Memory Commands

The memory commands control saving and loading instrument states and measurement trace data to the hard drive. To read and write trace data in GPIB format, see CALC:MEAS:DATA.

MMEMory:

CATalog?

| ASCFactor

| BSCFactor

| CORRection

| CSARchive

| ENR

| [:FILE]

| LIMit

| PLOSs

| PN

| SPURious

| OSSPur

| THReshold

| RLIMit

| SEGMent

| STATe

| ASCFactor

| BSCFactor

| CORRection

| CSARchive

| CSTate

| CITI

| DATA

| FORMat

| CSV:FORMat

| DATA

| ENR

| [:FILE]

| LIMit

| PLOSs

| RLIMit

| SEGMent

| SSCReen

| STATe

| TRACe

| CONTents

| FORMat

| SNP

Click on a keyword to view the command details.

Blue commands are superseded.

Specifying Path Names

The MMEM commands use the following rules to specify path names:

The default folder is "D:\". Learn more.
You can change the active directory using MMEMory:CDIRectory.
Specify only the file name if using the active directory.
You can also use an absolute path name to specify the folder and file.

MMEMory:CATalog[:<char>]? [<folder>]

Applicable Models: All (Read-only) Returns a comma-separated string of file names that are in the specified folder. If there are no files of the specified type, "NO CATALOG" is returned. Learn about File Types. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<char>	The type of files to list. Choose from: STATe - Instrument states (.sta) CORRection - Calibration Data (.cal) CSARchive - Instrument state and calibration data (.csa) CSTate - Instrument state and link to Calibration data (.cst) [:File] If unspecified then ALL file types (even unknown types) are listed.
<folder>	String - Any existing folder name. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:CAT? 'lists all files from the current folder mmemory:catalog:correction? 'D:\' 'lists .cal files from the specified folder
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:CDIRectory <folder>

Applicable Models: All (Read-Write) Changes the folder name. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<folder>	Any drive and folder name that already exists. If the same level as the default path, then no punctuation is required. MMEM:CDIR Service If the new folder is at a different level than the default, use a slash (/) before the folder name and enclose in quotes. mmemory:cdirectory '/automation' 'changes default directory up one level. You can use an absolute path to specify the new folder. mmemory:cdirectory 'C:/automation/service'
Query Syntax	MMEMory:CDIRectory? 'Returns the current folder name
Return Type	String
Default	See Specifying Path Names

MMEMory:COPY <file1>,<file2>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Copies file1 to file2. Extensions must be specified. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<file1>	String - Name of the file to be copied. See Specifying Path Names
<file2>	String - Name of the file to be created from file1.
Examples	MMEM:COPY 'MyFile.cst','YourFile.cst'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:DATE? <fileName>

Applicable Models: All (Read-only) Returns the (year, month, day) that the specified file was last saved. To query the last date and time a cal set was modified, use CSET DATE? and CSET:TIME? See Also MMEM:TIME?
Parameters
<fileName>	String - File name. See Specifying Path Names
Example	MMEM:DATE? "myFile.txt" 'Returns +2013,+4,+12 mmemory:date? "D:\Calset_18.pcs" 'Returns +2013,+4,+12
Return Type	Comma-separated integers
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:DELete <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Deletes file. Extensions must be specified. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<file>	String - Name of the file to be deleted. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:DEL 'MyFile.cst'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:LOAD[:<char>] <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Loads the specified file. Learn about File Types
Parameters
<char>	The type of file to load. Choose from: ASCFactor BSCFactor STATe - Instrument states (.sta) CORRection - Calibration Data (.cal) CSARchive - Instrument state and calibration data (.csa) CSTate - Instrument state and link to Calibration data (.cst) ENR - Excess Noise Source data (Noise Figure App only)\ SEGMent [:File] PLOSs When <char> is ENR, then include CAL, - See example below. *.sNp files CAN be recalled to the VNA although no <char> is used. See example below. If <char> is unspecified, the extension must be included in the filename. If an extension is specified in <file> that does not agree with <char> then no action is taken.
<file>	String - Name of the file to be loaded. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:LOAD 'MyFile.cst' mmemory:load:state 'MyInstState' MMEM:LOAD:ENR CAL, "D:/data/calset/346C_16500.enr" MMEM:LOAD "MyFile.s2p"
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:LOAD:LIMit <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Load limit test data of the active trace of the active channel from a CSV file.
Parameters
<file>	A file path by string format. The CSV file shall have header lines and a title row as follows. "# E5080 Limit Test" "# Revision: 1.00" TYPE,BEGIN STIMULUS,END STIMULUS,BEGIN RESPONSE,END RESPONSE
Examples	MMEM:LOAD:LIM 'MyFile.csv'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:LOAD:PN:SPURious:OSSPur <file>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N524xB with Phase Noise Option S93031xB (Write-only) Load user specified spurious frequency list of the active trace of the active channel.
Parameters
<file>	String - Name of the user specified spurious frequency list. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:LOAD:PN:SPUR:OSSP 'MyFile.csv' mmemory:load:pn:spurious:osspur 'D:/MyFile.csv'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:LOAD:PN:SPURious:THReshold <file>

