How to programmatically set up a basic measurement

There are two basic measurement methods for the sensor, both are described below. Triggered measurements can be utilized on either, please refer to the programming guide for details on triggered measurements.

1. The most common measurement is a trailing measurement. In this case the sensor continuously takes and averages readings utilizing a circular buffer. When requested, the most recent capture (number of averages) is returned using the FETCh? query. For more details refer to the programming guide.

The sequence below sets the sensor to make a trailing measurement. Refer to the programming guide for details on step detection and automatic averaging.

// Set sensor to default settings

SYST:PRES DEF

// Turn off automatic averaging

AVER:COUN:AUTO OFF

// Turn off Step Detection

SENS:AVER:SDET OFF

// Turn on continuous triggering

INIT:CONT ON

// Set 5 averages (use your own)

SENS:AVER:COUN 5

// Set to 2.6 GHz (Use your own)

FREQ 2600 MHz

// Make the measurement

FETCh?

// Repeat as desired

FETCh?

2. In many cases, the user wishes to determine the start of a measurement capture (number of averages). In this case, the sensor is set to begin collecting readings when the READ? Query is sent.

The sequence of commands below sets the sensor to make a measurement beginning at the time of the query. Refer to the programming guide for details on step detection, and automatic averaging.

// Set sensor to default settings

SYST:PRES DEF

// Turn off automatic averaging

AVER:COUN:AUTO OFF

// Turn off Step Detection

SENS:AVER:SDET OFF

// Turn on continuous triggering

INIT:CONT ON

// Set 5 averages (use your own)

SENS:AVER:COUN 5

// Set to 2.6 GHz (Use your own)

FREQ 2600 MHz

// Make the measurement

READ?

// Repeat as desired

READ?

An additional command is available called MEAS?, this is an automatic measurement wherein the sensor attempts to determine certain parameters to make the best measurement. For example, if MEAS? Is sent with no RF power on the sensor, it will set the number of averages to the maximum and may take a minute to return the measurement. The measurement is not normally used in automated testing.