>]

Return Type

Numeric

Default

0

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:DINCrement <value>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option (Except M98xxA, P50xxA/B, E5080B, E5081A)

(Read-Write) Sets the pulse delay increment. The delay increments with each pulse by the <value> amount.

For example, in this diagram the delay starts as 1.  On the second pulse, delay=2. On the third pulse, delay=3.

Important: If D + W is greater than P, then undefined VNA behavior results. There is NO error message or warning. Delay includes the incremented value.

This is useful for pulse profiling.

See Pulse Definition diagram.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Choose from 0 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Delay increment value in seconds.

<name>

Optional. String name of the pulse generator.

Required for use with external pulse generators.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

If specified, <n> is ignored.

If unspecified, <n> is required for internal pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS1:DINC .5

SENS:PULS:DINC .5, "My81110"

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:DINCrement? [<name>]

Return Type

Numeric

Default

0

SENSe:PULSe<n>:HDELay:ADC?

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-only) Returns the ADC delay for pulse measurements.

Parameters

 

<n>

Internal pulse generator number. Choose from 1 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

Examples

SENS:PULS:HDEL:ADC?

Default

Not Applicable

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:HDELay:MODulator <value>

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Sets the time lag between the pulse drive signal and the actual RF output.

The following diagram shows Pulse1 used as the pulse drive signal.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Internal pulse generator number. Choose from 1 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Delay value in seconds.

Examples

SENS:PULS1:HDEL:MOD 50ns

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:HDELay:MODulator?

Return Type

Numeric

Default

50 ns

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:HDELay[:STATe] <value>

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Enables/disables modulator and ADC delays for pulse measurements.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Choose from 0 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Boolean

ON (or 1) - turns delays ON.

OFF (or 0) - turns delays OFF.

Examples

SENS:PULS1:HDEL 1

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:HDELay[:STATe]? [<name>]

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:INVert <value>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Sets whether to invert the polarity of the pulse.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Choose from 0 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Boolean

ON (or 1) - Invert the pulse generator polarity. This causes the pulse ON time to be active low and OFF be active high.

OFF (or 0) - Do NOT Invert the pulse generator polarity.

<name>

Optional. String name of the pulse generator.

Required for use with external pulse generators.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

If specified, <n> is ignored.

If unspecified, <n> is required for internal pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS1:INV 1

SENS:PULS:INV 1, "My81110"

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:INVert? [<name>]

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF (0)

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:MTIMing:DEVice <device>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option and Modulation Distortion Option (Except E5080B, E5081A, M98xxA, P50xxA/B)

(Read-Write) Sets and reads the device being controlled by the pulse generator output.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Choose from 1 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<device>

Pulse Device. Choose from:

ADCTrigger - (Pulse0 only) Pulse 0 is used to trigger the ADC.

RFMOdul - Iindicates that the pulse signal is used to drive the RF modulator. Only one pulse generator output can be used to drive an RF source. If you try to set more than one pulse generator output to RFMOdul, then the other one will be set to UserN (where "N" is the pulse generator number).

ADCActivity - (Pulse4 only) Pulse4 can also be set to monitor ADC activity. This selection outputs a signal on Pulse4 when the ADC is active. This is the same as SENSe:PULSe4:OPTion.

USR1 through USR4 - Labels for user convenience. These labels do not connect the pulse generator to any specific hardware. These selections may be used to control a DUT, DC biases, or other signals.

<name>

Optional. String name of the pulse generator.

Required for use with external pulse generators.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

If specified, <n> is ignored.

If unspecified, <n> is required for internal pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS:MTIM:DEV RFMOdul

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:MTIMing:DEVice?

Return Type

Character

Default

RFMOdul

SENSe<ch>:PULSe4:MODE <char>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N524xB

(Read-Write) Sets the specific PULSe4 behavior to either “ALL" ADC ACTivity or "TRACe" ADC Activity, WHEN Pulse4 has been set to display ADC activity using the SENSe:PULse4:OPTion command.

“ALL” ADC Activity enables PULSe4 to indicate all ADC activity, even ADC measurements that are not displayed as final trace data. An example are background measurements used for receiver leveling, but that are never displayed on a trace.

“TRACe” ADC Activity enables PULSe4 to indicate only the ADC activity that ends up displayed in a VNA trace.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<char>

ADC activity. Choose from:

ALL - Pulse 4 output pin indicates all ADC activity.

TRACe - Pulse 4 output pin indicates ADC being used for final measurements.

Examples

SENS:PULS4:MODE TRACe

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe4:MODE?

Return Type

Character

Default

ALL

SENSe<ch>:PULSe4:OPTion <bool>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N524xB

(Read-Write) Turns pulse4 output ON and OFF. Enable pulse4 to use an oscilloscope connected to pin 13 of the PULSE I/O connector on the rear panel of the VNA to display when the ADC is making measurements.