Applicable Models: N522xB, N524xB with Phase Noise Option S93031xB (Write-only) Load the threshold table of the active trace of the active channel.
Parameters
<file>	String - Name of the threshold table. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:LOAD:PN:SPUR:THR 'MyFile.csv' mmemory:load:pn:spurious:threshold 'D:/MyFile.csv'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:LOAD:RLIMit <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Load ripple limit test data of the active trace of the active channel from a CSV file.
Parameters
<file>	A file path by string format. The CSV file shall have header lines and a title row as follows. "# E5080 Ripple Limit Test" "# Revision: 1.00" TYPE,BEGIN STIMULUS,END STIMULUS,MAX RIPPLE
Examples	MMEM:LOAD:RLIM 'MyFile.csv'
Query Syntax	Not Applicable
Default	Not Applicable

MMEMory:MDIRectory <folder>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Makes a folder. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<folder>	String - Name of the folder to make. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:MDIR 'MyFolder' mmemory:mdirectory 'D:/NewFolder'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:MOVE <file1>,<file2>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Renames <file1> to <file2>. File extensions must be specified.
Parameters
<file1>	String - Name of the file to be renamed. See Specifying Path Names
<file2>	String - Name of the new file.
Examples	MMEM:MOVE 'MyFile.cst','YourFile.cst'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:RDIRectory <folder>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Removes the specified folder. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<folder>	String - Name of the folder to remove. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:RDIR 'MyFolder'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:STORe[:<char>] <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Stores the specified file (.sta, .cal, .cst, .csa, .snp, s2px). Learn about saving SNP files on the VNA. Learn about saving S2Px files on the VNA. To save other data files, use MMEM:STOR:DATA. To save ENR files, use MMEMory:STORe:ENR
Parameters
<char>	Optional argument. The type of file to store. Choose from: ASCFactor BSCFactor CORRection - Calibration Data (.cal) CSARchive - Instrument state and calibration data (.csa) CSTate - Instrument state and link to Calibration data (.cst) CSV:FORMat ENR [:File] PLOSs SEGMent STATe - Instrument states (.sta) STATe:TRACe TRACe No <char> is specified for s1p, s2p, s2px and so forth. Include either <char> or the file extension. If both <char> and the extension are specified, they must agree or an error is returned and no action is taken. See examples below. Learn about File Types
<file>	String - Name of any valid file that does not already exist. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:STOR:STAT 'myState' mmemory:store 'c:/bin/myState.sta' MMEM:STOR 'MyData.S2P'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:STORe:CITifile:DATA <filename> - Superseded

Applicable Models: All This command is replaced with MMEMory:STORe:DATA. (Write only) Saves UNFORMATTED trace data to .cti file. Learn more.
Parameters
<filename>	Any path that already exists with filename. If the same level as the default, then no path is required. MMEM:STOR:CIT:DATA 'MYFile.cti' Of you can specify an absolute path and filename: mmemory:store:citifile:data "D:\myFile.cti'
Query Syntax	Not Applicable
Default	See Specifying Path Names

MMEMory:STORe:CITifile:FORMat <filename> - Superseded

Applicable Models: All This command is replaced with MMEMory:STORe:DATA. (Write only) Saves FORMATTED trace data to .cti file. Learn more.
Parameters
<filename>	Any path that already exists with filename. If the same level, then no path is required MMEM:STOR:CIT:FORM 'MYFile.cti' Of you can specify an absolute path and filename: mmemory:store:citifile:format "D:\myFile.cti'
Query Syntax	Not Applicable
Default	See Specifying Path Names

