Control Commands

Specifies the settings to remotely control the rear panel connectors, an external test set, Calpod modules, and ECal Module state.

CONTrol

AUXiliary - More Commands

CALPod:COMMand  

CHANnel:INTerface:CONTrol:

     | CONFig:RECall

     | [STATe]

ECAL:MODule:

     | PATH:

          | COUNt?

          | STATe

     | STATe

EXTernal:TESTset - More Commands

HANDler - More Commands

NOISe:SOURce[:STATe]

SIGNal:

     | TRIGger

          | ATBA

          |

Click on a keyword to view the command details.

Blue command is superseded.

See Also

CONTrol:CALPod:COMMand <string>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB, M937xA, E5080A, P937xA

(Write-Read)  Sends commands that control a Calpod module. Reads query versions Calpod commands.

See ALL Calpod commands.

Learn more about Calpod.

Parameters

 

<string>

Calpod command. See ALL Calpod commands that can be used in this string.

Write Example

CONT:CALP:COMM 'CALP:INIT:ACT'

'Enclose all strings in SINGLE quotes (NOT double quotes)

Query Syntax

CONTrol:CALPod:COMMand? <string>

Relevant only for query strings.

Read Example

CONT:CALP:COMM? '*OPC?'

'returns 0 if the calpod software is currently processing an operation

'returns 1 if operations are complete

Return Type

String

Default

Not Applicable

CONTrol:CHANnel:INTerface:CONTrol:CONFig:RECall[:STATe] <string>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB, E5080A

(Write-only)  Recalls an Interface Control configuration file.  Learn more about Interface Control.

Parameters

 

<string>

File name and extension (.xml) of the configuration file to recall. Files are typically stored in the default folder "D:\". To recall from a different folder, specify the full path name.

Examples

CONT:CHAN:INT:CONT:CONF:REC 'MyConfigFile.xml'

control:channel:interface:control:config:recall:state 'D:\MyFile.xml'

Query Syntax

Not Applicable

Default

Not Applicable

CONTrol:CHANnel:INTerface:CONTrol[:STATe] <bool>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB, E5080A

(Read-Write)  Enables and disables ALL Interface Control settings. To send data, the individual interfaces must also be enabled. Learn more about Interface Control.

Parameters

 

<bool>

Boolean

OFF (0) - Interface Control is disabled;NO control data is sent.

ON (1) - Interface Control is enabled.

Examples

CONT:CHAN:INT:CONT 1

control:channel:interface:control:state 0

Query Syntax

CONTrol:CHANnel:INTerface:CONTrol[:STATe]?

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF (0)

CONTrol:ECAL:MODule<num>:PATH:COUNt? <name>

Applicable Models: All

(Read-only)  Returns the number of unique states that exist for the specified path name on the selected ECal module.

This command performs exactly the same function as SENS:CORR:CKIT:ECAL:PATH:COUNt?

Use the CONT:ECAL:MOD:PATH:STAT command to set the module into one of those states.  

Use SENS:CORR:CKIT:ECAL:PATH:DATA? to read the data for a state.

Parameters

 

[num]

Optional argument. USB number of the ECal module.  If unspecified (only one ECal module is connected to the USB), <num> is set to 1. If two or more modules are connected, use SENS:CORR:CKIT:ECAL:LIST? to determine how many, and SENS:CORR:CKIT:ECAL:INF? to verify their identities.

<name>

Name of the path for which to read number of states.  Choose from:

Reflection paths

  • A

  • B

  • C (4-port modules)

  • D (4-port modules)

Transmission paths

  • AB

  • AC (4-port modules)

  • AD (4-port modules)

  • BC (4-port modules)

  • BD (4-port modules)

  • CD (4-port modules)

Note: For each transmission path, the first of the available states is the through state, the second is the confidence (attenuator) state.

Examples

CONT:ECAL:MOD:PATH:COUNt? A

control:ecal:module2:path:count? cd

See example program

Return Type

Integer

Default

Not Applicable

CONTrol:ECAL:MODule<num>:PATH:STATe <path>, <stateNum>

Applicable Models: All

(Write-only) Sets the internal state of the selected ECAL module. This command supersedes CONT:ECAL:MOD:STAT.

Parameters

 

[num]

Optional argument. USB number of the ECal module.  If unspecified (only one ECal module is connected to the USB), <num> is set to 1. If two or more modules are connected, use SENS:CORR:CKIT:ECAL:LIST? to determine how many, and SENS:CORR:CKIT:ECAL:INF? to verify their identities.

<path>

Path name for which to set a state.  

Note: The impedance paths are not independent. For example, changing the impedance presented on path A will cause a change to the impedance on path B.

Choose from:

Reflection paths

  • A

  • B

  • C (4-port modules)

  • D (4-port modules)

Transmission paths

  • AB

  • AC (4-port modules)

  • AD (4-port modules)

  • BC (4-port modules)

  • BD (4-port modules)

  • CD (4-port modules)

<stateNum>

Number of the state to set. Refer to the following table to associate the <stateNum> with a state in your ECal module.

