Handler I/O Connector

This rectangular 36-pin female connector provides communication signals between the VNA and a handler. You can change the settings on the Handler IO connector using SCPI commands. The settings are NOT accessible through the front-panel keys or display menu.

Note: On early VNAs this connector is labeled "GPIO". It is covered to indicate that the connector is not functional.

Overview - Controlling a Handler I/O

The VNA is capable of interacting with an external handler. This allows the VNA to be used in an automated test environment, where devices to be tested are inserted into a test fixture by a part handler, and sorted into pass/fail bins by the handler after testing is complete. By connecting the part handler to the VNA Handler I/O ports, the VNA and part handler can synchronize their activities in a way that makes automated testing possible.

VNA and Part Handler Preparation

  1. Define the measurements that you want to make.

  2. Define limits for each of the measurements.

  3. Configure the VNAs Material Handler port so that it is compatible with your part handler. This usually involves setting the handler logic, pass/fail logic, pass/fail scope, and pass/fail mode. These settings are made remotely using SCPI commands.

  4. Use a cable to connect the VNA to your part handler.

  5. Put the VNA in External Trigger mode.

  6. Load parts in handler per manufacturer instructions.

 

Text Descriptions

  1. (Optional). The VNA sends values out the Material Handler to configure external instruments. The A,B,C, and D ports of the Material Handler can be used to control devices used in testing, such as step attenuators, part handlers, or even the DUT itself. Also, the DAC1 and DAC2 lines on the Power I/O connector can be used to provide bias voltages for devices and instruments. If you wish to use the Material Handler for testing, you will need to write a program to send values out the various lines and ports, as there is no activity on these lines by default.

  2. The part handler receives a Ready for Trigger signal from the VNA. This indicates that the VNA is properly configured and ready to take a measurement.

  3. The part handler sends an External Trigger signal to the VNA. This signals that the part handler has settled, and allows the VNA to begin taking measurements.

  4. The VNA takes measurements on all triggerable channels.

  5. The Index line on the material handler goes to a Low state, which means that all required data has been collected by the VNA.

  6. The part handler removes the DUT from the test fixture, and inserts a new DUT into the fixture. This operation is often referred to as part handler indexing. The device just tested is staged (removed from the fixture and prepared for binning), and the next part to be tested is put into the fixture. The removed DUT cannot be assigned to a Pass/Fail bin yet, as the Pass/Fail status is not available.

  7. The VNA sends the Pass/Fail Status.

  8. The VNA sends the Pass/Fail Strobe meaning that the Pass/Fail status has been determined.

  9. The part handler reads the Pass/Fail Status line.

  10. The part handler bins the staged part based on the Pass/Fail Status.

  11. The test process repeats at step 1, waiting for Ready for Trigger from the VNA.

Handler IO Pin Assignments

A slash (/) symbol preceding signal names means that they are negative logic (active low).

Pin number

Signal name

Input/Output

Description

1

GND

N/A 

Ground.

2

/INPUT1

Input

When this port receives a negative pulse, /OUTPUT1 and /OUTPUT2 are changed to the Low level.

3

/OUTPUT1

Output

Changes to the Low level when /INPUT1 receives a negative pulse. A command can be available for altering the Low/High level logic.

4

/OUTPUT2

Output

Changes to the Low level when /INPUT1 receives a negative pulse.A command can be available for altering the Low/High level logic.

5

/PORT A0

Output

Bit 0 of port A (8 bit parallel output port)

6

/PORT A1

Output

Bit 1 of port A.

7

/PORT A2

Output

Bit 2 of port A.

8

/PORT A3

Output

Bit 3 of port A.

9

/PORT A4

Output

Bit 4 of port A.

10

/PORT A5

Output

Bit 5 of port A.

11

/PORT A6

Output

Bit 6 of port A.

12

/PORT A7

Output

Bit 7 of port A.

13

/PORT B0

Output

Bit 0 of port B (8 bit parallel output port)

14

/PORT B1

Output

Bit 1 of port B.

15

/PORT B2

Output

Bit 2 of port B.

16

/PORT B3

Output

Bit 3 of port B.

17

/PORT B4

Output

Bit 4 of port B.

18

/EXTERNAL TRIGGER

Input

An external trigger signal. When the trigger source is set to the "External," this port generates a trigger in respond to the trailing edge of a negative pulse.

19

/PORT B5

Output

Bit 5 of port B.

20

/PORT B6

Output

Bit 6 of port B.

/INDEX

Indicates that analog measurement is complete. The /INDEX signal changes to the Low level when analog measurement (all sweeps of all channels) is complete. When the handler receives the signal, it assumes that it is ready to connect the next DUT. However, no measurement data are available until data calculation is completed.

When the point trigger function is on, it goes to the High level before staring measurement of the first measurement point and returns to the Low level after completing measurement of all measurement points.

21

/PORT B7

Output

Bit 7 of port B.

/READY FOR TRIGGER

Indicates that the instrument is ready for triggering.This signal is changed to the Low level when the instrument is ready for receiving a trigger signal.