MMEMory:STORe:DATA <filename>,<type>,<scope>,<format>,<selector>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Stores trace data to the following file types: .prn, .cti, .csv, .mdf. Not all choices are valid with other arguments. See Valid parameter combinations below. Notes: To save snp files for standard channels (only), use CALC:MEAS:Data:SNP:PORTs:SAVE To save state and calibration files, use MMEM:STORe This command replaces the following: MMEMory:STORe:CITifile:DATA MMEMory:STORe:CITifile:FORMat MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:FORMat:CITifile MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:CONTent:CITifile
Parameters
<filename>	(String) Name and extension of the file to which data will be saved. If the extension does not agree with the file type, an error is NOT returned but the data may NOT be what you expect. See rules for specifying a filename.
<type>	(String) File type to save. Choose from: "PRN Trace Data" - .prn data. Learn more. "Citifile Data Data" - unformatted .cti data. Learn more. "Citifile Formatted Data" - formatted .cti data. "CSV Formatted Data" - formatted .csv data. Learn more. "MDIF Data" - *.mdf data. Learn more. "GCA Sweep Data" - Gain compression data. Learn more. "GCX Sweep Data" - Gain compression data. Learn more. "IMD Sweep Data" - Swept IMD data. Learn more.
<scope>	(String) How much data to save. Choose from: "Trace" - only the specified measurement number is saved. "Displayed" - all displayed measurements are saved. "Channel" - all measurements that are in the channel in which the selected measurement reside are saved. "Auto" For all Standard Meas Class (S-parameter) channels: When correction is OFF, the specified trace is saved. When correction is ON, all corrected parameters associated with the calibrated ports in the Cal Set are saved. For all other channels: When correction is OFF or ON, the specified trace is saved.
<format>	The format in which data is saved. Choose from: "Displayed" - the format is the same as that in which it is displayed on the VNA screen. "RI" - Real / Imaginary "MA" - Magnitude / Angle "DB" - LogMag / Degrees
<selector>	(Integer) Choose from: -1 Use when <scope> = "Displayed" (does NOT require a selected trace). <measurement number> Use for all other <scope> selections. Use Calc:Par:MNUM? to read the measurement number of the selected trace.

The following are valid parameter combinations for ALL measurement classes:

Parameters
<type> (String)	<scope> (String)	<format> (String)	<selector> (Numeric)
"PRN Trace Data"	"Trace"	"Displayed"	Measurement number
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.prn","PRN Trace Data","Trace","Displayed",2
"Citifile Data Data"	"Trace" or "Auto" or "Channel"	"RI"	Measurement number
"Citifile Data Data"	"Displayed"	"RI"	-1
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.cti","Citifile Data Data","AUTO","RI",3
"Citifile Formatted Data"	"Trace" or "Auto"	"RI" or "MA" or "DB"	Measurement number
	"Channel"	"RI" or "MA" or "DB" or "Displayed"	Measurement number
	"Displayed"	"RI" or "MA" or "DB" or "Displayed"	-1
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.cti","Citifile Formatted Data","AUTO","MA",3
"CSV Formatted Data"	"Trace" or "Auto" or "Channel"	"RI" or "MA" or "DB" or "Displayed"	Measurement number
"CSV Formatted Data"	"Displayed"	"RI" or "MA" or "DB"	-1
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.csv","CSV Formatted Data","displayed","RI",-1
"MDIF Data"	"Trace" or "Auto"	"RI" or "Displayed" or "Channel"	Measurement number
"MDIF Data"	"Displayed"	"RI" or "Displayed"	-1
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.mdf","MDIF Data","displayed","displayed",-1

The following parameter combinations save *.csv files in specific formats for GCA, GCX, and Swept IMD classes:
Parameters
<type> (String)	<scope> (String)	<format> (String)	<selector> (Numeric)
"GCA Sweep Data"	"Auto"	"DB"	GCA channel number
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.csv","gca sweep data","displayed","displayed",-1
"GCX Sweep Data"	"Auto"	"DB"	GCX channel number
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.csv","gcx sweep data","displayed","displayed",-1
"IMD Sweep Data"	"Auto"	"DB"	Swept IMD channel number
Example: MMEMory:STORe:DATA "myData.mdf","MDIF Data","displayed","displayed",-1

Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:STORe:ENR CAL, <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Stores an ENR (Excess Noise Source) data. (Noise Figure App only) To set and read ENR data, use SENS:CORR:ENR:CAL:TABLE:DATA.
Parameters
<file>	String - Name of any valid file that is not already in existence. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:STOR:ENR CAL, "C:/data/calset/346C_16500.enr"
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:STORe:LIMit <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Saves limit test data of the active trace of the active channel into a CSV file.
Parameters
<file>	A file path by string format. The CSV file shall have header lines and a title row as follows. "# VNA Limit Test" "# Revision: 1.00" TYPE,BEGIN STIMULUS,END STIMULUS,BEGIN RESPONSE,END RESPONSE
Examples	MMEM:STOR:LIM 'MyFile.csv'
Query Syntax	Not Applicable
Default	Not Applicable

