Programming the M937xA
The following tips can help you successfully program the M937xA PXIe VNA.
SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments)
The PXI VNA is programmable using the SCPI language. The SCPI documentation is included in this help file.
In the PXI VNA, SCPI commands MUST be sent through either HiSLIP or through the IVI-COM/Labview driver pass-through.
HiSLIP
The PXI VNA software supports the HiSLIP interface for SCPI commands. This MUST be enabled from the Soft Front Panel using the IO configuration dialog. Learn more.
Note: If you can NOT connect with an external PC using LAN (HiSLIP), add a single exception to the firewall – either for the 835x.exe or for port 4880.
IVI-COM / IVI-C / LabView Driver Interfaces
These drivers are the preferred programming interface to the PXI VNA software. The IVI COM driver is extensively documented in its own help file located at "c:\program files\ivi foundation\ivi\drivers\agna\agna.chm". The LabView driver is also documented. Both the driver and help file are included on the CD that was shipped with the product.
There are numerous examples for using the IVI-COM driver to perform common operations. They are located at: "c:\program files\ivi foundation\ivi\drivers\agna\examples".
Each of these drivers has a SCPI pass-through interface that can be used to send SCPI commands directly to the instrument.
It is NOT necessary to launch the soft front panel to use these drivers.
Live Soft Front Panel (SFP)
By default, the SFP is NOT visible when using the driver interface to connect to the PXI VNA. However, both the remote program and the SFP can run simultaneously. This can be useful during development to help diagnose any programming errors. Start the SFP by clicking the "Network Analyzer" icon on the controller desktop.
PXI VNA connection string
The PXI addresses are available in three locations:
through the Launcher application (Network Analyzer icon on the desktop)
through Agilent IO Libraries
through the VISA library by using viFindRsrc().
From the Launcher application copy the address on the dialog. For a 1-module example, the PXI address may be PXI15::0::0::INSTR
If you know the chassis and slot number of your module, you can also format the connection string this way: PXI0::CHASSIS<Chassis#>::SLOT<Slot#>::INSTR. For example, if you only have 1 chassis (this is most common), and the PXI VNA is in slot 9, then the connection string would be:
PXI0::CHASSIS1::SLOT9::INSTR
Speed up Measurements and Data Transfers
Multiple Modules
When using multiple PXI VNA modules, you can choose to use them in a Multisite or Multiport configuration.
For help configuring your hardware, please refer to the Installation Guide on the M937xA documentation website: http://na.support.keysight.com/pxi/help/
Multiport
When connecting to multiple modules, at least one of the modules must have option 551. The connection string for Multiport is a semicolon ";" delineated list of PXI addresses.
For example: The following creates a 4-port VNA using a VNA module in slot 9 combined and another in slot 10. Port 1 and Port 2 are measured on slot 9. Port 3 and Port 4 are measured on slot 10.
PXI0::CHASSIS1::SLOT9::INSTR;PXI0::CHASSIS1::SLOT10::INSTR
Learn more about Multiport configurations.
Multisite
When connecting to Multisite PXI VNAs, simply connect to each of them separately and configure them individually.
When running your program on the PXI controller using the IVI-COM, Labview, or IVI-C driver, you can use the PXI VNA connection string (shown above). The VNA firmware does not need to be started with the launcher GUI.
You can also connect over LAN using the HiSLIP address. First, you must enable the HiSLIP interface using the GPIB dialog. Then, you must launch the VNA modules using the Launcher GUI. Use a unique address to identify each of the VNA firmware instances as follows for 2 VNA modules.
TCPIP0::<hostname>::hislip0::INSTR
TCPIP0::<hostname>::hislip1::INSTR
Learn more about Multisite configurations.
Mix and Match
You can mix-and-match your Multisite and Multiport instances. For example, with 4 PXI VNA modules, you can run a 6-port Multiport instance using 3 of your PXI VNA modules at the same time that you run a 2-port instance using the last module.