Instrument Settings

The Instrument Settings screen, accessed from the System Menu, provides various instrument settings described in this topic.

Multi-Touch Display Access from the System Menu

For N5185A

For N5186A

Instrument Information Setup

I/O Configuration Setup

Device List

Alignment

Triggers and Sync

Power On / Preset Setup

System Remote Commands Setup

Instrument Information

This tab brings up a display of instrument information.

Copy is available when connected from a remote PC via the browser and the browser screen dimension is greater than 600 pixels high.

Some of this information is available via SCPI commands, as described in Internal Versions.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Instrument Information

Internal Versions

The instrument software contains a number of internal components. The Internal Versions displays versions of the primary internal components as determined by Keysight Technologies. The number of versions reported and the formatting may change on any given software release.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Instrument Information > Internal Versions
SCPI Command	:DIAGnostic[:CPU]:INFormation:REVision?
SCPI Example	DIAG:INF:REV?
Notes	The return value is a string. The formatting and number of versions may change in any given software release. Thus, any program using this string should be implemented in a way that does not rely on the contents in a strict manner.

Some of this information is available via SCPI commands as follows:

*IDN? - Identification Query provides Model number, Serial number, and Firmware version.

*OPT? - Query Instrument Options provides the comma separated options string.

I/O Configuration

Opens the I/O Configuration menu, which lets you display the VISA addresses, and configure GPIB, SCPI Services, and SCPI Options.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > IO Configuration

GPIB Address

Specifies the GPIB address of your instrument.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Addresses tab > GPIB Address
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:GPIB:ADDRess <integer> :SYSTem:COMMunicate:GPIB:ADDRess?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:GPIB:ADDR 19
Notes	Changing the Address on the GPIB port requires all further communication to use the new address.
Preset	This is unaffected by Preset but is set to 19 on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"
State Saved	No
Range	0 to 30

Sockets SCPI

Turns the FTP server in your instrument on and off.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:SCPI:SOCKets ON\|OFF\|1\|0 :SYSTem:COMMunicate:SCPI:SOCKets?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:SCPI:SOCK ON
Preset	This is unaffected by Preset but is set to ON on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"
State Saved	No

VXI-11 SCPI

Turns the VXI-11 server in your instrument on and off.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > SCPI Setup tab > VXI-11 SCPI
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:SCPI:VXI11 ON\|OFF\|1\|0 :SYSTem:COMMunicate:SCPI:VXI11?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:SCPI:VXI11
Preset	This is unaffected by Preset but is set to ON on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"
State Saved	No

HiSLIP SCPI

Turns HiSLIP in your instrument on and off.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > SCPI Setup tab > HiSLIP SCPI
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:SCPI:HISLip ON\|OFF\|1\|0 :SYSTem:COMMunicate:SCPI:HISLip?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:SCPI:HISL
Preset	This is unaffected by Preset but is set to ON on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"
State Saved	No

SCPI Telnet Port

The instrument provides basic SCPI I/O via a telnet port. The default port is 5024. The ability to change the port to 5023 is provided.

NOTE: changing the SCPI Telnet Port requires restarting the instrument application for the change to take effect.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Addresses tab > SCPI Telnet Port
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:SCPI:TELNet:PORT 5023\|5024 :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:SCPI:TELNet:PORT?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:LAN:SCPI:TELN:PORT 5023
Preset	Not reset by Preset, set to 5024 with Restore System Settings to Defaults.

LAN Configuration

The Local Area Network (LAN) configuration can be selected as Auto or Manual. In Auto, the network assigns the IP address for the instrument using DHCP or Auto-IP. In manual mode, you provide the IP address, Subnet mask, and Gateway.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Networking tab > LAN Configuration
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:CONfig AUTO\|MANual :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:CONFig?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:LAN:CONF MAN
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to AUTO on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Hostname

The Hostname can also be set via SCPI or in the GUI. The default hostname is K-<model number>-<last 5 digits of serial number>, and is reset to this when Restore System Settings to Default Values is invoked.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Networking tab > Host Name
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:HOSTname <string> :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:HOSTname?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:LAN:HOST"mySigGen"
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to K-<model number>-<last 5 digits of serial number> on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
Notes	<string> accepts alphanumeric characters a-z and 0-9 and the hyphen. The string cannot start with a hyphen. Both upper case and lower case letters are accepted, however the hostname is case insensitive. The maximum length of the string is 15 characters.
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