Note: The pulse output must be on using SENSe:PULSe4[:STATE] ON to view ADC activity.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<bool>

Choose from:

ON (or 1) - Pulse 4 output pin indicates ADC activity.

OFF (or 0) - Pulse 4 output pin indicates legacy behavior (pulse generator number 4 output).

Examples

SENS:PULS4:OPT 1

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe4:OPTion?

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:PERiod <value>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Sets the pulse-period (1/PRF) for ALL pulse generators.

The resolution of the period is:

DSP version: 4.0 = 16.667nS.

DSP version: 5.0 = 10nS

Learn more about DSP version.

See Pulse Definition diagram.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<value>

Pulse period in seconds. Choose a value from about 33ns to about 70 seconds.

<name>

Required for use with an external pulse generator.

String name of the external pulse generator.

If unspecified, the period for the internal pulse generators are set.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS:PERiod .05

SENS:PULS:PER .01, "My81110"

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:PERiod? [<name>]

Return Type

Numeric

Default

1e-3 sec

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>[:STATe] <value>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Turns the pulse output ON and OFF.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Choose from 0 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Boolean

ON (or 1) - turns pulse output ON.

OFF (or 0) - turns pulse output OFF.

<name>

Optional. String name of the pulse generator.

Required for use with external pulse generators.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

If specified, <n> is ignored.

If unspecified, <n> is required for internal pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS1 1

SENS:PULS 1, "My81110"

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe[:STATe]? [<name>]

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:SUBPointtrig <bool>

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option (Except M98xxA, P50xxA/B, E5080B, E5081A)

(Read-Write) Enables / Disables subpoint triggering. When enabled and performing Point Averaging, Each rising edge of P0 triggers a subpoint (one of N acquisitions in an N point average). Must also enable the P0 generator using SENS:PULS0:STAT.

Learn more about the PNA-X pulse generators.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Must be 0 as this is the generator that triggers the ADC.

<bool>

ON (or 1) - turns subpoint triggering ON.

OFF (or 0) - turns subpoint triggering OFF.

Examples

SENS:PULS0:SUBP 1

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe0:SUBPointtrig?

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:TPOLarity <char>

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Sets the polarity of the trigger signal to which the internal pulse generators will respond when being externally triggered at the PulseSyncIn pin.

Note: This feature requires DSP version: 4.0 FPGA: 34 or higher. Learn more.

Learn more about the PNA-X pulse generators.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<char>

Pulse polarity. Choose from:

POSitive - VNA responds to rising edge or HIGH level

NEGative - VNA responds to falling edge or LOW level.

Set Edge or Level triggering using SENS:PULS:TTYPe.

Examples

SENS:PULS:TPOL NEG

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:TPOLarity?

Return Type

Character

Default

POSitive - Also the polarity used when the PNA-X does not have the required DSP hardware.

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:TTYPe <char>

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option (Except M98xxA, P50xxA/B, E5080B, E5081A)

(Read-Write) Sets the type of trigger signal to which the internal pulse generators will respond when being externally triggered at the PulseSyncIn pin.

Note: This feature requires DSP version: 4.0 FPGA: 34 or higher. Learn more.

Learn more about the PNA-X pulse generators.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<char>

Trigger type. Choose from:

EDGE - VNA responds to the edge (rising or falling) of a signal

LEVel - VNA responds to the level (HIGH or LOW) of a signal

Set polarity using SENS:PULS:TPOL

Examples

SENS:PULS:TTYP EDGE

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe:TTYPe?

Return Type

Character

Default

LEVel - Also the type used when the PNA-X does not have the required DSP hardware.

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:WIDTh <value>[,<name>]

Applicable Models: All with Pulsed RF Measurement Option

(Read-Write) Sets the pulse width. The amount of time that the pulse is ON.

See Pulse Definition diagram.

Parameters

 

<ch>

Any existing channel number; if unspecified, value is set to 1.

<n>

Pulse generator number. Choose from 0 to 4.

0 is the generator that pulses the ADC.

<value>

Pulse width in seconds. Choose a value from about 33ns to about 70 seconds.

<name>

Optional. String name of the pulse generator.

Required for use with external pulse generators.

Use SENSe:PULSe:CAT? to return the names of configured pulse generators.

If specified, <n> is ignored.

If unspecified, <n> is required for internal pulse generators.

Examples

SENS:PULS:WIDT .5

SENS:PULS:WIDT .5, "My81110"

Query Syntax

SENSe<ch>:PULSe<n>:WIDTh? [<name>]

Return Type

Numeric

Default

1e-4 sec