HP WaterSkis E1412A, WaterSkis E1312A manual Making Multimeter Measurements, MEASure Command

Hardware Used 486 IBM compatible computer running Windows 3.1. The computer has an HP 82341 HP-IB interface and HP SICL/Windows 3.1 and Windows NT for HP-IB software. The VXI modules were loaded in a VXI C-size mainframe using an HP E1406A or B-size mainframe with HP E1306A Command Module as resource manager connected to the computer via the HP 82341 HP-IB card.

Making Multimeter Measurements

MEASure Command

This section provides four programs that demonstrate different ways of making measurements and retrieving the readings. SCPI command sequences for each program are contained in the boxes. The four programs:

1.Use the MEASure command to make a single measurement.

2.Make several externally triggered measurements.

3.Maximize measurement speed on multiple measurements.

4.Maximize measurement accuracy on multiple measurements.

NOTE: Review the section titled “Triggering the Multimeter” beginning on page 45 to fully understand the triggering system.

The simplest measurement method is using the MEASure command which configures the function to be measured, initiates the measurement(s) and places the reading(s) directly into the output buffer. You then must provide the I/O construct to retrieve the readings and enter them into the computer. One MEASure command will initiate multiple measurements if the trigger count or the sample count is greater than 1. The measurement process stops when the output buffer fills if readings are not retrieved fast enough. The measurement process restarts when there is again room to store readings in the output buffer.

READ? Command The READ? command requires that you configure the multimeter for the function you want to measure prior to issuing the command. The command initiates the measurement(s) and places the reading(s) directly into the output buffer like the MEASure command. You then must provide the I/O construct to retrieve the readings and enter them into the computer. One READ? command will initiate multiple measurements if the trigger count or the sample count is greater than 1. The measurement process stops when the output buffer fills if readings are not retrieved fast enough. The measurement process restarts when there is room to store readings in the output buffer.

INIT and FETC? Commands

The READ? command is broken down into two operations with the INIT and FETC? commands. The INIT and FETC? commands require that you configure the multimeter for the function you want to measure prior to issuing the commands. The INIT command initiates the measurement(s) and places the reading(s) into the multimeter's RAM memory. This memory will hold a maximum of 512 readings. You use the FETC? command to transfer the readings from memory to the output buffer. You then must provide the I/O construct to retrieve the readings and enter them into the computer. One INIT command will initiate multiple measurements if the trigger count or the sample count is greater than 1. If more than 512 measurements are made, only the last 512 readings are stored. Use the READ? command for more than 512 readings since readings are immediately put into the output buffer and retrieved with an I/O construct you supply. The measurement process stops when the output buffer fills if readings are not retrieved fast enough.

Chapter 2 HP E1312A/E1412A Multimeter Application Information 53