IP Address

Defines the instrument’s IP address used when LAN Configuration is Manual.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Networking tab > IP Address
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:IP <string> :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:IP?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:LAN:IP"192.168.0.99"
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to 255.255.255.0 on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
Notes	<string> must be in the format "N.N.N.N" where each N is an integer with value between 0 and 255.
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Subnet Mask

Defines the subnet mask when LAN Configuration is Manual. The subnet mask determines the range of address that are peers on the network with the instrument.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Networking > Subnet Mask
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:SUBNet <string> :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:SUBNet?
SCPI Example	SYST:COMM:LAN:SUBN "255.255.128.0"
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to K-<model number>-<last 5 digits of serial number> on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
Notes	<string> must be in the format "N.N.N.N" where each N is an integer with value between 0 and 255.
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Gateway

This setting establishes the Gateway when LAN Configuration is Manual. The LAN device at the gateway address provides the instrument’s access outside the current subnet.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/O Configuration > Networking tab > Gateway
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:GATeway <string> :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:GATeway?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMM:LAN:GAT"192.168.1.1"
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to K-<model number>-<last 5 digits of serial number> on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
Notes	<string> must be in the format "N.N.N.N" where each N is an integer with value between 0 and 255.
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Power On / Preset

Sets how the instrument should power on and activate certain presets.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Power On/Preset

Power On State

Selects whether the instrument powers up in a default state or some other state.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Power On/Preset > Power On State
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:PON:TYPE PRESet\|USER\|LAST :SYSTem:PON:TYPE?
SCPI Example	:SYST:PON:TYPE PRES :SYST:PON:TYPE USER :SYST:PON:TYPE LAST
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to Preset on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"
State Saved	No

When Line Power Applied

This setting determines the action the instrument takes when line power is applied or restored. (For other models, this operation is controlled by settings in the BIOS.)

The choices are:

Last Condition (default) – resumes the instrument in the condition it was in when the line power was disconnected (On if the instrument was on, Off if it was off ).
On – always boots the instrument when line power is applied.
Off – instrument does not boot up when line power is applied (pressing the front panel button is required to boot the instrument).

It is not advised to interrupt line power while the instrument is running by removing the line cord, or switching off a power strip or equipment rack main circuit. The instrument should be shut down gracefully via the front panel power button or :SYSTem:PDOWn SCPI command.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Power On/Preset >When Line Power Applied
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:LPRestored:STATe LAST\|ON\|OFF :SYSTem:LPRestored:STATe?
SCPI Example	:SYST:LPR:STAT ON
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to LAST on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values".
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Restore System Settings to Default

Sets the states that are not affected by signal generator power–on, Preset, or *RST to their factory default settings.

Most settings are affected by Preset, but there are some settings that are unaffected. These are called persistent variables. The system and each application will list its persistent variables. To reset these, select Restore System Settings to Default.

When this control is selected, the following message appears:

"This will reset all persistent variables to their default state. This action cannot be undone. Do you want to proceed?"

The message provides an OK and Cancel button to let you affirm or cancel the operation.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Power On State > Restore System Settings to Default
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:PRESet:PERSistent
SCPI Example	:SYST:PRES:PERS

Perform Factory Preset

Sets all states of the signal generator back to their factory default settings, including states that are not normally affected by signal generator power–on, Preset, or *RST.

When selected, the following message appears:

"This will reset all variables (including System variables) to their default state. This action cannot be undone. Do you want to proceed?"

The message provides an OK and Cancel button to let you affirm or cancel the operation.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Power On/Preset > Perform Factory Preset
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:PRESet:ALL
SCPI Example	:SYST:PRES:ALL
Notes	No confirmation is required when the SCPI command is sent

Reference

The Reference tab lets you configure the frequency reference for the instrument. For Option 1ER, the user interface appears and behaves differently.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Reference

Standard User Interface for Reference

Option 1ER User Interface for Reference

Reference Source

Sets the source for the frequency reference. Choices include the following:

INTernal: Internal reference oscillator
EXTernal: External reference oscillator. Requires a signal present at the REF IN connector
External 1 Pulse Per Second (PPS): External oscillator 1 pulse per second. Requires Option 1ER and a signal present at the REF IN connector

The reference indicator field in the notifications bar at the bottom of the GUI displays the currently selected Reference Source and its current state.