With the point trigger function on, it goes to the Low level when the instrument is ready to accept the trigger signal for the first point and goes to the High level when the trigger signal for the first point is received. When measurement of all measurement points is completed and the instrument is ready to receive the trigger signal for the first point of the next sweep, this signal goes to the Low level again.

22

/PORT C0

Input/Output

Bit 0 of port C (4 bit parallel I/O port)

23

/PORT C1

Input/Output

Bit 1 of port C.

24

/PORT C2

Input/Output

Bit 2 of port C.

25

/PORT C3

Input/Output

Bit 3 of port C.

26

/PORT D0

Input/Output

Bit 0 of port D (4 bit parallel I/O port)

27

/PORT D1

Input/Output

Bit 1 of port D.

28

/PORT D2

Input/Output

Bit 2 of port D.

29

/PORT D3

Input/Output

Bit 3 of port D.

30

PORT C STATUS

Output

 

Port C status signal.This signal is changed to the High level when the port C is configured to output port. It is changed to the Low level when the port is configured to input port.

31

PORT D STATUS

Output

Port D status signal. This signal is changed to the High level when the port D is configured to output port. It is changed to the Low level when the port is configured to input port.

32

/WRITE STROBE

Output

A output port write strobe signal. When data is present (that is, output level changes) on any of the output ports, this signal provides a negative pulse.

33

/PASS FAIL

Output

 

Each limit test's results signal. This signal changes to the High level when limit test, bandwidth test, or ripple test results return FAIL. It changes to the Low level when all limit test results return PASS.

34

/SWEEP END

Output

 

A sweep completion signal. When measurement (all sweeps of all channels) and data calculation are completed, this signal provides a negative pulse.

35

+5V

Output

Provides +5V DC power supply for external instruments.

36

/PASS FAIL STROBE

Output

Each limit test's results write a strobe signal. When limit test result is present on /PASS FAIL, this signal provides a negative pulse.

 

Pin Descriptions

Input1

When this Input line receives a Low pulse from the material handler, data is latched on the OUTPUT1 and OUTPUT2 lines. See OUTPUT1|2 Data Output Write Timing

The Input Line activity can be read:

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:INPut?

get_Input1 Method

 

 

Output1, Output2

See OUTPUT1|2 Data Output Write Timing

The current state of these latched TTL outputs may be set High or Low (Default setting) using the (non-user) SCPI  put_Output (COM) commands.

The next state (following a negative edge on the INPUT1 line) may be pre-loaded to High or Low (Default setting) using the user commands.

For example, on the next negative pulse on the INPUT1 line, you want the OUTPUT1 line to go from 0 to 1.  To do this:

CONT:HAND:OUTP1:DATA 0  'Force the OUTPUT1 line to 0
CONT:HAND:OUTP1:USER 1  'Set the OUTPUT1:USER buffer to 1, indicating the next state

 

SCPI

COM

Write User Data

CONT:HAND:OUTP<pin>:USER

put_Output Method

Read last value written

CONT:HAND:OUTP<pin>:USER

get_Output Method.

Write non-user data

CONT:HAND:OUTP<pin>:DATA

put_Output Method

Read last value written

CONT:HAND:OUTP<pin>:DATA

get_Output Method

 

 

Output Ports A and B

These two general purpose, 8-bit output ports are used to write data to the material handler. When any line changes state, all output lines are latched to the I/O connector as the Output Write Strobe goes Low.

The default state for data is Low.

See Data Output Write Timing Diagram

Set Port Logic:

The logic for the data lines can be set to either: Positive (1 = High) or Negative (1 = Low). This setting affects all data ports. They cannot be set independently.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:LOGic

PortLogic Property

 

Combine to read or write data to Port F:

Ports A and B can be virtually combined to write data to one 16-bit I/O port F.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:F <num>

put Port (F)

 

 

Input/Output Ports C and D

These two general purpose 4-bit Input/Output ports are used to write data (Output) or read data (Input). These lines could be used to write to an external device such as a step attenuator.

When any line changes state, all output lines are latched to the I/O connector as the Output Write Strobe goes Low.  See Data Output Write Timing.

 

Set Input | Output Mode:

Each port may be independently defined as Output or Input.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:C:MODE

PortMode Property

CONTrol:HANDler:D:MODE

 

 

Set Port Logic:

The logic for the data lines can be set to either: Positive (1 = High) or Negative (1 = Low). This setting affects all data ports. They cannot be set independently.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:LOGic

PortLogic Property

 

Read or write data:

Ports C and D can be virtually combined to read or write data to one 8-bit I/O port E. When combined, both C and D ports must be set to either INPUT or OUTPUT mode.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:<port>[:DATa]>

get_Port(x)

put Port (x)

 

Port C Status, Port D Status

These two output lines indicate the Read / Write mode of the C and D ports.

  • A Low level indicates that the associated port is in INPUT mode (read only).

  • A High level indicates that the associated port is in OUTPUT mode (write only).

These logic of these status outputs cannot be changed.

