Chapter 2

Using the HP E1459A Module

This chapter provides examples of using and programming the HP E1459A using the Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI). For detailed information on all the SCPI commands for this module, refer to Chapter 3. Appendix B in this manual provides information on registers and register-based programming.

Note If you are controlling the module by a high level language, such as the downloaded SCPI driver or the VXIplug&play driver, do not do register writes. This is because the high level driver will not know the instrument state and an interrupt may occur causing the driver and/or command module to fail.

The example programs in this chapter were developed with the ANSI C language using the HP VISA extensions. For additional information, refer to the HP VISA User’s Guide. These programs were written and tested in Microsoft Visual C++ but should compile under any standard ANSI C compiler.

To run the programs you must have the HP SICL Library, the HP VISA extensions, and an HP 82340 or 82341 HP-IB module installed and properly configured in your PC. An HP E1406 Command Module provides direct access to the VXI backplane.

Using the HP E1459A Module 29