When set to External, the frequency of the external signal can be specified with the External Reference Frequency setting.

If the external reference becomes unlocked or fails, after you correct the issue, toggle the Frequency Reference Source to Internal and back to External to update the Reference State status.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Reference >Reference Source
SCPI Command	[:SOURce]:ROSCillator:SOURce INTernal\|EXTernal\|PPS [:SOURce]:ROSCillator:SOURce?
SCPI Example	:ROSC:SOUR EXT :ROSC:SOUR?
Dependencies	Default value of INTernal is set by Restore System Defaults.
Notes	Changing the reference may take up to 30 seconds to regain frequency lock. For remote control operation, ensure your VISA timeout is set to 30 seconds (or more) when executing this command. With standard configuration, attempting to set PPS will raise the error "703,Feature not supported; External PPS requires Option 1ER"
Couplings	When Reference Source is External 1 PPS, Reference Source Auto is Off and unchangeable.
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.
Backwards Compatibility SCPI	E82X7D, E8663D, and N51xxB: [:SOURce]:ROSCillator:SOURce
Backwards Compatibility Notes	For N51xxB: SCPI query reports the setting’s stored value, not what is actively being applied to the hardware. This command differs from this prior behavior. To query what source is actively applied to hardware, see Current Reference Source setting.

Current Reference Source

Remote command only.

Returns the current reference source being applied to the instrument. Possible sources are:

INTernal
EXTernal - External will only be applied when a signal is actively present at the REF IN connector.
External 1 Pulse Per Second (PPS). Requires Option 1ER

See Reference Source setting for more information.

SCPI Command	[:SOURce]:ROSCillator:SOURce:CURRent?
SCPI Example	:ROSC:SOUR:CURR?

Reference Source Auto

Enables or disables the ability of the signal generator to automatically switch between the Internal and External reference oscillator.

ON - If Auto is enabled, a valid reference signal present at the REF IN connector triggers the reference source to automatically switch from Internal to External. When the valid reference signal is absent or disconnected, the instrument automatically switches from External to Internal.
If you enable Auto on instruments with Option 1ER, a PPS signal will never be automatically switched to. This is because Auto is not available for External PPS Reference Source.

OFF - If Auto is disabled, the value that you set for the Reference Source setting is used as the frequency reference source.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Reference > Auto
SCPI Command	[:SOURce]:ROSCillator:SOURce:AUTO ON\|OFF\|1\|0 [:SOURce]:ROSCillator:SOURce:AUTO?
SCPI Example	:ROSC:SOUR:AUTO ON :ROSC:SOUR:AUTO?
Dependencies	Default value of OFF is set by Restore System Defaults
Notes	Changing the reference may take up to 30 seconds to regain frequency lock. For remote control operation, ensure your VISA timeout is set to 30 seconds (or more) when executing this command.
Couplings	For instruments with Option 1ER: When Reference Source is set to External 1 PPS, Auto is off and unchangeable. Attempting to enable will raise the error -221,“Settings Conflict; Cannot enable Auto while Reference Source is External 1 Pulse Per Second”.
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

External Reference Frequency

For N5185A/N5186A, the frequency of the external reference is 10 MHz and not changeable.

After changing the External Reference Frequency, wait up to 30 seconds for the instrument’s frequency to settle.

[GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Reference > External Reference Frequency
SCPI Command	[:SOURce]:ROSCillator:FREQuency:EXTernal <freq> [:SOURce]:ROSCillator:FREQuency:EXTernal?
SCPI Example	:ROSC:FREQ:EXT 100 MHZ
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to 10 MHz on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.
Notes	Changing the reference frequency may take up to 30 seconds to regain frequency lock. For remote control operation, ensure your VISA timeout is set to 30 seconds (or more) when executing this command. For N5185A/N5186A The only valid selection for <freq> is 10 MHz. Any other value will generate the error "703,Feature not supported; frequency value requires Option 1ER."
Min	For N5185A/N5186A 10 MHz
Max	For N5185A/N5186A 10 MHz
Resolution	For N5185A/N5186A Not applicable

External Reference Locking Range

The instrument provides two locking ranges for your externally supplied reference signal. Locking range of Wide allows your reference signal to be further away in frequency from the selected value in External Reference Frequency, with a slight compromise in the phase noise performance of the instrument. Locking range set to Narrow provides the best phase noise on the instrument, however, the reference signal must be within approximately +/- 0.4 ppm of the selected reference frequency. See table below.