See Input/Output Ports C and D to learn how to set I/O Mode

See Data Output Write Timing

 

 

Output Port Write Strobe

This Output line goes Low to write data from Ports A and B and Ports C and D when a change is detected on any of the data lines.

These logic of this strobe output cannot be changed.

See Data Output Write Timing

 

 

External Trigger

When trigger source is set to external, this Input line accepts a trigger signal from the material handler. This usually means that a part is in place and ready to be tested.

See Trigger Timing Diagram

 

 

Index  

A Low signal on this Output line indicates to the material handler that the measurement is complete. This usually means that the handler can connect the next device. However, measurement data is not available until data is calculated.  See Trigger Timing Diagram.

Set Function:

This line also serves as a data line. Set the function using the following commands:

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:INDex:STATe

IndexState

 

 

Ready for Trigger

When this output line goes low, it indicates to the material handler that the VNA is ready for a trigger signal.

See Trigger Timing Diagram

See Pass/Fail Timing Diagram

Set Function:

This line also serves as a data line. Set the function using the following commands:

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:RTRigger:STATe

ReadyForTriggerState

 

 

Pass/Fail State

This Output line indicates to the handler whether the limit test has passed or failed.

Pass/Fail state is valid only when the limit test function is ON and while Pass/Fail strobe line is Low. See Pass/Fail Timing Diagram

Set Pass / Fail Logic:

  • Positive Logic: High=Pass, Low=Fail. (Default setting)

  • Negative Logic: High=Fail, Low=Pass.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:PASSfail:LOGic

PassFailLogic Property

 

Set Default Conditions:

  • PASS- the line stays in PASS state. When a device fails, then the line goes to fail after the Sweep End line is asserted.

  • FAIL- the line stays in FAIL state. When a device passes, then the line goes to PASS state after the Sweep End line is asserted.

  • No Wait- the line stays in PASS state. When a device fails, then the line goes to fail  IMMEDIATELY. (Default setting)

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:PASSfail:MODE

PassFailMode Property

 

Set Pass/Fail Scope:

  • Channel scope:  The line resets to the default state after the measurements on a channel have completed.

  • Global scope:  The line resets to the default state after the measurements on all triggerable channels have completed. (Default setting)

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:PASSfail:SCOPe

PassFailScope Property

 

 

Pass/Fail Write Strobe

A Low pulse indicates that Pass/Fail line is valid and the Pass / Fail State is output to the material handler.

The Pass/Fail Strobe is fixed in duration and timing. However, when the strobe occurs depends on the Pass/Fail Mode and Pass/Fail Scope (Channel or Global) settings. See Pass/Fail State

See Pass/Fail Timing Diagram

 

 

+5V

+5V nominal output (100mA max).

Protected by self-healing fuse.

 

Sweep End

This output line indicates the status of the VNA sweep. The sweep includes sweeping the source and taking data.

  • Low (falling edge) indicates that the specified sweep event has finished. This does NOT indicate that all calculations have finished.

  • High indicates that the specified sweep event is active.

See Trigger Timing Diagram

Set Sweep Event Mode:

  • Sweep: indicates that a single source sweep has finished. (Default setting)

  • Channel: indicates that a single channel has finished.

  • Global: indicates that all enabled channels have finished.

SCPI

COM

CONTrol:HANDler:SWEepend

SweepEndMode Property

 

 

Timing Diagrams

Trigger Timing

All signals are active low.

T1 = 1 ms  External Trigger pulse width

T2  > 10ms Sweep End pulse width (both High and Low)

 

Pass / Fail Timing

T1 = 1 ms  Pulse width and response time of Pass / Fail Strobe

T2 > 10 ms  Ready for Trigger lag

 

Ports A-F Data Output Write Timing

T1 = 1 ms  Write Strobe response time

T2 = 1 ms  Write Strobe pulse width

 

OUTPUT1|2 Data Output Write Timing

The old state to new state transition can be either low to high (as shown) or high to low.

T1 = .6 ms  Output1|2 response time

T2 = 1 ms  Input1 Strobe pulse width

Input / Output Electrical Characteristics

All Material Handler I/O Input and Output lines are TTL compatible.

Input and Input/Output lines

Lines carrying information IN (or bidirectional) to the VNA from the material handler.

Maximum Input Voltages:

-0.5 V to 5.5 V

TTL High level:

2.0 V to 5.0 V

TTL Low level:

0 V to 0.5 V

 

VNA Input and Input/Output Circuit Diagram

To Handler I/O Port

Note: The INPUT1 line does NOT have the 10K pull up resistor.

Output Lines

Lines carrying information OUT of the VNA to the material handler.

Maximum Output Current:

-10 mA to 10 mA

Output Current

TTL High level:

-5 mA

TTL Low level:

3 mA

Output Voltage

TTL High level:

2.0 V to 3.3 V

TTL Low level:

0 V to 0.8 V

 

VNA Output Circuit Diagram

 

To Handler I/O Port

Last modified:

7-Oct-2024

First Release