Instruction manual

Chapter 3 Programming Your Counter for Remote Operation

Programming the Counter to Synchronize Measurements

Programming Guide 3-49

Using the *WAI Command

This command 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

average for these 50 measurements. The *WAI command that follows the

:INIT command instructs the Counter to hold off execution of any further

commands until the 50 measurements are complete. When the Counter

has completed the 50 measurements and averages, it executes the DATA?

command, which requests the results.

NOTE Do not put more than one command on a single line. If you put multiple

commands on a single line, extra characters (T and/or A) may be

generated.

Using the *OPC? Command

This method is useful if you want to hold off execution of the program

while you wait for the Counter to complete any pending activity. In the

*WAI example above, the line following the *WAI command is accepted by

the Counter. However, the Counter does not execute the command

because of the preceding *WAI command. If this line had been a command

to address another instrument, it would be immediately executed.

:AVERAGE:COUNT 50

:AVERAGE:STATE ON

:INIT

*WAI

DATA?

Base the result on 50 measurements.

Enable averaging.

Start 50 measurements

Wait until 50 measurements are complete

before parsing another command. At this

point, commands can be issued to other

instruments. The Counter stores

subsequent commands but ignores them

until the measurement is complete.

Asks for the results of the 50

measurements. This command is not

executed until all 50 measurements are

complete and the average is computed.