Locking Range	External Reference Requirements	Benefits
Wide	Within approximately +/- 0.4 ppm of the selected external reference frequency	Easier to lock to external reference
Narrow	Within approximately +/- 0.4 ppm of the selected external reference frequency	Better phase noise

[GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Reference > External Reference Locking Range
SCPI Command	[:SOURce]:ROSCillator:FREQuency:EXTernal:LRANge NARRow\|WIDE [:SOURce]:ROSCillator:FREQuency:EXTernal:LRANge?
SCPI Example	:ROSC:FREQ:EXT:LRAN WIDE
Preset	For N5185A/N5186A This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to WIDE on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Reference State

Displays the current state of the frequency reference. The displayed state can help you understand whether the frequency reference is locked or if a failure occurred.

See Notifications Area for more information on various Reference states.

If the external reference becomes unlocked or fails, after you correct the issue, toggle the Frequency Reference Source to Internal and back to External to update the Reference State status.

Reference Out

The Ref Out connector is controllable. The connector is normally on, providing a 10 MHz frequency reference by default. The connector can be switched off.

For N5185A/N5186A, the output frequency is selectable and can be 10 MHz or 100 MHz.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Reference > Reference Out
SCPI Command	:ROUTe[:CONNectors]:REFerence:ROUTput OFF\|F10\|F100 :ROUTe[:CONNectors]:REFerence:ROUTput?
SCPI Example	ROUT:REF:ROUT OFF
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to 10 MHz on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values."
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

I/Q Waveform

Applies to N5186A only.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/Q Waveform

Waveform Extension Method

Applies to N5186A only.

The instrument requires waveforms to be a multiple of 8 samples, and a minimum of 512 samples. You can choose how the instrument processes waveforms that do not match the instrument’s requirements as follows:

None: No extension is done. A warning message is shown only if the length is not a multiple of 8 samples.
Warn: No extension is done. A warning message is shown if the length is not a multiple of 8 samples or is shorter than 512 samples.
Repeat: The original waveform is repeated until the length satisfies the requirements. This yields the highest fidelity playback at the expense of larger waveform files. This is the most applicable under Trigger Mode of Continuous where playback continues when the end of the waveform has been reached.
Zero Padding: Samples with I=0 and Q=0 are appended until the length satisfies the requirements. This yields the smallest waveform at the expense of discontinuous playback. This is the most applicable under Trigger Mode of Single; and if using Single Mode of Restart on Trigger, the restart will occur even if trigger received during the zero padding period.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/Q Waveform > Waveform Extension Method
SCPI Command	:MEMory:IMPort:WEXTension NONE\|WARN\|REPeat\|ZPADding :MEMory:IMPort:WEXTension?
SCPI Example	:MEM:IMP:WEXT REP :MEM:IMP:WEXT?
Preset	This is unaffected by a preset, but is set to REPeat on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.
Choices	None \| Warn \| Repeat \| Zero Padding

Default Binary File Format

Applies to N5186A only.

Sets the default binary file format used when reading waveform binary files. This affects simple binary data only and does not affect other formats such as secure waveform (wfm) file and Matlab file.

Selections are:

Int16 Big Endian
Int16 Little Endian

This setting does not affect the data currently selected. For example, if a binary file is selected by the File setting under Signal’s Waveform File mode, changing this setting doesn’t invoke reloading or reuploading of the file. The selected new file format is used when the file is set next time.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > I/Q Waveform > Default Binary File Format
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:WAVeform:BFILe:FORMat:DEFault I16Big\|I16Little :SYSTem:WAVeform:BFILe:FORMat:DEFault?
SCPI Example	:SYST:WAV:BFIL:FORM:DEF I16B
Preset	I16Big
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.
Choices	Int16 Big Endian \| Int16 Little Endian

Service

Accesses capabilities performed in the factory or under instructions from repair procedures.

