User`s guide

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4. Language Compatibility

The Agilent E4418A/B with 437B language compat-

ibility mode selected can systematically replace

a 437B power meter in an existing application.

Similarly the E4419A/B can replace the 438A

power meter. Please note that the E4419A must

have firmware revision A.02.02 or higher in order

to have 438A language compatibility. The main

advantages gained by using the language compati-

bility modes are:

• re-use of current system software

• increased measurement speed: the EPM series

have a “x2 mode” which provides twice the

measurement speed compared to the 437B/438A

and 8480 series sensor combination.

• use of new E-series sensor range. These are wide

dynamic range sensors with sensor calibration

factors stored in EEPROM, for CW applications.

In general, the EPM series power meters should

be a “drop-in” replacement for the 437B or 438A.

However there are various issues that should be

considered, especially with software that has

assumed or made use of delays and features inher-

ent to the 437B or 438A. The following sections

offer advice for situations where using the EPM

series power meter as a replacement for the

437B/438A has not been fully straightforward.

For clarity, the programming examples are in

BASIC. It is assumed that the user is familiar

with the 437B/438A command sets.

4.1 Zeroing and calibrating

After sending the zero or calibrate commands,

it is best to check either the status register or

status message to determine when this process

has completed. Using a fixed delay period is not

recommended.

100 OUTPUT @Pm;”ZE” ! Avoid this technique

110 WAIT 10

200 OUTPUT @Pm;”CL100EN” ! Avoid this technique

210 WAIT 5

Instead consider :

For E4418A/B single channel power meter

(437B language):

100 OUTPUT @Pm;”CS;ZE” ! Clear status register and

initiate zero

110 IF (BIT(SPOLL(@pm),1)=0) ! Wait until zero completes

THEN GOTO 110 (status-reg bit 1 set)

200 OUTPUT @Pm;”CS;CL100EN” ! Clear status register

and calibrate

210 IF (BIT(SPOLL(@pm),1)=0) ! Wait until cal completes

THEN GOTO 110 (status-reg bit 1 set)