Chapter 3 Programming Your Universal Counter for Remote Operation
How to Program the Counter to Synchronize Measurements
3-46 Programming Guide
How to Program the Counter to Synchronize
Measurements
Synchronizing Measurement Completion
The Counter has three different methods for synchronizing the end of a
measurement and computer transfer of data. The three methods are:
1. Using the *WAI command
2. Using the *OPC? command
3. Using the *OPC command to assert SRQ
The following discussion shows how to use all three methods.
Resetting the Counter and Clearing the HP-IB Interface
Before attempting any programming, it is a good idea to set the Counter to a
known state. The following command grouping illustrates how to reset the
Counter. Before issuing these commands, execute a device clear to reset the
interface and Counter. Consult your interface card ’s documentation for how to
issue a device clear since the device clear command will be specific to the interface
you are using. Perform the following:
1. Issue a Device Clear. (See your computer or interface card documentation
for how to issue this command.)
2. Issue the following commands:
*RST
*CLS
*SRE 0
*ESE 0
:STAT:PRES
Using the *WAI Command
This method is most useful when only the Counter is on the bus and you want the
Counter to send the data when it is ready. In this example, the Counter is
instructed to take 50 measurements and return the statistics for these 50
measurements. After the :INIT command is issued, the Counter is instructed to
hold off execution of any more commands by the *WAI command. When the
Counter has completed the 50 measurements and statistics, it executes the
:CALC3:AVERAGE:ALL? command, which asks for the results.