Diagnostics

This area accesses self test and other diagnostic functions.

For N5185A/N5186A, "Copy" is available when connected from remote PC via a browser and the browser screen dimension are greater than 600 pixels high.

Instrument Self Test

Selecting Self Test followed by Run Self Test displays diagnostic information for the installed modules. View example image.

For information on running the self test from SCPI see *TST? - Self Test Query

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Self Test

Run Self Test takes at least five minutes to complete.

Copy simply copies this information to the clipboard for pasting into Windows programs.

Channel Self Test

Remote Command only.

This query performs the internal self-test routines for a specified RF Channel and returns a number indicating the success of the testing. A zero is returned if the test is successful, 1 if it fails.

SCPI Command

:SYSTem:RF<channel>:STESt?

SCPI Example

SYST:RF3:STESt?

!Runs the self-test routines for RF Channel 3 and returns 0=passed, 1=some part failed.

Notes

SYSTem:RF<channel>:STESt? May take many minutes to complete, set timeout value on controlling test program to a very large value (e.g. 10 minutes).

Successful completion of self-test on the channel will clear the applicable bit in the STATus:QUEStionable:STFailed or STATus:QUEStionable:STFailed:ESTFailed register. Unsuccessful completion of self-test on the channel will set the applicable bit in the STATus:QUEStionable:STFailed or STATus:QUEStionable:STFailed:ESTFailed register.

Status

The Status tab displays temperatures and other information for the installed modules when you click Update.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Status

Instrument Temperature

The instrument’s temperature is provided in the Service > Status screen when you click Update. It is also available via a SCPI query.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Status
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:TEMPerature?
SCPI Example	SYST:TEMP?
Notes	Value returned is in degrees Celsius.

Thermal Safe Operating Margin

The instrument maintains proper instrument operation with the Fan Control set to Auto for the specified environmental conditions. If the instrument’s temperature becomes excessive, it may shutdown. Thermal safe operating margin allows you to observe how close the current temperature is to the safety limit.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Status
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:TEMPerature:OMARgin?
SCPI Example	SYST:TEMP:OMAR?
Notes	Value returned is in degrees Celsius.

Exhaust Temperature

The instrument's airflow temperature is reported in the Service > Status tab. It is also available via a SCPI query.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Status
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:TEMPerature:EXHaust?
SCPI Example	SYST:TEMP:EXH?
Notes	Value returned is in degrees Celsius.

Channel Temperature

When monitoring the instrument’s temperature it is recommended to use the Instrument Temperature. For instruments with more than 1 channel, the ability to query an individual channel’s temperature is provided should you desire to monitor an individual channel.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Status
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:RF<channel>:TEMPerature?
SCPI Example	SYST:RF2:TEMP?
Notes	Value returned is in degrees Celsius. If the indicated <channel> doesn’t exist on the instrument, a timeout will occur. Ensure that you use this query only on the available channels of the instrument.

Utilities

Selecting Utilities displays the available utilities for the installed modules.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Utilities

Fan Control

By default, the instrument dynamically adjusts the fan speed to provide the appropriate cooling for specified environmental conditions. You can override this automatic control by setting the fan to the maximum speed, in the event your environmental conditions are extreme.

If you set the fan to the maximum speed, it results in the loudest instrument operation.

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Service > Utilities
SCPI Command	:SYSTem:FCONtrol AUTO\|MAXimum :SYSTem:FCONtrol?
SCPI Example	SYST:FCON MAX
Setup	:SYSTem:PRESet:PERSistent
Post Setup	:SYSTem:PRESet:PERSistent
Dependencies	Default value of AUTO is set by Restore System Defaults
State Saved	Persistent, survives preset and power cycle but not saved in the instrument state.

Preferences

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Preferences

Instrument Identification

The instrument is delivered from the factory with the Model Number, Instrument Description, and the Serial Number. You can change the Model Number and Serial Number in the Preferences tab in the System menu. The Description will be automatically selected based on Model Number.

GUI Location

System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Preferences > Instrument Identification

Attenuator Compatibility Mode

Remote command only.

