Agilent Technologies Serials 3038A-00101 and above Agilent 6038A I/O Path Names, Initialization

D

Programming the Agilent 603xA Power Supplies Using Basic

Introduction

The examples in this appendix are provided as an introduction to programming the Agilent 603xA power supplies with HPSeries 200/300 controllers using the BASIC programming language. The programming examples explain some of the more frequently used programmable functions of the power supplies.

NOTE: The examples in this appendix use the original language commands (ARPS) as described in section III of this manual.

The Agilent 603xA supplies can also be programmed using the SCPI commands as described in appendix C. In most cases, you can use the programming examples in this appendix with the SCPI commands. Simply replace the ARPS command string in the examples with the corresponding SCPI command string (see table C-6).

For more information about programming with BASIC, refer to the documentation provided with the HP Series 200 or 300 controller.

I/O Path Names

Throughout this appendix, I/O path names are used in place of interface and device select codes. In a large program, I/O path names simplify changing the address of an instrument if it becomes necessary. Reading and writing of the program are easier as well. The I/O path name can be carried in a common block and changed by a single assign statement.

In the following programming examples, the I/O path name @PS is used for the power supply. Note that the statement:

OUTPUT 705; "VSET 5"

is equivalent to:

OUTPUT @PS; "VSET 5”

as long as an assign statement defining the I/O path name @PS precedes any statements using the I/O path name.

Initialization

Sending the power supply the device command “CLR” will return the supply to its turn-on state. This function is useful for initialization to a known state within a program. Table 3-6 contains a list of the initial conditions.

Voltage and Current Programming

The power supply normally functions in one of two modes, either constant voltage with current limit or constant current with voltage limit. The operating mode is set by a combination of the set values and the load. For example, if the supply does not have a load connected, the following statements will put the supply in constant voltage mode at 5 volts out with a

10 amp current limit:

OUTPUT @PS;"VSET 5;ISET l0"

or OUTPUT @PS;"VSET";5;" ;ISET";l0

Programming the Agilent 603xA Power Supplies Using Basic 115