MMEMory:STORe:RLIMit <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Saves ripple limit test data of the active trace of the active channel into a CSV file.
Parameters
<file>	A file path by string format. The CSV file shall have header lines and a title row as follows. "# VNA Ripple Limit Test" "# Revision: 1.00" TYPE,BEGIN STIMULUS,END STIMULUS,MAX RIPPLE
Examples	MMEM:STOR:RLIM 'MyFile.csv'
Query Syntax	Not Applicable
Default	Not Applicable

MMEMory:STORe:SSCReen <file>

Applicable Models: All (Write-only) Stores the specified file as a bitmap file (.bmp).
Parameters
<file>	String - Name of any valid file that does not already exist. See Specifying Path Names
Examples	MMEM:STOR:SSCR 'myState' mmemory:store:sscreen 'c:/bin/myState.bmp'
Query Syntax	Not applicable
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:FORMat:CITifile <char> - Superseded

Applicable Models: All This command is replaced with MMEMory:STORe:DATA. (Read-Write) Specifies the format of subsequent citifile save statements.
Parameters
<char>	Format in which the citifile will be saved with subsequent MMEMory:STORe:CIT:FORMat statements. Choose from: MA - Linear Magnitude / degrees DB - Log Magnitude / degrees RI - Real / Imaginary AUTO - Format in which the trace is already displayed. If other than Log Mag, Linear Magnitude, or Real/Imag, then the format will be in Real/Imag. DISP - Displayed format.
Examples	MMEM:STOR:TRAC:FORM:CIT MA
Query Syntax	MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:FORMat:CITifile?
Return Type	Character
Default	Auto

MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:CONTents:CITifile <char> - Superseded

Applicable Models: All This command is replaced with MMEMory:STORe:DATA. (Read-Write) Specifies the contents of subsequent citifile save statements. (See Data Define Saves)
Parameters
<char>	Choose from: SING - Single trace DISP - All displayed traces AUTO - All displayed traces
Examples	MMEM:STOR:TRAC:CONT:CIT SING
Query Syntax	MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:CONTents?
Return Type	Character
Default	Auto

MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:FORMat:SNP <char>

Applicable Models: All (Read-Write) Specifies the format of subsequent .s1p, .s2p, .s3p; s4p save statements. Learn more. To save SNP data, use CALC:MEAS:DATA:SNP:PORTs:SAVE
Parameters
<char>	Choose from: MA - Linear Magnitude / degrees DB - Log Magnitude / degrees RI - Real / Imaginary AUTO - data is output in currently selected trace format. If other than LogMag, LinMag, or Real/Imag, then output is in Real/Imag.
Examples	MMEM:STOR:TRAC:FORM:SNP MA
Query Syntax	MMEMory:STORe:TRACe:FORMat:SNP?
Return Type	Character
Default	Auto'

MMEMory:TIME? <fileName>

Applicable Models: All (Read-only) Returns the (hour, minute, second) that the specified file was last saved. The time is returned in local time as setup in the VNA operating system. To query the last date and time a cal set was modified, use CSET DATE? and CSET:TIME? See Also MMEM:DATE?
Parameters
<fileName>	String - File name. See Specifying Path Names
Example	MMEM:TIME? "myFile.txt" 'returns +12,+34,+12 mmemory:time? "D:\Calset_18.pcs" 'returns +12,+34,+12
Return Type	Comma-separated integers
Default	Not applicable

MMEMory:TRANsfer <fileName>,<dataBlock>

Applicable Models: All (Read-Write) Transfers data between the VNA and an external controller. Other MMEM commands transfer data between the VNA application and the VNA hard drive. If <fileName> already exists, it will be overwritten. To read trace data from the VNA in block format, use CALC:MEAS:DATA. Note: If Enable Remote Drive Access is unchecked in the Remote Interface dialog, this command will return an error.
Parameters
<fileName>	String - File name. See Specifying Path Names
<dataBlock>	Block Data - The contents of the file. The data block is a block of binary data. Use the following syntax: #<num digits><byte count><data bytes><NL><END> where: <num_digits> specifies how many digits are contained in <byte_count> <byte_count> specifies how many data bytes will follow in <data bytes> Example: #210ABCDE+WXYZ<nl><end> Where: # - always sent before definite block data 2 - specifies that the byte count is two digits (2) 10 - specifies the number of data bytes that will follow, not counting <NL><END> ABCDE+WXYZ - 10 digits of data <NL><END> - always sent at the end of block data
Example	See example program
Query Syntax	MMEMory:TRANsfer? <fileName> Reads block data from the specified file location.
Default	Not applicable