Configures the Attenuator Compatibility Mode. When in PSG mode, the coupling among Power, Attenuation, and ALC Level works in a similar way as the PSG. With this coupling, the Power is changed when the ALC Level is changed. In the MXG, Power is not clipped when the ALC Level goes to either max or min.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMPatibility:POWer:ATTenuator NORMal\|PSG :SYSTem:COMPatibility:POWer:ATTenuator?
SCPI Example	SYST:COMP:POW:ATT PSG SYST:COMP:POW:ATT?
Notes	The setting is enabled by this command is not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST.
Preset	NORMal
State Saved	No

The following example shows how Power, Attenuation, and ALC Level change when Attenuator Compatibility Mode is PSG.

# Set Attenuator Compatibility Mode to PSG

-> :SYSTem:COMPatibility:POWer:ATTenuator PSG

# Set up the initial condition. ALC Level is set based on

-> :POWer -10dBm

-> :POWer:ATTenuation:AUTO OFF

-> :POWer:ATTenuation?

<- 0

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel?

<- -10

# Increasing ATTen by 10 dB decreases Power by the same amount

# -20 dBm (= ALC Level - Atten)

-> :POWer:ATTenuation 10.0 dB

-> :POWer?

<- -20

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel?

<- -10

# Change ALC Level changes Power

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel -9 dBm

-> :POWer?

<- -19

# When Auto Atten is on (Atten Hold off), the equation

# Power = ALC Level - Atten

# doesn't hold.

# Note that Atten 70 dB in this example isn’t the actual Atten value.

# In MXG, the actual one is set only when Auto Atten is off.

-> :POWer:ATTenuation:AUTO ON

-> :POWer?

<- -19

-> :POWer:ATTenuation?

<- 70

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel?

<- -9

# Changing Power doesn't change Atten nor ALC Level

-> :POWer -17.0 dBm

-> :POWer:ATTenuation?

<- 70

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel?

<- -9

# When AUTO is off again, Atten and ALC Level are set to satisfy the equation.

# Power = ALC Level - Atten

-> :POWer:ATTenuation:AUTO OFF

-> :POWer?

<- -19

-> :POWer:ATTenuation?

<- 0

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel?

<- -19

# When Power changes by a large amount, ALC Level exceeds the limit.

# In PSG, the both the power and ALC Level are clipped.

# On the other hand, in MXG, only ALC Level is clipped.

-> :POWer -37.0 dBm

-> :POWer:ATTenuation?

<- 0

-> :POWer:ALC:LEVel?

<- -20

-> :POWer?

<- -37

-> :SYST:ERR?

<- -222,"Data out of range;ALC Level value clipped to lower limit -20 dBm."

Enable SCPI Development Mode

When the instrument is in remote operation, a message box appears on the screen to notify the operator that an external program is controlling the instrument. In some situations, such as during development of SCPI programs, you may want to see the full instrument screen. This SCPI command is available to suppress the on-screen remote operation notification.

When using this command to suppress the remote operation notification, be aware that the front panel becomes responsive to touch and remote GUI operation.

SCPI Command	:DISPlay:DEVelopment ON\|OFF\|1\|0 :DISPlay:DEVelopment?
SCPI Example	DISP:DEV ON
Preset	Not affected by Preset, not a System Setting. Set to OFF upon startup of the instrument.
State Saved	No
Initial S/W Revision	A.14.00

Suppress SCPI Compatibility Errors

Remote command only.

For N5186A, allows sending the[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:POWer:ALC[:STATe] and [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:POWer:ALC:SEARch SCPI commands without generating an error. No RF Output operation changes as this instrument does not contain an ALC or perform Power Search. This preference can be used to allow programmatic compatibility with other Keysight Technology signal generators.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMPatibility:SERRors ON\|OFF\|1\|0 :SYSTem:COMPatibility:SERRors?
SCPI Example	SYST:COMP:SERR ON SYST:COMP:SERR?
Preset	Not reset by Preset, set to Off with Restore System Settings to Defaults.
State Saved	No

SCPI Backwards Compatibility Mode

Remote command only.

