fsc2: 6.13 Frequency Counter Functions

6.13 Frequency Counter Functions

The following modules for frequency counters exist:

hp5340a: Hewlett-Packard HP5340A
hp5342a: Hewlett-Packard HP5342A
hp5343a: Hewlett-Packard HP5343A
hp5350a: Hewlett-Packard HP5350A
hp5350b: Hewlett-Packard HP5350B
hp5351a: Hewlett-Packard HP5351A
hp5351b: Hewlett-Packard HP5351B
hp5352a: Hewlett-Packard HP5352A
hp5352b: Hewlett-Packard HP5352B
eip371: EIP Microwave Inc. EIP371
agilent_53181a: Agilent 53181A

To use a module in an experiment put its name into the DEVICES section of the EDL script.

List of frequency counter functions:

`freq_counter_name()'
`freq_counter_band()'
`freq_counter_resolution()'
`freq_counter_coupling()'
`freq_counter_timebase()'
`freq_counter_mode()'
`freq_counter_digits()'
`freq_counter_gate_time()'
`freq_counter_measure()'

Descriptions of frequency counter functions:

`freq_counter_name()'

Returns a string with the name of the frequency counter being used.

`freq_counter_band()'

This function only exists for the eip371 and allows to set (but not query) the frequency band to be used. It expects a single integer argument between 0 and 3, where 0 stands for the band from 20 Hz to 135 MHz, 1 for the band from 10 MHz to 300 MHz, 2 for the band between 100 MHz and 850 MHz and, finally, 3 for the band from 825 MHz to 18 GHz.

`freq_counter_resolution()'

This function only exists for the EIP (eip371) and the HP counters (hp5342a, hp5343a, hp5350a, hp5350b, hp5351a, hp5351b, hp5352a and hp5352b). It allows to set (but not query) the resolution frequency measurements are done with. It expects a single floating point argument, the resolution in Hz. Since the devices only accepts resolutions of 1 Hz, 10 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 1 MHz, values differing from these resolutions will be adjusted to the next higher resolution (if there's a deviation of more than 1% a warning is printed out).

`freq_counter_coupling()'

This function only exists for the agilent_53181a. It allows to set or query the input coupling and impedance of channel 1 of the counter (the second channel's input coupling is always AC and the impedance is 50 Ohms).

To set the coupling and impedance pass the function a singe argument, either the string "A50" (or the integer 0) to switch to AC at 50 Ohm, "D1M" (or 1) for AC with 1 MOhm impedance, "D50" (or 2) for DC and 50 Ohm, or "D1M" (or 3 to switch to DC with 1 MOhm.

If called with no argument the current setting gets returned as an integer (please note that a query is impossible when the function gets called in the PREPARATIONS sections and the impedance and coupling haven't been set before).

`freq_counter_timebase()'

This function only exists for the agilent_53181a. It allows to set or query the timebase used by the counter, either internal, external or automatic.

To set the timebase source pass the function a singe argument, either the string "INT" (or the integer 0) to switch internal timebase, "EXT" (or the integer 1) for external timebase or "AUTO" (or the integer 2) for automatic selection of timebase.

If called with no argument the current setting gets returned as an integer, either 0 for the internal oscillator and 1 when an external reference is used (the value 2 is never returned). Please note that a query is impossible when the function gets called in the PREPARATIONS sections and the timebase source hasn't been set before.

`freq_counter_mode()'

This function only exists for the agilent_53181a. It allows to set or query the arming mode, either automatic, based on the gate time or requiring a certain number of digits (in automatic mode the device does the fastest possible acquisistion, in gate time mode it measures for the specified gate time, and in digits mode the time required for a measurement depends on the number of digits requested). Please note that this setting influences the resolution of the results, use automatic mode for fastest remeasurements (but typically with lower resolution) or choose a resolution explicitely by using the functions freq_counter_gate_time() to set the gate time for gate time mode or freq_counter_digits() for digits mode.

To set the mode pass the function a singe argument, either the string "AUTO" (or the integer 0) to switch automatic mode, "GATE" (or the integer 1) for gate time mode or "DIGITS" (or the integer 2) for digits mode.

If called with no argument the current setting gets returned as an integer. It may return beside the values given above a fourth value of 3 in the case that the device has been set manualy to use an external gate to control the mmeasurements. Please note that a query is impossible when the function gets called in the PREPARATIONS sections and the mode hasn't been set before).

`freq_counter_digits()'

This function only exists for the agilent_53181a. It allows to set or query the number of measured digits when te device is used in digits arming mode (use function freq_counter_mode() to set this mode).

To set the number of digits call the function with an integer argument between 3 and 15, to determine the numer of digits call it with no argument. Please note that a query is impossible when the function gets called in the PREPARATIONS sections and the number of digits hasn't been set before).

`freq_counter_gate_time()'

This function only exists for the agilent_53181a. It allows to set or query the gate time when te device is used in gate time arming mode (use function freq_counter_mode() to set this mode).

To set the gate time call the function with an value between 1 ms and 1000 s, to determine the gate time call it with no argument. Please note that a query is impossible when the function gets called in the PREPARATIONS sections and the gate time hasn't been set before).

`freq_counter_measure()'

Returns a floating point value with the measured frequency. Except for the agilent_53181a the function does not accept any parameters. For the agilent_53181a a single argument is required, the channel to be used, either CH1 or CH2. The function can only by used in the EXPERIMENT section.

This document was generated by Jens Thoms Toerring on September 6, 2017 using texi2html 1.82.