In addition, CONT:ECAL:MOD:PATH:COUNt? returns the number of states in the specified ECal module.

<stateNum>

N4432A and
N4433A States

N4431A States

N469x and N755x States**

8509x States

One-Port Reflection States

1

Open

Open

Impedance 1

Open

2

Short

Short

Impedance 2

Short

3

Impedance 1

Impedance 1

Impedance 3

Impedance 1

4

Impedance 2

Impedance 2

Impedance 4

Impedance 2

5

 

 

Impedance 5

 

6

 

 

Impedance 6

 

7

 

 

Impedance 7

 

Two-Port Transmission States

1

Thru

Thru

Thru

Thru

2

Confidence

Confidence

Confidence

Confidence

** The following modules have only FOUR Impedance states (1, 2, 3, 4): N4690B ,N4691B ,N4692A ,N4696B, N7550A - N7556A.

Examples

CONT:ECAL:MOD:PATH:STATe A,5

control:ecal:module2:state BC,1

See example program

Query Syntax

Not Applicable

Default

Not Applicable

CONTrol:ECAL:MODule<num>:STATe <value> Superseded

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB, M937xA, P937xA

This command is replaced with  CONT:ECAL:MOD:PATH:STATe.

(Write-only) Sets the internal state of the selected ECAL module.

Parameters

 

[num]

Optional argument. USB number of the ECal module.  If unspecified (only one ECal module is connected to the USB), <num> is set to 1.  If two or more modules are connected, use SENS:CORR:COLL:CKIT:INF? to verify their identity.

<value>

Integer code for switching the module. The following are codes for Keysight ECal modules.

8509x Modules

State

Port A

Port B

Open

0

0

Short

43

43

Load

33

33

Mismatch

4

16

Thru

84

Confidence

20

 

N469x and N755x Modules

State

Port A

Port B

Open

36

33

Short

39

45

Load

37

37

Mismatch
(Offset short)

53

53

Impedance 5
(Offset open)

5

5

Impedance 6
(Offset short)

21

21

Impedance 7
(Offset short)

38

41

Thru

42

Confidence

40

 

N4431A Modules

State

Port A

Port B

Port C

Port D

Open

-1398

-1384

-2774

-2654

Short

-1350

-1381

-2582

-2642

Load

26985

-26986

-26986

26985

Mismatch

-26986

26985

26985

-26986

Path

Thru

Confidence

AB Path

-2590

-598

AC Path

-4011

85

AD Path

-2517

16042

BC Path

-1650

-598

BD Path

-4011

85

CD Path

-1352

16042

 

N4432A and N4433A Modules

State

Port A

Port B

Port C

Port D

Open

-6971

-11835

-14895

-14876

Short

-14395

-12859

-14899

-14905

Load

-14907

-14907

-14907

-14907

Offset Short

-9787

-6459

-14874

-14887

Path

Thru

Confidence

AB Path

13765

30069

AC Path

-10519

-2327

AD Path

-10538

-2346

BC Path

-5655

-1559

BD Path

-5674

-1578

CD Path

-15051

30069

Examples

CONT:ECAL:MOD:STAT 36
control:ecal:module2:state 38

Query Syntax

Not Applicable

Default

Not Applicable

CONTrol:MULTiplexer<id>:OUTPut:<grp>[:DATA] <num>

Applicable Models: E5080A

(Read-Write) Sets or returns the output port data for specified group with id of the E5092A multiport test set.

Notes: This command is available only for E5092A multiport test set.

Parameters

 

<id>

Id of the multiport test set either 1 or 2. If unspecified, Id is assumed to be 1.

<grp>

A | B | C | D

<num>

An integer specifying the decimal value of the control line. Values are obtained by adding weights from the following table that correspond to individual lines.

The output port data range is between 0 to 255 (0=All line are turns OFF and 255 all lines are turn ON).

Line

Weight

1

1

2

2

3

4

4

8

5

16

6

32

7

64

8

128

Examples

CONT:MULT1:OUTP:B 8

Query Syntax

CONTrol:MULTiplexer<id>:OUTPut:<grp>[:DATa]?

Return Type

Numeric

Default

0

CONTrol:MULTiplexer<id>:OUTPut:<grp>VOLTage[:DATA] <volt>

Applicable Models: E5080A

(Read-Write) Sets or returns the output voltage for specified group with id of the E5092A multiport test set.

Notes: This command is available only for E5092A multiport test set.

Parameters

 

<id>

Id of the multiport test set either 1 or 2. If unspecified, Id is assumed to be 1.

<grp>

A | B | C | D

<volt>

Output voltage range for <grp> is between 0 to 5.2V and resolution is 10mV.

Examples

CONT:MULT1:OUTP:B:VOLT 4.2

Query Syntax

CONTrol:MULTiplexer<id>:OUTPut:<grp>:VOLtage[:DATa]?

Return Type

Numeric

Default

0 V

CONTrol:NOISe:SOURce[:STATe] <bool>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB

(Read-Write)  Set and read the noise source (28V) ON and OFF.