Optimizes SCPI backwards compatibility with Legacy products PSG and MXG, by coercing queries to return deprecated values.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:COMPatibility:MODE MXG\|PSG\|NONE :SYSTem:COMPatibility:MODE?
SCPI Example	:SYST:COMP:MODE MXG :SYST:COMP:MODE?
Notes	SCPI commands of all supported forms are accepted, but query values will be formed to the selected legacy product.
Preset	None
Choices	MXG\|PSG\|None
State Saved	Yes

Appearance - Color Theme

Bright Color (LIGHt) – Selects a full color palette for the display with dark text on a bright background.

Dark Color (DARK) – Selects a full color palette for the display with bright text on a dark background

GUI Location	System Menu (triple bar icon) > Settings (gear icon) > Preferences > Color Theme
SCPI Command	:DISPlay:THEMe DARK\|LIGHt :DISPlay:THEMe?
SCPI Example	SYST:DISP:THEM DARK
State Saved	Power On Persistent (survives shutdown and restart)
Preset	This is unaffected by a Preset but is set to DARK on a "Restore System Settings to Default Values"

System Remote Commands

Remote commands only.

The commands in this section have no front-panel key equivalent.

List installed Software Options

Remote command only.

This query returns a comma-separated list of installed software application options. This differs from the output for *OPT? in that the *OPT? lists the installed hardware options.

SCPI Command	:DIAGnostic[:CPU]:INFormation:OPTions?
SCPI Example	:DIAG:INF:OPT?
State Saved	No

Display State

Remote command only.

Enables or disables the instrument’s display. When On the performance (speed) of the remote operation may be degraded. If the instrument is not in LOCAL LOCKOUT, pressing the ESC/Local key on the instrument’s front panel will set the display to On and resume display updates.

SCPI Command	:DISPlay:REMote ON\|OFF\|1\|0 :DISPlay:REMote?
SCPI Example	DISP:REM OFF DISP:REM?
Notes	Pressing the front panel Local key sets the state to On.
Preset	Not affected by Preset, not part of Persistent State. Always ON immediately after the instrument is booted.
State Saved	No

List SCPI Commands

Remote command only.

Outputs a list of the valid SCPI commands for the currently selected Mode.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:HELP:HEADers?
SCPI Example	:SYST:HELP:HEAD?
Notes	The output is an IEEE Block format with each command separated with the New-Line character (hex 0x0A)

Instrument start time

Remote command only.

Determines the instrument application start time.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:METRics:STIMe?
SCPI Example	:SYST:METR:STIM?
Notes	The return value is a string with the format "YYYY-MM-DD<space>HH:MM:SS", in instrument local time.

SCPI Version Query

Remote command only.

Returns the SCPI version number with which the instrument complies. The SCPI industry standard changes regularly. This command indicates the version used when the instrument SCPI commands were defined.

SCPI Command	:SYSTem:VERSion?
SCPI Example	:SYST:VERS?

Set Time

Remote command only.

Sets the time, which is displayed in the lower right area of the signal generator’s display.

SCPI Command

:SYSTem:TIME <hour>,<minute>,<second>

:SYSTem:TIME?

SCPI Example

:SYST:TIME 1,10, 50

Preset

Set Date

Remote command only.

Reports the instrument's date.

SCPI Command

:SYSTem:DATE <year>,<month>,<day>

:SYSTem:DATE?

SCPI Example

:SYST:DATE 2018,12,1

Preset

Attenuator Bypass History Query

Remote command only.

Returns the cumulative number of times that the attenuator bypass has been switched. The subopcode indicates the channel being queried.

SCPI Command	:DIAGnostic[:CPU]:INFormation:CCOunt:ATTenuator[1]\|2:BYPass?
SCPI Example	:DIAG:INF:CCO:ATT:BYP?

Power On History Query

Remote command only.

Returns the cumulative number of times the signal generator has been powered–on.

SCPI Command	:DIAGnostic[:CPU]:INFormation:CCOunt:PON?
SCPI Example	:DIAG:INF:CCO:PON?

RPP History Query

Remote command only.

Returns the cumulative number of times the reverse power protection has been cycled.

SCPI Command	:DIAGnostic[:CPU]:INFormation:CCOunt:PROTection <channel>?
SCPI Example	:DIAG:INF:CCO:PROT?

On Time History Query

Remote command only.

Returns the cumulative number of hours the signal generator has been on.

SCPI Command	:DIAGnostic[:CPU]:INFormation:OTIMe?
SCPI Example	:DIAG:INF:OTIM?