Agilent Technologies E4374A, E4370A, E4371A manual Output Configuration

5 - Programming Overview

After selftest is completed and there is dc voltage on the power bus, the instrument moves to the

CF_IDLE state. In this state the instrument is waiting and ready to start a cell forming sequence. The instrument returns to the CF_IDLE state when a cell-forming sequence completes. Note that an Abort function also places the instrument in the CF_IDLE state. A cell forming sequence can only be defined or recalled from non-volatile memory when the Agilent MCCD is in the CF_IDLE state.

To begin running a sequence, the initiate function must be called. This causes the instrument to check the sequence, and if it is executable, it begins erasing the memory that is used for the measurement log and moves to the CF_ERASING state. The memory may take from 5 to 50 seconds to erase, after which the instrument moves to the CF_INITIATED state. From here the instrument will start executing the sequence when a trigger is received. The trigger source can be either the LAN or the digital I/O port.

When the sequence completes, the instrument returns to the CF_IDLE state, and the results can be read from the instrument. Note, because the initiate function clears the measurement log, it must be read before initiating the sequence again.

To query which state the instrument is in use:

cfGetRunState();

To check a sequence and move to the CF_INITIATED state use:

cfInitiate();

To start a sequence use:

cfTrigger(); or generate a trigger using a configured Digital I/O line

Set and query the trigger source use:

cfSetTrigSource();

cfGetTrigSource();

To query the time since the trigger occurred use:

cfGetSeqTime();

To abort a sequence and return to the CF_IDLE state use:

cfAbort();

Output Configuration

If specific outputs are not being used, you can program them to be inactive. Outputs that are configured as inactive will remain in an off state and will not be included in the sequencing or status functions. They will not be tested during selftest and will not get calibrated during instrument calibration. Measuring inactive outputs will return the special value, CF_NOT_A_NUMBER..

To set and query the output configuration use:

cfSetOutputConfig();

cfGetOutputConfig();

NOTE: Active/inactive outputs settings that are programmed using cfSetOutputConfig() are NOT saved in non-volatile memory. Each time the unit is powered up, you must reprogram the output settings. However, the output settings that are programmed using the Agilent MCCD User Interface ARE saved in non-volatile memory. The unit will wake up with those settings when it powered up.

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