Parameters

 

<bool>

Boolean

OFF (0) - Noise Source OFF

ON (1) - Noise Source ON

Examples

CONT:NOIS:SOUR 1

control:noise:source:state 0

Query Syntax

CONTrol:NOISe:SOURce[:STATe]?

Return Type

Boolean

Default

For VNA models with a Noise Figure option (028/029/H29), the 28V line is ON at application start and after a preset.  The ON/OFF state is also available from a VNA softkey menu.

For VNA models WITHOUT a Noise Figure option (028/029/H29), the 28V line is OFF at application start and its state is not affected by a preset. The ON/OFF state is NOT available from a VNA softkey menu.

CONTrol:SIGNal <conn>,<char>   

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB

(Read-Write)  Configures external triggering in the VNA.

Note: To configure external triggering in the current VNA models, use the Trigger commands.

Parameters

 

<conn>

Rear Panel connector to send or receive trigger signals. Choose from:

BNC1  Trigger IN from rear-panel Trigger IN BNC connector

Note: Only one of the input connectors is active at a time. When a command is sent to one, the VNA automatically makes the other INACTIVE.

BNC2  Trigger OUT to rear-panel Trigger OUT BNC connector.

MATHtrigger - Trigger IN from rear-panel Material Handler connector Pin 18

RDY - Ready for trigger OUT.

  • PNA-X:  Meas Trig RDY

  • PNA-L: Handler I/O p21 (Some models)

<char>

INACTIVE - Disables the specified connector <conn>.

Choose from ONLY the following when <conn> is set to BNC1 or AUXT or MATHtrigger:

  • TIENEGATIVE - (Trigger In Edge Negative) - Triggers the VNA when receiving a negative going signal

  • TIEPOSITIVE - (Trigger In Edge Positive) - Triggers the VNA when receiving a positive going signal

  • TILLOW - (Trigger In Level Low) - Triggers the VNA when receiving a low level signal

  • TILHIGH - (Trigger In Level High) - Triggers the VNA when receiving a High-level signal

Choose from ONLY the following when <conn> is set to BNC2:

Use CONTrol:SIGNal:TRIGger:OUTP to enable the BNC2 output.

The following selections send a positive or negative pulse before or after each trigger acquisition. This normally occurs each sweep unless a channel is in point trigger mode.

  • TOPPAFTER - (Trigger Out Pulse Positive After) - Sends a POSITIVE going TTL pulse at the END of each trigger acquisition.

  • TOPPBEFORE - (Trigger Out Pulse Positive Before) - Sends a POSITIVE going TTL pulse at the START of each trigger acquisition.

  • TOPNAFTER - (Trigger Out Pulse Negative After) - Sends a NEGATIVE going TTL pulse at the END of each trigger acquisition.

  • TOPNBEFORE - (Trigger Out Pulse Negative Before) - Sends a NEGATIVE going TTL pulse at the START of each trigger acquisition.

Choose from ONLY the following when <conn> is set to RDY:

  • LOW   Outputs a TTL low when the VNA is ready for trigger. (Default setting)

  • HIGH  Outputs a TTL high when the VNA is ready for trigger.

Examples

CONT:SIGN BNC1,TIENEGATIVE
control:signal bnc2,toppbefore

CONT:SIGN RDY,LOW

Query Syntax

CONTrol:SIGNal? <conn>

In addition to the arguments listed above, the following is also a possible returned value:

NAVAILABLE - This feature is not available on this VNA

Return Type

Character

Default

At Preset:

BNC1 = INACTIVE
BNC2 = INACTIVE
AUXT = TILHIGH

When Output is enabled:

BNC1 = INACTIVE
BNC2 = TOPPAFTER
AUXT = TILHIGH

CONTrol:SIGNal:TRIGger:ATBA <bool>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB

(Read-Write)  Accept Trigger Before Armed  Determines what happens to an EDGE trigger signal if it occurs before the VNA is ready to be triggered. (LEVEL trigger signals are always ignored.)  For more information, see External triggering.

Parameters

 

<bool>

Boolean

OFF (0) - A trigger signal is ignored if it occurs before the VNA is ready to be triggered.

ON (1) - A trigger signal is remembered and then used when the VNA becomes armed (ready to be triggered). The VNA remembers only one trigger signal.

Examples

CONT:SIGN:TRIG:ATBA 0
control:signal:trigger:atba ON

Query Syntax

CONTrol:SIGNal:TRIGger:ATBA?

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF

CONTrol:SIGNal:TRIGger:OUTP <bool>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N523xB, N524xB

(Read-Write)  Output Enabled  The VNA can be enabled to send trigger signals out the rear-panel TRIGGER OUT BNC connector. Use CONTrol:SIGNal to configure for output triggers.

Note: To configure external triggering in the current VNA models, use the Trigger commands.

For more information, see External triggering.

Parameters

 

<bool>

Boolean

OFF (0) - VNA does NOT output trigger signals.

ON (1) - VNA DOES output trigger signals.

Examples

CONT:SIGN:TRIG:OUTP 1

control:signal:trigger:outp OFF

Query Syntax

CONTrol:SIGNal:TRIGger:OUTP?

Return Type

Boolean

Default

OFF